By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Like many of you when I was issued a handgun in institutional service I did my best to master the piece no matter what my own idea of a proper sidearm.
I changed agencies at one time and nearly broke down and cried when I could not carry my long serving 1911 in this post. The level of professionalism and the quality of work involved was leagues ahead of what I had previously experienced so the issue firearm was a small trade off. I eventually admitted that for issue to a wide range of personnel the polymer frame striker fired pistol hit every note.
Simplicity, ease of training and reliability were there. A deep respect for life and the law kept me steady and as it turned out I was okay with the ‘Glob’ as we once called it. Striker fired polymer frame handguns now consist of three quarters of police and military issue for good reason. They work in personal defense as well.
We all have the same goals and may approach training from different angles. We should choose what works best with the current data. There are improved models of striker fired pistols and at this point I feel the Springfield Echelon is among the best striker fired polymer frame handguns available. Perhaps the best choice! The new 4.0 Compact is even better for many of us. This is a shorter in the slide and grip pistol than the original Echelon, now called the 4.5 S.
The Springfield Echelon 4.0 Compact features a nicely finished Melonite coated steel slide with both forward and rear cocking serrations. The pistol features a tritium front sight and Springfield’s Tactical Rack rear sight, and it hits the scale at just 24 ounces. That is light; not much heavier than a steel frame .38 Special revolver with two inch barrel. The pistol is supplied with a zipper case and two magazines. One of these is the 18-round extended magazine. This magazine offers three extra rounds over the flush fit magazine and doesn’t tilt on a belt carrier, it is not too large to carry as a spare.
The grip features Springfield’s Adaptive Grip Texture. The balance of adhesion and abrasion is ideal. The more pressure on the grip the more secure your hold. The grip frame is just measurably thinner than the full size Echelon. A compact version of a handgun is often more comfortable to average size hands if properly designed. The Echelon 4.0 C may be one of these for most shooters.
The pistol features two true innovations. The Variable Interface System allows mounting a wide range of optics without resorting to mounting plates. This results in a robust secure mount that resists knocking the optic out of zero. The other is an internal removeable chassis that allows changing out the grip frame. A bit of research indicates that one maker offers an all metal frame for the Echelon. The handgun has a lot of stretch built in. Those who deploy the pistol as issued with iron sights and the original grip are well armed indeed but options are good to have.
A striker fired trigger action must offer a degree of safe handling while we realize safety is between the ears. The Echelon trigger is clean and sharp for a striker fired gun breaking at 4.25 pounds average. (Don’t forget to clean grease from the new gun’s action for the best trigger press.) The pistol features a striker block drop safety and a trigger lever set into the trigger face. The trigger is controllable and makes for good control. Fire, allow the trigger to reset during recoil as you re-acquire the sights, and get back on target.
This pistol offers excellent practical accuracy. Takedown is simple: turn a lever to release the slide assembly, remove the slide, pull out the recoil rod and spring and lift out the barrel. Maintenance is easy enough and the pistol doesn’t need much lubrication. The slide lock is ambidextrous and the magazine catch may be set up for left hand use if needed. All controls are positive in operation.
Much of my impression is based on prior experience with the full size Echelon pistol. Do you give up a degree of performance with the compact version? Not much if anything. The 9mm isn’t a difficult cartridge to control. It depends on how fast you go and how difficult the problem to be solved. In training how great a difference in performance you will see between a full size and compact handgun depends on the drill and the goal. It isn’t a severe difference. Off the bench rest accuracy is practically the same with the long sight radius of the 4.5 inch barrel pistol affording a slight advantage. Recoil isn’t very different at all. Velocity may favor the longer barrel by 15 to 30 fps.
The compact pistol clears the holster just slightly faster but that is difficult to qualify. If you use an appendix position or crossdraw the difference isn’t noticeable, per my testing, but a standard on the waist or inside the waistband holster exhibits real speed with the Echelon 4.0 C. This was expected from prior experience.
Springfield’s 4.0 C doesn’t give up anything tangible to the 4.5 in most areas. If you are firing in competition matches the larger gun will be more controllable and shoot flatter at longer range. The 4.0 C handles more quickly in presenting from concealed carry. Neither is a dog in the others best role.
To date the Springfield Echelon has made brass of just over four hundred cartridges including some of my handloads. A Hornady 124 grain FMJ over enough Titegroup powder for 1100 fps runs in any 9mm from a 3 to 16 inch barrel and provides a clean powder burn and good accuracy. No problems with the Springfield at all. I ran a magazine of steel cased ammunition in the 4.0 C as some guns just don’t handle this ammunition well. The Springfield ran through the dirty stuff. From the bench, the 4.0 C did just fine. I am favorably impressed and find the Springfield Echelon 4.0 C a worthy addition to the Springfield line.
Bench rest accuracy- 25 yards using the MTM Caseguard K zone shooting rest—
Load Average of two five shot groups
Hornady 115 grain
Critical Defense 1160 fps 2.35 in.
Hornady 135 grain
Critical Duty 1057 fps 2.25 in.
Hornady 124 grain
American Gunner +P 1168 fps 2.6 in.
Fiocchi 147 grain
Shooting Dynamics FMJ 880 fps 2.55 in.
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics
147 grain XTP 920 fps 2.4 in.
Carrying the Springfield
The Springfield was carried in a Safariland IncogX. This inside the waistband concealment holster features rugged Bolatron construction but is covered in a light layer of natural material for greater wear comfort. The IncogX is designed for inside the waistband carry making for good concealment. Speed is excellent and the belt clips ensure good security. This is a service grade holster well suited to the Springfield Echelon 4.0 C.
Springfield Echelon 4.0 C
Caliber 9mm
Capacity 15/18
Action Striker Fired
Sights Tritium front
BBL 4.0 in.
OAL 7.25 in.
Width 1.25 in.
Height 5.125 with 15 round magazine
Weight 24 ounces
MSRP $719.00
