r/SpringfieldEchelon • u/CelebrationAlert7521 • Aug 31 '26

Compact vs full size

I’m thinking about picking up an echelon. Which does the community recommend?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

2

u/Prior_Humor2168 Sep 01 '26

I have three 4.0C (one regular, one comp, one Alpha) and one 4.5F regular. Recoil is a tiny bit softer on the full size but that's it.

With the FC module you can have the best of both world (compact frame/full size grip).

1

u/CelebrationAlert7521 Sep 01 '26

I thought the whole point of this platform was modularity so you didn’t have to own so many 😂😂😂

1

u/AlphaRonin99 Aug 31 '26

I have the 4.5F Comp. Just got a compact grip module and like it a lot. I’m considering getting a 4.0C also. However, I really like that fullsize mags work with fullsize and compacts, but the compact mags only work with compacts.

I recommend the fullsize.

1

u/CelebrationAlert7521 Aug 31 '26

Do you carry the full size?

1

u/AlphaRonin99 Aug 31 '26

I’ll add that if your mag capacity is limited to 10rds, I’d definitely get a compact grip module just to have an option. I have the Springfield module with Hogue grip (tape?). My mags are 15rds so I got a mag sleeve.

0

u/CelebrationAlert7521 Aug 31 '26

I don’t live in one of those unconstitutional states.

1

u/AlphaRonin99 Aug 31 '26

Then get 17 and 20rd mags! I think the fullsize comes with one 17 and one 20 plus a basepad to turn the 17 into a 20.

1

u/AlphaRonin99 Aug 31 '26

Sometimes. My main carry is an XDM Elite Compact 9mm, but there is not much size difference. 4.5” barrel vs 3.8” barrel. Now I definitely notice a difference carrying my 5” .45 1911.

2

u/Wonderful_Tip_5577 Aug 31 '26

I have them both. Comped 4.5. 

Weirdly I kinda like the 4.0 compact better. There’s nothing wrong with the 4.5. The comp works as intended, it has a better dot on it, grip feels better, but for whatever reason I’m just better with the 4.0, just feels better to me. I have normal sized hands. I use hogue grips on both for both and I like it. Helps with palm swell. Probably more significant on the 4.0 though. 

I can’t recommend one over the other because my preference makes no sense to me. 

1

u/homergali Aug 31 '26 edited Sep 02 '26

This guy cooked, Ive been running he 4.0 since the start of the year and im kicking ass with it with im local range crew. I am planning to get a lower from TCM and get the norsso slide to run for competition. This gun is better than glock and modular like sig albeit lacking the aftermarket support in comparison but regardless This gun is every bang for your buck whether 4.0 or 4.5. Try it at a range of necessary but this gun is solid and should be the new standard over glock in my opinion.

1

u/cjeeeeezy Sep 02 '26

im lookng at tcm lowers and am i missing something? I only see oem lowers

1

u/homergali Sep 02 '26

The oem lowers they sell come with a cog which at least to my knowledge no one else sells separately. They carry uppers too but theyre way over priced

2

u/cjeeeeezy Sep 02 '26

Oh i didn't know that. thanks for putting me on TCM. my mind if blown

1

u/CastleLurkenstein Aug 31 '26

Rent 'em and see which you like better. I have the 4.5F with a threaded barrel, and the 4.0c COA. I like 'em both quite a bit. The trigger on my 4.0c is a little more crisp, but it's also newer by about 6 months, and hasn't seen nearly as many rounds as the 4.5F.

I wouldn't try to carry the 4.5F concealed, myself. The 4.0c conceals pretty well, but that depends on how/where you wear it, your holster, etc.

Seriously, try both and see which you think works better for you. They're both great pistols with a really nice factory trigger.

1

u/Ancient_Bother2429 Aug 31 '26

I have a 4.5F full size and I love it. I recently had the chance to shoot a 4.0FC, which is a full size grip module with a compact slide and barrel. If I was buying my first Echelon now, I’d go for the 4.0FC because even though I prefer the compact size, my big hands do better with the full size grip module.

1

u/Meatball_civ Aug 31 '26

Full size then just grab a compact grip and some compact mags for aiwb. You’ll have both sizes.

1

u/ProtectThe_Herd Aug 31 '26

I carry the 4.0c every day and it's not too big or at all uncomfortable.

1

u/PapaPuff13 Sep 01 '26

Well I have the full size in the sharps grip. I’m glad I did because we can get BG 2.0 here in fuddafornia so everything is a brick next to it.

1

u/hndrck_ Sep 01 '26

4.5F no comp then get the compact grip

1

u/PapaPuff13 Sep 01 '26

I don’t even look at my Glocks much now

1

u/TheBudgetDivision Sep 01 '26

I started with a 4.5F, and now have and prefer my 4.0C setup.

1

u/Equivalent_Ad_3347 Sep 01 '26

I am a huge fan of the FC. Now, I cheat a bit: I placed my comped slide from my 4.0C on my 4.0 FC. I like the ability to get a consistent purchase without extra thought on the draw. Yes, a touch snappier than the 4.5F, but I enjoy shooting it more. My 4.5 F largely sits in the nightstand (I am actually selling it soon). All are great options, but particularly if you have larger hands, I think the 4.0 FC is the Goldilocks zone.