NRA Gun of the Week: Springfield Armory EMP4 Concealed Carry Contour

by
posted on March 11, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Springfield Armory's 9 mm specific M1911 features a bi-tone arrangement of metals, and uses a stainless steel slide over an anodized and lightweight aluminum frame—hence the name Lightweight Champion Concealed Carry Contour. The flat mainspring housing tails off at the magazine well with a bobtail treatment to enhance its concealability.

For more about this feature-rich handgun from Springfield Armory, check out this week's video, hosted by American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach.

Manufacturer
: Springfield Armory
Model: EMP 4” Concealed Carry Contour (PI9229L)
Action: single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Slide: stainless steel
Frame: aluminum; black anodized finish
Stocks: G-10; black
Sights: three-dot, combat-style; red fiber-optic front
Barrel: 4”; stainless steel, six-groove 1:16” LH twist, match grade bull
Trigger: 5-lb. pull
Overall Length: 7.50”
Height: 5.50”
Slide Width: 0.92”
Grip Width: 1.15”
Weight: 31 ozs.
Magazine: nine-round detachable box
MSRP: $1,220

Additional Reading:
Tested: Springfield Armory EMP4 Concealed Carry Contour

Latest

attack in a back alley
attack in a back alley

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Rifleman Q&A: Understanding a Firearm's Cycle of Operation

The cycle of operation is the mechanical sequence of events that it takes to fire one shot out of a firearm. If one of those steps fails to take place as designed, there is an interruption in the cycle of operation and the gun stops firing.

Review: Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm Riflescope

Looking for a performance LPVO without the usual associated cost? The Sightmark Pinnacle 1-6x24 mm might be your answer.

Myths & Misunderstandings About the “Modern Fighting 1911”

The Colt Model 1911 pistol and its derivatives are among the most iconic military handguns ever made. But in 2026, does the M1911 still hold up as a quality defensive arm?

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.