There is a formation in the military that has men or vehicles staggered in a diagonal fashion with one element behind and slightly offset to the one in front. The name of this formation is echelon, with a general meaning of rank, level, or tier. Echelon is an appropriate name for Springfield Armory’s newest pistol designed for duty or service use. And now it’s available in a 15-round variant (details below at the end of the story).
The Springfield Armory Echelon
With a host of innovations and patent-pending design implementations, the Echelon is Springfield Armory’s next evolutionary step in the world of hard-use service pistols. It is also the culmination of the company’s experience designing and manufacturing striker-fired pistols.
A New Paradigm
From the outset, the Echelon was intended to be a go-to service pistol that just got everything right. There was a particular focus on important aspects such as grip texturing, the optics mounting system, and durability. Not to mention details like the human-interface points.
During the Echelon’s development, a wide variety of tests were employed to ensure both its reliability and durability. This included extensive drop tests and exposure to various substrates like dirt, mud, dust, and even clay. Even maritime tests were conducted. As a result, the Echelon has water evacuation holes so as not to impede striker function.
Taking a step back, the Echelon is a polymer-framed pistol that utilizes a striker-fired operating system. And it incorporates what Springfield Armory calls its Central Operating Group. This is a stainless-steel chassis that houses the trigger assembly and is the serialized component that is considered the “firearm” under US law.
The COG can be swapped from one grip module to another, allowing the user to construct pistols of different sizes and grip configurations. Interestingly, the COG integrates what Springfield Armory calls a “second sear” design to add an additional layer of drop safety. This allows the Echelon to pass drop tests that exceed the standards set by SAAMI.
According to Springfield Armory, this design allows the main sear to NOT move the striker rearward as the trigger is pulled. Thus, improving trigger pull and aiding in a more consistent point of aim and impact.
The Echelon’s Variable Interface System (VIS)
The innovative design changes don’t end with the COG, however. With the introduction of the Echelon, Springfield Armory is now offering what it calls its Variable Interface System (VIS) for mounting optics.
This system includes a number of holes in the slide that work in tandem with an assortment of self-locking pins. This allows over 30 different optics to be mounted directly to the Echelon’s slide without the need for adapter plates.
Aside from allowing for easier co-witnessing the factory sights because of the lower profile, VIS also adds a degree of future-proofing by offering an assortment of optic footprints on the Echelon.
Today, if you have a slide cut and drilled for an RMR, you’re stuck with that footprint on your slide forever. With VIS, the user can change from one optic footprint to another without incurring the cost of an additional slide.
Even so, there are still optics currently on the market that will not mount directly to the slide via the Variable Interface System. But Springfield Armory has you covered there as well.
Adapter plates will be available for optics like the Aimpoint Acro system, Steiner MPS, Burris Fastfire 4, and Viridian RFX45.
Adapting the Echelon to You
Additionally, the Echelon features even more enhancements to the human-interface side of the equation. For example, the grip module incorporates Springfield’s Adaptive Grip Texturing, similar to what’s found on the Hellcat series of pistols.
This is a sound choice because of the excellent traction it provides to assist with affirmative recoil control. However, Springfield Armory is also taking further steps to provide a more customized experience for the individual user.
For the Echelon, small, medium, and large grip modules will be available that change the trigger reach progressively. The large grip module will also feature a bit of additional width as well. On top of that, each grip module will ship with three interchangeable backstraps to allow the user to tailor the fit even more precisely.
Is that not enough customization for you? There will also be grip modules available with either the standard Adaptive Grip Texturing or more aggressive texturing. In short, the end user will be able to fully customize how the Echelon fits and sits in their hand for an optimal shooting experience.
Improving the User Experience
A number of other design elements improve the user experience as well. There’s the fairly aggressive set of front and rear cocking serrations that provide superb traction for easy slide manipulation.
Beyond that, Springfield Armory also incorporates what it calls its Forward Trench. This relief cut in the slide just forward of the action provides another generous pinch point for press-checking the pistol. Not that it’s necessary since the Echelon also includes a loaded-chamber indicator.
