There was a time, not that long ago, when most cops had wheelguns in their holsters and autopistols were the rare exception. While it may be hard to believe today, the transition by American law enforcement agencies away from revolvers to semi-auto pistols actually began as a trickle. However, once the shift began in the 1980s, that trickle turned into a tidal wave.
Police agencies here in the U.S. tend to be somewhat conservative in their thinking, but once the advantages of autoloading pistols for duty use could no longer be denied, the big switch was on. By the late 1990s, the sun had set on traditional service revolvers and semi-auto pistols now dominated the scene.
In those early days of the mass transition by law enforcement, traditional double action (TDA) pistols were the most common choice. With this style of pistol, the pistol was carried with the hammer down and the first shot would be a long, heavy trigger pull that both cocked and released the hammer — exactly like the pull of a double-action revolver. However, as the slide cycled and cocked the hammer, follow-up shots would be single-action. This necessitated learning two different trigger pulls. Now, 30 years later, TDA pistols in the hands of the police are a rare bird indeed and, for the most part, they have been eclipsed by polymer-framed, striker-fired self-pistols.
Although initially dismissed as “Combat Tupperware” by some, the advantages of this type of design became impossible to ignore. They were slim (despite double-column magazines); lightweight; reasonably priced; easy to operate; and featured a consistent, manageable trigger pull from shot to shot.
As a result, the “polymer guns” quickly staked out a huge portion of the law enforcement and commercial markets. Today, just about every manufacturer of handguns is turning out such a pistol. However, like many popular commodities, there is a huge difference in quality from type to type.
A New Standard?
In 2023, Springfield Armory introduced the Echelon 4.5F, widely regarded as one of the best 9mm pistols on the planet. For those not familiar with the Echelon, it is a duty-grade 9mm pistol with a polymer frame and striker-fired system of operation. However, what makes it unique — beyond its core quality — is its Central Operating Group (COG), and its Variable Interface System.
The COG is a stainless steel chassis that houses the entire fire control assembly, and makes the design extremely modular. In addition, it is the serialized part of the pistol, meaning it is the “firearm.” As a result, you can purchase alternate grip modules and slide assemblies to easily reconfigure the platform, while still possessing a singular “firearm.”
For a law enforcement agency, the ability to switch the COG from one grip module to another in seconds is extremely important. Law enforcement officers can have hand sizes running from small to the size of catcher’s mitts. As an instructor, a point of frustration for me has long been adapting the handgun’s grip to the user’s hand. Quite simply, one will never be at their best with a grip that doesn’t fit then hand correctly.
Three different size grip modules are available to fit the widest range of hand sizes. If a grip module is too large or too small, simply remove the COG and place it in another better suited to the user’s hand size. Fit can be further fine-tuned with the three interchangeable backstraps provided with each pistol, along with an included armorer’s tool.
The Variable Interface System is equally impressive. Concealed under the pistol’s slide cover plate is an optics interface system employing self-locking, movable pins. Pistol-mounted optics are coming on strong, and the Variable Interface System is a very slick solution to a problem. Plates can be problematic and place the optic a bit higher of the bore line of the pistol. Simply configure the self- locking pins to the footprint of your chosen optic and mount it directly to the slide. This makes for a very low mount that enables you to use the standard-height sights of your pistol in most cases as a back-up.
Ambidextrous controls, deep slide serrations and Springfield’s proprietary Adaptive Grip Texture round out the package. The human engineering on this pistol is second to none.
The Variants
Since the introduction of the original service-size Echelon 4.5F and its 17-round capacity and 4.5” barrel, a few new variants have come down the pike. Predictably, the first was the Echelon 4.0C, a compact version with both the height and length slightly reduced to a 4” barrel and 15-round, flush-fit magazine. The Echelon 4.0C quickly became a personal favorite and is the ideal companion for the plainclothes officer or the armed citizen who carries a concealed firearm. Other recent additions include variants with an integral compensator or with the innovative Aimpoint COA closed emitter red dot sight.
A trend of late in defensive handguns is combining the advantages of a pistol with a slightly reduced length but with a standard-size frame. By borrowing a term from the automotive industry, we might categorize such a pistol as a crossover as it combines the highly desirable features of a full-size pistol (full-size grip and commensurate capacity) with those of a compact slide assembly(easier to conceal faster into action).
