Battle of the Comps: Echelon 4.0C vs. 4.5F

The Springfield Armory Echelon is not one of the market’s best 9mm, polymer-frame, striker-fired handguns. It is the best. Springfield designed the Echelon from the ground up to create a handgun the shooting world needed — even if they didn’t know it at the time.

I’ve been a big fan from the start, and I have extensive experience with both the full-size Echelon 4.5F and the compact Echelon 4.0C. I will state, with confidence, that Springfield Armory created a “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) pistol.

Springfield’s compensated Echelon lineup brings serious performance upgrades to an already outstanding platform.

The ergonomic Adaptive Grip Texture feels like shaking your best friend’s hand. The magazine and capacity options are perfect for both carry and range use. The “Variable Interface System” optics-mounting system is truly an innovative work of art that allows the shooter to mount a wide range of popular optics directly to the slide without plates.

Springfield did not look past the left-handed shooter either. The Echelon’s controls are fully ambidextrous.

Sounds Good. Tell Me More.

The Echelon’s serialized “COG” (Central Operating Group) features a modular frame system so you can easily swap out grip modules to the user’s liking.

The slide offers deeply cut slide serrations with “trench cut” forend sections to make press checks and charging the pistol a breeze. There are a variety of sight systems, including a front tritium and a rear U-notch. Other sight options are available. The Echelon’s flat-face trigger is incredibly smooth, with a short reset that aids quicker follow-up shots.

The half-inch difference in barrel length might not sound like much, but it affects everything from holster choice to how the pistol balances in your hand.

For those who shoot outdoors in the cold months, the trigger guard is large enough to accommodate gloved hands, with plenty of room to work the trigger. The Picatinny rail dust cover will fit a light with plenty of space to mount it.

The Echelon series includes colors like flat dark earth, olive drab green and black. They also have several pistols that are on the California roster. It really is amazing how they took a new pistol and created many variations with it.

What’s Included?

So, you decided to purchase a Springfield Armory Echelon. Great choice! You will notice the case is loaded with accessories. The cardboard box includes the Echelon in a nifty zippered and padded nylon pouch. I like to transport the pistol in this nylon pouch to protect it, as it fits perfectly in my range bag.

The Variable Interface System lets shooters mount reflex sights directly to the slide, which means a lower bore axis and better sight alignment without fumbling with different mounting plates.

The case includes two magazines, a speed loader, a pistol lock, Variable Interface System pins for the optic system, two additional backstraps, and an extended magazine baseplate for those who prefer increased capacity with the flush-fitting magazine baseplate. Basically, Springfield Armory includes everything you need.

The Title Says “Comp”

Springfield Armory did not stop there. They now have the Echelon 4.5F Comp and the Echelon 4.0C Comp. The “Comp,” short for compensator, is an integral port in the barrel and slide that helps reduce recoil and decrease muzzle rise.

You’ll also note that they are located forward of the front sights, which are moved rearward on these pistols. This ensures that gases do not obscure your sight picture or dirty the tritium front sight.

The compensator ports are machined right into the barrel and slide — this isn't just a threaded-on accessory. — The compensator ports are machined right into the barrel and slide — this isn’t just a threaded-on accessory.

As noted, the function of a comp is to divert some of the gases upward through the ports, which helps the shooter get back on target more quickly and easily. Basically, the comp creates a softer shooting pistol. Springfield Armory actually took the smoothest striker-fired pistol on the market and made it even softer-shooting.

I have the honor of owning both models and decided to compare them. It is a challenging task to compare the finest polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm pistol on the market against itself.

Allow me to first mention that the Echelon Comp pistols offer everything the Echelon is known for, but with lower recoil and decreased muzzle rise. I shot them side by side on multiple occasions, and there was a clear difference between the Echelon Comp and the Echelon without the comp.

The Echelon Comp pistols allowed quicker follow-up shots and more precise transitions. I believe shooters should take advantage of any tool they can to shoot faster and more accurately. There is never a downside to consistently accurate shooting, and these integrated comps are definitely a benefit.

Differences?

The most obvious difference is size and weight. The full-size Echelon 4.5F Comp has a longer 4.5” barrel and greater magazine capacity than the 4”-barreled Echelon 4.0C Comp. With magazines that carry 17 and 20 rounds, the Echelon 4.5F Comp takes the prize, but there is a catch.

