[WVSurveyor]

One possible issue is the ejector worked loose. That happened on my EMP4 Champion, but I didn't have a round in the chamber. It locked when I attempted to rack the slide in preparation for cleaning after a range session. The ejectors on the original EMP's are glued in place and some of them don't hold. I sent it to Springfield and they pinned it in place at no charge. If your EMP is the newer Ronin model then I believe the ejector is already pinned, so that wouldn't be the issue in your case.

 

[WVSurveyor]

WV -- hope you're right about fixing the ejector.

My Ronin .45 Commander has a pinned ejector from the factory.
From the picture of the EMP3 that's disassembled on Springfields website you can see the pin that holds the ejector.

It's on the pic that's captioned "Forged for the 9mm Cartridge" and is right above and near the front end of the safety.

1911 Ronin® EMP® 3" 9mm Handgun - Springfield Armory (springfield-armory.com)

Sounds like you got a keeper there Tinyman.