{"id":3008,"date":"2025-02-17T19:06:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T19:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=3008"},"modified":"2025-02-17T19:06:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T19:06:56","slug":"review-stan-chen-customized-1911-emp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=3008","title":{"rendered":"Review: Stan Chen Customized 1911 EMP"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Roy Huntington<\/a><\/p>\n

W<\/span>hen Springfield Armory\u2019s Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP) exploded onto the market back in the 2000s, it rapidly gained a name for itself among the die-hard 1911 crowd. In the process, this \u201ccrossover\u201d concealed carry mini-1911 helped to entice some who were on the fence to explore the delights and effectiveness of the platform.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, there are those who carry full-sized, all-steel 1911 pistols daily and have adapted to the challenges \u2014 and rewards. But it takes no small amount of dedication to manage it, and I do admire their tenacity.<\/p>\n

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The SI Magwell from Stan Chen is designed specifically for the downsized EMP pistol. Note the custom VZ Grips included in the package. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniels\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I am someone who has carried guns for well over 50 years, including my career as a cop. If you\u2019re like me, you\u2019ve found the luster of the idea of carrying soon loses its shine. For most, it\u2019s more of a chore than a delight. However, if you commit to it, there are options.<\/p>\n

Personally, I\u2019ve found over the years that a combination of light weight, effective caliber and comfortable carrying definitely strikes the right chords. Finding something that can achieve all those disparate goals is no easy task, though.<\/p>\n

The EMP checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to being an important contender in the daily carry race. The stock pistol is ready to go right out of the box, with one of the latest editions \u2014 the lightweight Ronin 3\u2033 version \u2014 fitting well into what I\u2019d call a \u201cbest\u201d category when it comes to 1911-style carry guns.<\/p>\n

\"Stan\n<\/picture>
The Stan Chen SI Magwell<\/a> for the EMP gives the micro-sized 9mm 1911 a high-speed reload capability. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniels\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the satin aluminum frame, forged steel blued slide, ramped match grade barrel, excellent sights and nine-round 9mm magazine, there\u2019s lots to like. Factor in the feathery 24-oz. weight and amazing accuracy, and the Ronin EMP platform nails it all.<\/p>\n

The EMP isn\u2019t just a cut-down, full-sized 1911, which can often compromise reliability when taken too far. The EMP was engineered specifically for the 9mm cartridge and has been carefully scaled down, with 11 proprietary parts designed specifically for this model. When you wrap your hand around the grip, I promise you\u2019ll smile. While I favor the 3\u2033 version, the EMP Ronin chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge is also available as a 4\u2033 version with a 10-round capacity.<\/p>\n

Stan Chen Magic<\/h2>\n

Even the most elegantly designed objects can often benefit from careful customization touches, and the EMP Ronin is no exception. I\u2019ll be the first to admit the stock gun does the job handily, and mine has done just that for some time. But when I found Stan Chen \u2014 that top-tier custom \u2019smith \u2014 was offering a cross-section of custom touches just for the EMP, I had to try them.<\/p>\n

\"Stan\n<\/picture>
The Stan Chen customized Ronin EMP 3\u2033 makes for a very compact and capable EDC 9mm 1911.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stan\u2019s sheer knowledge of what makes a 1911 run is legendary. His custom builds hold up even when scrutinized with a 20X magnifier. My own tests with his guns have revealed a level of accuracy almost defying belief. I once shot 60 rounds at 25 yards into just under 1\u2033 from one of his custom guns.<\/p>\n

This expertise, when matched with his designer\u2019s eye for improvements, has managed almost light-year leaps in comfort, ergonomics and performance for the 1911. Now, Stan brings that skillset and background to the excellent little EMP.<\/p>\n

At the moment, Stan Chen Custom offers a Shooter-Installed (SI) Magwell with matching VZ grips designed specifically for the EMP\u2019s reduced 9mm-sized grip frame, an enhanced thumb safety design, a custom-designed and enhanced mag release, and sight options. I asked Stan if I could try them on my personal gun, and the game was afoot. <\/p>\n

Speeding the Feed<\/h2>\n

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the \u201cShooter Installed\u201d SI magwell (for which Chen is famous) has been adapted to the EMP platform and its proprietary, 9mm-sized grip frame. It is priced at $199.99 and comes packaged with a set custom VZ Grips in black or black cherry that are cut to match up with the magwell.<\/p>\n

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The \u201cShooter Installed\u201d SI Magwell can be fitted to the EMP easily with basic tools. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniels\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you can detail strip your 1911, you can install this innovative magwell. Stan said he made some specific changes to accommodate the EMP. The first is a redesign of the front contour to specifically work extremely well with Springfield Armory magazines and a wider baseplate profile.<\/p>\n

I was surprised by how the round butt profile of the magwell really contributed to comfort and, when combined with the full-profile VZ grips, offered a very secure grip.<\/p>\n

The magwell shows the expected Chen attention to detail, too. He\u2019s eliminated any sharp edges on it, added precision checkering at 25 LPI on the mainspring housing, and CNC machined the whole affair from solid, heat-treated steel.<\/p>\n

Not only does the new magwell addition offer a huge chute to offer a generous ramp to guide mags in during a fast reload, but in combination with the grips it offers a surprisingly comfortable feel to me. I have always been a big fan of the slim-profile stock grips, but these thicker grips allow a bit more purchase, especially if you\u2019re shooting snappy loads.<\/p>\n

In Your Sights<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s next discuss one of the most obvious parts of any handgun, the sights. The stock Ronin sights have a classic white dot rear with fiber optic front. They are bold, easy to pick-up and easily adjustable for windage with a set screw. The Chen Full Custom Rear Sight is similar, but with a few changes I want to note.<\/p>\n

