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Springfield Armory just dropped a new Echelon variant, and it’s aimed squarely at shooters who like mixing and matching size, capacity, and balance without overthinking it.
The new Echelon 4.0FC is essentially a crossover build that pulls the best traits from the existing Echelon lineup and blends them into one very practical package. You get the shorter, quicker-handling 4.0-inch slide from the Echelon 4.0C, paired with a full-length grip that matches the capacity and control of the 4.5F. Springfield calls it the “FC” configuration, and it’s easy to see the appeal: duty-capacity mags with a slide that doesn’t feel oversized or sluggish.
The dedicated FC grip module is the real star of the show here. It keeps the full grip length for 17- and 20-round magazines but trims the dustcover to match the shorter slide. The result is a pistol that feels balanced in the hand, transitions quickly, and still fills the palm like a full-size gun should.
Like every Echelon, the 4.0FC runs Springfield’s Central Operating Group, the serialized stainless-steel chassis that drops into different grip modules in seconds. It’s the backbone of the platform and keeps the door open for future swaps or changes without buying an entirely new pistol.
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Optics users are still well covered thanks to the Variable Interface System, which allows direct mounting of more than 30 red dots without adapter plates. Configure the pins, bolt it down, and you’re good to go with a low, solid optic mount.
Out of the box, the 4.0FC is fully ambidextrous and ships with tritium/luminescent U-Dot sights, one 17-round magazine, and one extended 20-rounder. Springfield is also offering 15- and 10-round versions for restricted states, plus FIRSTLINE pricing and Gear Pac bundles that include a Viridian RFX11 green dot, extra mags, and a range bag.
With an MSRP of $710, the Echelon 4.0FC lands right where the rest of the lineup lives, familiar, modular, and clearly built for shooters who want flexibility without drama. Learn more HERE.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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