TFB Review: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm
The Springfield Armory Echelon has been out for barely 15 months and it has made quite a name for itself within the firearms industry. What began as a single firearm offering that didn’t reinvent the wheel yet offered everything imaginable in a single pistol, it has now branched out into a full-fledged suite of handguns. You have the OG pistol (the original), Cerakote colors, a Comp version, and our very own James Reeves from TFBTV even reviewed the Echelon upon its debut giving it high praises. Now, Springfield has brought something new to the table with a compact iteration of their workhorse, wonder pistol. The Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm is a nod to this version being a compact model with a 4” barrel. Will this slightly leaner pistol still retain all of its big brother’s traits in a smaller form factor? Or, will the Echelon 4.0C not measure up? Let’s dive in!
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Specifications – Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm
The new Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm has an MSRP of $679 making it fall right in line with its larger-sized brethren. All of the specs that you can come to expect from the Echelon 4.0C can be read below as presented by Springfield Armory:
Cartridge: 9mmBarrel: 4″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish, Optics-ReadyFrame: Black PolymerSights: Tritium / Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ RearRecoil System: CaptiveGrip Width: 1.2″Magazines: (1) 15-Round, (1) 18-RoundWeight: 24 oz w/ Flush Mag | 25 oz w/ Extended MagLength: 7.25″Height: 5.125″ w/ Flush Mag | 6.125″ w/ Extended Mag
While we are looking specifically at the Echelon 4.0C 9mm model today, Springfield Armory has 5 new offerings in this new-to-the-market compact Echelon series. Again, for clarity, we are playing with the Echelon 4.0C 9mm (SKU: EC9409B-U). The other offerings are listed below:
Echelon 4.0C 9mm | SKU: EC9409B-U – MSRP $679 Echelon 4.0C 9mm, 3-Dot Tritium | SKU: EC9409B-3D – MSRP $719 Echelon 4.0C Threaded 9mm, 3-Dot Tritium | SKU: ECT9409B-3D – MSRP $739 Echelon 4.0C 9mm, 15-Round | SKU: EC9409B-U-15 – MSRP $679 Echelon 4.0C 9mm, Low Capacity | SKU: EC9409BLC-U – MSRP $679
As always, in the rare event that you should ever need service for your firearm, Springfield Armory has a Lifetime Warranty that stands behind all of their firearms. While I have never experienced any issues with the full-size Springfield Armory Echelons I have reviewed over the past year, it is nice to know that you have that safety net and support from Springfield.
A Word from Springfield Armory on the Echelon 4.0C 9mm
Like with any new introduction, Springfield Armory is excited to finally unveil what they have been cooking up and share it with the world. They hope for this compact pistol to be a true contender and reiterate that excitement via their press release statement below:
“Engineered for carry, the Echelon™ 4.0C retains the key features of the full-size model, with a shorter 4-inch barrel and compact frame for enhanced concealability. Its revolutionary Variable Interface System provides unmatched direct-mount compatibility with today’s leading red dot sights, complemented by tritium U-Dot irons for fast target acquisition. The serialized Central Operating Group is housed in a compact frame, offering a 15-round capacity with the flush magazine and 18 rounds with the extended magazine.”
What’s in the Box? Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm
One of the most important yet simple questions I get asked when reviewing products is: “What’s in the box?” By answering that innocent question, you’ll be able to know what additional accessories you may or may not need. So, let’s take a look.
Owner’s Manual, Cable Lock, Red Chamber Flag, SpeedloaderCardboard Box & Double Zipper Nylon Case(1) 15-Round Magazine, (1) 18-Round Magazine, and (1) Mag Extension(3) Interchangeable Rear Grip PanelsVIS (Variable Interface System) Mounting System
***Optic NOT Included***
What’s the Upsell to the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm?
So, what is the upsell to the Echelon 4.0C (Springfield’s new compact contender)? For one, it retains all of the goodness that the full-size pistols offer in a smaller form factor. This is true in the magazine capacity, its optic readiness, and even the COG (Central Operating Group) making it a chassis firearm.
Compact Dimensions: Shortened at the frame and muzzle, the Echelon 4.0C boasts full-size features in a concealable package.Central Operating Group: The Central Operating Group is self-contained and serialized, providing a robust housing for the patent pending operating system.Big Mags, Little Gun: The 4.0C ships with a 15-round flush magazine and 18-round extended magazine.
Range Experience – Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm
So, how did this pistol perform at the range? This pistol has Springfield’s classic Tritium/Luminescent front sight paired with a Tactical Rack U-Dot™ rear sight, and they were even generous enough to provide a Vortex Optics Defender-ST 3 MOA micro red dot as well for this review.
I love red dots on handguns so it was inevitable that a red dot was going to land on the Echelon 4.0C. With the VIS (Variable Interface System) Mounting System, you have every screw, pin, and tool you need to mount your favorite red dot, whatever that might be.
To test the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C, I ran a bunch of Federal Premium’s Gold Medal Action Pistol 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). I’ll gladly give Federal a shout-out quickly because the last 4 handgun reviews I’ve completed for 9mm pistols I’ve been running this ammo and it’s been reliable, clean, and consistent. All good attributes you’d want and expect from your range ammo. So, thank you to Federal for providing that ammo.
Gold Medal Action Pistol 9mm Luger 147 Grain | SKU: GM9AP1 | MSRP $32.99
While shooting, I had good control of the pistol because you can still get a full, tactile grip on the compact Echelon. With extended magazines or standard, you get all of your fingers and hand on the grip for confident control. This barrel is ½ inch shorter than the full-size Echelon and that equated to the tiniest increase in recoil impulse. Barely noticeable.
The trigger on the Echelon 4.0C is the same as its big brother’s being a flat-faced, cleaning breaking trigger. As far as factory triggers go, I have always been pleased with the Echelon’s trigger pull, travel, and break.
As far as your ability to conceal and carry, there are already wonderful holster options out on the market for this handgun like the Safariland Incog X Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster. My normal everyday carry (EDC) is a Hellcat Pro Comp OSP with an additional magazine at the 12 o’clock IWB position, and I found this just as comfortable and easy to hide as my Hellcat Pro Comp OSP. So, for concealed carry, this pistol scores well also.
If I had to come up with some kind of negative for this handgun, I would say it is simply thick in the grip for a compact handgun. It’s not “Hi-Point lumber yard” thick, but it has some girth. The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP is my current EDC favorite, and I’d throw the Echelon 4.0C into the Top 5. The grip circumference has some heft, but you can moderate that with your replaceable grip panels to your liking as well.
Departing Thoughts
So, what are my final thoughts on the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm?… Overall, I like that Springfield has introduced a compact Echelon for shooters. It is another nice addition to what is now a large family of Echelons. All of the secret sauce of the full-size pistols distilled down into a compact frame for people who desire that slightly smaller size. Additionally, the asking price of $679 is very competitive and reasonable for what Springfield brings to the table.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing TheFirearmBlog and myself the opportunity to try out their Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm pistol. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think?
Do you believe that the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C 9mm pistol is something worth spending your money on? Would you potentially deploy it for EDC (everyday carry)? Shoot a league or competition? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Springfield Armory and their Echelon 4.0C 9mm pistol in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.