Springfield Armory’s newest firearm is the Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm pistol. In fact, it just dropped today and should be hitting your gun shop soon! The “comp” is in the name because of the generous and very obvious integral compensation cuts in the top end of the Echelon’s barrel and slide. And I’ll tell you, it actually works extremely well at reducing muzzle flip to keep you on-target for follow-up shots.
This new Echelon pistol has “C” in its name because it’s a compact version of the earlier Echelon full-size “F” model with a 4.5-inch barrel. This new Echelon, like the regular Echelon 4.0 Compact, has a 4-inch barrel, making it easier to conceal, carry, and draw; the new pistol also uses the small Echelon grip module.
Springfield Echelon 4.0C Comp Pistol: What’s New
Like previous Echelons, this new model features Springfield’s Variable Interface System: a receiver cut to accommodate a wide variety of optic footprints. Remove the plate at the rear of the pistol’s slide to discover direct-mount compatibility with over 30 optics with no adapter plates required!
I refuse to let an easy optics mounting opportunity go to waste, so I removed that plate and mounted an EOTech EFLX Mini Reflex Sight on the Springfield. Built on the Leupold Delta Point Pro footprint, the EFLX required all of two screws for a direct mount onto the Echelon. Easy!
The EFLX is the optic-maker’s first mini red dot and it features a rugged aluminum housing, precise controls at 1 MOA per click, and easy to use on/off and brightness setting buttons. The CR2032 battery is top loaded, and my 3MOA red dot showed up sharp and clear. The EFLX is also available with a 6MOA dot, and it proved a great companion to the Echelon.
Springfield Echelon 4.0C Comp Features
The new Echelon 4.0C Comp is available in three versions, all with different magazine options. A version for restricted states ships with two 10-round magazines, another with two 15-rounders, and another ships with 15-round mag and one 18-round extended magazine — that’s the one I received for this review.
My pistol’s 4-inch hammer forged steel barrel had a 1:10 twist rate. The steel slide is billet machined and sports a Melonite finish. The black polymer frame features a very grippy, sandpaper-like texturing all around the grip.
The frame contains Springfield’s Central Operating Group, a self-contained and serialized fire control system that can be easily switched between Echelon small, medium, and large grip modules (sold separately); the Echelon 4.0C comes with the small grip module.
The pistol’s sights are a tritium/luminescent front post paired with a Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear blade sight; the two matched up nicely to quickly put me onto the target.
With the 15-round flush-fit magazine (unloaded) my Echelon 4.0C Comp weighed in at a tidy 24 ounces; it was 25 ounces with the unloaded extended 18 rounder. Of course, 15 or 18 rounds of 9mm is going to add some heft.
The striker-fired trigger on my test pistol averaged right at 3.0 pounds of pull. Built with a bladed safety, the trigger required about 1/4 inch of take up before engaging the sear and then broke as most striker-fires do: not quite crisp but not exactly spongy.
The Springfield Echelon 4.0C Comp on the Range
I first zeroed the Echelon and EFLX at 12 yards from a rest at my outdoor range using Winchester Target & Practice 9mm ammo loaded with 124-grain full metal jacket bullets. The first rounds smacked my target several inches high and left, but the optic zeroed quickly.
I then shot at 5 and 7 yards offhand, using two self-defense loads: Fiocchi CovertX 9mm, launching a 124-grain jacketed hollow point designed with pre-cut serrations in the lead core to promote expansion; and, Winchester USA Ready Defense +P 9mm, also at 124-grains, and featuring Winchester’s really interesting Hex-Vent rigid insert in the tip for exceptional expansion.
I shot at 12x18” Dual Zone Silhouette targets from Caldwell, which rates the ratio sizing of these silhouettes at 2 to 1. So, at 5 yards, the targets roughly simulated a 6-foot tall target at 10 yards.
The Dual Zone bad guys had very bad days in front of the new Echelon, with both types of ammo pegging five-shot groups of under 1.3-inches. The vest groups were produced by CovertX at 0.9 inches and USA Ready Defense at 0.85 inches.
Then I moved to my range’s 20-yard lane.
Here, the two self-defense loads produced sub-2-inch groups consistently with the best groups printed by CovertX at 1.7-inches (with four of the rounds at under an inch), and Winchester Defense at 1.25-inches.
Pretty outstanding accuracy from the Echelon 4.0C Comp, the EFLX optic, and both brands of 9mm ammunition.
Pros and Cons
The only downside of the compensation cuts in the barrel and slide is that a decent amount of muzzle blast debris blew up and some of that came back towards the optic. Every 50 rounds or so, the EFLX needed cleaning as grimy specks accumulated on the front of the lens.
The Echelon sports an under-barrel rail for a light or laser. Deep cuts along the slide made for easy racking. A substantial beavertail protected the web of my shooting hand, and I don’t see how anyone shooting this pistol could ever come away with the dreaded slide bite.
My new Echelon and the other two models ship with three backstraps, with an integrated armorer’s tool included. These patent-pending backstraps are universal to the Echelon frames and will install in the small, medium, and large grip modules/frames.
I ran both the 15- and 18-round magazines, and they worked flawlessly, plus loaded easily by hand. The 18-round mag provided a little more support during shooting, thanks to the mag extension that protruded an inch or so below the mag well.
The Echelon 4.0C Comp is an impressive carry pistol, and I’m not sure how Springfield could make it any better, though I suspect they are already working on that.
Pistol Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1, 18+1 (as tested)
Action: Semi-Automatic
Barrel: 4.0 inches
OA Length: 7.25 inches
Barrel, Slide Finish: Melonite
Weight: 24 ounces w/flush mag, 25 ounces w/extended mag
Sights: Tritium / Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ Rear
Optic Ready: Yes
Grips: Polymer
MSRP: $749
The Springfield Echelon 4.0C Comp Pairs Well With…
Springfield Men's Short Sleeve Summer Button Down, in the American Paradise pattern, a wonderful pastiche of guns and flowers, bald eagles and the America flag. Required range wear for Springfield owners! $49. www.springfield-armory.com
Related Articles
