It’s only July, but we are already seeing firearm manufacturers pump out new gun models in prep for the avalanche that comes every January at SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show). One of the most exciting announcements so far this summer has been the Springfield Armory Echelon. It is a lean pistol that has an extremely custom looking aesthetic. The slide cuts are deep, the rear of the slide is cleverly winged out for slide racking, and a bunch of other unique and edgy-looking features have people’s heads spinning. It is not something many of us expected from Springfield Armory when they have multiple, established lines of polymer handguns like the Hellcat, XD, XD-M, and XD-M Elite series of firearms. So, let’s take a quick dive into what the Springfield Armory Echelon is as well as some of our first impressions.
I had the good fortune of receiving and shooting a copy of the Echelon pistol before its recent announcement. My overall impressions were that this is a good handling pistol that feels like it should be $1,000+ in features from a Custom Shop. Most people will be surprised to learn that the MSRP is only $679. That puts it in very similar territory as its direct competitors like Smith & Wesson, Glock, and SIG Sauer. Aside from the striking and stylish looks, one of the most exciting attributes of the Echelon is the VIS Mounting system (Variable Interface System). Through a “peg” or “post” system atop the slide, you can mount over 30 of the most popular micro red dots on the market today; all without dreaded plates! This flips the optics industry on its head and changes the way we perceive optics should be mounted on handguns. Most forward-thinking shooters understand the enormous benefits of shooting with a red dot versus iron sights, and now mounting one to the Echelon from Springfield Armory is easier than ever.
Many shooters will also be excited to learn that this is a “chassis” pistol. Meaning, you can remove the “guts” or trigger assembly and drop it into different-sized frames and platforms. This opens Pandora’s box for infinite aftermarket possibilities as well as whatever Springfield Armory will be conjuring up in the coming months. Only time will tell.
So, how does it perform?... I fired this pistol with iron sights, a Trijicon RMR mounted on top, with a Surefire X300 flashlight, and I have even competed with it already. No matter what way you play with it, this pistol flatly performs. During a Tactical Games event in Iowa recently, it endured extreme humidity, heat, and abuse over the course of two 12-hour days of competing and the pistol was unphased; 100% reliable. That is exactly what I am looking for in a duty, competition, and carry pistol. The Springfield Armory Echelon has already replaced my previous EDC handgun (everyday carry). If you are in the market for a new modular handgun, the Springfield Armory Echelon should be a strong contender for anyone’s arsenal. In the end, make sure to get out there training, honing your craft, getting reps with your firearms, and likely Tyrant can help you along the way with some rad accessories. Until next time, continually check out our blog, join our newsletter, and watch the website for new and exciting updates! As always, let us know all your thoughts in the comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!
