Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Compact 9mm | Review

The universe of the polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm contains many planets. Where would the Springfield Armory Echelon land? On one of the larger planets, think Jupiter, consists of what has come to be called the compact variation. Typically, this means a poly striker with a 4-inch barrel and 15+1 capacity. These specs can vary a bit, but it’s amazing how many pistols fit this description.

I’ve either owned or have had plenty of experience with pistols of this category from several manufacturers and have reviewed a lot of them. I had adopted a “show-me” attitude, where if a gun wasn’t what I expected or wasn’t what I thought it should be, I was underwhelmed. That’s been the case until recently. Until this Echelon compact came in, to be exact.

Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C

Live Inventory Price Checker

	Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm Luger 4in Melonite Pistol - 18+1 Rounds - Black Compact	Sportsman's Warehouse	$ 649.99
	Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm 15-Round Magazine	GunMag Warehouse	$ 33.99
	Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm 18-Round Magazine	GunMag Warehouse	$ 33.99
	Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm 10-Round Magazine	GunMag Warehouse	$ 33.99

The Echelon’s Big Idea

On July 12, 2023, Springfield Armory (SA) released the original, full-size Echelon. This series (as it has come to be) is different in that it uses what SA refers to as the Central Operating Group (C.O.G.), a removable unit. You might know it as the fire control unit. This is the action and “guts” of the pistol – the trigger, ejector, and serial number.

Other manufacturers, such as Sig and, most recently, Ruger, have jumped on this bandwagon. It only makes sense. With the purchase of your Echelon and the ubiquitous Form 4473, you take home one pistol. You can now buy different-sized frames and backstraps and have them shipped right to your home. Do you like the 4-inch barrel but wish the grip was shorter? Buy the small frame. You’ll be able to customize your pistol and make it the way you want it.

The modules are ready now, for $65. You can get modules in small, medium, or large sizes in one of three colors. They include the magazine release. Also available are three different backstrap sizes for $20. Go here to see all the accessories available for the Echelons.

Other Features

The C.O.G. is not the only feature of this pistol. The pistol’s design shows a lot of forethought and listening to shooters, in my opinion. Let’s look at it.

Optics Cut

The slide is cut for a red dot and done in such a way that plates are not required. A system of pins are provided that allow the low placement of the sight so that co-witessing is allowed. Speaking of sights…

Tritium Night Sights

The model I received for review has tritium night sights. I may or may not mount a red dot – these sights are great!

Grip Texture

When I first picked it up, I noticed the grip texture. This is, if I’m not mistaken, the same or something very close to what they do on the Hellcat. The grip doesn’t feel overly sticky until you bear down on it. Then, it all but locks the gun into your hand. Very well done. Also, the backstraps take about 4 seconds to remove. These are the easiest backstraps I’ve ever seen to replac. The medium one that came on the gun works for me.

Slide Serrations

The slide serrations are deep and spaced a bit to allow you to grab the slide with gloves or wet hands. There are also “ears” at the rear that stick out to help you get a good purchase on the slide.

Ambidextrous Controls

Both the magazine and slide releases are duplicated on the right side of the pistol. This lefty likes that.

Index Pads

Two index pads, for lack of a better term, are built into the frame under the front trigger guard “leg”. These allow you to get a consistent grip on the gun and provide a place for your trigger finger to rest when not in the trigger guard, and on the other side for your support thumb to sit on. Both are textured well.

Trigger Guard Undercut & Texturing

The trigger guard is undercut, which allows a higher grip. Also, there is texturing on the bottom of it for your support hand index finger to rest on. That texturing is not something I would complain about if it were missing, but it is a nice touch. Also, what some call the beavertail is pronounced and really protects your hand.

Three-Slot Rail

You have three full slots under the muzzle to attach a light or laser to. The full size only has four.

Capacity

The full-size Echelon comes with one each of 17- and 20-round magazines for unrestricted states. This compact comes with one 15- and one 18-round mag.

Trigger

The flat-faced trigger, although not the match trigger found on the XDM, is very nice. It had minimal takeup and broke at a crisp 5 lbs., 6 ounces on my Lyman guage. The reset is very short, as well.

For more information about the Echelon, go here.

Take-Down

The Echelon comes apart like most all HS Produkt pistols sold by SA. First, clear the gun totally and remove the mag.

Lock the slide back and rotate the take-down lever down 90 degrees. Pull the slide back and let it run forward off the frame, no trigger press needed. To reassemble, reverse the process.

I was totally impressed with the internals of this pistol… there were zero extra marks or scratches and the metal parts were polished and smooth. The feed ramp is so shiny that you can see the rows of LED lights in my light box reflected in it:

You could use it as a mirror to comb your hair, if it were larger (or your head smaller!). I’ve always been amazed at how polished SA feed ramps are.

How’d It Shoot?

Pretty is as pretty does, I’ve always thought. A nice, ergonomic pistol with lots of gizmos means nothing if it won’t shoot and won’t function.

I discovered this pistol will do both, in spades.

I set some targets up at 25 yards in my backyard range and took an assortment of 9mm ammo to the bench.

Here are some results with some 9mm ammo I had…

Armscor 115-grain FMJ

Fiocchi Training Dynamics115-grain FMJ.

Monarch 124-grain FMJ.

These are three representative targets from informal groups I shot from the bench. Given more time, I’ll experiment and find both practice and defense loads that the Echelon likes. I don’t think accuracy is going to be an issue. One area to explore is whether this particular pistol likes 124-grain bullets better than 115s. The few targets I shot perhaps led me to wonder.

In terms of shootability, the Echelon compact is right up there and maybe a bit ahead of several other 9mm compacts I’ve owned or had experience with. The ergonomics, sights, and trigger are excellent, and the reliability is perfect.

Final Thoughts

As I said at the top, the universe of poly-striker-compact 9s is expanding… I’ve got even more coming in from different manufacturers for review. But, to see a pistol done right… designed with shooters in mind and featuring customizable frame sizes… that’s rare.

The Echelon compact, like its larger sibling, has taken the pistol world by storm. It was G&A’s Handgun Of The Year in 2023. That says something.

If you are in the market for a compact 9mm with a slew of features that is reliable and comes with decent-capacity magazines, give the Echelon a look. They’ve really listened to shooters and the design shows it. I like mine… it stays here.

Are any Echelon owners out there? Let’s hear from you below.

About Mike Hardesty

With experience spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has long enjoyed shooting and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a diverse array of firearms, each handled with long-practiced precision. Living in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a personal 100-yard range where he shares his love for guns to his four sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a recognized author, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Country, Bear Creek Arsenal Blog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing passion for firearms.