Hey everyone, this is Shooting Illustrated bringing you another episode of “I Carry.” In today’s feature, we’re looking at the new Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm pistol and some related gear. Let’s take a closer look at this setup:
Firearm: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp (MSRP: $749)
We’ve opted for a new firearm recently released from Springfield Armory for today’s kit, the Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm. With a compact frame engineered for concealed carry and a single port compensator, this pistol is designed to be both carried and shot with ease. The Echelon 4.0C Comp combines two new additions to the Echelon line: the Compact model and the single-port compensator.
Introduced to be a smaller version of the original Echelon geared for concealed carry, the 4.0C version offers a 4-inch barrel, overall length of 7.25 inches, 5.1 inch height and 1.2 inch width along with an unloaded weight of 24 ounces with the 15-round, flush-fit magazine. This is extremely close in size and capacity to the Glock G19, pretty much the standard bearer for a compact pistol. This size allows a full, three-finger firing grip and a barrel that shouldn’t need specialty ammunition to make the most of common defensive 9mm offerings.
Topping the Echelon 4.0C Comp are Springfield’s U-notch rear sight and tritium-vial front sight paired with the Variable Interface System, or VIS. This system allows pretty much any micro-red-dot sight to be installed on the Echelon via a series of pins that fit into pre-drilled holes in the slide. RMR pins are included with the Echelon, and pins matching other footprints can be ordered from Springfield Armory. It’s a simple but elegant system and allows optics to be directly mounted to the slide without adaptor plates, spacers or extra hardware.
Does the compensator make a difference? In our limited testing it’s difficult to say; I’d prefer to test some hot 115- and 124-grain ammo loaded to +P status and compare the recoil pulse before I made any definitive declarations. However, smart design means the 4.0C fits into standard Compact holsters for the Echelon, and the overall price difference is significantly less than $100. It does make a difference, and if you’re looking for every little edge, it certainly doesn’t hurt. In any case, you’re getting a solid pistol for everyday carry to which you can add pretty much any powered pistol optic out there. That’s a great deal no matter which version you choose.
Holster: JM Custom Kydex Quick Ship AIWB Wing Claw 2.5 Holster (MSRP: $75; $90 as tested)
We’ve opted for a Quick Ship AIWB Wing Claw 2.5 holster from JM Custom Kydex for the Echelon 4.0C Comp pistol for a couple reasons. First, JM Custom Kydex holsters are well made and hold up over time – I’ve been carrying my personal M&P in one for years now. Secondly, the price just can’t be beat; for about what a couple boxes of defensive ammo sells for, you get a solid kydex holster you can use day-in, day out.
Constructed of kydex in a taco-style pattern, the AIWB Wing Claw 2.5 holster is a dedicated appendix-carry holster with a claw to tuck in into the body to reduce printing. Despite being labeled “Quick Ship,” there is still a great amount of customization possible, including belt attachment options, color, comfort pad and more. The holster we have today has an optics cut and red kydex, which add $5 and $10 respectively to the total price. I went with the DCC monoblock belt-attachment option, as it’s the least obtrusive option worn in the appendix position in my experience.
Accessory: Gideon Optics Granite Green dot (MSRP: $249.99)
Rounding out today’s kit is a Granite green-dot sight from Gideon Optics. This RMR-footprint optic offers a large, 8-MOA dot for quick acquisition in an extremely generous 28.3×22.5 mm window along with aluminum construction for durability. It’s designed as a competition sight, given the larger dot and window, but is also right at home on your defensive pistol. A win is still a win, right? While the Granite looks like it might be a little on the larger side for concealment, we didn’t experience any problems in our testing.
The Granite comes with an impressive array of extras: Three sets of screws make it quite likely you’ll be able to attach the Granite to your pistol slide easily, all labeled and in separate bags. A low-profile Picatinny-style mount comes with the Granite as well, should you wish to use it as a back-up sight for a rifle or add it to your defensive shotgun. Tools to mount the optic and open the side-mounted battery door are included, as are a battery and a cleaning cloth.
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