The world of 9mm mid-size pistols is ever-growing. The introduction of the venerable Glock 19 set the usual for what was to develop into the compact pistol market: 15+1 capability and a 4-inch barrel. I don’t know what number of pistols I’ve dealt with that meet these standards, however I discovered one which acquired it proper—the brand new Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C.
This gun is a shortened model of the full-size Echelon and comes with one flush 15- and one prolonged 18-round journal. It’s what I and some different writers name a “Goldilocks” gun… not too large, not too small however excellent.
This measurement pistol is sensible from a carry perspective, as its four-inch barrel is lengthy sufficient to develop first rate ballistics and support in dealing with recoil whereas the grip is excellent for getting all of your fingers round. However its compact nature makes it simple to hide.
Options
Among the gun’s options embody…
DEEP Slide Serrations
Press-checkers can be glad to know that Springfield has some severe serrations reduce into the slide, each fore and aft. They make it simple to seize the slide to test the chamber or to rack it.
Tritium Sights
The mannequin that was despatched to me has three-dot tritium evening sights put in, with a tactical ledge (I feel that’s what it’s being referred to as now) on the entrance fringe of the rear sight so you should utilize it to rack the slide on a belt, desk, or no matter. With the brand new variable interface system optics mounting system, beneath, pink dots sit low sufficient (no plate wanted) to allow co-witnessing. It is a long-overdue answer to the pink dot mounting downside. It will work till the business agrees on one mount for all sights. I’m not holding my breath…
Variable Interface System Optics Mount
This plate-free system consists of pins that, when positioned as wanted, permit the mounting of 30 pink dot sights.
Central Working Group
The Echelon has a serial-numbered hearth management unit that may work with different grip frames and slides. First Sig, then Ruger promoted having one FFL-registered fire-control piece with further grips and slides out there. It is sensible, and Springfield has jumped on the bandwagon.
The modules are prepared now, for $65. You may get modules in small, medium, or massive sizes in considered one of three colours. Additionally out there are three totally different backstrap sizes for $20. Go right here to see all of the equipment out there for the Echelons.
Polished Feed Ramp
That is one thing I don’t see in a number of evaluations, however I prefer to test the feed ramps of the pistols I take a look at. A non-polished feed ramp will not be actually a deal breaker – it’s simply finished – however whether it is polished, a lot the higher. I’ve at all times been impressed with Springfield feed ramps – you may actually see your self in them if you happen to might get your face in there. Within the picture beneath, you may see the strings of LED lights in my gentle field mirrored within the ramp. Good!
Two Additional Backstrap Inserts Included
The gun’s grip is adjustable by way of three backstrap inserts that assist customise the match for nearly any hand measurement.
Ledge For Your Help Thumb Or Set off Finger
I’m rising to understand the 2 textured ledges molded into the body on the ahead finish of the set off guard. These ledges are there that will help you to keep up a constant grip. I discover myself feeling for the ledge with my assist hand thumb once I choose the gun up. And, if it is advisable to maintain your finger off the set off, the pad on the opposite facet works for that. Grip consistency is a good factor.
Undercut & Textured Set off Guard
Your assist index finger is greeted underneath the set off guard by a small relieving reduce and texturing. It feels nice.
Two Magazines Are Included
You get a flush-fit 15-round and an prolonged 18-round journal with the gun.
Specs
Colour: Black
Body: Black Polymer, Small Grip Module
Grip Width: 1.2″
Size: 7.25″
Barrel: 4″ Hammer Solid Metal, Melonite® End, 1:10
Sights: Tritium 3-Dot (different configurations can be found)
Magazines: (1) 15-Spherical, (1) 18-Spherical
Top: 5.125″ w/ Flush Magazine, 6.125″ w/ Prolonged Magazine
Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® End, Optics-Prepared
Recoil System: Captive
Weight: 23.3 ouncesw/ Flush Magazine, 25 ouncesw/ Prolonged Magazine
Set off Pull: 5 lbs., 6 oz. (measured with a Lyman digital gauge)
The place To Purchase
Impressions
I obtained the pistol for this evaluation and had a preconceived notion of what it may be like… you understand, form of an XD(M) Gen 2 or 3. I’ve owned a number of XDs and XDMs and have at all times felt that they had been first rate weapons – nicely, possibly they’d have been higher with out the grip security – they usually shot nicely. However they by no means actually felt good in my hand. It’s laborious to place into phrases. Then I picked this Echelon compact up. Wow… it was like they’d learn my thoughts. The gun suits higher than another Springfield Armory gun I’ve owned. I’ll exempt the Hellcat from that assertion, because it suits my hand fairly nicely however by way of bigger pistols, this Echelon compact feels prefer it was made with me and my hand measurement in thoughts.
