Springfield Echelon 4.5 Threaded Barrel 9mm Review

Springfield Echelon 4.5 Threaded Barrel: Design and Features

Progress and improvement is in the natural scheme of things. Springfield’s Echelon has raised the bar considerably in polymer frame striker fired handgun. Improvements in ergonomics and fit were undertaken while at the same time Springfield wished to toe the line on cost. The price point must be maintained to remain competitive. Springfield got it right and offers one of the best service pistols in the world at a fair price.  Some of the polymer frame handguns today are becoming dated and in need of an upgrade. The Echelon, coming from a clean slate, is a fresh design with much to recommend. A clean trigger action and superior optics mounting system are among the Echelon’s advantages.

The Echelon/Holosun/Dead Air/Streamlight combination is a formidable combination

A number of handguns have not transferred well to the optics ready world. Springfield’s Variable Interface System is well designed and doesn’t use expensive adaptor plates. The pins needed for each optic footprint are supplied with the pistol. I use handguns with plates without concern but just the same the majority of experienced shooters find direct mount more durable in the face of recoil and momentum from a reciprocating slide. The pins I refer to are more correctly termed lugs, recoil lugs that position a pistol mounted optic properly in the slide. This makes for a versatile system.

Springfield’s modern optic mounting system is simple but innovative

A number of systems require purchasing expensive plates to handle a single type of footprint. Springfield’s design is head and shoulders above the rest. In other particulars Springfield equals or exceeds other design parameters. Standard magazines feature 17 round capacity. Springfield offers a relatively compact 20 round magazine as well. I carry this extended base plate magazine as my spare. The rugged steel magazines have proven reliable in thousands of rounds of service.

Modular Chassis, Trigger, and Handling

The Echelon features a central operating group providing modular construction. This removeable fire control unit allows a quick change to some interesting units. Icarusprecision.com offers a metal frame that offers good balance and sight line for those who prefer extra weight. The Echelon features the usual forward cocking serrations, safety lever in the trigger face, and polymer fitment of most striker fired guns. I have enjoyed good results with the Echelon in several models including the Compact pistol and a ported version.

Springfield’s internal chassis is a modern engineering marvel

My favorite remains the full size 4.5 inch barrel version - more so now that I own the 4.5 inch barrel threaded barrel version. I have dove into the quite shooting world of suppressors with both feet and very much enjoy this increasingly popular pastime. Another advantage of the full size Echelon- unloaded the pistol weighs only 25 ounces. This is a nice light weight for constant carry in a full size handgun. The trigger is among one of the best striker fired actions. It takes time to get used to, a certain learning curve if you are grooved in with the heavier Glock trigger. My example breaks clean at 5.6 pounds. A worn phrase is it feels lighter but it really does. Reset is sharp. A fast reset is as important as a clean trigger break in speed shooting.

Faster and More Accurate Shooting

The Echelon features a tritium front sight and U notch rear. For iron sights they provide excellent results. For faster and more accurate shooting I mounted Holosun’s HE 507C GR X2 optic. This is a pistol mounted optic with a green dot. Some like a green dot better, I seem to pick up a green dot faster. Some shooters find no difference. The Holosun offers multiple reticle settings- a dot, a circle, or a dot within a circle. The sight features a solar failsafe solar powered recharging strip and shake awake function. The battery compartment is located on the side of the housing rather than under the housing. I like this very much. The sight is rated for IP67 level water proof service and 5000G vibration resistance. In institutional testing Holosun has fared as well as any other optic. Next- collect a few magazines and ammunition and head to the firing range.

The Springfield 9mm proved accurate in rapid combat type shooting

Shots Fired

My Echelon pistols have never failed to feed, chamber, fire or eject with multiple types of ammunition in diverse velocity and bullet weights.  The new 4.5 inch barrel threaded barrel handgun is no exception. Reliability and practical accuracy have been good to excellent. Most of the ammunition fired has been Blazer 9mm, an affordable and reliable loading. The 115 grain FMJ is currently available at affordable prices. The pistol gets on target quickly and handles well. Recoil is modest due to the grip design slide length and relatively low bore axis. Fast combat shooting at 7, 10, and 15 yards cannot be faulted. This is a good combat pistol. I also explored the pistol’s accuracy potential. Leaning across a Birchwood Casey tactical shooting rest I took every advantage for accuracy. The following groups were recorded at a long 25 yards.

The pistol is accurate enough for any foreseeable chore. Next I fitted the Echelon with my favorite suppressor. The Dead Air Mojave 45 is easily configured between 9mm and 45 caliber handguns. The Mojave 45 features two piece construction allowing part of the suppressor to be screwed off. This renders the suppressor shorter and more maneuverable but still effective. The Echelon is a joy to fire in the quite mode. Since a suppressor is most effective with heavy weight slow moving subsonic ammunition I used Blazer 150 grain loads and a smaller number of 147 grain loads. Results were good to excellent. I am pleased with the performance of the Echelon in every way.

Springfield offers both full size and compact frame sizes in the Echelon

Carrying the Echelon

While light and fast handling a handgun this size requires a well designed quality holster for efficient concealed carry. I used the 705 Graham Nylon Airflow for inside the waistband carry in the initial test phase.

This holster accommodates several handguns and proved a good fit for the Echelon. This holster is designed to accept a handgun with a combat light mounted. I used the Streamlight TRL8 combat light. This service grade light features a green laser which is an addition over the TRL7 light. This green laser compliments the green Holosun dot well. With the reliable Holosun, TRL8 laser backup, and a co witness with Springfield’s tritium front sight sighting is always reliable. The Airflow holster offers a good sharp draw with practice. The Airflow offers an economy option that performs well.

I also use the Falco 915 L Hybrid holster. This is a variation on the Talonguard inside the waistband holster I have had good results with other Falco hybrid types. I ordered this one with black leather for a low key appearance. The holster features drop adjustable belt loops. A true pancake type the loops draw the handgun close to the body. The holstering welt is reinforced and the holster features a well designed sweat guard. A sweat guard protects both the handgun and the shooter keeping oils and sharp edges from the shooter’s skin and corrosive perspiration from the handgun. I set the holster up for the highest ride.

The Falco 915L is an outstanding holster intended for professional grade use

A taller person may like a lower ride, or someone with longer arms. This is a professional grade holster worth every cent of its price. I had this rig set up for the Springfield/Holosun combination but this time with the Streamlight TRL1. The TRL1 is a heavy duty service grade light. All makers cannot accommodate this formidable light. Falco came up with a very useful design.

Falco also offers the a number of quality leather inside  the waistband holster for handguns with a mounted combat light. This is the 635. Note quality finish and stitching

Final Thoughts on the Springfield Echelon 4.5 Threaded Barrel

The Echelon is a first rate handgun. With accessories from Streamlight and Holosun it is more versatile. The Dead Air suppressor is a joy to use. Falco concealed carry gear takes any concern out of concealed carry. I am very pleased with the combination I have put together.

Springfield Echelon 4.5 Threaded Barrel Specs