TFB Review: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm

Springfield Armory announced their newest polymer handgun iteration on 19 August, with the unveiling of the Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm. This is a small tweak to the original Echelon 4.0C in that you now have the option of an integrally compensated barrel and slide from the factory. We are going to run through a full review of this pistol to see if this Echelon variant and its compensated barrel are worth the hype. Let’s dive in!

Springfield Armory @ TFB:

• Fire-Breathing, Carry Gun! NEW Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp
• Springfield Armory Launches 1911 Operator AOS Threaded Pistols
• Springfield Armory Introduces New SAINT Victor 8.5” 9mm Pistol
• Coming in Hot! Springfield Armory’s NEW Model 2020 Heatseeker

Specifications - Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm

This new Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm shares a lot of the same features and desirable traits as the original Echelon 4.0C - as one would imagine - with the obvious difference being the integrally compensated barrel and slide. The rest of the deets that you are going to want to know are listed below as presented by Springfield Armory:

• Cartridge: 9mm
• Barrel: 4" Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10
• Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish, Optics-Ready, Integral Compensator
• Frame: Black Polymer, Small Grip Module
• Sights: Tritium / Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ Rear
• Recoil System: Captive
• Grip Width: 1.2"
• Magazines: (1) 15-Round | (1) 18-Round
• Weight: 24 oz w/ Flush Mag | 25 oz w/ Extended Mag
• Length: 7.25"
• Height: 5.125" w/ Flush Mag | 6.125" w/ Extended Mag

While we are looking specifically at the Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm model today, Springfield Armory has 3 new offerings in this new compact variant of the Echelon series. Again, for clarity, we are playing with the Echelon 4.0C 9mm (SKU: EC9409B-U-COMP). The other offerings are listed below:

• Echelon 4.0C Comp | SKU: EC9409B-U-COMP
• Echelon 4.0C Comp (15-Round Capacity) | SKU: EC9409B-U-COMP15
• Echelon 4.0C Comp (10-Round Capacity) | SKU: EC9409BLC-U-COMP

As always, in the rare event that you should ever need service for your firearm, Springfield Armory has a Lifetime Warranty that stands behind all of their firearms. While I have never experienced any issues with the full-size or compact Springfield Armory Echelons I have reviewed over the years, it is nice to know that you have that safety net and support from Springfield.

A Word from Springfield Armory on the NEW Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm

Like with any new introduction, Springfield Armory is excited to finally unveil what they have been cooking up and share it with the world. Their hope for this compact pistol to be a true EDC contender and they reiterate that excitement via their press release statement below:

“Engineered for carry, the Echelon™ 4.0C Comp retains the key features of the full-size model, with a shorter 4-inch barrel and compact frame for enhanced concealability. The integral compensated slide assembly hosts a single port that redirects gas upward to reduce muzzle rise and improve control. Its revolutionary Variable Interface System provides unmatched direct-mount compatibility with today's leading red dot sights, complemented by tritium U-Dot irons for fast target acquisition. The serialized Central Operating Group is housed in a compact frame, offering a 15-round capacity with the flush magazine and 18 rounds with the extended magazine.”

Standout Feature - Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm

The proverbial elephant in the room is this ported barrel that Springfield Armory has placed in the Echelon 4.0C 9mm. Compensated barrels aren’t merely marketing fluff; they authentically work. So, it is great to see that Springfield is instilling this goodness into the Echelon 4.0C series.

• Integral Compensator - The integral compensator featured on the Echelon 4.0C Comp is discreetly designed with a single port on the top of the hammer-forged slide and barrel. Redirecting gas upwards, it effectively reduces muzzle rise and enhances control. The result is a pistol that delivers faster and more accurate follow-up shots. In addition, the front sight is positioned behind the compensator for an uninterrupted sight picture.

What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch?

So, what is the upsell to the Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm (Springfield’s newest Echelon iteration)? For one, it retains all of the goodness that the full-size pistols offer in a smaller form factor. This is true in the magazine capacity, its optic readiness, and even the COG (Central Operating Group) making it a chassis firearm.

• Compact Dimensions - Shortened at the frame and muzzle, the Echelon 4.0C Comp boasts full-size features in a concealable package.
• Central Operating Group - The Central Operating Group is self-contained and serialized, providing a robust housing for the patent pending operating system.
• (2) Magazines Included - The 4.0C Comp ships with a 15-round flush magazine and 18-round extended magazine.

What’s in the Box?

One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing firearms and their related products is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase. This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy depending on what you want your end-product or concealed carry setup to look like. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive:

• Owner’s Manual, Cable Lock, Red Chamber Flag, Speedloader
• Cardboard Box & Double Zipper Nylon Case
• (1) 15-Round Magazine, (1) 18-Round Magazine, and (1) Mag Extension
• (3) Interchangeable Rear Grip Panels
• VIS (Variable Interface System) Mounting System

***Viridian Closed Emitter Green Dot NOT included***

Range Experience - Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm

So, how did this pistol actually perform out on the range?... I have already reviewed the original Echelon 4.0C 9mm here on TFB about 9 months ago, and you can revisit that review HERE. My thoughts from that review were that this compact Echelon retains nearly all of the desirable attributes that you would find in the full-size version: great out-of-the-box trigger for a polymer gun, the VIS (Variable Interface System) Mounting System is a best-in-the-industry optic mounting platform that requires zero plates, and this pistol is extremely controllable to shoot.

All this being said, I am going to set my gaze on the compensated barrel and slide. The compensated cut in the barrel isn’t super sexy - it’s rather plain - but it does what it is meant to do. I found the Echelon 4.0C Comp as easy to shoot as the non-compensated, full-size Echelon 4.5F.

To test the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm, I ran a bunch of Federal Premium’s Gold Medal Action Pistol 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). I’ll gladly give Federal a shout-out quickly because nearly every 9mm review I’ve completed in the past year I’ve been shooting this ammo. It’s been reliable, clean, and consistent. All good attributes you’d want and expect from your range ammo. So, thank you to Federal for providing that ammo.

• Gold Medal Action Pistol 9mm Luger 147 Grain | SKU: GM9AP1 | MSRP $32.99

Final Thoughts

So, what are my final thoughts on the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm handgun?... This pistol performed great and actually has me re-thinking my EDC. I currently carry a Hellcat Pro Comp 9mm, and the Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm shoots considerably better. The 2-dimensional overlay of those two pistols is extremely similar, but the Echelon 4.0C Comp is much easier to shoot. With the MSRP of the Echelon 4.0C Comp being $749, and a standard Echelon 4.0C being $679, I would absolutely recommend people jump up to the compensated barrel and slide.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing TheFirearmBlog and myself the opportunity to try out their Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm pistol. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think?

Do you believe that the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm pistol is something worth spending your money on? Would you potentially deploy it for EDC (everyday carry)? Shoot a league or competition? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Springfield Armory and their Echelon 4.0C Comp 9mm pistol in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.