By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
(Images courtesy Springfield Armory)
Despite the number of polymer frame striker fired 9mm handguns available this new semi-auto introduction from Springfield, called the Echelon, is pretty interesting.
There is room for another in a crowded field when the features are innovative, even unique. The Springfield Echelon 9mm is a service size handgun and it bears no resemblance to any previous Springfield product including the XD.
I suppose it may be a “super Hellcat” and if you like the Hellcat you will like the Echelon but it really isn’t similar to the popular Hellcat, either.
At an average price of around $650 the pistol is fairly priced for a service grade handgun. Will it outshoot a Glock 17 or Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm on a combat course? That depends on the shooter and there isn’t much one will do tactically that another cannot accomplish with a similar handgun. But the pistol’s innovations make it desirable.
The Echelon is issued in a lockable box, which includes a gun lock, a 17-round magazine, a 20-round magazine, and two spare grip inserts. The owner’s manual will be accessed at Springfield support. A paper manual is available if you must have one.
The steel slide is nicely machined with forward cocking serrations and a rugged corrosion resistant finish, and it features a nice U notch rear sight and tritium front sight. I opted for the three-dot night version. The sights are well suited to personal defense use in either case. I felt the slight tariff was worth the few extra bucks.
Most pistols available today were originally designed with a standard slide and re-designed to accept optics. Various methods are used to accommodate red dot sights, but the Springfield Variable Interface System (VIS) system is a true innovation. Most optics ready handguns use a shallow cut out in the slide. A few use a direct mount, but most require adaptor plates. Springfield uses a pattern of cuts in the slide under a covering plate.
The secret of the setup is a set of pins for each footprint or mounting pattern. The series of pins are set in a certain pattern to accommodate different red dot sights. The VIS is certain to be a selling point for the Springfield Echelon. The pistol features forward cocking serrations, a light rail, and 4.5-inch barrel. To remove the backstrap place your finger inside the magazine well and press a tab to release the backstrap. My medium size hands are best served with the flattest backstrap.
As many of you realize, adding a red dot sight means much more than learning a new sight picture and firing with both eyes open. You must tilt the wrist differently to bring the red dot to eye level. There is a subtle difference in the draw and draw stroke. With the low riding VIS system, the adjustment needed is minimized. This is a great system for combat use and adds much versatility to the pistol. I used TruGlo’s XR21, an affordable and useful combination, during some of the firing tests. I have enjoyed excellent result with TruGlo and this continued with the XR21. The XR 21 uses the familiar Shield Footprint.
Another innovation for Springfield is the central operating group. The COG is easily removed from the frame. So the new Echelon in common with the SIG P320 and Beretta APX is a chassis gun as they are referred to. While there are plenty of SIG P320 grip modules including those from Wilson Combat Beretta and IWI Masada are another matter.
If the Echelon chassis concept is to pay off Springfield must offer grip modules. I think they will. Field stripping the pistol is simple enough. A take down lever is rotated to remove the slide. Take out the recoil spring assembly and then the barrel. I predict this will be a pistol long on reliability and low on maintenance.
The Echelon features a positive firing pin block as well as a trigger lever safety in the trigger face. The controls are positive in operating. I found the pistol is definitely a combat and personal defense-oriented handgun. The balance of adhesion and abrasion on the grip frame are well suited to combat shooting.
The pistol’s sights are well designed, and the trigger action is crisp with a rapid reset. The slide lock is small and unobtrusive (You will not lock the slide open unless you intend to do so). I never found my thumb drifting into the slide lock during firing drills. Speed loads are fast, and it isn’t difficult to strike the slide lock quickly.
I fired the pistol with a good selection of ammunition ranging from the cheapest box store FMJ ammunition to premium defense loads. There have been no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject. Recoil isn’t very different between loads.
This is a light recoiling 9mm. A big 9mm pistol should not kick much but this one is docile. As expected, combat shooting is excellent. I fired quite a few rounds off hand at 25 yards and didn’t embarrass myself terribly trying for head shots. This new Springfield is a good shooter.
As for absolute accuracy, I leaned into the MTM Caseguard K zone shooting rest for a little help. Firing at 25 yards I used a couple of premium loads. By any standard, the Speer Gold Dot 124-grain loading is one of our most proven 9mm defense loads. I also used Federal Punch, a caertridge with good integrity that has proven accurate in several tests. It was almost one big hole. Each put five shots into less than two inches average.
The Springfield Echelon is reliable, which is the baseline for service and defense. It is also user friendly and more accurate than expected. It is well worth the money and may be the best service sized pistol available for carry and defense use.
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17 and 20, two magazines supplied
Height:” 5.5 inches
Length: 8 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Weight: 24 oz. Unloaded
Frame: Polymer
Slide: Melonite-coated steel
Barrel length: 4.5 inch
Sights: U Notch rear, tritium front, optional three dot tritium
Avg. Price $675.00
Springfield-Armory.com
