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Springfield Armory Echelon | The New Striker Fired Contender!

Roger Barrera (QVO Tactical)
Published on July 12, 2023
Category: Reviews
Duration: 30:51

This video provides an in-depth review of the new Springfield Armory Echelon striker-fired pistol. The presenter, Roger Barrera from QVO Tactical, along with guests Gabe and Landon, conduct live-fire testing, including accuracy drills, build drills, and failure drills. The review highlights the Echelon's impressive out-of-the-box trigger, modularity with its central operating group and variable interface system for optics, and ambidextrous features. The team experienced no malfunctions over approximately 550 rounds in hot weather, praising its reliability and shootability.

Tags

Springfield Armory Echelon
Striker-Fired Pistol
Duty Handgun
Optic Mounting System
Ambidextrous Features
Trigger Performance
Modular Firearm
Range Test
Build Drills
Failure Drills
Concealed Carry
Law Enforcement Duty

Quick Summary

The Springfield Armory Echelon is a new striker-fired duty handgun praised for its modularity, direct optic mounting system, and excellent out-of-the-box trigger. It features ambidextrous controls, an adaptive grip texture, and comes with 17 and 20-round magazines, all at a competitive MSRP of $679.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Springfield Echelon
  2. 01:06Roger Barrera Introduces the Echelon
  3. 01:39How the Echelon Was Acquired for Review
  4. 01:57Call to Action: Like & Subscribe
  5. 02:12First Rounds on the Range
  6. 02:22Initial Impressions: Grip and Trigger
  7. 02:30First Shots with Magtech 115gr
  8. 02:41Shooting Impressions: Return to Zero
  9. 03:03Trigger Feel: Reset and Brake
  10. 03:20Guest Shooters: Gabe and Landon
  11. 03:28Gabe's First Shots and Thoughts
  12. 04:11Landon's First Shots and Thoughts
  13. 04:35Landon on the Echelon Trigger
  14. 05:03Overall First Impression Summary
  15. 05:11Zeroing the Springfield Echelon
  16. 05:20First Zeroing Group Analysis
  17. 05:34Making Zero Adjustments
  18. 05:40Post-Adjustment Zero Group
  19. 06:05Zeroing the Second Echelon with SRO
  20. 06:31Build Drills Commence
  21. 06:48First Build Drill Times
  22. 07:05Second Build Drill Times
  23. 07:12Build Drill with Magnus
  24. 07:25Build Drill Attempt with Missed Shot
  25. 07:32Final Build Drill Attempt
  26. 08:00Grip Angle Discussion
  27. 08:02Grip Angle vs. Glock
  28. 08:12Build Drill Time Analysis
  29. 08:24Return to Zero Discussion
  30. 08:43Final Build Drill with Clean Result
  31. 09:01Secondary Shooters on Build Drills
  32. 09:08Gabe's Build Drill Performance
  33. 09:23Gabe's Six-Round Build Drill
  34. 09:49Landon's Build Drill Performance
  35. 11:00Landon's Build Drill with Trigger Freeze
  36. 11:35Landon's Clean Build Drill
  37. 11:50Landon's First Time with Holster Drills
  38. 12:02Build Drill Recap and Sub-2 Second Times
  39. 12:13Shooters Global Shot Timer Demo
  40. 12:48Safariland ALS Holster for Echelon
  41. 13:02Failure Drills: Duty vs. Competition Setup
  42. 13:07Two Echelons: SRO vs. RMR
  43. 13:15Holster Comparison: Safariland ALS vs. OWB
  44. 13:24Failure Drill Setup: Kit Badger Targets
  45. 13:33First Failure Drill Run (Duty Setup)
  46. 13:45First Run Hits and Time
  47. 13:51Second Failure Drill Run (Duty Setup)
  48. 14:01Second Run Hits and Time
  49. 14:10Analysis of Duty Setup Hits
  50. 14:19Failure Drill with SRO and Range Holster
  51. 14:36First Run (SRO/Range Holster)
  52. 14:44First Run Hits and Time (SRO/Range Holster)
  53. 15:00Second Run (SRO/Range Holster)
  54. 15:06Analysis of SRO/Range Holster Hits
  55. 15:15Gabe Tries Failure Drills (Duty Setup)
  56. 15:27Gabe's First Run (Duty Setup)
  57. 15:42Gabe's Hits and Time (Duty Setup)
  58. 15:48Gabe's Second Run (Duty Setup)
  59. 15:57Gabe's Second Run Time (Duty Setup)
  60. 16:00Analysis of Gabe's Duty Setup Hits
  61. 16:15Gabe Tries Failure Drills (SRO Setup)
  62. 16:30Gabe's First Run (SRO Setup)
  63. 16:39Gabe's Second Run (SRO Setup)
  64. 16:44Analysis of Gabe's SRO Setup Hits
  65. 16:58SRO vs. RMR Window Comparison
  66. 17:02Landon Tries Failure Drills (Duty Setup)
  67. 17:12Landon's First Run (Duty Setup)
  68. 17:22Landon's First Run Time (Duty Setup)
  69. 17:25Landon's Second Run (Duty Setup)
  70. 17:33Landon's Second Run Time (Duty Setup)
  71. 17:37Analysis of Landon's Duty Setup Hits
  72. 17:56Landon Tries Failure Drills (SRO Setup)
  73. 18:03Landon's First Run (SRO Setup)
  74. 18:12Landon's Second Run (SRO Setup)
  75. 18:21Landon's Second Run Time (SRO Setup)
  76. 18:24Analysis of Landon's SRO Setup Hits
  77. 18:48Landon on Trigger and Excitement
  78. 19:04Detailed Trigger Breakdown
  79. 19:11Trigger Assessment: Pre-travel, Wall, Break
  80. 19:19Trigger Reset Analysis
  81. 19:26Live Fire Trigger Demonstration
  82. 19:46Trigger Consistency and Weight
  83. 20:04Out-of-the-Box Trigger Comparison
  84. 20:13Gun Tracking and Reset
  85. 20:20Optic Return to Zero
  86. 20:30Shooting on the Move
  87. 20:40Ambidextrous Features of the Echelon
  88. 20:55Ambidextrous Platform Explained
  89. 21:06101 Drills: Strong Side vs. Other Strong Side
  90. 21:28Echelon for Left-Handed Shooters
  91. 21:37Gabe and Landon's Final Thoughts
  92. 21:43Gabe's Final Thoughts on Echelon
  93. 21:56Gabe Compares Echelon Grip to Glock
  94. 22:08Landon's Final Thoughts on Echelon
  95. 22:16Landon on Recoil Management and Grip
  96. 22:28Landon on the Echelon Trigger
  97. 22:38Overall Thoughts and Pros/Cons Preview
  98. 22:48Springfield Echelon Technical Specifications
  99. 22:51Echelon as a Striker-Fired Duty Handgun
  100. 22:57Central Operating Group (COG) Explained
  101. 23:16Variable Interface System (VIS) for Optics
  102. 23:25Direct Optic Mounting Benefits
  103. 23:45Low Co-Witness with Backup Sights
  104. 24:06Front and Rear Cocking Serrations
  105. 24:28Modularity: Backstrap Sizes
  106. 24:34Adaptive Grip Texture
  107. 24:51Enlarged and Double Undercut Trigger Guard
  108. 25:00Frame Indexing Points
  109. 25:10Magazine Capacity and Extension
  110. 25:20Holster Options for the Echelon
  111. 25:22Active Retention Holsters (Duty)
  112. 25:31Safariland ALS Holster Details
  113. 25:56Range and Concealed Carry Holsters
  114. 26:01QVO Tactical Echelon Holsters
  115. 26:09QVO Secondary OWB Holster
  116. 26:20QVO Inside-the-Waistband Holster
  117. 26:34Overall Assessment Based on Specs
  118. 26:56Echelon Price Point and Value
  119. 27:06Final Overall Thoughts on the Echelon
  120. 27:10Echelon: Modularity, Optics, Trigger, Price
  121. 27:19Feature-Rich and Easy to Shoot
  122. 27:34Range Session Conditions and Round Count
  123. 27:45Reliability Report: No Malfunctions
  124. 27:57Final Impression: Highly Impressed
  125. 28:06Cons of the Springfield Echelon
  126. 28:09Grip Angle Preference (1911/2011 Shooter)
  127. 28:18Echelon Grip Angle vs. Glock Size
  128. 28:26Echelon Does Not Fit Glock Holsters
  129. 28:33Wrist Cant Adjustment for Grip Angle
  130. 28:55Magazine Concerns
  131. 29:04Wish for Integrated Magwell or Aftermarket Option
  132. 29:18Future Variant Wishlist: Full Grip/Compact Slide
  133. 29:43Threaded Barrel Variant Mentioned
  134. 30:00Compensator and Porting Ideas
  135. 30:14Video Conclusion
  136. 30:24Call to Action: Like and Subscribe
  137. 30:34Shout Out to Springfield Armory
  138. 30:43Thank You and See You Next Time

