Like when any new firearm comes out, there are reviews aplenty. Here's a look at the Springfield Armory Echelon. We'll talk about the handgun; we'll show you where to find a Springfield Echelon for sale; we'll talk about accessories, and…well, whatever else seems appropriate as we continue building this Echelon review lineup.
Navigation
- 9mm Echelon, First Impressions, David Higginbotham
- Echelon: Modular Duty Holster, Ryan Domke
- Springfield's Echelon: it surprised me. Jim Shepherd
Springfield Echelon for Sale
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Springfield Armory Echelon for Sale
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Springfield Echelon Review: Different Perspectives
9mm Echelon: First Impressions | The Mag Life
David Higginbotham, GunMag Warehouse
Springfield Armory has officially launched a major new handgun: Echelon. This 9mm borrows from the refined aesthetics of the smaller Hellcat family to bring a new level of performance to Springfield's catalog for those looking for a full-sized, polymer-framed duty pistol. So how does Echelon stack up?
It is no secret. I'm a fan of Springfield Armory. I've been carrying and reviewing Springfield guns for well over a decade now, and I regularly carry a TRP (a favorite for casual strong-side OWB carry) and a Hellcat (my favorite micro-compact for EDC). The XDM is a favorite for running suppressed.
The Echelon, though, is a bold step in a new direction. When Springfield launched the Prodigy last year, few were surprised. The double-stack 1911 was a logical addition and welcomed by those suffering from 2011 sticker shock. But a new polymer-framed 9mm?
Those of us who have run the Hellcat have been expecting something like this for a while, now. While there were regular updates to the XD line, the Hellcat felt like a seismic shift for Springfield. We've been waiting for the duty-sized Hellcat. Echelon isn't that, exactly, but more on what it is in a minute.
The polymer-framed 9mm field is crowded.
Really crowded. Almost everyone makes one. And Springfield Armory makes several.
The XD line has remained a consistent option for those looking for mid-budget guns. They've never risen to the level of fashion accessory, though, the way a few others have. And they never reached widespread acceptance as duty pistols.
Echelon is poised to change both of those things. Everything Springfield has touched in the last few years has turned to gold, and this new pistol is looking like another win. The gun has a few compelling elements that will make it a contender.
First Impressions of Echelon
Out of the box, this gun looks good. While many raved about the XD line's performance, few praised it for its aesthetics. To be fair, though, this could be said about many polymer-framed pistols. Very few can hold a candle to the classic lines of a 1911.
The tactile feel of the Echelon is also an improvement. The grip texture is aggressive, kind of like a sandpaper finish. This extends around the front strap, back strap, and even onto the magazine's base plate (which adds grip to any magazine mishaps that have to be cleared in a hurry).
The controls of the gun are ambidextrous from the start. The slide serrations provide all the texture you could want for ease of manipulation. This gives the Echelon a big leg up on some of its direct competition.
The sights will be familiar to those who have run a Hellcat. The rear sight is a bright U shape into which the green front dot sits. Optics mounting is vastly superior to some of the guns in this category. You don't need to match plates with the optic and slide. Instead, an optic mounts directly to the slide itself.
So how does it shoot?
Echelon's standard mag is a 17 rounder — which tells you all you need to know about grip length. It fills the hand, providing just enough protrusion to make mag changes efficient and intuitive.
This is the foundation for Echelon's stability. The grip module, though, has ledges on either side that are meant to support the thumb on your support hand. This holds down the muzzle flip and makes it very easy to put follow-up shots on target.
The trigger has a bit of take-up before it hits a wall. The break is not far past that point. The break is consistent, if not as crisp as I'd like. And maybe my expectations of the trigger are high (as so much of what I'm seeing here has exceeded my expectations).
Echelon Accessories
Echelon comes with interchangeable grip modules designed for different hand sizes. I prefer the largest, but I'm a big guy. With thre grip sizes and multiple back straps to dial it in, there's no reason why you won't find an idealized grip.
As I write this, Safariland is building Duty-Rated holsters for the Echelon. Full disclosure — I work for Safariland and have been pushing to get these out into the world quickly, without compromising the retention ratings that allow those who serve to carry confidently. I expect we'll have at least four models of our thermoformed 6,000 Series holsters shipping in August.
There will undoubtedly be other holsters, too, both for IWB and OWB carry. A gun like Echelon is dependent on its holster, and Springfield has been diligent about ensuring those options are ready. While it will feel large for those accustomed to micro-compacts, this would be a rock-solid gun for appendix carry.
As for optics and lights, Echelon is a large platform. Go big. This gun deserves a full-sized light and a big optic.
Echelon Magazines?
This is GunMag Warehouse, after all. We kind of get picky about mags.
