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Released today, the new Echelon 4.0C is the compact variant of the established Echelon 4.5 lineup. The Echelon 4.0C was designed for everyday carry while retaining the standout features of its full-sized predecessor. With a 4-inch barrel and a shortened grip, the 4.0C enhances concealability without compromising functionality. It features the innovative Variable Interface System, ensuring compatibility with most red dot optics, and is also equipped with tritium U-Dot sights. Coming with both 15- and 18-round magazines, this pistol delivers full-size capacity in a compact, concealable frame.
Table of contents
Specifications for the Echelon 4.0C:
- Caliber: 9mm
- Color: Black
- Barrel: 4″ Hammer-Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10 twist
- Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish, Optics-Ready
- Frame: Black Polymer
- Sights: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ Rear
- Recoil System: Captive
- Grip Width: 1.2″
- Magazines: (1) 15-Round, (1) 18-Round
- Weight: 24 oz w/ Flush Mag, 25 oz w/ Extended Mag
- Length: 7.25″
- Height: 5.125″ w/ Flush Mag, 6.125″ w/ Extended Mag
- MSRP: $679
The Echelon 4.0C Out of the Box
A double-zipper case is included with each Springfield Armory handgun. The soft-sided shell ensures the firearm and mounted accessories are protected during transportation, while an interior pouch can hold an additional magazine. It also comes with three interchangeable grip backstraps, the VIS Optics kit which includes screws to mount most red dots on the market, a gun lock, an owner’s manual, and a magazine loader. For the duration of this review, I ran the Vortex Defender-ST and Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X to set up this pistol how it was designed to be ran.
Frame
Although the Echelon lineup has been available for over a year, the new 4.0C model is a fresh addition to the market. Responding to customer requests for a more concealable option, Springfield Armory delivered with the 4.0C, featuring a 4-inch barrel and a shortened grip. The grip length is comparable to a Glock 19 but slightly thinner while maintaining the familiar Glock grip angle. As someone who has carried a G19 daily for nearly a decade, the Echelon 4.0C felt instantly natural in hand.
The grip features mild stippling around its entire surface, including the bottom of the trigger guard and even the safety. The texture strikes a perfect balance—grippy enough for a secure hold but smooth enough to avoid snagging on clothing or causing discomfort while concealed carrying.
One standout feature is the undercut on the trigger guard, which allows for a higher, more secure grip. This popular aftermarket modification is thoughtfully included straight from the factory, a detail that is both functional and appreciated.
Central Operating Group
One of the standout features of the Echelon lineup is its removable Central Operating Group. Unlike the polymer frame, the serialized stainless steel chassis serves as the firearm’s legally controlled component, requiring an FFL transfer. This chassis houses the trigger mechanism and operating system in a self-contained design, allowing for quick grip module swaps and easy maintenance. While the concept may be inspired by systems like the SIG P320, the Echelon distinguishes itself with added safety features, including a trigger bar and striker block for enhanced reliability.
Controls On the Echelon 4.0C
The controls on the Echelon 4.0C are thoughtfully designed for functionality and ease of use. Both the slide stop and magazine release are fully ambidextrous, catering to left- and right-handed shooters without requiring any modifications. This makes the pistol more accessible and intuitive, regardless of your dominant hand.
The slide takedown lever is another well-executed feature, with a textured and shaped face that serves a dual purpose. While its primary role is for disassembly, it also functions as an excellent resting point for the thumb of your support hand during shooting. This positioning helps improve control and aids in driving the pistol down, minimizing muzzle rise and allowing for quicker follow-up shots. These well-placed, ergonomic controls contribute to the overall handling and performance of the Echelon.
Slide
The Echelon 4.0C’s slide features deep front and rear serrations that make it easy to grip and manipulate. The rear of the slide has a slight flare, which adds surface area, somewhat similar to the design of an AR-15 charging handle. This provides extra grip for racking the slide without slipping off.
A defining feature of the slide is Springfield Armory’s patent-pending Variable Interface System (VIS), concealed beneath the slide cover plate. This advanced mounting system allows over 30 different optics to attach directly to the slide without adapter plates. The VIS uses self-locking pins that adjust to the optic’s footprint, ensuring a tight, precise fit with zero lateral movement when properly torqued. This low-profile mount improves the sight picture and enhances alignment for faster, more accurate target acquisition.
