Self Defense

Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F Comp

By: Dave Bahde

The Echelon continues to carve out a strong foothold, and the newest variation is the fastest one yet

Springfield Armory’s Echelon has become very popular and continues to gain a strong foothold in the world of striker-fired defensive handguns. The use of a removable trigger mechanism is fast becoming the norm, and — like the other handguns that employ something similar — the Echelon provides several options using the same “Central Operating Group .”Using a removable pin arrangement for various red-dot-optic mounting platforms is another innovation. Mounting directly to the slide, without using an adapter plate, keeps the optic low to co-witness standard height iron sights. The Echelon’s trigger is crisp and predictable, ergonomics are possibly best-in-class (although this is highly subjective), and it has a proven track record of being accurate and reliable. One of the company’s latest additions to the Echelon lineup is one with an integral compensator — the new 4.5F-Comp — and it looks to be another hit.

Adding to the ever-growing line of Echelon pistols is the new 4.5F Comp version, with its integral forward-slanting compensator cut into the front of the slide and 4.5-inch barrel. In testing, it worked, mitigating muzzle rise and felt recoil, and without directing blast back at the shooter.

Springfield Armory 4.5F Compensated 9mm

Much like the red dot optic, the compensator started out slow and has steadily gained in popularity. Old devices were more like a muzzle brake than a compensator, and they spread debris everywhere, including into the shooter’s eyes. Newer versions are designed primarily as a compensator to reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil without the blast of debris and excessive noise. Once the purview of competition shooting, the duty and self-defense world is starting to see fast and accurate follow-up shots as a real benefit, especially when using potent carry ammunition. The Echelon’s compensator does its job very well while keeping the downsides to an absolute minimum. Their 4.5F Comp model has all the features that have made the Echelon popular: multiple backstraps and grip modules allow you to get just the right fit; texturing is aggressive without tearing up your hands; controls are ambidextrous with a flat trigger; the grip and trigger guard are high cut to fit large or gloved hands; iron sights are intuitive with a bright front sight and “U” rear for fast acquisition. Adding the compensator simply provides another level of control and accuracy. The compensator itself is a forward-slanting cut in the front of the slide and barrel, with the front sight placed directly behind the compensator. Integral, it does not add to the length, weight, disassembly/assembly procedure, or maintenance. The pistol ships with one flush-fitting 17-round and one extended 20-round magazine.

The Central Operating Group (COG) consists of an entirely self-contained, serialized fire-control group. Controls are fully ambidextrous. Springfield’s ingenious Variable Interface System creates a plate-less optic mounting platform that uses self-locking pins to adapt all of the popular optic platforms.

Range Time

This was my first time shooting any Echelon, and it was pretty impressive. Engaging steel at 25 and 50 yards proved exceedingly easy. Offhand at 25 yards, I was able to keep doubles consistently on the six-inch round steel, a common trait I’ve found with many compensated pistols. Currently testing several compensated pistols for a different project, a fast pace is where they tend to excel; with muzzle rise mitigated, it is much easier to stay on target during rapid fire. The same thing was true with “Bill Drills” at seven and ten yards. Using light loads, keeping everything in a fist-sized group is much easier when firing nearly as fast as I can pull the trigger. Hotter loads have similar success with a solid grip, but it takes concentration.

Springfield’s Adaptive Grip Texture locks your grip in tighter the harder you squeeze; it works exactly as advertised. Three different-sized backstraps are included to fine-tune fitment. A flush-fit 17-round and extended 20-round magazine accompanies every free-state Echelon model.

When it came to static accuracy on paper, my best group was around 1.5 inches at 25 yards using Wilson Combats +P using Barnes 115-grain TAC-XP bullets. The Echelon ran pretty much anything, including some very soft Wilson Combat 135-grain match practice loads. Using 124-grain +P, it flung brass like crazy; the slower stuff kind of dribbled out the side but never failed to extract or eject — again, not uncommon with compensated 9mm pistols.

The Echelon turned in impressive 25-yard performance from the bench, with its best-of-testing performance being the 1.50″ five-shot group shown here, printed with Wilson Combats 115-grain TAC-XP +P ammunition.

Final Thoughts

After spending time with the Echelon, it’s pretty clear why the pistol has caught on; this is a very solid, very well-performing polymer pistol at a reasonable price. The Echelon has all the features users demand: affordability, dependability, precision, comfort, and excellent ergonomics. Magazines functioned without issue, and the trigger is amongst the best in a duty-capable striker-fired pistol. Now offered in multiple configurations, the Echelon line offers something for everyone, and the addition of a compensated version meets an ever-growing demand. If you are in the market for a full-size compensated defensive pistol, make sure this one is on your list — it may be just about perfect. See the Echelon 4.5F Comp ($749) at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Springfield Armory; Tel.: (800) 680-6866; Web: www.springfield-armory.com.