fayetteflash Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I'm looking to get a 9mm single stack carry gun and am torn between the EMP and VIP. I have an STI Eagle that I totally love and think the VIP would be an awesome gun. After handling an EMP a few times, it keeps catching my eye and seems very cool. Any advice out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extremist Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 The EMP is a superb pistol, I have two, my wife carries one regularly. You won't be disappointed. Regards, James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) Hello: I thought the STI VIP was a double stack pistol? Take a look at the STI Ranger II or Escort. Thanks, Eric Edited March 18, 2010 by Aircooled6racer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fayetteflash Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hello: I thought the STI VIP was a double stack pistol? Take a look at the STI Ranger II or Escort. Thanks, Eric that is part of the dilemma... the vip seems to be a similar profile and is double stacked to carry 15 rounds vs. the 9 rounds of the emp. tempting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 (edited) Whether you go STI single or doublestack (yes the vip is a doublestack)keep in mind a good number of parts with the exception of the grip on the VIP are all 1911 compatible parts. My understanding is the EMP was scaled to the 9mm cartridge and therefor many of its parts to include the magazines are proprietary to that particular gun. Personally I prefer to carry a full size gun as often as possible and compromise my dress a little to do it, but in a gun that size and weight class I would be looking really hard at the STI Shadow or Eclipse. Plus they are lighter than the EMP by 5 ounces. Edited March 18, 2010 by smokshwn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fayetteflash Posted March 18, 2010 Author Share Posted March 18, 2010 you ain't kidding. the elektra looks pretty cool. any idea the capacity in 9mm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 Hello: So you are looking for a 1911/2011. Get the VIP with an aluminum frame for a carry pistol. More bullets the better That is one of the reasons I am going to make a 2011 9mm with a bull barrel 4.180" long. Also for IDPA Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwoods Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I have an EMP in 9 and a Tactical Lite in 40. The EMP is the way to go since it is smaller and thinner. With more bullets, you are also carrying around more lead, which makes it heavier. The EMP will hold 9+1, which will allow you to shoot two alphas and then get out of there with 8 left! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheers623 Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I carry an Aluminum VIP in .40 SW. It is a great little pistol and packs a lot of firepower in a handy package. Very similar to carrying a Glock 19/23. However, if your main consideration is ease of concealment, I would recommend a single stack pistol like the STI Gaurdian or Escort/Electra type. My wife and I both also carry Gaurdians, mine 45 and hers 9mm, and they are noticeably easier to carry comfortably concealed inside-the-waistband. The recoil of my wife's pistol in 9mm makes it a pleasure to shoot and practice with and carries 8 in the mag with 1 in the chamber. I would not feel undergunned with this pistol. As far as quality, I have pistols from both companies (STI/Springfield) and they are both great to work with if there are warranty issues. My personal preference is for STI but I think both would serve you well. Hope that helps some, cheers623 DVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParaGunner Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I would get the VIP,you never now when you will need the extra rounds. Also,like others said the parts for the VIP are availible everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airedale Posted March 18, 2010 Share Posted March 18, 2010 I have an STI Rogue in 9mm. It is small light and very shootable. It has run flawlessly through a thousand or so rounds. When you want small and very concealable, it's a good choice. I believe they are still available. I got mine through Shooters Connection. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fayetteflash Posted March 19, 2010 Author Share Posted March 19, 2010 thanks for the direction. i think i'm going to go with the vip... i'm familiar with the components and it seems like a good fit. the EMP is very sexy, but I just don't know about going with something that has been scaled down and doesn't use standard components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 here's the list of "re-engineered" parts the 15 re-engineered parts in the EMP: slide frame left grip panel right grip panel firing pin firing pin spring extractor plunger tube plunger spring trigger magazine tube magazine follower magazine spring magazine base plate magazine base pad after adjusting my extractor tension, mine has been trouble free. i've owned mine for about a 1.5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGibe Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 here's the list of "re-engineered" parts the 15 re-engineered parts in the EMP: slide frame left grip panel right grip panel firing pin firing pin spring extractor plunger tube plunger spring trigger magazine tube magazine follower magazine spring magazine base plate magazine base pad after adjusting my extractor tension, mine has been trouble free. i've owned mine for about a 1.5 years. Very nice looking gun. I am considering one of these in 9mm, but am concerned because I hear a fair amount of them need to be "tweaked" a little before they run solidly. Maybe I am only hearing the trouble stories? Thanks, Allen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quack Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 the only tweak that i had to do was adjust the extractor tension. the .40 S&W seems to have more problems than the 9mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skorittnig Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I know Bob at Brazos sells these, and offers some sort of reliability package- I'd like to find out if anyone has purchased one from him (with the package)- and how it runs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Understand that these are two very different pistols, and not at all comparable size-wise. The Springfield EMP is a very small, single stack 1911 that has actually been fairly significantly engineered to be even smaller than other maximum concealment oriented 1911s. The STI VIP is quite a different beast, about the size of a Commander albeit with a considerably wider grip. For Springfield EMP think "teeny concealment gun". For STI VIP think "real gun that I could use both for carry and competition if I wanted." BTW, I currently have in for test and eval an aluminum STI VIP - though its stated mag capacity is 15 rounds, both the mags supplied with my article sample took 16 with ease, and could actually take 17 but with pretty much no spring compression left over. Far as I'm concerned, these are 16 round mags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.Diddy Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 (edited) For the Money the EMP is a nice pistol...Overall fit and finish is what you would expect for the price. The execution and thought of redesigning the traditional 1911 components is done well. In my hand now is a sti ViP...abortion of epic proportions.. fit and finish is what you would expect from $500.00 pistol. trigger pull over 4.5lbs, MIM compents throughout, polymer grip that is .200 shorter then a govt length (not a true officers length) A belt sander to the bottom of the grip is a nice way to get their quickly without redesigning components. After all its about dollars. Overall not a well thought out design or execution. Bucket O Parts Thrown together...Best part is where they did fit components they were nice enough to leave file marks on the finished surface OVERALL A HORRIBLE COMPARISON Edited August 26, 2011 by B.Diddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polizei1 Posted August 27, 2011 Share Posted August 27, 2011 (edited) I'm a big fan of the EMP and absolutely love mine. I recently did a 1,000 round test without cleaning it and have 1,600 rounds through it without any malfunctions (2,100 total). The first 500 rounds I did have a few issues, but those were fixed after John Harrison adjusted the extractor. http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show...t=harrison+EMP http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show...t=harrison+EMP http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1364283 I carry it everyday: and shoot USPSA SSD with it: Edited August 27, 2011 by polizei1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIIID Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 An EMP with a couple of mods to improve the fit. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaster Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Look at STI total eclipse.Way better than EMP. Blaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RippSpeed Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 and shoot USPSA SSD with it: wouldnt you be @ a dis-advantage only have 9rds per mag ???? or did you find a 10rd mag ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RippSpeed Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) I vote for either ... Build a full custom for the price of a STI VIP Edited August 29, 2011 by RippSpeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxerglocker Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 The EMP is a great gun I love shooting mine and have it in my CCW rotation, 2K rounds through it so far without a problem. HST 124g JHP +P carry load. My is all stock with the exceptions on Davidson 4X4 grips and Wilson stainless grip screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polizei1 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 and shoot USPSA SSD with it: wouldnt you be @ a dis-advantage only have 9rds per mag ???? or did you find a 10rd mag ??? Yes I'm at a disadvantage, both with the magazines, and the short sight radius. I haven't found anyone able to custom make me 10round mags yet, so yes I shoot like I'm shooting major, 8 rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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