The universe of the polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm incorporates many planets. The place would the Springfield Armory Echelon land? On one of many bigger planets, suppose Jupiter, consists of what has come to be known as the compact variation. Sometimes, this implies a poly striker with a 4-inch barrel and 15+1 capability. These specs can differ a bit, but it surely’s superb what number of pistols match this description.
I’ve both owned or have had loads of expertise with pistols of this class from a number of producers and have reviewed plenty of them. I had adopted a “show-me” perspective, the place if a gun wasn’t what I anticipated or wasn’t what I assumed it needs to be, I used to be underwhelmed. That’s been the case till lately. Till this Echelon compact got here in, to be precise.
Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C
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The Echelon’s Large Thought
On July 12, 2023, Springfield Armory (SA) launched the unique, full-size Echelon. This collection (because it has come to be) is totally different in that it makes use of what SA refers to because the Central Working Group (C.O.G.), a detachable unit. You would possibly understand it as the hearth management unit. That is the motion and “guts” of the pistol – the set off, ejector, and serial quantity.
Different producers, resembling Sig and, most lately, Ruger, have jumped on this bandwagon. It solely is smart. With the acquisition of your Echelon and the ever present Type 4473, you’re taking residence one pistol. Now you can purchase different-sized frames and backstraps and have them shipped proper to your house. Do you just like the 4-inch barrel however want the grip was shorter? Purchase the small body. You’ll be capable of customise your pistol and make it the way in which you need it.
The modules are prepared now, for $65. You may get modules in small, medium, or massive sizes in one in all three colours. They embody the journal launch. Additionally accessible are three totally different backstrap sizes for $20. Go right here to see all of the equipment accessible for the Echelons.
Different Options
The C.O.G. shouldn’t be the one characteristic of this pistol. The pistol’s design exhibits plenty of forethought and listening to shooters, in my view. Let’s take a look at it.
Optics Reduce
The slide is minimize for a pink dot and carried out in such a manner that plates usually are not required. A system of pins are supplied that enable the low placement of the sight in order that co-witessing is allowed. Talking of sights…
Tritium Evening Sights
The mannequin I acquired for evaluate has tritium night time sights. I’ll or might not mount a pink dot – these sights are nice!
Grip Texture
Once I first picked it up, I seen the grip texture. That is, if I’m not mistaken, the identical or one thing very near what they do on the Hellcat. The grip doesn’t really feel overly sticky till you bear down on it. Then, all of it however locks the gun into your hand. Very properly carried out. Additionally, the backstraps take about 4 seconds to take away. These are the best backstraps I’ve ever seen to replac. The medium one which got here on the gun works for me.
Slide Serrations
The slide serrations are deep and spaced a bit to assist you to seize the slide with gloves or moist palms. There are additionally “ears” on the rear that stick out that can assist you get a very good buy on the slide.
Ambidextrous Controls
Each the journal and slide releases are duplicated on the suitable facet of the pistol. This lefty likes that.
Index Pads
Two index pads, for lack of a greater time period, are constructed into the body below the entrance set off guard “leg”. These assist you to get a constant grip on the gun and supply a spot on your set off finger to relaxation when not within the set off guard, and on the opposite facet on your assist thumb to take a seat on. Each are textured properly.
Set off Guard Undercut & Texturing
The set off guard is undercut, which permits the next grip. Additionally, there’s texturing on the underside of it on your assist hand index finger to relaxation on. That texturing shouldn’t be one thing I’d complain about if it have been lacking, however it’s a good contact. Additionally, what some name the beavertail is pronounced and actually protects your hand.
Three-Slot Rail
You will have three full slots below the muzzle to connect a lightweight or laser to. The complete dimension solely has 4.
Capability
The complete-size Echelon comes with one every of 17- and 20-round magazines for unrestricted states. This compact comes with one 15- and one 18-round magazine.
Set off
The flat-faced set off, though not the match set off discovered on the XDM, could be very good. It had minimal takeup and broke at a crisp 5 lbs., 6 ounces on my Lyman guage. The reset could be very brief, as properly.
For extra details about the Echelon, go right here.
Take-Down
The Echelon comes aside like most all HS Produkt pistols bought by SA. First, clear the gun completely and take away the magazine.
Lock the slide again and rotate the take-down lever down 90 levels. Pull the slide again and let it run ahead off the body, no set off press wanted. To reassemble, reverse the method.
I used to be completely impressed with the internals of this pistol… there have been zero additional marks or scratches and the steel elements have been polished and clean. The feed ramp is so shiny which you can see the rows of LED lights in my mild field mirrored in it:
You could possibly use it as a mirror to comb your hair, if it have been bigger (or your head smaller!). I’ve at all times been amazed at how polished SA feed ramps are.
How’d It Shoot?
Fairly is as fairly does, I’ve at all times thought. A pleasant, ergonomic pistol with numerous gizmos means nothing if it received’t shoot and received’t perform.
I found this pistol will do each, in spades.
I set some targets up at 25 yards in my yard vary and took an assortment of 9mm ammo to the bench.
Listed here are some outcomes with some 9mm ammo I had…
Armscor 115-grain FMJ
Fiocchi Coaching Dynamics115-grain FMJ.
Monarch 124-grain FMJ.
These are three consultant targets from casual teams I shot from the bench. Given extra time, I’ll experiment and discover each observe and protection hundreds that the Echelon likes. I don’t suppose accuracy goes to be a problem. One space to discover is whether or not this specific pistol likes 124-grain bullets higher than 115s. The few targets I shot maybe led me to surprise.
When it comes to shootability, the Echelon compact is correct up there and perhaps a bit forward of a number of different 9mm compacts I’ve owned or had expertise with. The ergonomics, sights, and set off are glorious, and the reliability is ideal.
Last Ideas
As I mentioned on the high, the universe of poly-striker-compact 9s is increasing… I’ve bought much more coming in from totally different producers for evaluate. However, to see a pistol carried out proper… designed with shooters in thoughts and that includes customizable body sizes… that’s uncommon.
The Echelon compact, like its bigger sibling, has taken the pistol world by storm. It was G&A’s Handgun Of The Yr in 2023. That claims one thing.
In case you are out there for a compact 9mm with a slew of options that’s dependable and comes with decent-capacity magazines, give the Echelon a glance. They’ve actually listened to shooters and the design exhibits it. I like mine… it stays right here.
Are any Echelon house owners on the market? Let’s hear from you beneath.
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved capturing and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Residing in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged creator, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms.
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