July 28th, 2021
7:04 runtime
The 1911 has always felt good in my hands.
There is something about holding a quality metal frame that simply feels comforting.
Sure, I like a polymer-framed pistols, but the 1911 simply feels at home in my hands.
The Springfield Armory Emissary pistol is a 1911 that combines defensive-grade design with custom-style enhancements.
At the same time, there was a twinge of anticipation.
This gun looked different.
Yet it still appeared to have the qualities you would expect from an effective defensive pistol.
The pistol comes with two stainless-steel, eight-round magazines with bumper pads on their bases.
This is not simply a showcase pistol, but one that can deliver when its needed.
As part of my research for this article, I looked up the definition of the word emissary.
An emissary is a special agent selected to complete a mission, usually of diplomatic importance.
The topstrap of the Tri-Top slide features a grooved flat-topped sighting plane to help diffuse sunlight.
The name fits this pistol.
When I held the Emissary, it felt the way a 1911 should but even better.
With the Emissary 1911, that foundation starts with aforged stainless steel frameand forged carbon steel slide.
The grips of the Emissary are thin G10 panels, and have a checkering pattern that matches that of the frame’s front and backstraps.
The fit and finish of both the frame and slide is really quite impressive.
I fieldstripped the gun and then reassembled the slide and frame and the fit was tight and smooth.
Its no wonder that Springfield Armory frames and slides are a common choice for custom 1911 builders.
From this angle, you can see the amazingly fast U-Dot sights that are included standard on this handgun.
Topping It Off
The Emissary is a feature-rich 1911.
But an important point here is that I didnt compete with factory guns.
These were custom guns.
The grips of the Emissary are thin G10 panels and have a checkering pattern that matches that of the frame’s front and backstraps.
While the Emissary is a stock gun, it simply screams custom as soon as you look at it.
The first thing you are likely to notice about the two-tone Emissary is the slide.
Primary Interface
The frame also has its share of custom-style appointments.
Modern performance with old-world craftsmanship will make the Emissary an instant classic.
When it comes to the fit and feel of a handgun, the frame plays a big role.
The frame is your connection to the gun.
Fit and feel matter.
Carlson put the Emissary through its paces and found it to be reliable, shootable and accurate.
This same pattern is repeated on the flat mainspring housing.
TheEmissarys grip panelsare constructed from tough G-10 and are thin and low-profile.
The trigger itself matches the styling of the Emissary pistol.
The pistol features a full-length guide rod system as well as a heavy bull barrel. Carlson employed a bent paper clip to help takedown the pistol.
It is blackened, like the controls including the single-sided manual safety and has a flat face.
It complements the angular styling of the pistol, but serves a practical purpose as well.
Just forward of the triggerguard is an integral strip of Picatinny rail on the dustcover for mounting accessories.
The Emissary, while displaying modern styling cues, is one of the more beautiful 1911 pistols available today.
Under the Hood
Not all of the Emissarys enhancements are immediately apparent.
It also has an attractive dish-style crown.
Located under the barrel is a full-length guide rod system.
Personally, Ive always preferred the fieldstripping procedure of a bull-barreled gun compared to a 1911 with a bushing.
The Emissary is no different.
Capturing the recoil spring and guide rod makes disassembly and reassembly easy.
It worked like a charm.
When I had removed the barrel, I discovered that this is truly a heavy bull barrel.
This thing is really beefy.
I suspect that as the overall weight of the pistol is still a reasonably normal 40 oz.
for an all-steel 1911, there was some slight weight-saving that came from the Tri-Top slide top.
I think that extra weight allowance was put into this barrel.
This is a stiff, rigid, heavy barrel.
I found that the Emissary takes that shootability to the max.
First off, the Emissary weighs in at two and half pounds.
It is no lightweight.
This is substantial mass, and its distributed right where it needs to be.
With the bull barrel, full-length guide rod and railed dustcover, the Emissary is a front-heavy pistol.
When it comes to recoil, this throw in of weight distribution makes shooting the .45 ACP a breeze.
I found the gun to be balanced well, and it returned to point of aim quickly and naturally.
I have spent a good bit of time with the U-Dot sights that sit atop the Emissary.
However, this is the first time Ive played with them on a 1911.
I found them to be quite easy to use.
The high-visibility green front sight was easy to pick up and place in the U-notch rear.
Some serrations on the rear sight could be beneficial.
The Emissary is a pleasure to shoot, pure and simple.
I hit everything I aimed at and enjoyed pressing the trigger over and over.
Recoil was manageable, and I found my sights back on target in no time.
There were no malfunctions during the test, and the accuracy (with the 230-gr.
hardball ammo all I could locate on the shelves) was quite good.
Final Thoughts
In my mind, the 1911 has always been a dignified pistol.
Its reputation, longevity and history tend to distinguish it from the many other pistols available on the market.
This tradition has been carried on by many custom builders over the years.
The Emissary takes the best of that world and combines it with a factory defense-ready pistol.
Did I forget to mention that?
You get all that the Emissary has to offer for an MSRP of just $1,279.
Go to forum thread
