Writing car reviews quickly taught you “tricks” manufacturers used to assure themselves the best chances for positive car reviews.
Either we’d be invited for some sort of “auto writer’s conclave” for “exclusive reveals” or pristine vehicles would quietly be delivered to our homes. The delivery driver would then walk you through the features of the vehicle, hand over the keys and remind you: “you break it, you buy it.”
“Reveals” were the only time automakers ever allowed alcohol and vehicles in close proximity. The rule was drink or drive, but they knew a friendly post-drive drink could take critical edges off initial impressions.
If it were a performance model, there would invariably be a hero car at the event. If it wasn’t “Ticket Me Red” or “Screaming Canary” it was -in car talk - “murdered out.” Identical to the other cars but trimmed out to be as close to dead black as they could make it.
Aftermarket accessory companies got involved on those. Because car companies had 30% limits on how much tint they could apply to windows. I routinely flogged around high-performance cars with stealthy-looking wraps, custom interiors dark as caves sporting window tints far beyond what manufacturers could sell (adding additional tint after a sale is legal).
Before you get upset at the term “murdered,”, it referred to the car being described as “blacked out as a murder of crows.” Writers love word games.
For the final year of the Camaro, Chevrolet is releasing 350 Model ZL1 Black Panthers. I haven’t wanted a Camaro since the 1960s. GM photo.
Turning high-speed laps was always fun. But fast laps in a “murdered out” model amped up the experience. Fast laps were essential to prove you were a “real car writer.”
Finally, here’s the point: gun manufactures know the same tricks. Guns are frequently introduced at “writer events” and in a variety of finishes. Spec-ops types like flat dark earth, desert, and camo. Competition brought mix-and-match colorations. They all contribute “sizzle” to otherwise similar-looking products.
Exterior finishes have little - if anything - to do with car or gun functionality. But finishes and textures are key for making connectivity with the most critical distance in shooting, driving or any other physical activity: the distance between our ears.
If it looks good to you, it will likely perform better for you. If it doesn’t perform out of the box, you’re more apt to put in the effort to get better.
Win/win for everyone.
I like handguns in black, accented in black. But a gun in “Ticket Me” red, would appeal, too.
A few weeks ago, Springfield Armory asked me to take a look at one of a pair of new guns they’re introducing (Hint: there’s another one coming along soon).
I chose the one available in my favorite caliber -.45ACP (also available in 9mm) and teased as being “fully blacked-out.” It absolutely is.
Springfield’s new 1911 Emissary is as blacked out as you can get without hiding the sights.
Springfield Armory’s new 1911 Emissary is finished, stem to stern, in the most basic of all-business colors: black. The monochrome palette contains some nice shooting features. Springfield Armory photo.
1911 Emissaries are available in two calibers: 45ACP or 9mm. Each in two barrel lengths: 4.25 and 5 inches. I selected the five-inch option.
Fully “blacked out” in Cerakote, Emissaries all have Springfield’s “Tri-top” cut slide, bull barrel, and full length guide rod. They feature VZ Grips’ thin-line G10s (black) and Springfield’s U-notch rear sight and a tritium/luminescent front site. They have solid flat trigger and rail for a weapon-mounted light. MSRP: $1,378. Not cheap, but not unreasonable for a gun with a lot of features.
The heavy profile barrel and one piece guide rod add some weight to the new Emissary. Just enough, it seems, to enable it to “ride” easily in my hand shooting .45ACP.
I use “ride” to describe how guns “run”because I grew up with horses, not guns.
When riding, you’ll find a particular “gait” most comfortable for you. Whether you walk, canter or run, finding that groove means your best combination of speed and accuracy.
Same thing with guns. And like horse, caliber and application matter.
For an Emissary in competition, I’d want heaviest physical weight possible (5-inch) a (probably) lightened trigger with a strong reset and 9mm. That combination should enable me to shoot, reset/reacquire and make subsequent shots faster. I’m shooting for speed and accuracy.
For defensive carry, I like the Emissary’s slim 1911 profile and .45ACP. My goal is to mount the gun quickly and come onto target should I need to shoot. If more shots are necessary, I will “ride” the gun and stay on the target.
Small motor functions are first guests to leave all adrenaline dump parties. Defensive shooting is different from competition. Unsteady hands and light triggers lead to bad outcomes. I want up on a target quickly, with the assurance my trigger won’t “self-press under stress.”
The Emissary isn’t a small gun - 43 ounces, unloaded - 8.4 inches long and 5.25 inches high. It’s not a pocket pistol, but it’s not too big for most people to carry. And it has the great handling characteristics that have kept the 1911 a viable choice for everything from competition and concealed carry to military issue since, well, 1911.
Running a few magazines through a gun is not a gun review -it’s an initial impression. Initially, I really like the 1911 Emissary- but another session next month with a pair of Gunsite Academy instructors will get some real testing.
When we get a few hundred rounds run through the Emissary, I'll have more.
— Jim Shepherd