Springfield Armory addressed that need with the new 4.0FC. It does just that with its full-size grip module and compact 4” barrel and slide assembly. It brings an awful lot to the table. But you don’t have to take my word for it.
Going for the Gold
The Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC was just given a very prestigious award by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), a non-profit organization with over 30,000 members. The NTOA’s mission is to serve the law enforcement community by providing cutting-edge training and informational sources.
One of the many services provided by the NTOA is its Member Tested & Recommended (MTR) Program, where products are evaluated by a team of hand-selected law enforcement officers who ensure they meet demanding standards and can perform under real-world conditions.
To be considered for evaluation, a manufacturer must submit multiple examples to the MTR program for review. Test products must be off-the-rack examples exactly the same as those sold to a law enforcement agency or individual officers.
Experienced officers test the submitted product in a diverse range of categories and assign it a numerical score between 0.0 and 5.0 based on its performance. At the conclusion of the test, scores are averaged individually and cumulatively, and the product receives a final rating.
A minimum score of 3.0 is required to receive the basic MTR recommendation. A product that racks up a score of 4.00 to 4.49 rates a Silver rating, while those racking up 4.50 to 5.00 are awarded the coveted Gold rating. At the conclusion of this intensive testing, the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC scored an impressive 4.65, placing it squarely in the gold.
The Echelon 4.0FC was evaluated in multiple categories including design, performance, ease of use, quality, durability and accuracy, along with several others. Scores were uniformly high among all the evaluators. In the past, the MTR program rated both the original Echelon 4.5F and compact Echelon 4.0C as “gold” offerings. While the NTOA does not endorse products, the gold rating from the MTR program for the 4.0FC is indeed icing on the cake.
Direct Feedback
So, what did the evaluators like about the 4.0FC? A common thread was that this pistol meets the “Goldilocks” standard of not being too big or too small, but just right.
For example, one evaluator wrote, “I would recommend this firearm as an exceptional duty weapon without being too big, and perfect for plainclothes wear as well.”
Matching up the compact slide with the service size grip frame allows one to load up with either 17- or 20-round magazines, yet the shorter slide lends itself to plainclothes carry. One evaluator commented that the full-size grip fit his hand well without the pinky dangling under the frame as with some compacts.
High marks were also given for the texture of the grip, which provides for a very positive hold. An evaluator mentioned that the grip surface was ideal, even when his hands were sweaty or when he was wearing gloves.
The pistol also received high marks for the deep serrations on the slide, which facilitate easy manipulation. When performing press checks or empty gun reloads, the evaluators felt this was also another advantage.
Reliability proved to be rock-solid as well. Popular police duty rounds such as Speer Gold Dot G2 and Federal HST, along with ball ammo used in training, cycled with utter reliability. One evaluator ran over 800 rounds through it without cleaning or lubrication. Of course, we all recognize a clean and properly lubricated gun should be carried in the holster at all times, but this gives you some perspective as to the level of reliability of the design.
Additionally, accuracy potential testing proved very good. One of the evaluators reported that he was able to achieve impressive performance despite tough environmental conditions. “A 10-round group at 25 yards to check the gun’s accuracy yielded about a 2.5″ group. This shocked me due to the 10-degree weather I was shooting in, and I had already lost feeling in my hands. This gun didn’t seem to care much.”
One reviewer reported, “I would recommend this firearm as an exceptional duty weapon without being too big, and perfect for plainclothes wear as well.”
Additionally, a reviewer stated, “A pistol that checks all the right boxes and is loaded with everything you need and nothing you don’t, would indeed have quite a bit of appeal to the discriminating user.”
Another reviewer expressed similar thoughts and said, “My final observation of the gun? I loved it. The gun is great for duty or personal use, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it.”
Considering these evaluations originated from seasoned officers rather than casual users, the MTR program’s gold rating is clearly something you can hang your hat on.
Final Thoughts
The Echelon family of pistols are indeed standouts in the very competitive field of polymer-framed, striker-fired self-loaders. I suspect that the newest 4.0FC variant will prove to be exceptionally popular. This pistol stacks up very well against those offered by other first-line manufacturers, and very few incorporate the many in-demand features offered by the Echelon 4.0FC.
Whether for personal use or as a department-issue pistol, the hybrid Echelon 4.0FC is a solid contender. The critical analysis and critique through NTOA’s Member Tested & Recommended program confirms my assessment that the 4.0FC is one of the best duty pistols to be had in today’s market.
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