We created the video found in this article back in July of 2023 after putting more than 500 rounds through the then-new Springfield Echelon. We’ve continued to use the Echelon to test lights, red dots, holsters, and ammo. We’ve tracked the ammo and now have over 1500 rounds through the original Echelon from this video. It’s still working flawlessly and we’re still loving it. Watch GunsAmerica for a new video launching soon on the Echelon where we test the accuracy using a Ransom Rest.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to follow and signup for notifications!

GunsAmerica’s managing editor, True Pearce, put Springfield Armory’s Echelon through its paces. In the video below, you can watch him put 500 rounds down range to begin his Springfield Echelon review.

Watch, listen, and read for all the details and features of this novel striker-fired pistol.

Note: Springfield Armory did not pay to sponsor this review, nor did they send us a gun for free.

For those who don’t have time to watch the full review, you’ll find a snapshot of some of the highlights below.

What is the COG? It’s Springfield’s proprietary Central Operating Group. It’s entirely self-contained and serialized, and it allows users to swap between grip modules in a flash. Built from stainless steel, the “chassis provides a robust housing for its patent-pending operating system,” according to Springfield.

A new way to mount optics!

The Echelon’s concealed optic mounting system, the Variable Interface System (VIS), directly mounts over 30 optics onto the slide without adapter plates!

Using self-locking pins, VIS provides a secure fit, eliminating movement and enhancing alignment with conventional sights. SA says it’s the most advanced optics mounting system available.

The Echelon’s slide boasts four engagement surfaces. It includes a forward trench for secure press checks and charging, deep serrations along the slide for a firm grip, and a flared rear for additional engagement, offering improved handling in all conditions.

Given that the COG can be installed in any Echelon grip module (small, medium, large), users will have no problem finding the one that suits them best. Not to mention, the pistol also comes with three interchangeable backstraps for a more customized fit.

The Echelon ships with the medium grip module, so those with larger or smaller hands will have to purchase their desired one separately. Additionally, the pistol features an oversized trigger guard for use with gloved hands, along with an ambi slide stop and mag release.

The Echelon sports a new magazine design that allows for 17+1 rounds of 9mm in a flush fit configuration or a 20+1 with an extended base plate. For those who live in non-free states, a 10-round magazine is available.

The factory trigger is impressive. Machined from “tool steel and highly polished,” it promises to deliver “a clean take up, defined wall, crisp break and short, positive reset.”

Prioritizing safety, the Echelon surpasses SAAMI drop test standards. It also features a unique second sear design to prevent unintentional discharges and allows for toolless field stripping without the need to pull the trigger.

Standard on the Echelon is a tactical rack U-Notch rear sight and a tritium front sight with a luminescent ring. There’s also an option for a tritium 3-dot setup. For those who prefer, suppressor height sights can be bought separately.

“The Echelon was engineered from the ground up to be today’s most advanced striker-fired pistol,” said Steve Kramer, Springfield Armory’s Vice President of Marketing.

“This new firearm — with its precision-manufactured COG chassis, revolutionary VIS optics-mounting system, advanced slide design and enhanced ergonomics — is the culmination of years of intensive product research and development to create the ultimate duty and defense handgun,” Kramer added.

Springfield Echelon: Additional Information

• To learn more in general, visit SpringfieldArmory.com
• Suppressor testing on the Echelon.
• Echelon 15-round variant
• Origins of the Echelon tactic
• All about the Echelon
• Shooting Illustrated Review
• Armory Life Review
• Guns & Ammo Review

As always, prices fluctuate. The following list will give you a pretty good starting indication, though.

*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE! ***