\"Stan\n<\/picture>
The Stan Chen Custom safety for the EMP builds on the foundation of a standard G.I.-style safety, but makes the surface platform just a tad bigger and curved slightly. It\u2019s comfy and accessible without being intrusive.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Priced at $54.99, Stan\u2019s \u201cFull Custom\u201d rear offers a simple, black serrated rear face. There\u2019s also a bit more area to that face, and I find the all-black sight picture to be comfortable for me and easy to pick up for precise work when needed.<\/p>\n

The sight exhibits a very smooth and sleek profile with hand-finished, rolled edges like you\u2019d find on a true custom hand-made sight. The blade is angled slightly to help avoid glare in bright sun and is crafted for one-handed slide manipulation. While not significantly different from the stock sight, it does offer a few custom touches I appreciated.<\/p>\n

Safety Change<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ll confess right off I\u2019ve never been a big fan of extended thumb safeties on 1911 pistols. I think some of that is the fact I cut my teeth on stock guns over the past many decades.<\/p>\n

The Chen Thumb Safety, priced at $74.99 to $79.99, is offered in blued or stainless steel and in lengths full- or mid- or short-length. The latter was one we fitted the EMP out with, and I like it. It has a slightly enhanced surface platform, and I\u2019d call it a nice balance between the stock design and an extended one.<\/p>\n

While having the same features of their longer-length safeties, I think this shorter design mates extremely well to the smaller-statured EMP. The slight curve follows the thumb\u2019s natural bend, and it\u2019s fully dehorned. When correctly fitted, the design allows that crisp \u201csnick\u201d on and off we 1911 shooters like to hear and feel.<\/p>\n

A New Catch<\/h2>\n

Next up is the Chen Angled Mag Catch, which is priced at $49.99. The angled serrations are inclined toward the shooter\u2019s hand so, when you press, they engage the skin of your thumb without any fuss or slipping. If you have to \u201cflip\u201d the grip a bit to reach the release, it\u2019s especially effective.<\/p>\n

\"Stan\n<\/picture>
Shown here is the Stan Chen Angled Mag Catch with angled serrations to improve engagement of your thumb. Image:\u00a0Carson McDaniels\/Springfield Armory<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I also would never have thought of one design element of it. The inside left edge of the release is extensively cleared to prevent the highly unlikely trapping of a magazine, even if the button is pushed hard during a hectic reload. I had honestly never thought of that before, and it\u2019s a clever modification to the design that helps take an absolute worst-case scenario off the table.<\/p>\n

Installation<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m blessed because I have the skills and tools to install these parts. The magwell is, honestly, easy to install with just a punch and small hammer, so fear not, you can do it! If you\u2019re careful, the rear sight goes on easily, too. If you can detail strip a 1911, then the mag catch won\u2019t be too much of an issue. Just use care so you don\u2019t bugger up the screw head!<\/p>\n

\"installing\n<\/picture>
If you can change a hammer spring housing, you can fit the Chen magwell. The matching grip set from VZ fits perfectly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the other hand, the thumb safety isn\u2019t a drop-in affair, and has to be fitted by someone who knows what they\u2019re doing. I like to start by using the original part to measure the engagement surfaces for a starting point. Then, by carefully filing the appropriate ledge area to within a few thousandths on the new safety, you can do test fits, file a tiny bit, test fit, etc. until you get that satisfying \u201csnick\u201d we all enjoy. But unless you know how to do this, do take your favorite EMP to a gunsmith you trust. It\u2019s money well invested.<\/p>\n

All of the Chen parts are meticulously manufactured in-house on high-end CNC machinery capable of mold-making precision.\u00a0Multi-axis machining techniques allow for amazing dimensional consistency, leading to more precise fitting to the pistol. They use the highest quality materials (heat-treated 4140 chrome-moly and 416 stainless steel) for durability, and frankly, it shows in the fit, finish and design of their parts.<\/p>\n

Custom Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The gun shoots as well after the installation of the Chen parts (call it a 1.75\u2033 gun at 20 yards depending on the load), as it did before. But the ability to quickly feed in a spare mag, the change in grip ergonomics, sight picture, the feel of the thumb safety, and even the bit of extra assurance the enhanced mag catch offers, all further contribute to the thorough sense of trust I have in this little gun.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll come right out and say Springfield Armory guns are my favorite factory-made guns, and that\u2019s not because I\u2019m writing here \u2014 it\u2019s because it\u2019s true. When I was editor of\u00a0American Handgunner,\u00a0<\/em>I often fielded questions from readers.<\/p>\n

When asked, \u201cWhich factory made 1911 should I buy?\u201d I always pointed them at a Springfield. If they want to take an excellent factory-made 1911 and ramp it up a bit with some thoughtfully designed enhancement parts, then in this case I\u2019d point them at two places \u2026 Springfield and Stan Chen Custom.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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Stan Chen Stainless Steel SI Magwell for Springfield EMP3 and VZ Grips Bundle<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Stan Chen Chen Full Custom Rear Sight<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Stan Chen Chen Thumb Safety<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Stan Chen Angled Magcatch<\/span><\/h3>\n


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1911 Ronin\u00ae EMP\u00ae 3″<\/span><\/h3>\n


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By Roy Huntington When Springfield Armory\u2019s Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP) exploded onto the market back in the 2000s, it rapidly gained a name for itself among the die-hard 1911 crowd. In the process, this \u201ccrossover\u201d concealed carry mini-1911 helped to entice some who were on the fence to explore the delights and effectiveness of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3009,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3008\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}