Last year, my introduction to Springfield Armory’s Echelon series of pistols could only be described as “sudden.” Attending a Gunsite Academy class, the pistol I’d brought inexplicably stopped running. New mags, fresh cleaning, even different ammo failed to stop my stoppages.
And my stoppages were stopping the class.
Frustrated, I remembered I had a brand-new-and unannounced- Echelon locked in the safe in my car. Determined to finish with a gun I’d brought, not one I’d be forced to rent or borrow, I dashed out to the car, grabbed the pistol, mags and prototype holster, attached all of the above to my gun belt and went back to class.
When I came back in, I told instructors Jeff Dooley and Jason Lovett that this was a pistol that hadn’t been announced, and I needed to keep it on the down low. My secret lasted almost 30 seconds before one of my classmates offered to help me load magazines, then said “hey, I’ve never seen this before.”
The cat wasn’t just out of the bag, it was quickly passed around so everyone could quit pushing and shoving to see what I’d pulled out of my range bag. At that point, all I could do was tell them it was an advance-release gun, tell them I was a media type, then ask them to please keep it a secret.
They all agreed on one condition: I let them try it out. Throughout the rest of the day, any lull in training meant “my” secret pistol was getting hammered by ten different shooters.
That Echelon not only saved my class, it convinced me that Springfield might be onto something with this new pistol. As it turned out, I wasn’t the only one convinced. Both Dooley and Lovett subsequently bought Echelons for themselves. Lovett’s department later chose the Echelon for their officers.
Today, Springfield’s announcing the newest version of the Echelon- the Echelon 4.5F Comp. Yep, comp as in “compensator” This new version has an integrated compensator featuring a single port atop the hammer-forged slide and barrel.
This new model should be popular with competition shooters. Actually, anyone who wants easier follow-up shots will appreciate the compensation, but it will be the fastest -and slowest- shooters who’ll see the biggest benefit. Fast shooters will be able to shoot even faster and slowpokes like me will be able to get back onto target faster.
Other than the compensator port on the top of the barrel, it’s going to be tough to tell this latest Echelon apart from its older versions. The new version features the same innovative optics mounting system means adaptability for most of today’s red dot sights, and the ambidextrous controls and interchangeable backstraps will make it more possible to get the fit “just right”.
This new version will also ship with the same pair of magazines (a 17-rounder and a 20-rounder), carry Springfield’s tritium U-dot sights, all focused around Springfield’s serialized Central Operating Group.
It’s worth noting that the front sight is located behind the compensator port, meaning the sight picture won’t be lost by the muzzle blast being directed upwards.
As noted, the other specifications for this new Echelon remain unchanged. A 1.2” grip width, 8-inch overall length, and either 5.5 or 6.5-inch height, depending on which mag you’re using.
The new Echelon Comp 4.5F carries an MSRP of $749 and comes with a Springfield double-zipper case.
If you have an Echelon and a favorite holster (like me), you’re not going to have to go back into the “find-a-holster” mode. The new model fits seamlessly into your existing holster. In fact, I now have the test unit in the same prototype holster I pressed into service with the original Echelon. Perfect fit.
Again, it’s worth mentioning this is a full-size service pistol. It’s not what I would consider a really strong option for an inside-the-waistband carry. Seeing how Springfield has developed their Central Operating Group, there may be a pretty good chance that other models -in varying sizes- may be in the pipeline.
As always, we’ll keep you posted.
— Jim Shepherd