When Springfield Armory introduced the Echelon pistol in May of 2024, they combined their American design genius with Croatian craftsmanship to create what, to my mind, was the perfect modern striker-fired 9mm pistol. The ergonomics of the Echelon are second to none, and it is apparent that Springfield Armory took great pains to see that every aspect of the Echelon pistol is as user-friendly as possible. The “frame” of the Echelon (which Springfield Armory calls the Grip Module, for reasons I shall presently clarify) is the most comfortable and most hand-fitting that I have ever felt; the slide is contoured and tapered in such a way that it is noticeably easier to manipulate than any other on the market; the trigger is nothing short of marvelous; and the Echelon is a truly ambidextrous design, not just a design that can be configured for left-handed or right-handed shooters.
Since the introduction of the Echelon, Springfield Armory has continually added to the Echelon line, which now includes full-size (4.5″ barrel) models, compact (4.0″ barrel) models, compensated-barrel models, threaded-barrel models, low magazine capacity models, and manual-safety equipped models. This latest version of the Echelon is a Compact (4.0″ barrel) model: the overall length of the new Echelon 4.0C Comp is 7-1/4 inches, which is 3/4″ shorter than the full-sized Echelon’s 8 inches, while the overall height of the Echelon 4/0C Comp is 5-1/8 inches, which is 3/8″ shorter than the full-sized Echelon’s 5-1/2 inches (height measured with flush magazine installed). The Echelon’s 4-inch barrel is precision hammer-forged, and finished in black Melonite® for corrosion and wear resistance. A compensator is milled into the top of the barrel just aft of the muzzle, with a corresponding port milled into the slide; this compensator reduces felt recoil and muzzle flip during firing to a noticeable degree, aiding in the only discussion of “gun control” that should be under discussion.
The serially-numbered part of the pistol – legally, the pistol itself – consists of a Patent-Pending stainless steel chassis contained within the polymer “frame”, which Springfield Armory refers to as the “Grip Module”. Called the Central Operating Group (COG), this chassis contains the rails upon which the slide reciprocates, the ejector, and all fire-control parts, including the trigger assembly – basically, all the mechanical components with the exception of the magazine release, which is innovative in and of itself (more on this later). The Echelon is by no means the first “polymer-framed” pistol to feature an embedded chassis, but the Echelon is the first to create a chassis designed to be removable and readily swapped between grip modules; this allows the Echelon’s grip to be easily customized to the shooter’s hand to a degree never before seen, by using differently-sized Grip Modules available from Springfield Armory. Currently available are two module sizes (Small and Large) in two different colors (Black and Desert FDE). As purchased, the Echelon 4.0C Comp comes with the Small Black grip module, which is just fine with me; I found the Small grip module to be the most comfortable on my full-sized Echelon, so I installed the Small module on it and never looked back. The grip modules feature a cut-out window which allows the serial number on the COG to show through, and they are available from the Springfield Armory Store for only $64.99 each, with no FFL transfer required. At this price, it would be economically feasible (and fun!) for shooters who have a penchant for tinkering to try different contouring, stippling, and/or color-dipping treatments, as we often see done with other polymer pistols; also, I expect we will see different color and configuration options available from Springfield Armory in the future.
Springfield Armory® Echelon™ 4.0C Comp 9mm Semi-Auto pistol
The Echelon also ships with three interchangeable backstraps (Small, Medium, and Large, each with an integrated Armorer’s Tool) to further allow the grip to be customized to the shooter’s hand. My test pistol was supplied with the Medium backstrap installed; after trying the Large and Small backstraps, I discovered that the Small grip module with the Small backstrap was absolutely perfect for my hand. Even though I have fairly large hands, the Echelon’s Small/Small combination is the best-feeling polymer pistol grip I have ever grasped. it is hard to describe (and I know I run the risk of being branded a heretic for stating so), but the Small/Small combination feels to me very much like the beloved 1911, at a bare fraction of the weight. Upon dimensional comparison using a dial caliper, the measurements of the Small/Small combination proved to be very similar to a 1911 with an arched mainspring housing.
