First Look: Springfield Armory EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour in .40 S&W

Springfield Armory expanded its EMP 4 pistol lineup with a new option chambered in .40 S&W and optimized for concealed carry: The Springfield Armory EMP 4 1911 Concealed Carry Contour.

"We are always looking for new ways to offer our customers exactly what they want," Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese said. "Whether it's an entirely new platform or simply an additional caliber offering, such as this model now being available in .40 S&W, we take each consumer into consideration and work tirelessly to provide a solution for their individual needs."

Springfield Armory rolled out its Concealed Carry Contour design at SHOT Show 2017, providing shooters with a specially designed frame that optimizes the classic 1911 design for concealment, ensuring that gun owners have a way to easily and discreetly carry their preferred personal-defense pistol. The Concealed Carry Contour features a rounded heel and mainspring housing, completely eliminating the portion of the frame that tends to poke through clothing and betrays the presence of a concealed firearm.

The Springfield Armory EMP 4 1911 is designed with a slim, single-stack configuration that provides an easy-to-conceal carry option along with improved ergonomics for a smoother shooting experience. The company's initial design, based on the 9 mm cartridge, allowed engineers to shrink the overall grip diameter and front-to-rear distance. The gun was then paired up with thin grip panels made from G10 fiberglass laminate.

In addition to the reduced frame dimensions, eight other components on the EMP 4 had to be redesigned to provide shooters with a compact and dependable personal-defense pistol. The 9 mm version of the pistol is built on an aluminum-alloy frame, but the added power of the .40 S&W necessitated the use of a frame made from carbon steel and finished with the company's durable, corrosion-resistant Black-T finish.

Other features of the gun include Springfield Armory's trademarked Posi-Lock dimple texturing on the front strap and mainspring housing, as well as the grips. An ambidextrous safety makes it a viable carry option for both left- and right-handed shooters.

The suggested retail price on the Springfield Armory EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour in .40 S&W is $1,220.