The slide is finished with Melonite, a robust surface treatment that is known for its long wear and corrosion resistance.
At the rear of the slide, the Echelon features flared corners that protrude a bit like cocking ears found on other pistols available on the market. This area provides the user with a substantial gripping area for manually racking the slide more easily.
Up top, the Echelon includes a set of Springfield’s fantastic U-Notch sights. They include a white outline at the rear and a high-visibility front sight with a tritium insert. For a small upcharge, the buyer can opt for a full set of three-dot, tritium sights, with each tritium insert including a white outline as well.
Moving back to the grip module, it’s worth noting that the Echelon includes a couple of textured index points on the sides for easy and repeatable placement of the support hand. Each grip module also includes an oversized triggerguard for use with gloved hands.
Likewise, the triggerguard includes texturing out front to accommodate the user’s preferred grip style. And for the southpaws interested in the Echelon, an ambidextrous slide stop/release and an ambi magazine release are included.
Put to the Test
A fan of Springfield Armory’s polymer pistols, I was chomping at the bit to get the Echelon out to the range for a test drive with a couple of friends and knowledgeable shooters. Aside from the new, innovative features, I was just as curious about the pistol’s reliability. Not to mention, what type of accuracy I could expect from the Echelon’s hammer-forged barrel.
Each pistol ships with a 17-round magazine and an extended 20-round magazine. Both of which we quickly loaded for our first shots downrange.
While the Echelon is significantly different from the XD-M series of pistols—even the Elite models—the trigger is still vaguely similar but in a good way. There is minimal take-up to the wall that is very clean and grit free. After that, there’s only the barest hint of sponginess before the authoritative snap of the striker being deployed.
The flat-faced trigger design distributed the weight evenly for a nice, clean pull with a break right at an average of 5.1 pounds.
Granted, this isn’t the lightest trigger on the market by any means. But for a service/defensive pistol, it adeptly hits the sweet spot between safety, reliability, and ease of operation.
The reset, though not the absolute shortest I’ve experienced, is still fairly short and provided positive tactile and audible feedback once it occurred. All in all, the trigger was as good, if not better, than most other striker-fired pistols I’ve tried with the same design intent as the Echelon.
Impressive Handling and Usability
I was also extremely impressed with the Echelon’s handling and usability. The Adaptive Grip Texturing is a marked improvement over the texturing on XD-M pistols. It provided me with a very positive purchase. However, I would opt for the more aggressive texturing on a different grip module.
What impressed me the most about the handling was how comfortably the Echelon sat in my hand. I was also impressed with how well the frame softened the recoil impulse, even with hard-hitting +P loads.
There’s plenty of relief under the slide for a high purchase on the grip, and the undercut behind the triggerguard made it just that much better. While shooting the Echelon, I really, really liked the forward index points to rest the thumb of my support hand.
For such a small, innocuous feature, it did a great job of providing comfortable and consistent placement of my support hand for even better control.
My friend, Brad, was a little lukewarm on the XD-M line, but was “blown away”—his words—by the Echelon. He noted that everything about the pistol felt like it was made for him.
Specifically, he liked the high grip afforded by the relief cuts in the frame and the textured index points. He thought they let him get his support hand perfectly in place on the Echelon. Likewise, he enjoyed the shooting experience, especially the recoil response, and commented on how the Echelon seemed to immediately settle back on target after each shot.
The Echelon Offers Welcomed Reliability
One of the things I appreciated about the XD and XD-M pistols I’ve owned in the past is their reliability. I’ve probably owned ten different models over the years and can’t remember when there was any sort of malfunction.
The Echelon carried on that tradition of reliability during our testing for this review. With many hundreds of rounds of all types fired—from hollowpoints to truncated range loads—there hasn’t been a single malfunction of any sort.
Similarly, the Echelon performed quite nicely during the accuracy testing. Especially with a Trijicon RMR mounted for a more precise point of aim off a simple rest at 25 yards. For all the premium loads tried during the accuracy testing, the Echelon averaged 1.72 inches.