These are steel mags, much in the tradition of the Hellcat. The base plates are polymer and they are wide enough to grip below the edge of the grip in the event that there should be a mag that won't drop cleanly.
The capacity for the standard mag is 17. The extension adds an additional rounds. If Springfield's previous mags are any indication, there will likely be increased capacities to follow.
First Impressions Are Everything
And Echelon makes a good one. While my round count with this gun is admittedly low, the potential is here.
In the past, when a company takes a shot at the category leaders, there's almost always the question of price that — above everything else — becomes the selling point.
The Hellcat changed that approach for Springfield. While many of the XD pistols began competing on price first, then performance (at least that's how I interpreted things), the Hellcat put performance first and was priced accordingly.
The Echelon is priced right in there with the category leaders. It will likely settle somewhere around $650. From my perspective, though, it is bringing more to the table. The ergonomics are superb. The optics mounting system, alone, is worth celebrating. And if this gun performs like the early hype suggests it will, watch out.
We'll see on that last point. As Echelon will be marketed as a duty gun, performance tests — including the high round count torture testing — will begin to emerge.
At this early stage, Echelon is continuing the avalanche-like momentum of the brand. This looks to be another big step forward for Springfield. And there's much more to unpack here. From the intentional design of the chassis, to the optics mounting system, to the contours of the slide and its ease of manipulation, Echelon is worth a solid deep dive.
DH
- Echelon: Modular Duty Holster, Ryan Domke
- Springfield's Echelon: it surprised me. Jim Shepherd
Springfield Armory Echelon Review | Guns.com
New Modular 9mm on the Block
Ryan Domke, Guns.com
We often see manufacturers throw one or two upgrades into an existing product line and market it as the “next big thing.” I'm happy to report that the Springfield Armory Echelon does not follow that trend.
With multiple patent-pending features, the Echelon offers a new level of modularity and versatility that we have not seen from Springfield. It may give off some vibes of another popular modular handgun on the market, but I'm here to tell you, it brings much more to the table than meets the eye.
- The Echelon is available now at Guns.com.
Echelon Origin Story
Springfield threw a lot of people off with a recent social media post featuring a sword and the letter “N.” I'll be honest, even I'm still a bit confused about what exactly it meant. I can, however, help clear up where the name “the Echelon” came from.
Echelon refers to a military formation that dates back thousands of years. Instead of troops assembling in straight lines, echelon formations employ staggered diagonal lines of troops. It was employed as a tactic by some of the greatest generals of ancient times and is still employed in modern militaries today. This formation wound up turning battles when first employed against more traditional straight lines. So, in the spirit of innovation, Springfield chose to call this new modular pistol the Echelon.
I've been hitting the range with the Echelon over the last couple of weeks and have managed to get a few hundred rounds through it. I wish I could have put more, but don't you worry, there will be plenty more rounds going through it soon.
Now that I've spent some quality time with the gun, I can give you my honest opinion about where the Echelon shines or falls short. Spoiler alert: it doesn't fall short in many places.
First Impressions Matter
Picking the Echelon up out of the box instantly reminded me of my Hellcat Pro, due to the adaptive grip texture and U-notch/tritium sight combination. In hand, it feels somewhat like a beefier version of the Hellcat Pro, which is not a bad thing.
That's about where the close similarities start and stop, though. The star of the show is the central operating group (COG) at the heart of the Echelon. There is a patent-pending optic mounting system that allows for the direct mounting of over 30 optics, and it comes with 17- and 20-round magazines.
Then you have what I call a “tactically aggressive” slide packed with features, an improved trigger, and ambidextrous controls, to name a few of the other goodies.
Oh, and I almost forgot, it shipped with a pre-mounted Trijicon RMR Type 2! Not sure about the specifics or if there will be a variant offering the RMR Type 2 in a bundle, but I'm not complaining.
Features Galore
Arguably the most welcomed feature of the Echelon, the COG allows you to move between different grip modules quickly and easily, with no tools required. The Echelon comes with a medium grip module, but a small and large module will be available to purchase separately.
See how the RMR is directly mounted to the slide? It's just one of over 30 optics that can do that. The new variable interface system (VIS) uses self-locking pins to allow the user to configure the necessary optic footprint, without needing to use any plates. That's a huge plus for me, since I'm always having the hardest time tracking down the right plates when I switch optics between guns.
The slide also got some serious attention. It has aggressive front and rear serrations, a forward trench cut, and a flare in the rear. All of this means a handgun that's super easy to rack and press check.
Springfield went with completely ambidextrous controls (not just reversible), an oversized and undercut trigger guard, and even added some textured indexing points for added control. Within that trigger guard is a light and consistent trigger with a crisp break and a quick reset.
