Springfield Armory Echelon Compact Semi-Automatic 9mm Pistol Review 

The Echelon Compact Condenses The Full-Size Model’s Cutting-Edge Features Into A Compact Form Factor For An Excellent Carry Experience 

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One of my favorite pistols from the past couple of years is the Springfield Armory Echelon. Designed and extensively tested to ensure its suitability for hardcore service and duty work, it offers a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge features for a very reasonable price. As much as I like the Echelon that I purchased a while back, I’ve really been waiting for the compact model since its form factor is much better suited for concealed carry. That day has arrived, and we finally got the chance to try out the Echelon Compact to see if it delivers the goods. 

Springfield Echelon Compact Details 

Like the original full-size model, the Echelon Compact is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol that utilizes a chassis-style trigger module. Known as the Central Operating Group, the chassis can be swapped out from frame to frame without doing additional paperwork since the chassis is what’s recognized as the actual “firearm.” Unlike the original version, the compact model has a shorter slide and barrel (4 inches), and the frame is not quite as tall, allowing it to work with flush-fitting 15-round magazines instead of the standard 17-round mags. 

Aside from the difference in dimensions, the compact version offers all the same specs and utility as the full-sized model. For example, the Echelon Compact incorporates Springfield’s Variable Interface System for mounting optics. This system includes several pairs of mounting holes drilled into the slide that are used in conjunction with supplied, self-locking pins to mount over 30 popular red dots on the market directly to the slide. The compact version also includes the flared end at the rear of the slide to provide the user with a better grip for easy manipulation of the slide. 

Other similar features include the aggressive and very functional slide serrations at the front and the rear for superb traction, and the slide includes the Forward Trench, which is a nice pinch point for those who like to press-check from the front. The same Adaptive Grip Texturing is applied around the entirety of the grip and at index points on the frame above the triggerguard. Southpaws will also appreciate the fully ambidextrous slide stop/release as well as the ambi mag release. 

Echelon Compact Comfort Factor 

Other things I like about the Echelon pistols are that they are very comfortable to grip and extremely customizable. Yes, there are three interchangeable backstraps to tailor the grip frame to the individual shooter, but Springfield goes one step further with the customization. There are also different grip modules available for small, medium, and large hands that can then be fine-tuned with the different backstraps. If you think about it, there are quite a few grip module/backstrap combinations available to find the perfect fit. 

As you would expect from Springfield, the Echelon is built for hard use and long life with its hammer-forged barrel and a very robust Melonite slide treatment that will hold up to the elements and just about any type of user. Beyond that, the Echelon system was tested for hard use by running the platform through various substrates such as dirt, mud, dust, and even water. Extensive drop-testing was done, and a second-sear design was included to ensure that the Echelon did not accidentally fire if dropped. In fact, the results from the testing exceeded SAAMI requirements. 

For a little extra variety, Springfield offers several variants of the Echelon Compact, including versions with either the Tactical U-Dot sight arrangement or a Three-Dot tritium sight package. The company also offers a low-capacity version (10-round magazines) and another model with a threaded barrel. Each variant ships with one 15-round magazine and one 18-round magazine. 

Echelon Compact On The Range 

Already owning a full-size Echelon of my own, I was already about to tell Springfield to take my money now for the compact version, but it’s always worth checking out a new variant to ensure everything purrs along as it should. The only way of doing that is getting the pistol out to send some lead downrange and run some drills to make sure everything’s up to snuff. For this process, I had a shooting compadre, Daniel, on hand to help with the testing and to offer his opinion as well. 

Right out of the gate, the trigger is one of my favorite things about all Echelon pistols, including the compact model. It’s not so light that I worry when carrying it, but it’s light enough, at about 5.2 pounds, to not slow me down or interfere with my accuracy. There’s about a quarter-inch of clean pre-travel to the wall and then a little bit of creep until the break. Rest assured that the creep is quite smooth, with no grit or resistance to it. In fact, you don’t even notice it while shooting, just when you’re sitting down and measuring every millimeter of the pull. 

The grip texturing is also quite nice. It’s similar to what you find on a Hellcat and feels very tacky without being too abrasive. While shooting the Echelon Compact, I had no problem with maintaining my grip on the pistol and no issue with the pistol turning or rolling in my hand. It just stayed right in place for excellent control. Part of that control came from the high grip afforded my hand by the deep relief cut underneath the slide and the relief behind the triggerguard. That extra relief provided me with a higher grip on the pistol, which translated into better control—even with several +P loads I tried. 

Accuracy Analysis 

For a duty/defense-style pistol, the Echelon Compact turned in great results for the accuracy portion of the test. For a barrel in the 4-inch range, we typically test at 15 yards from the bench. During the accuracy portion of the testing, we shot Hornady’s 115-grain Critical Defense and 135-grain Critical Duty loads, as well as Federal’s 135-grain Hydra-Shok Deep and 124-grain HST loads. The average group size for all the loads I tried with the Echelon Compact was 1.56 inches, with the best group of 1.12 inches with Federal’s 135-grain Hydra-Shok Deep offering. Suffice it to say that the Echelon Compact has no problem delivering the payload to your preferred point of aim. 

As expected, the Echelon Compact’s reliability was on point, too. I’ve had no issues with my own personal Echelon, and the compact model seems to be every bit as reliable. Aside from the premium ammunition used during the accuracy testing and a variety of drills, we churned through a very diverse assortment of ammunition with the Echelon Compact. This included FMJs, TMJs, and a good bit of the copper-solid bullets from Lehigh Defense. I even threw in a Zip-Lock bag of assorted hollow points that had been in an ammo can since the early ’90s. 

After the smoke cleared, we had shot almost 800 rounds without a single hangup or malfunction of any sort. After shooting just about every type of modern bullet that’s out there, from Flex-Tips to hollow points to range loads, it doesn’t look like there’s any type of modern ammunition that’s going to give the Echelon Compact any kind of a problem. That’s the kind of reliability you want out of an everyday carry pistol. 

Parting Shots 

Of course, when buying a new pistol, especially one for carry, one of the first accessories we’ll want to buy is a holster. Since this is a new release, there will not be very many holsters immediately available. However, several manufacturers make plenty of holsters for the full-size Echelon, so I’m sure there will eventually be a good variety for the compact version. 

Right out of the gate, though, Safariland has its IncogX IWB holster already set up for the new Echelon Compact. The IncogX is red-dot sight compatible, includes three sizes of clip-strut shims, and includes a tension adjustment feature that can set the user’s desired level of retention. Another sweet feature is the optional magazine caddy that can be attached to the main carriage to keep a fast reload on hand when things get spicy. 

For those looking for a highly effective pistol with the best features they could want in a defensive handgun, the Echelon Compact has it all, from excellent sights to superb texturing to a bleeding-edge optics mounting system. It isn’t as thin as a micro-compact, but the extra girth and weight aid in better distribution of felt recoil. On top of all of that, it’s very accurate and exceptionally reliable. 

With its MSRP of $719, the Springfield Echelon Compact packs a lot of value for a concealed-carry pistol. With its size, the supplied 18-round magazine, and the ability to accept magazines from the full-size Echelon, it can easily do double duty as a home-defense gun as well. It’s a perfect choice for anyone looking for a great gun value without compromising a bit of performance. 

Specifications: Springfield Armory Echelon Compact 

Caliber: 9mm 
Action: Semi-Automatic 
Barrel: 4 inches 
OA Length: 7.25 inches 
Weight: 24 ounces 
Grips: Polymer 
Sights: Tactical U-Dot 
Finish: Melonite 
Capacity: 15+1/18+1 
MSRP: $719 
URL: springfield-armory.com