In the late summer of 2023, Springfield Armory released the Echelon and touted it as a new standard for modern, striker-fired duty pistols. Now, just in time to relieve yourself of holiday stresses and/or to start planning for your income tax return check, Springfield Armory introduces the Echelon 4.0C. Find out why you might want to add this 9mm handgun to your “my next gun” list.
The Echelon 4.0C is the concealable version of the full-size Echelon. Its compact frame and shorter barrel include all the same key features as the original. The version sent to me has tritium U-Dot irons and arrived with a Vortex Optics Defender-ST 3 MOA red dot.
It’s so beneficial when you have a pistol that fits your hands. I liked that the Echelon 4.0C comes with three different sized backstraps, just like the full-sized version. These small, medium and large backstraps have been designed with integrated armorer tools and are very easy to switch out. The medium size worked best for my hand size.
Along with the backstraps, Springfield Armory includes two magazines – a 15-round flush magazine and an 18-round extended. (Although everyone wants to carry the most amount of bullets possible, sometimes we have to sacrifice a few rounds for the concealability of a flush mount.)
As with most pistols from Springfield Armory, the box also contains a logoed gun lock, case and magazine loader.
I spent some time handling the Echelon 4.0C in my living room (empty chamber on the gun, of course) with my eyes closed. It’s amazing what you can learn about a pistol this way. I do this to get a feel for the gun in my hands. When I take out my sense of sight, I find features of the gun that appeal to me and may help with my grip and how I manipulate it. Here is what I found:
My son Colton, a former competitive shooter, stopped by my house and saw the Echelon 4.0C sitting on my counter. After confirming it was empty, he looked over the gun and went right to dryfiring. When I asked him what he thought, he said, “I really like the feel of the trigger press; it seems lighter and crisper than other stock guns. The stippling feels good in my hands; it’s just enough, not too much texture. I’m impressed with the serrations on the slide. These are especially great for someone wearing gloves or with sweaty hands. This gun has a lower bore axis than other guns I’ve shot; I bet it’s a flat shooter!”
Specs
I am highly impressed with the Echelon 4.0C because it feels so natural in my hands. I have very high expectations before even heading to the range. That’s at the top of my New Year’s must-do list.
Read more about Springfield Armory’s Echelon 4.0C here.
MSRP: $679 through $739
Michelle Cerino (aka Princess Gunslinger) is a freelance writer and Managing Editor at Women's Outdoor News. Michelle entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and instructor at a national training company. She quickly began competing in 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol events and became a sponsored shooter. Michelle also manages social media for Vera Koo as part of the DISA LLC team. In March 2013, she attended Ohio's first armed staff course, which later became the FASTER Saves Lives program. Since then, she has contributed as an instructor and managed the program’s social media and monthly newsletter. For the past 15 years, Michelle has focused on personal safety, sharing her expertise through writing, public speaking and hands-on instruction. Learn more about Michelle Cerino, also known as “Princess Gunslinger,” by visiting her website. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