There really isn't much else to ask for, except maybe some taller sights and a larger slide stop lever (it's a bit on the small side).
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 20+1, 17+1
- Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
- Overall Length: 8 inches
- Width: 1.2 inches
- Height (flush mag): 5.5 inches
- Height (extended mag): 6.5 inches
- Weight (flush mag): 1.49 pounds
- Weight (extended mag): 1.52 pounds
- Sights: Tactical rack U-notch rear with a tritium/luminescent front
Reliability
As I usually do with new guns, I made sure to run several different loads through it to ensure it wasn't picky. With the variety of below ammo, I have managed to squeeze 400 rounds through the Echelon in the short amount of time I've had it. Out of those 400 rounds, I had no malfunctions.
- 115-grain Fiocchi Range Dynamics FMJ
- 115-grain Blazer Brass FMJ
- 115-grain Hornady Critical Defense Flex Tip
- 115-grain Hornady Zombie Max
- 135-grain Hornady Critical Duty Flex Lock
From taking my time dialing in the RMR, to dumping “a few” magazines, to running drills such as the “Failure to Stop” and “3-2-1,” the Echelon performed wonderfully. Even with alternating loads within the same magazine, the Echelon didn't skip a beat.
Accuracy
Let's be honest when your pistol comes with an optic as nice as the RMR Type 2, you kind of skip the “accuracy curve” of the pistol itself. I did, however, make sure to use the iron sights for at least a third or so of my shooting, as well.
Since I just got the Echelon only a couple of weeks ago, I haven't been able to hit the outdoor range with it, but I was able to go to my local indoor range three times. I had no issues out to the 25-yard mark where the range ended. I mostly focused my shooting between 7 and 15 yards while running various drills, and my groupings were tight and consistent after only a few magazines.
It's safe to say that this gun can out-shoot my abilities – and I'm okay saying that! I'd rather have a gun that can outperform my skills than the opposite.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Direct optic mounting via the Variable Interface System
- High modularity thanks to the Central Operating Group
- Tritium front sight
- Adaptive grip texture is great
- Easy-to-use and functional slide
- Clean trigger and large trigger guard
- Ambidextrous controls
- Reliable and accurate
Cons:
- It would have been nice to have some taller sights.
- The slide stop lever is disproportionately small.
Final Thoughts
To say this is a well-rounded handgun would be an understatement. I always recommend testing a gun out for yourself before buying one, but if you did decide to impulse-buy the Echelon, I don't think you'd be disappointed. I can easily see the Echelon filling a duty gun role, competition gun role, home defense role, or a combination of them all.
I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys and gals think of the Echelon, so drop your thoughts in the comments below! If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them. Stay safe!
- 9mm Echelon, First Impressions, David Higginbotham
- Springfield's Echelon: it surprised me. Jim Shepherd
Springfield's Echelon Surprised Me
Jim Shepherd, The Shooting Wire
To build a gun that appeals to law enforcement, you have to know your customer…Springfield Armory [came] out of the gate with a new pistol that certainly looks to be purpose-built for the holsters of police officers. Don't take my word for it. That's according to the police officers/Gunsite instructors who tried it while I was taking a pistol course at Royal Range in Nashville, Tennessee.
When Springfield Armory asked if I'd like to test “a new pistol,” I readily agreed.
(Note: You may have seen Jim before, standing around on Crustyfuck's Corner.)
The Echelon arrived, along with a prototype Safariland Echelon holster designed to carry the pistol and fully patrol-equipped with a Trijicon red dot sight, and a Streamlight 300U+ weapon light.
In case you're not read-in on LE gear, that's top shelf “cop shop” equipment. It also included a pair of magazines and two additional adjustable backstraps.
They will appeal to an officer looking to maximize ammo capacities without sacrificing real estate on a duty belt. With all the requisite gear for today's officers, real estate is scarce.
They will appeal to an officer looking to maximize ammo capacities without sacrificing real estate on a duty belt. With all the requisite gear for today's officers, real estate is scarce.
When I sighted in the pistol, I thought it a bit snappy. Afterwards, I decided to go “full duty” and attach the Streamlight to the front. Once attached, the pistol immediately became more docile.
That's when I realized it really was designed to be a duty weapon. Springfield hasn't actually confirmed that, but the gear and launch photography make it pretty obvious they have at least “considered” the LE market.
It's what happened after I thought I was done with all my testing for this piece that completely confirmed the feelings.
The Echelon got an unexpected acid test last weekend.
I was attending a three-day Gunsite Academy class at Royal Range in Nashville, Tennessee and had just begun warming up with my personal pistol when it started giving intermittent, but recurring, feed issues. Not what you want when you're trying to concentrate on learning something other than “failure to fire” drills. A consistently cranky pistol isn't a confidence builder. When nothing seemed to remedy the problem, I realized I had a second gun with me…the Echelon.
