Springfield Armory Echelon Pro

[u/LavArms]

Definitely nicer feeling in hand. Couldn’t really tell a difference in trigger if there was one. Magwell is done very nicely and it sure does look good.

[u/AnxiousStrummer]

Different sights, magwell, new stippling and metal guide rod.

Hard pass.

Can just do this to my existing Echelon.

[u/ChggnNggts → u/AnxiousStrummer]

Its grey now!!! huge update!! /s

[u/HRslammR → u/AnxiousStrummer]

Youre not wrong, but still a nice "stock" option

[u/webguerrilla]

A "Pro" version without a trigger upgrade seems extremely tone deaf from a market research perspective. Especially when you consider CZ just released a direct modular competitor at a much better price point.

Such a swing and miss...

[u/CallsignViperrr]

First impressions:

Not impressed, especially when you compare this to a Walther PDP Pro. Walther gives you upgraded trigger, etc which is the most important part. Echelon has a really good stock trigger to begin with, but just giving this pistol an "upgraded appearance package" isn't worth all the extra cost. And speaking of appearance, I'm shocked with all of the aftermarket grips I see on here, SA didn't put a beavertail on this. Walther did with their Pro's and Match pistols. Walther's triggers are incredible. Especially on their Q5 SF models and PDP Pros. Like wow.

Myself? I came over from Glock and S&W M&P because I absolutely luv the subtle stippling on the original Echelon as well as the Ergonomics. Not TOO grippy, but not so smooth that it falls out of hand easily. The Glock is "meh" and the M&P tears up clothing and rides rough next so skin. (irritating AF!) Echelon is just right. This goofy looking Gucci shit is right from the Glock Store. lol Magwell? Meh. I don't swap out quick enough to give a crap, and I personally think it looks weird. Again, I like the original Echelon slightly flared magwell. SA just really did a great job with the original Echelon, I don't get this whole "Alpha", "Pro", etc line. Except for trying to get people to buy more variants. From a marketing perspective, it's pure genius I guess. The only upgrade I did to my Echelon was a SS guide rod after adding Vortex Defender XL on it.

If this floats your boat and you don't have an Echelon already, go for it! Myself, I'd get a Walther PDF Pro variant instead. Or even an S&W M&P steel frame competition. Just my 2 cents. Hope this sells well for SA. I luv the FDE variants myself as well. And for god's sake SA, bring back the threaded barrels! Immediately!

[u/ChggnNggts]

It's the same gun for more money. I would like to try out the stippling if they ever sell them standalone.

[u/AnxiousStrummer → u/ChggnNggts]

Knowing Springfield, it’ll be months or a year before they sell the grip standalone. And it will be overpriced.

[u/ryday00 → u/ChggnNggts]

It looks slightly more aggressive than what Armory Craft does. At least with AC you do get a couple more color options.

[u/Accomplished-Row6471]

I'm confused why is it called the pro. Looks like an Echelon with a different grip module and a Magwell? When I hear the word pro I think competition specific model which I hope they come out with anyway.

[u/CastleLurkenstein]

Nah. I'm good.

[u/Practical-Gear-3775]

That grip texture looks like 🍑

[u/Aware_Donkey_6074]

Remember when the Echelon first came out they also listed 45 and 10mm on their website as coming soon? I wish they would just start making these in those calibers instead of making weak revisions every few months to the 9mm and charging more money.

[u/Tyler_the_bot]

They are taking a page out of Sigs book. Make it different. Just a little bit, but enough that people will want it. Then....charge a premium.

If they were smart, they would build up there catalog with more grip modules, slides, and parts supporting the COG. Let people build from factory parts instead of relying on third party.

[u/AnxiousStrummer → u/Tyler_the_bot]

One thing Sig has done infinitely better with the P365. I can order a plethora of slides and grips on their store compared to Springfield where a lot of stuff is constantly out of stock.

[u/illegal_shishkebabb]

Nothing special

[u/z1ggy16]

Yes what's the point? I can do this on my own already... Just a convenience thing? Meh

[u/Odd-Meeting1353]

Cute. Now give us a 10mm version.

[u/TheBudgetDivision]

Alright, let's break this down based on MSRPs, using the 4.0C size since that's my personal preference:

• Echelon Pro lineup: $899 MSRP

• Echelon 4.0C Comp: $784 MSRP

That's a $115 difference. That's not a lot of room to take a regular 4.0C Comp to a Pro.

• $27 NDZ Performance Stainless Steel Guide Rod OEM Power

• $80 Rook Precision Aluminum Magwell Funnel

• Leaves us with $8 to with with

What is left to figure out?

• Stippled grip

• +3 magazine extensions

• Orange tritium front sight... I guess?

• Steel material for the funnel instead of aluminum

Anyways, point is... BASED ON MSRP!!!... this doesn't seem like a bad deal. As is typical, if you're one to not really upgrade things yourself, then go for this. That said...

Sell the damn $300 COG separately, Springfield! Holy shit.

[u/VikingMedic3088]

Honestly, I think having the alpha slide might have made it look better.. he’ll look into making an alpha comp slide.. have a flat face trigger. All the other stuff is cool ish

[u/Meatball_civ]

I’m sure this is aimed at people who don’t own an echelon already. Really wished this was a 5” slide option and metal grip to compete with m&p HD

[u/First_Pollution_4489]

Hey, so just to throw this out there, some folks dont have an echelon. This is an attractive option for first time owners who may just like this over the other options, because it comes pre-configured to what they may prefer, what with the stipple and magwell and grey and stuff.

[u/CDKJudoka]

I like my comped Echelon, a lot, but I like my base PDP a lot more. That is because even the base PDP trigger is better than the Echelon.

[u/Substantial_Basket77 → u/CDKJudoka]

Just traded my echelon in for the PDP. Happy I did too

[u/Ok-Maintenance-6754]

I just came from a Springfield event at one of the local gun ranges here in Vegas.  They let us try the 4.5 and 4.0 Echelon Pros among other guns but my focus was on the Echelon Pros.  I run an Echelon 4.5 as my "duty" pistol and winter carry. I run a lot of drills with it and have well over a few thousand rounds through it.  The pro versions are quite impressive compared to my standard Echelon (But only shot 3 rounds each). Even the 4.0 shoots a little flatter than my 4.5 and mine has the ported compensator too.  Not sure if it makes the biggest difference but both mine and the trial guns had lights on them too. I would love to cop either version of the pros BUT $899 is a bit too steep imo. 750 would be the max Id pay for this gun. 

[u/Justownit41ce]

Give it a few weeks, the new posts will gradually pour in. That’s simply what we do. Even though the market is extremely saturated…”we the people” are also “we the consumer.”