The Springfield Armory Echelon has been around for a couple of years now, and with each iteration, it just keeps getting better.
Like many of you, I didn’t think that was possible, especially considering the first generation of full-sized Echelon pistols was pretty fantastic right out of the gate. Springfield took everything shooters loved about the striker-fired Hellcat lineup, sprinkled in some DNA from the aging XD series, and reimagined it for a more modern, optics-focused market.
But alas, the Echelon 4.0C Comp is by far the best iteration yet. Not just because it has an integrated comp milled into the slide and barrel, but because it’s a perfect example of what can happen when a company listens to what shooters actually want and need.
The 4.0C Comp feels great in the hand, shoots incredibly flat, and blurs the line between a duty gun, an everyday carry rig, and a conversation-piece range toy. And I’m here for it, man. It’s compact enough to carry, controllable enough to shoot fast, and modern enough that it doesn’t feel overdone like the XD series did.
This thing is an animal of its own. But before we get too into the weeds here, let me be clear: Springfield did not supply the gun for this review, nor am I getting any kickbacks. This is my honest opinion on a firearm I purchased at my local FFL.
That said, let’s jump in.
The Echelon 4.0C Comp: What’s it all about?
The 4.0C Comp isn’t a wild departure from the original design or anything like that. If you’ve handled an Echelon before, it’s entirely too familiar. What’s different here is the scale and intent. The 4.0C Comp model trims the gun down to a size people are more likely to carry while adding an integral compensator that actually does something besides look cool in photos.
It handles comfortably and shoots smooth and flat. A dream, man. I tell ya.
Comped slide and Barrel
I know compensators on carry guns are a divisive topic. Some shooters love the idea of a softer-shooting pistol that lets them stay on target for fast follow-up shots. Others think a comp on a defensive handgun is a bulky, cumbersome solution looking for a problem, or worse, a snag point waiting to ruin their day.
This particular comp, however, doesn’t scream for attention. It’s not bolted on, clamped, or hiding behind some bizarre threaded sleeve. Springfield neatly integrated it into the barrel (and slide), keeping the whole footprint tight and avoiding the awkward length extension you get with most comped setups. The best part is that the 4.0C Comp still fits in a variety of the most common and most comfortable concealment holsters, including those designed for a regular, non-comped Echelon 4.0C.
The performance is what really matters, though. And the gun delivers.
The comp redirects gas upward, countering muzzle rise and making the gun track nice and flat. Better yet, the angled profile pretty much eliminates any risk of carbon buildup on your red dot (if that’s your thing) or any of that troublesome gas-in-the-face effect.
Remarkably, though, the integrated comp doesn’t interrupt the rifling. Instead, the 4″ barrel still boasts a target crown and a 1:10 twist, with the “smoothbore” compensator sitting just forward of the crown. What that translates to is incredible accuracy without forfeiting shootability.
Couple that with the Echelon’s already excellent trigger, and you get a gun that’s infinitely more comfortable and easy-to-control than its non-comped siblings. Hands down.
Is it as flat as a high-dollar, steel-framed race gun? No. But for a practical, everyday gun, it’s hard to beat.
“Universal” Optics Cut
One of the biggest gripes shooters have with handgun optics mounting systems is compatibility. Too many pistols require plates. And too many of those plates require different screws that are either impossible to find, cost a mild fortune to ship, or take forever and a day to arrive when they should have been included in the first place.
The Echelon platform said, “Yeah, let’s not do that.”
Springfield’s optics cut is the closest thing we’ve seen to truly universal. Thanks to their Variable Interface System with self-locking pins, mounting most major red dots doesn’t require an adapter plate. Instead, the gun features a single slide with a multi-footprint-compatible cut. It’s clean. It’s smart.
And it doesn’t leave you with a small baggie full of orphaned fasteners and mystery plastic doodads you’ll never use again. I mean, there are different screw lengths included, but it’s organized and, like I said, there’s no need for those silly plates, spacers, or adapters. One cut, compatible with 30+ optics.