After swapping holsters and getting permission from our instructors to run Safariland's duty holster in class, I put the Echelon to work. I didn't impress anyone, but the Echelon quickly got everyone's attention.
Realizing I was never going to keep a class of “gun guys” away from a new holster and pistol, I pledged everyone to secrecy and then had Range Master Jeff Dooley and Instructor Jason Lovett run some rounds through it.
When it comes to testing, master-level shooters' impressions count a lot more than mine. And the pictures tell the story.
The Echelon ran without a hiccup through their various drills. The gun never had a failure to fire or extract for me through 500+ rounds of Fiocchi 115 grain Range Dynamics ammo.
The class was focused on defending your home/family in various scenarios, so inside the “gumdrop” or “head box” were the only targets we were aiming for. The gun and ammunition were both more than capable. The shooter wasn't nearly as dependable.
But the story of this gun isn't just performance. The Echelon is the launch point for several new Springfield features., including a new “central operating group” and an innovative mounting system for red dot optics.
The new COG – Central Operating Group is the only serialized component of the pistol. If you're thinking “like Sig's P320 fire control group” you've got the right idea.
The COG is designed to simply- and quickly- move between small, medium or large sized grip modules. Like SIG's system, the COG's impressive, but I wish I'd invented their (patent pending) optic mounting system.
That Variable Interface System (VIS) allows for the mounting of more than 30 different optics directly to the slide without adapter plates. It uses self-locking pins to adjust to the footprint of your specific optic. That allows a lower and more stable direct mount to the slide and eliminates the need for adapter plates. Fewer parts mean fewer chances for “challenges.” Adjust the pins to the anchor points for your optic, tighten down the mounting screws and you're in business.
With three different grip modules and the adjustable backstraps, an officer could be assigned a single COG, then select the module and backstrap that best fits their hands -or needs. They all have an enlarged trigger guard to allow for gloves (I ran it with leather gloves – no issues).
It ships in a zippered case, along with a pair of magazines (17+1 and 20+1). Springfield also has “low capacity” (10 round) magazines available for those areas where standard capacities are non-starters.
The unit I tested was their entry price unit stock: tritium U-dot sights, two magazines (1-17, 1-20), a double zipper case and three backstraps. Springfield's release specifications set the MSRP at $679. The top-end Echelon (threaded barrel and 3-dot tritium sights) MSRP is listed as $739.
Overall impressions? Great shooting pistol, surprisingly svelte pistol. Controls are intuitive without being intrusive and the“adaptive grip texture” allows for solid control.
Would I carry it? Yes. But running it with the 20-round magazine would make it difficult to carry inside the waistband concealed. OWB shouldn't be an issue. The Streamlight 300 Ultimate makes it a full-fledged duty gun -and the Safariland holster carried it comfortably and securely during long days on the range.
Would I expect to see officers carrying it? Absolutely, and there's very little doubt Springfield Armory's looking to the Echelon to lean-into that marketplace.
The Echelon has already surpassed SAAMI drop test parameters -and the COG features a second sear – designed to prevent accidental discharges should the gun be dropped. And it field strips without any tools -or pulling the trigger.
I successfully completed a Gunsite class with a very thoroughly, totally unexpectedly tested- Echelon. All told, I put more than 700 rounds through it.
Gunsite instructors put 300 additional rounds through the gun, using a mix of their ammo. A total of more than 1,000 rounds with only a single field strip, wipe down and lubed -with zero malfunctions. That's a test that far exceeds my normal round count or testing routine.
Springfield Armory hasn't come rout and said they've designed the Echelon for law enforcement, but having two men with more than 40 years experience in law enforcement shoot it, say they'd carry it without hesitation says Springfield Armory has a pretty clear market identified for this pistol, although it will appeal to “the rest of us”.
If you're one of those brave souls who answers the call when things go bump in the night, this might be a gun you'd want to check out.
As always, we'll keep you posted.
—Jim Shepherd
This new pistol sounds interesting. Speaking personally, it would be a great deal more interesting to me with one change. Steel frame, rather that the seemingly ubiquitous plastic frame.
My first pistol was a Norwegian Colt. I believe the hammer bite scars are still visible. This was followed by a 1970 series 1911 pistol that I shot in IPSC competition for a number of years. Eventually I switched to 9 x 19, a Browning HiPower, followed by Star Model 30 M, followed by a CZ 75. I still have the above mentioned, shooting them now and then. Got too old for active competition. In any case, given the choice between a plastic framed large capacity 9mm pistol, and a steel framed piece, same capacity, this old goat opts for all steel every time.