The texturing is spot-on. I like a little bit of tough texturing to assist anchor my hand to the grip and this does that. Plus, they’ve continued that texturing on the body. Talking of texturing, they even textured the underside of the set off guard. Your assist hand’s index finger will admire that.
One thing else I admire is the “wings” on the rear of the slide. They’ve prolonged the slide outwards at its rear by way of a protrusion to offer you a greater gripping floor for racking the slide.
The slide cease and the journal launch are ambidextrous. That helps these of us who insist on utilizing the “unsuitable hand” to shoot the gun.
Additionally included are three backstrap inserts, to customise the match of the gun to totally different palms. And, the good journal loader within the field helps if you happen to don’t personal a Uplula. There’s even an additional prolonged base plate to transform the 15-round journal to 18.
There’s one factor that could possibly be higher, a minimum of on my pattern measurement of 1 gun. The slide cease levers are actually too small to be helpful. I might see you lacking the lever after loading a contemporary journal. They’re merely two tiny steel tabs… I feel they might have made them a bit bigger. That’s all I might discover to complain about. All in all, the gun may be very nicely finished – my quibble apart.
Taking The Echelon Aside
Like another Springfield, take away the journal and ensure the chamber is empty. Lock the slide again and rotate the takedown lever down to six:00. Retract the slide and permit it to go ahead off the body – no set off press is required. Separate the spring and barrel and scrub away. Reverse the process to reassemble. Once you lock the slide to the rear, then you may rotate the takedown lever again into place on the body. Straightforward.
Carrying The Echelon Compact
I’m often within the behavior of carrying a small semiauto or revolver in a pocket holster. There’s a number of me, and generally IWB holsters need to compete for house. Regardless of that, I purchased a holster from Mission First Tactical that matches the full-size Echelon however works for the compact as nicely. (I can trim it if I really feel that’s wanted).
It’s ambidextrous and comes with the required belt clip which you could connect to both facet of the holster. It permits adjustment for cant, as nicely. Additionally, I ordered a separate paddle from MFT that may permit me to hold OWB… that’s a bit simpler for me. The Echelon simply screams to be carried, so I’ll oblige it. With the included magazines, you’ve acquired 34 rounds of ammo onboard – that hopefully could be sufficient. If not, there are at all times magazines out there. Even with the prolonged 18-round journal in place, the gun isn’t laborious to hide.
Please perceive that there are a ton of holsters on the market for the Echelon, with extra coming for the compact model. That is one which simply caught my eye and is a high quality product so I believed I’d give it a attempt.
Vary Time
I occurred to catch the Echelon in full recoil. It’s very controllable.
My pal Ed is a former deputy, educated to the gills, and is at all times prepared to assist me shoot weapons I’m reviewing. I welcome his assist, as my OEM eyeballs generally don’t dial issues in as clearly as his youthful ones. We set some targets up at 20 yards and introduced out three 9mm masses, which you’ll see beneath with a consultant goal for every.
These are what I had readily available, so we went with them. All three masses shot a bit excessive with a middle maintain, however that can be addressed once I put a pink dot on the pistol. The Monarch and the Armscor would suffice for cheap follow ammo, however the Fiocchi confirmed probably the most promise. Their Vary and Coaching Dynamic masses have at all times shot nicely in my 9mms and this one was no exception. In fact, the search would go on to search out the “Grail Load” that put all its bullets in a single gap… proper!
Due to Bear Creek Arsenal for offering a pleasant ammo can and a few targets.
Conclusion
I’m impressed with the Echelon compact. I do know the full-size Echelon is an efficient vendor, and I can think about that, as soon as the availability pipeline is full, the compact model will do equally as nicely. It fills a distinct segment within the carry market – the Goldilocks gun – that many shooters will discover helpful.
The flexibility to mount nearly any pink dot with out adapter plates is a giant factor and can be appreciated… a minimum of it’s, by me.
Ergonomically, this pistol hits it out of the park. From ledges to relaxation fingers and thumbs on to texturing that’s excellent to a few backstrap variations… the listing goes on. I’ve seldom picked up a pistol that felt so proper in my hand as this one does.
In case you’re available in the market for a compact 9mm, you may wish to give the Echelon 4.0C a glance. It’s a high quality gun that comes with sufficient journal capability to make a gun nerd smile. You possibly can test it out right here. Tell us what you assume beneath.
