| Springfield Armory Echelon | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Croatia |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | HS Produkt |
| Unit cost | $679 (MSRP, standard version) $719 (MSRP, OSP version) |
| Produced | 2023–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 23.9 to 24.3 oz (680 to 690 g) |
| Length | 8.00 in (203 mm) |
| Barrel length | 4.50 in (114 mm) |
| Width | 1.20 in (30 mm) |
| Height | 5.50 in (140 mm) |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Striker-fired short recoil, locked breech, tilting barrel |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 10-, 17- or 20-round detachable steel box magazines |
| Sights | Iron sights; OSP version allows adding a red dot sight |
The Springfield Armory Echelon is a polymer frame striker-fired semi-automatic pistol line sold in the United States by Springfield Armory, Inc., and manufactured in Croatia by HS Produkt.[1] Introduced in July 2023, it is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum and primarily intended for duty sidearm and defensive use and secondary for concealed carry, with 10-, 17- and 20-round magazines.[2][3]
Design details
In an effort to appeal to future military and law enforcement tenders as well as introduce a forward-looking new modular design, the company has brought out a pistol based on a serialized chassis like that of the SIG Sauer P320/SIG Sauer M17, Beretta APX and AREX Defense Delta Gen.2 series.[4] The serialized chassis allows relatively easy customization and creation of variants with fewer legal complications.
Chassis
The Echelon has a modular, stainless steel self-contained fire-control chassis that is removable for cleaning and maintenance.The manufactory designates the chassis module as the Central Operating Group.[5][6]
Trigger
To achieve a (for a duty sidearm relatively light 20–25 N (4.5–5.6 lbf)) constant trigger pull, the striker mechanism's striker spring is kept under its final firing tension.[7]
Safety
The Echelon pistols are designed with independent safety mechanisms to prevent uncommanded discharges. The systems consist of an external integrated trigger safety and automatic internal safeties: a firing pin block safety and a drop safety. The trigger safety tab and innovative dual-sear system (primary and secondary) provide enhanced drop safety. Optionally, an additional manual frame-mounted ambidextrous thumb safety can be provided.[8][9]
Loaded chamber indicator
The firearm has a loaded chamber indicator. By protrude from the right side of the pistol and displaying a red surface, the extractor/loaded chamber indicator provides tactile and visible confirmation/warning of the presence of a chambered round.
Controls and grip module configurations
The Echelon pistol features fully ambidextrous controls and was introduced with a medium grip module with small, medium and large sized back straps. Small and large grip modules can be purchased separately for further user selectable and changeable grip module configurations to promote comfortable grip and operation for different sized/shaped hands.
Sights
The stock iron sights consist of a big green tritium/luminescent circle set in the front post and a U-notch rear with white outline. The handgun can also feature three-dot tritium sights as an option. The optics direct mounting system offers adaptability with most red dot sights, that often can co-witness with the stock iron sight line. Some red dot sights require adapter plates for indirect mounting.
Barrel and slide
The hammer forged barrel and billet machined steel optics ready slide undergo treatment with a proprietary nitriding process called Melonite. The Melonite ferritic nitrocarburizing process used by the manufacturer produces a matte gray non-glare surface with approximately 68 Rockwell C surface hardness rating. The barrel features traditional/conventional 6-groove button rifling with a 250 mm (1 in 10 inches) or 28.3 calibers twist rate. The Echelon’s slide features four engagement surfaces. A trench cut forward of the action gives an index location for press checks and charging the firearm. The back of the slide is flared for purchase. Forward and rear serrations are carried through the corners for slide operations and disassembly and reassembly.
Accessories
The factory extended capacity staggered-column single feed (aka double-stack single feed) steel box magazines add 3 rounds capacity and add 1 inch overall height to the handgun. For jurisdictions that do not allow high capacity box magazine possession, 10-round reduced capacity magazines are available.
OEM grip modules and slides are available in black, olive drab green and flat dark earth colored surface finishes. The colored sides receive a Cerakoate ceramic surface finish. Other OEM and third party after market accessories and customization part kits include threaded barrels, screw on compensators, trigger parts, iron sight lines and magazine funnels and plates.