The single best five-shot group measured 1.19 inches, and that was with Federal’s 147-grain +P HST load. However, Hornady’s 115-grain Critical Defense load had the best three-group average at 1.42 inches.
But as you can see in the table below, the other brands’ offerings were very close behind with their three-group averages. And the variances were probably due more to me than the pistol.
Anything under two inches at 25 yards is excellent for an out-of-the-box service pistol. So, the Echelon’s performance was quite commendable in this area as well.
A New Standard
With an MSRP of $679 for the base Echelon, Springfield Armory is offering a serious pistol capable of excellent performance for a reasonable price. And I like that Springfield Armory is testing boundaries with this new offering.
While we’ve seen swappable chassis systems in the past, the new Variable Interface System for directly mounting optics is a real feather in the company’s cap. The Echelon is the first service pistol I’ve seen with that option.
The fact that Springfield Armory brings so many enhanced features together in one package is a real coup for the company. Specifically by offering more to the consumer and driving competition in the marketplace.
Springfield Armory is going to continue that effort since they are already planning on expanding the Echelon lineup to include compact and subcompact offerings as well. The company is also offering a three-dot, tritium model and a threaded-barrel version with an upcharge of $30 to $50.
Hosting a suite of innovative features, superb ergos, and excellent performance, the Echelon isn’t just a new standard for Springfield Armory, it’s a milestone for the market as a whole. This type of innovation benefits everyone.
And I say that with all sincerity because I am going to buy one immediately. Then I am going to wait impatiently until Springfield Armory makes the Echelon in .45 ACP and 10mm as well.
For more information, please visit Springfield-Armory.com.
Springfield Armory Echelon Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.5 inches
Overall Length: 8 inches
Weight: 23.9 ounces (w/flush-fit mag)
Height: 5.5 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Grips: Polymer
Capacity: 17/20+1
Sights: U-Notch Rear, High Vis. Front
Action: Striker-Fired
Finish: Melonite
MSRP: $679
Performance
| ACCURACY | |||
| LOAD | VELOCITY | AVERAGE | BEST |
| Federal Premium 147gr. +P HST | 985 | 1.83 | 1.19 |
| Hornady 115gr. Critical Defense | 1158 | 1.42 | 1.31 |
| Sig Sauer 124gr. Elite V-Crown | 1162 | 1.91 | 1.74 |
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second 15 feet from the muzzle by a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three, five-shot groups at 25 yards.
EDITOR’S UPDATE: Springfield Armory Releases 15-Round Echelon Variant
In July of 2023, Springfield Armory released its Echelon to much fanfare (above). Originally available in 17/20+1-round models, the company just announced the release of a 15-round variant. As a result, the pistol is now available to customers in locales that require restricted capacities.
Building on the patent-pending Central Operating Group, the Echelon employs cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to deliver a completely modular system. Correspondingly, the system consists of an entirely self-contained and serialized stainless steel chassis. As a result, it is easily moved between available grip modules in seconds.
The innovative Variable Interface System further adds to the Echelon’s adaptability by employing patent-pending self-locking pins. These pins exert lateral pressure on the optic’s interior mounting surface for a consistent point of aim. Likewise, they can be positioned to fit the footprints of more than 30 optic models.
And now, the Echelon is available in a 15-round variant for restrictive jurisdictions. The new 15-round variant is offered with either U-Dot tritium/luminescent sights or three-dot tritium sights. The U-Dot variant comes with an MSRP of $679, while the three-dot tritium variant has an MSRP of $719.
In addition, the new variant ships with two 15-round magazines featuring a blacked-out, scratch- and wear-resistant coating. As a result, they are designed for rugged durability, hard use, and reliable operation.
“The Echelon was engineered from the ground up to be today’s most advanced striker-fired pistol,” says Steve Kramer, Springfield Armory’s Vice President of Marketing. “And now, with this new 15-round version, it’s available to an even broader range of shooters.”
For more information, please visit Springfield-Armory.com.
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