The Echelon 4.0C Comp has slightly shorter magazines that hold 15 and 18 rounds. We all agree the larger pistol has larger magazines, right? Well, think about this. The Echelon 4.5F Comp can use its own magazines, but it cannot fit the shorter 15- and 18-round magazines made for the Echelon 4.0C Comp.

Whether you go full-size or compact, you're getting the same quality trigger, the same Variable Interface System, and the same recoil-reducing compensator technology in a slightly different package. — The 4.0C Echelon in 9mm (right), took the popular platform and downsized it for EDC. The 4.0C Comp (left), added in the benefit of an integral compensator.

The smaller Echelon 4.0C Comp can reliably use its own 15- and 18-rounders, as well as the more extended magazines for the full-size 4.5F. Given that point, I give magazine capacity a solid tie.

Due to its larger size, the full-size Echelon 4.5F Comp is heavier than the Echelon 4.0C Comp. Is that an advantage or a disadvantage? It depends on the shooter’s applications. The Echelon 4.5F Comp weighs 26.2 ounces with an unloaded 17-round magazine on my scale. The Echelon 4.0C Comp weighs 24.7 ounces with an unloaded 15-round magazine on my scale.

Does Comp Work as Intended?

With both Echelons, the compensator works extremely well. That does not suggest the pistol will fire so flat that it will not move. The dynamics of a pistol’s primer being struck create an explosion within the pistol. It’s a myth to believe a compensated pistol will shoot so flat that it will not recoil.

The 4.5F Comp gives you a longer sight radius and shoots marginally flatter, while the 4.0C Comp is easier to conceal but still packs serious performance with full magazine compatibility. — The 4.5F Comp (top) gives you a longer sight radius and shoots marginally flatter, while the 4.0C Comp (bottom) is easier to conceal — while still packing serious performance with full magazine compatibility.

The key difference is that an Echelon Comp will move less. That alone will help get the shooter back on target quicker. I enjoy range shooting, transitioning targets with precise shots, and ringing steel. I can verify, without a doubt, my success is greatest with the Echelon Comp, whether it’s the 4.5F or the 4.0C.

Which One Shoots Flatter?

My range time with both Echelon Comps was pretty intense. I was on a mission to learn everything about the benefits of shooting an Echelon Comp pistol. I was thoroughly impressed with both as I rang steel and had a blast weaving from target to target.

The integral comp system works incredibly well on both pistols, making follow-up shots smoother and target transitions more precise.

Having said that, the Echelon 4.5F Comp shot a little flatter. It’s a fact that a full-size pistol is heavier than a smaller compact pistol. Although both Echelon Comp pistols had less recoil impulse and muzzle rise than the Echelon pistols without a Comp, the heavier and larger Echelon 4.5F Comp takes the prize for the flattest-shooting pistol in the Echelon series in my experience.

Ok, I’m Sold

The MSRP for the Echelon 4.5F and 4.0C without the Comp is $694. Considering the features and options already discussed, that is a great bargain.

The Echelon 4.0C Comp tips the scales at 24.7 ounces with an empty 15-round magazine. That's light enough for all-day carry but heavy enough to help manage recoil, especially with that compensator doing its job reducing muzzle flip. — The author’s Echelon 4.0C Comp weighs 24.7 ounces with an empty 15-round magazine. That’s light enough for all-day carry, but substantial enough to help manage recoil, especially with the integral compensator.

The MSRP for the Echelon 4.5F Comp and the Echelon 4.0C Comp is $765, an incredible price. The difference in MSRP cost between the Echelon Comp pistols and the Echelon (non-comp) pistols is just $71.

When we consider the additional machining and skilled labor it takes to create ports in the slide and barrel, I believe the additional $71 is a price worth paying.

Conclusion

I am fortunate enough to have four Echelon pistols, and they all speak to me. They are the best polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm pistols in the gun world. The fact that you can choose virtually any reflex optic and directly mount it on the slide is simply incredible. The trigger action and delivered accuracy are second to none, and their comfortable ergonomics cannot be matched.

The question is, should you purchase an Echelon 4.5F Comp and/or the Echelon 4.0C Comp? As I mentioned earlier, any tool, accessory, product or training that will increase a shooter’s performance is a benefit and should be utilized.

I believe the Echelon Comp pistols will give the skilled shooter a performance advantage. Of course, the gun will cost a little more, but the benefits will be well worth the additional $71. In shooter terms, it will cost you a few boxes of 9mm more than a standard Echelon without a Comp. Sounds like a deal to me!

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