The grip is textured around its entire circumference, with smaller textured panels above the very unobtrusive and effective integral thumb rests on each side of the grip module. There are also textured panels on the front and bottom of the hooked and generously-oversized trigger guard, as well as textured and angled index pads on either side of the grip module just above the front of the trigger guard. The takedown lever on the port side is also angled and textured, creating the most effective indexing area I have ever seen; in fact, the Echelon is the only pistol I have ever fired that allows me to easily acquire a comfortable yet firm “thumb-forward” two-hand firing grip, which really helps to minimize muzzle flip. Muzzle flip is also noticeably reduced by the design of the grip module’s upper rear, which allows the hand to ride high on the grip for a lower bore axis. Again, this is most comfortable polymer grip I have ever felt.
Integral compensated port.
The Grip Module’s design also allows the Echelon to be a fully ambidextrous pistol; thankfully, there is no manual safety lever to worry with, and the COG allows the slide release to operate from either side. The magazine release, rather than being user-switchable for left-handed operation as is often seen on modern pistols, is also truly ambidextrous and can be just as easily operated from either side. This ambidextrous magazine release is achieved by having the cutout for the magazine release on the front of the magazine rather than the side, with a release mechanism that rocks forward: a grand execution of an excellent idea.
Finally, the grip module features an integrated accessory rail forward of the trigger guard, to which the user can attach a light, laser, etc.
The Echelon’s slide is billet-machined, finished in black Melonite®, and is uniquely profiled. The front of the slide tapers inward towards the ejection port in what Springfield Armory calls a “Trench Cut”, flaring out just forward of the ejection port; this allows the slide to be easily “press-checked” for status, and aids in racking the slide using the deep, aggressive forward-angled front slide serrations. The front of the slide is also beveled for easy holstering. The back of the slide is flared, creating “cocking ears” that also aid in racking the slide, along with another set of deep, aggressive forward-angled serrations. The slide is very easy to grasp from any angle, and several shooters who have handled my sample remarked on how easily the slide could be racked.
4.0C Comp compared to full-sized Echelon.
As mentioned above, there is no manual safety lever on the Echelon, and this is a good thing. There is also no magazine disconnect safety, which is another good thing; it makes no sense to me that someone would want their pistol to be disabled when no magazine is inserted. The slide features a visual and tactical loaded-chamber indicator. The Echelon’s Central Operating Group (COG) is designed with safety in mind, featuring a trigger safety, an internal safety, and a dual-sear design for maximum drop protection. The Echelon field-strips easily with no tools, and unlike other striker-fired pistols, the Echelon does not require the trigger to be pulled for stripping. The trigger action is excellent, with a clean takeup, a crisp break averaging under 3 pounds, and a short, positive reset.
Into the slide is dovetailed a very nice set of open steel sights, which are drift-adjustable for windage correction: the front sight features a Tritium insert with a luminescent ring for maximum visibility in any lighting condition, and the rear sight is a tactical-rack U-notch white-outline
The heart of the Echelon pistol design is the COG (Central Operating Group). Contained within the polymer Grip Module, the COG contains all the fire-control parts within one modular unit.
The second Patent-Pending innovation featured on the Echelon is Springfield Armory’s Variable Interface System (VIS). The VIS is an innovative way of installing an optical sight, allowing maximum versatility at minimum cost; underneath the unassuming-looking slide cover plate lies a series of holes, into which are inserted adapter pins, which are supplied with the pistol. These pins can be configured in various patterns, depending on the optic used, so the need for different adapter plates is all but eliminated. This allows the optic to be directly mounted as low in the slide as possible, for an improved sight picture and the best possible alignment. The Patent-Pending VIS self-locking pins exert lateral pressure on the optic’s interior bearing surfaces, centering and locking the optic firmly in place as the optic mounting screws are tightened. The VIS is an ingenious design, which allows over 30 different optics to be mounted without the use of adapter plates.
Tritium insert front sight and U-Notch rear sight are drift-adjustable for windage correction.