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the Springfield Armory Echelon?

The Springfield Armory Echelon is a striker-fired duty handgun featuring a modular central operating group, a variable interface system for direct optic mounting, ambidextrous controls, and an adaptive grip texture. It also boasts an impressive out-of-the-box trigger and comes with 17 and 20-round magazines.

How is the trigger on the Springfield Echelon?

The Echelon's trigger is highly praised for its out-of-the-box performance, featuring consistent pre-travel, a clean break at the wall, and a very short, tactile reset. It's described as being comparable to high-end two-stage triggers found on AR-15 platforms.

What is the optic mounting system on the Springfield Echelon?

The Echelon utilizes a Variable Interface System (VIS) that allows for direct mounting of over 30 different optics without the need for adapter plates. This system also facilitates a low co-witness with the backup iron sights.

Is the Springfield Echelon ambidextrous?

Yes, the Springfield Armory Echelon is a fully ambidextrous platform. It includes ambidextrous magazine releases and slide stops, making it equally functional and comfortable for both right-handed and left-handed shooters right out of the box.

What is the price and reliability of the Springfield Echelon?

The Springfield Armory Echelon has an MSRP of $679, with street prices anticipated around $600. In testing, approximately 550 rounds were fired through two pistols in hot weather without any malfunctions, indicating strong reliability.

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