Mrs. Astro got me a Springfield Echelon for Christmas. For those of you unfamiliar, here is the web page: https://www.springfield-armory.com/echelon-series-handguns/echelon-handguns/. It is a striker fired 9mm, built on a polymer frame with a “chassis” that has the fire control and serial number, much like Sig did with the P320 and the P365. It has a standard magazine of 17 and comes with a 20 round extended magazine. The safety is built into the trigger, ala Glock.
This chassis allows for new grip modules, to better tailor the pistol to the shooter’s hand. It comes with several backstraps that are easily replaced to fit the shooter as well. I found that the factory installed option works perfectly for me.
I mounted a Trijicon RMR. https://www.trijicon.com/products/subcategory/trijicon-rmr
Some of the features that distinguish this pistol from any other polymer framed, striker fired, 9mm example:
1. The slide is pre-cut for an optic. Springfield has a unique set of pins and mounting holes that allow optics to be mounted directly to the slide. The optic is lower, more secure, and doesn’t require extra “bits” for fitting. You leave the factory sights in place, and they co-witness with the RMR. No need for “suppressor height” sights to be able to see them with a red dot mounted.
2. The mag release is ambidextrous.
3. The slide is “flared” and serrated both front and rear (see the photo below) making slide manipulation much easier. It is easier to grasp than a flat sided slide.
4. The aforementioned ability to fit and tailor the grip.
How does it shoot?
In a word - great.
The trigger is relatively smooth, with a good break and short reset.
The grip surface is, well, “grippy” without being harsh, and there are lots of little texture bits on the frame (for indexing your trigger finger on the frame). Recoil is light, because of the high grip.
I am getting used to the RMR, it’s a new concept for me. I sighted the RMR at 10 yards, and if I was doing my part, every round went into a quarter sized hole. Factory sights are set up for a “lollipop” sight picture, with the target just above the front sight, so, setting up the RMR dot to be dead on had the iron sights just below the bullseye.
I have put 500 rounds through it so far. Various brands of ball rounds, some Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST defensive rounds, and it has been flawless.
If I was asked a month ago - “What one gun would you choose if you could only have one for a variety of purposes?” I would have said, my Glock 19. Today? I would choose this one. It is that much better. That’s not knocking the Glock, it’s a great gun, but this Echelon has raised the performance bar.
So, adaptable, accurate, reliable, easier to manipulate and operate, with great sighting options. It is a really nice gun.
Shown here with the RMR and regular backstrap:
The flaring on the slide - allowing an easier grip. Notice how it narrows just forward of the ejection port and just forward of the rear sight.
The ”chassis” which Springfield calls a “central operating group”.
This chassis allows for new grip modules, to better tailor the pistol to the shooter’s hand. It comes with several backstraps that are easily replaced to fit the shooter as well. I found that the factory installed option works perfectly for me.
I mounted a Trijicon RMR. https://www.trijicon.com/products/subcategory/trijicon-rmr
Some of the features that distinguish this pistol from any other polymer framed, striker fired, 9mm example:
1. The slide is pre-cut for an optic. Springfield has a unique set of pins and mounting holes that allow optics to be mounted directly to the slide. The optic is lower, more secure, and doesn’t require extra “bits” for fitting. You leave the factory sights in place, and they co-witness with the RMR. No need for “suppressor height” sights to be able to see them with a red dot mounted.
2. The mag release is ambidextrous.
3. The slide is “flared” and serrated both front and rear (see the photo below) making slide manipulation much easier. It is easier to grasp than a flat sided slide.
4. The aforementioned ability to fit and tailor the grip.
How does it shoot?
In a word - great.
The trigger is relatively smooth, with a good break and short reset.
The grip surface is, well, “grippy” without being harsh, and there are lots of little texture bits on the frame (for indexing your trigger finger on the frame). Recoil is light, because of the high grip.
I am getting used to the RMR, it’s a new concept for me. I sighted the RMR at 10 yards, and if I was doing my part, every round went into a quarter sized hole. Factory sights are set up for a “lollipop” sight picture, with the target just above the front sight, so, setting up the RMR dot to be dead on had the iron sights just below the bullseye.
I have put 500 rounds through it so far. Various brands of ball rounds, some Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST defensive rounds, and it has been flawless.
If I was asked a month ago - “What one gun would you choose if you could only have one for a variety of purposes?” I would have said, my Glock 19. Today? I would choose this one. It is that much better. That’s not knocking the Glock, it’s a great gun, but this Echelon has raised the performance bar.
So, adaptable, accurate, reliable, easier to manipulate and operate, with great sighting options. It is a really nice gun.
Shown here with the RMR and regular backstrap:
The flaring on the slide - allowing an easier grip. Notice how it narrows just forward of the ejection port and just forward of the rear sight.
The ”chassis” which Springfield calls a “central operating group”.
