The Springfield Armory 1911 Emissary

Today, Springfield Armory has sent an Emissary into our midst, and it’s going to redefine the way you think about 1911 pistols. Like a real emissary, this pistol is ready for elegant diplomacy and hardcore shooting alike. Forget martinis, shaken or stirred: Imagine a pistol like a fine wine, with front notes that lightly tickle your palate and the familiar classic lines that made the 1911 a timeless design. One sip and a more bold modern approach of elements just hits you, completing a complex body of notes that can undertake any mission at hand. 

From the moment you shake hands with the Springfield 1911 Emissary,  you will see how this 1911 is built as if it were a custom pistol. It is high class in nature with features only found in high end 1911s costing thousands. At the heart of the Springfield Emissary are the frame, slide and barrel, all forged from steel. It boasts a classic two-tone look with a traditional hot-salt-blued slide that rides on a stainless steel frame. The stainless heavy-profile bull-barrel’s bushingless design is rock solid. This allows the slide to milk all the accuracy it can from the platform. The muzzle features a crowned profile, usually only found in the realm of more expensive pistols, which also protects the critical edge of the bore from damage. 

The “Tri-Top” cut slide is a modern approach and differentiates the Emissary from every other 1911. The slide serrations are a great visual artistic touch. The front grooves are on the top portion of the side only opposite the rear grooves that are on the lower side of the slide. The front lighting grooves are perfect for an offhand “top of the slide thumb and first finger press” check. Running the length of the top of the slide is a flat top that has 40LPI grooves cut into it that reduce glare so the sights can stand out. (Again, this is something found in custom build 1911s that is standard on the Emissary.) The slide is milled with the Springfield Novak style dovetail cuts, with a big visibility tritium front night sight installed. The rear sight features a bright white U gouge along with a nice ledge for emergency slide racking. 

On the frame one of the first things you notice is the oversized, square trigger guard—perfect for use with gloved hands. Almost always found on custom 1911s, it is a popular feature with some shooters dating back to at least the 80s. This will be one of those “love it or hate it” features; those who use that type of grip or shoot with gloves on will love it. Those who hate it will ignore it. While this trigger guard should work with most 1911 holsters, depending on the amount of fitting on the holster, there will be some that will not be compatible with the Emissary. 

Just to the front of the trigger guard is a nice three-lug Picatinny rail that will fit most pistol-mounted lights and lasers. A light is an important piece of equipment for a duty/ccw weapon, and the Emissary gives you that option, while reducing weight in that the dust cover does not run the full length of the slide. The flat faced trigger looks unique in that the flat portion is recessed slightly back for an easier trigger finger reach. It almost reminds me of devil horns. (I bet it is a real hell on wheels.)

Moving back to the grip, we find another area where form, function and great artistic design collide. The grenad- pattern texture perfectly lines up wrapping from the front strap, to the slim line VZ Grips, all the way back to the mainspring housing. The large grenade pattern is big enough for great purchase between the user’s hand and pistol even while sweaty or dirty. But the pattern is not so sharp and aggressive that it will tear up a user’s hand or shirts while concealing. 

Coming in at an MSRP of $1279, the Emissary is going to quickly find a cult following. Anyone who is looking for a custom-style 1911 at the price point of a production gun will be ecstatic. The bonus is that the Emissary not only looks good, but it’s built to take on a lifetime of hard use. What’s not to love? Adding in practical features like an accessory rail, high visibility night sights and good grips etc, just round out the Emissary package making it a true multi mission defensive pistol that can complete any mission at hand. Springfield-armory.com