Variants
Echelon 4.5F
This basic full-size version has a 4.5-inch barrel and comes with a flush-fit 17-round magazine and an extended 20-round magazine. It weighs 677 g with the flush magazine, and 688 g with the extended 20-round magazine.
Echelon 4.5F Comp
This full-size integral compensated version has a 4.5-inch compensated/ported barrel and slide to reduce muzzle rise and comes with a flush-fit 17-round magazine and an extended 20-round magazine. It weighs 677 g with the flush magazine, and 688 g with the extended 20-round magazine.
Echelon TB
This full-size version has a 5.28-inch (134 mm) threaded (.5 x 28) barrel and comes with a flush-fit 17-round magazine and an extended 20-round magazine. It weighs 694 g with the flush magazine and 705 g with the extended 20-round magazine. The overall length is 223.5 mm (8.8-inch).[10]
Echelon 4.0C
This compact model has a 4-inch (101.6 mm) barrel and a 15-round capacity with the flush magazine. It weighs 24 oz (680 g) with the flush magazine, 25 oz (708 g) with the extended 18-round magazine, is 7.25 inch (184.1 mm) long and 5.125 inch (155.5 mm) high. The reduced height and length make concealed carry easier. It is possible to mount a full-size slide on the compact model grip module.
Echelon 4.0C Comp
This compact integral compensated version has a 4-inch compensated/ported barrel and slide to reduce muzzle rise and comes with a 15-round flush-fit magazine and an 18-round extended magazine. It was released in August 2025.
Accolades
The Echelon was named Guns & Ammo handgun of the year and won the NASGW-POMA 2023 award for best new handgun.[11]
Users
Bulgaria: Bulgarian Army Echelon 4.5 to replace the non NATO technical standards conform Makarov pistol[12][13][14][15]- United States: Lake Ozark Police Department in Missouri, Geneseo Police Department and Henry County Sheriff's Office in Illinois[16]
References
- ^ "Springfield Armory's Echelon 9mm: A comprehensive review". police1.com. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- ^ "SPRINGFIELD ARMORY® ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE ECHELON™ 9MM PISTOL". springfield-armory.com (Press release). July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ Springfield Armory Echelon, “a new standard for duty pistols”
- ^ Arex Delta Gen.2 in 9mm Luger: three different polymer pistols for different purposes
- ^ Association, National Rifle, An Official Journal Of The NRA | Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory Echelon, retrieved 2023-07-21
- ^ Tendas, Pierangelo (2023-07-14). "Springfield Armory Echelon pistol, with modular chassis". GUNSweek.com. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
- ^ Test: Springfield Armory Echelon in 9mm Luger. Modern look, good ergonomics and many features. A good buy?
- ^ Springfield Armory Echelon: 2025 models of the versatile 9mm polymer pistol
- ^ First Look: Springfield Armory Echelon With Manual Safety
- ^ HS Produkt Echelon TB
- ^ "Springfield Armory® Echelon™ Wins NASGW-POMA 2023 Best New Handgun Award". Springfield Armory. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
- ^ news.bg (2024-11-21). "МО обяви обществена поръчка за нови пистолети за армията". www.News.bg (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "9x19 mm многозаряден пистолет комплект | ОБЩЕСТВЕНИ ПОРЪЧКИ НА МИНИСТЕРСТВОТО НА ОТБРАНАТА". pp.mod.bg. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
- ^ "9x19 mm многозаряден пистолет комплект | ОБЩЕСТВЕНИ ПОРЪЧКИ НА МИНИСТЕРСТВОТО НА ОТБРАНАТА". pp.mod.bg. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
- ^ Bulgaria Retires the Makarov Pistol as Army Adopts Springfield Echelon 4.5
- ^ Test: Springfield Armory Echelon in 9mm Luger. Modern look, good ergonomics and many features. A good buy?
External links
- Springfield Armory Echelon Manual
- HS Produkt Echelon Information
- HS Produkt Echelon Line