The slide also includes a deep cut for optics, which allows for a lower mount that nearly aligns the red dot with the included U-Dot rear sight and Tritium front sight for potential co-witnessing. While not quite a full co-witness, it does offer some redundancy with the iron sights in place.
Magazines
The Echelon 4.0C comes with two magazines: a 15-round and an 18-round option. Both magazines feature witness holes that allow for quick round count verification up to 15 rounds. The 18-round mag, however, includes a grip and baseplate extension, increasing capacity and extending the grip to provide a nearly full-sized frame. This extension helps improve handling for those with larger hands while maintaining a more concealable profile with the 15-round magazine. Throughout my review, both magazines functioned flawlessly, feeding without any issues or malfunctions.
Trigger
The trigger on the Echelon 4.0C is nearly flat-faced and breaks at 5 pounds, which is typical for a carry gun. The take-up is clean, and the wall is well-defined, providing a predictable point to build up pressure. However, there is noticeable creep when pulling through the wall before the break, which may be a point of consideration for those accustomed to a crisper trigger. On release, the trigger resets right back to the wall, ready for the next shot. While it may not be exceptional, I find it to be an improvement over most triggers found in production polymer handguns on the market.
Barrel
The Echelon 4.0C features a 4-inch hammer-forged steel barrel with a Melonite finish, known for its durability and performance. Hammer forging is a widely respected process that results in a stronger barrel with a smoother surface, contributing to improved accuracy and longer service life. The Melonite coating adds an extra layer of corrosion and wear resistance, ensuring the barrel holds up well over time, even with regular use.
Precision
Throughout this review, I was able to put 400 rounds through the Echelon 4.0C at the time of writing. Most of the ammunition used was 124gr Blazer Brass supplied by Ammunitiontogo.com. They are the official ammo sponsor for this review and offer a wide selection of competitively priced ammunition. For this review, I ordered some ammo, and it was on my doorstep within the week. Easy to use online website, insanely quick shipping, and competitive prices. Go check them out!
To test the precision of the Echelon 4.0C, I shot groups from 7 yards using a Ransom Rest to ensure a stable, rock-solid foundation. I ran four types of Hornady carry ammo along with 124gr Blazer Brass. Each group measured around an inch, with the best group coming in at about 1/2″ when shot with Hornady Critical Duty 135gr FlexLock. This level of accuracy is more than acceptable for a carry gun at this distance, and I found the results to be solid for its intended use. The Echelon proved itself to be reliable and precise, offering good performance for everyday carry.
Reliability On the Echelon 4.0C
Throughout this review, I fired approximately 400 rounds of 124gr FMJ. I also tested four types of Hornady carry ammunition, ranging from 115gr to 147gr, including +P loads. The Echelon 4.0C performed flawlessly, with no malfunctions or feeding issues across all ammunition types. Even with the hotter +P rounds, the recoil was manageable and didn’t feel overly snappy, demonstrating the pistol’s reliability and consistent performance.
Performance
The Echelon 4.0C impressed with its shooting performance, thanks to its low optic cut and high grip, which help the pistol shoot relatively flat. The textured indexing points and gas pedal on the frame further enhance grip control, allowing for effective recoil management and quick follow-up shots. These design features make the pistol feel stable and controllable.
I also had the opportunity to run the Echelon 4.0C during a shooting session at the Vortex Edge facility. This place is a top-notch training center offering a variety of shooting classes led by exceptional instructors. In just one session, my wife and I ran several drills focusing on shooting fundamentals, and the Echelon handled everything without issue. To wrap up the day, I shot a Bill Drill in 1.34 seconds from the low-ready shooting position. This drill consists of firing six rounds into the A-zone of a silhouette target at 7 yards. The pistol proved capable of keeping up with a fast pace, rewarding good technique with reliable, accurate performance.
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Summary Of the Echelon 4.0C
The Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C brings a lot to the table as a compact carry option. With standout features like its modular Central Operating Group, low optic cut with the Variable Interface System, ambidextrous controls, and forward gas pedal for enhanced recoil management, it’s a well-rounded handgun. When carrying concealed, this pistol remained comfortable and concealed well. Reliability is another strong point, with the pistol running flawlessly through hundreds of rounds and various drills. With an MSRP of $679, it offers solid value, and it’s expected to be available soon here at GunsAmerica for an even better price.
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