As the Echelon 4.0C Comp is a Compact model, I decided that I would retain the standard open sights for minimum size and maximum concealment. However, I did run the Echelon 4.0C Comp with optical sights during range testing, with excellent results. The optic I chose for this was the excellent Osight X Open Reflex Sight. The Osight X was the original Osight model, and it remains a fine option; it is made from Osight’s proprietary OAL material, which is a special alloy that is tougher and stronger than 7075 aluminum while retaining light weight. The Osight X reticle consists of a 3 MOA dot inside a 32 MOA circle with quadrant markings, and the reticle can be switched between dot, circle, or both; I like to run mine with both, as the 3 MOA dot does not obscure the target at reasonable ranges, while the circle automatically draws and centers the eye very quickly. The Osight X uses the common RMR footprint, and is a magnetically-charging sight, by way of its cover; the cover plugs into a standard USB-C port, and can be charged either on or off the sight. The cover holds three full charges of the sight, with each charge lasting a good long while. I also use an Osight on my EDC Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp, and have never had an issue with charge; I leave the charging cover on the sight overnight about once a month, and it works wonderfully. The cover features a battery display that shows real-time battery levels for both the cover and the optic, so there is never any question as to the charge status, unlike optics that use conventional coin-type batteries.
Springfield Armory’s VIS (Variable Interface System) allows a wide variety of optical sights to be mounted to the pistol without need for adapter plates.
The Echelon 4.0C Comp includes a flush-fit 15-round magazine, yielding a total payload of 16 rounds. A second 18-round magazine is included, with an extension that is textured similarly to the grip module. For those living under the Iron Boot of Oppression, a version of the Echelon 4.0C Comp with two 10-round magazines is available; I recommend U-Haul and a good real estate agent as a final solution to your problem.
Echelon 4.0C Comp proved to be 100% reliable, and quite accurate. Group shown was fired at five yards (fifteen feet), standing offhand with open sights.
Springfield Armory’s Echelon has been my very favorite striker-fired 9mm pistol from its introduction, offering custom quality, easy accuracy, and perfect ergonomics in a pistol that is priced for the average shooter. As the latest addition to the Echelon line, the 4,0C Comp ups the ante with real improvements to what I consider already to be the best 9mm on the market. 3/4″ shorter in length and 3/8″ shorter in height compared to the full-sized Echelon, the 4.0C Comp adds a compensated barrel to aid in the only form of Gun Control that is worthy of discussion. At a Suggested Retail price of only $749.00, the Echelon 4.0C Comp takes a fine pistol and makes it better.
SPECIFICATIONS – Springfield Armory® ECHELON™ 4.0C Comp Handgun
Part# EC9409B-U-COMP
Color: Black
Barrel: 4 Inches, Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10 Twist
Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish, Optics-Ready, Integral Compensator
Frame: Internal COG (Central Operating Group™)
Grip Module: Black Polymer, Small Size
Recoil System: Captive
Overall Length: 7.25 Inches
Overall Height: 5.125 Inches w/ Flush Mag, 6.125 Inches w/ Extended Mag
Grip Width: 1.2 Inches
Weight: 24 Ounces w/ Flush Mag, 25 Ounces w/ Extended Mag
Trigger Pull: 2 Pounds, 10.4 Ounces
Sights: Tritium / Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ Rear
Optics Mounting System: VIS (Variable Interface System™)
Magazines Included: (1) 15-Round, (1) 18-Round
Accessories Included: Box, Instruction Manual, Soft Zippered Case, Small and Large Backstraps, VIS Pin / Screw Sets, Magazine Loader, Cable Lock
To locate a dealer near you visit www.davidsonsinc.com
For consumer purchases visit www.galleryofguns.com
Author’s Full Video Review:
About the Author:
Boge Quinn is a life-long shooter, born and raised in the Great State of Tennessee. A co-founder of Gunblast.com (https://gunblast.com/)in the year 2000, along with his brother Jeff Quinn, Boge has continued on with Gunblast after Jeff’s passing in 2020. A Lifetime Endowment member of the NRA, Boge serves on the Board of Directors of The Shootists (https://shootists.org/), an organization started by John Taffin in 1985, as did his brother Jeff. Boge appreciates firearms of all types, but his soul is particularly stirred by the “older style” guns: lever-action and single-shot rifles, along with Single-Action and Double-Action revolvers and 1911-style pistols. As a former professional artist, Boge appreciates the aesthetics of a fine gun, as well as its mechanical precision and practical application. His particular affinity lies in the world of handguns, and he has hunted mostly with handguns of all types since the mid-1970s. A regionally well-known musician, Boge is also a Deacon in the same Baptist Church where his brother Jeff formerly served as Deacon, and where their Dad finished his 50-year career as Pastor.