I’ll take that.
Shooters have been begging for this kind of thoughtfulness, and Springfield actually delivered.
Modularity Done Right
The magic of the Echelon lies in its Central Operating Group (COG)—a self-contained, serialized stainless steel chassis that acts as the actual heart and soul of the handgun. This clever bit of engineering means the serialized “firearm” can be plucked out in seconds and dropped into various grip modules or frame sizes, giving you a custom-tailored feel without the headache of a gunsmith or extra paperwork.
And the Echelon is designed to grow with you. Whether your hands are the size of baseball mitts or you’ve got hairy Hobbit thumbs, you can tailor the Echelon to fit your needs with factory or aftermarket grip modules (like those from Sharps Bros) and interchangeable backstraps galore. It’s really a gun designed to be carried by anyone.
Concealed Carry Champion
Now let’s talk carry, because a compensated, optics-ready, modular pistol doesn’t mean squat if it prints like a toaster under a T-shirt, as most handguns with bulky aftermarket comps do.
Lucky for us, the 4.0C Comp hits that perfect “Goldilocks” niche. It’s not too big, not too small, and just heavy enough to get the job done without mimicking the “brick on the hip” experience of the 1911 or Beretta 92.
Springfield walked that fine line between balancing performance and concealability without drifting into micro-compact territory. That’s what the Hellcat was for. The Echelon is much, much better, though. In my opinion, that is.
I digress.
With the right holster, like my all-time favorite Safariland Incog X holster, AIWB carry with the Echelon 4.0C ain’t nothing but a thing. That’s Missouri-speak for “easy.” The slide length is manageable, the comp doesn’t add bizarre, cumbersome geometries, and the grip texture is aggressive enough to stay put without acting as a cheese grater against your love handles.
But better than that, the gun’s incredibly accurate, reliable, and consistent. So even an average shooter like myself can deliver clean center mass shots, which, when it comes to concealed carry and self-defense, is a huge win.
Ready for Duty?
So, the real question: is the Echelon 4.0C Comp ready for the big leagues? It’s hard to say, honestly, as the comp model is a harder sell to some agencies. I think that’s likely due to the controversy and stigma around traditional compensators, as well as agency restrictions on modifications to duty weapons.
That’s not to say that the Echelon 4.0C Comp isn’t ready for prime time. Its record as a reliable and comfortable flat-shooter speaks for itself.
No, I honestly think it’s the inverse: the gun’s more than ready for the role, it’s agency policy and worn-out stigma’s that aren’t ready for the comped Echelon. It’s a lost opportunity, though, because it maintains roughly the same profile of the Glock 19, but with that integral compensator… man, it’s a dream. I know I’ve said that a time or two, but it’s the truth.
I’m hopeful, as a LEO spouse and friend to many in blue, that the 4.0C Comp gains more traction as a viable duty gun. Give the market a much-needed shake-up with a bit of healthy competition. Ya know?
Get ya one!
I’m not here to tell you that buying this pistol will transform you into John Wick, dramatically improve your split times, or cause your enemies to spontaneously rethink their life choices, no matter how cool it sounds.
But if you’ve been eyeballing the Echelon platform for a bit, the 4.0C Comp model is worth serious consideration.
My point is this: The Springfield Echelon is a fantastic platform. It’s comfortable, and shooters genuinely love its modularity. But the 4.0C Comp model is the créme de la créme, the cat’s pajamas, the big squeeze… whatever idiom you prefer. It’s a flat shooter that’s proven time and time again to be reliable, consistent, and downright pleasant to handle.
Whether you’re a newbie looking for a soft shooter or a seasoned veteran, strap up with a 4.0C Comp and enjoy confident and comfortable carry. You’ll be glad you did. Trust me; I’m a scientist. Or something like that…
