{"id":2361,"date":"2024-07-15T17:40:57","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T17:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2361"},"modified":"2024-07-15T17:40:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T17:40:57","slug":"is-this-the-ultimate-echelon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2361","title":{"rendered":"Is This the Ultimate Echelon?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"player-inline-wrapper no-margin-top\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe class=\"player-inline\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/982594458?h=2f21a759eb&amp;api=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"byline\">By <a class=\"byline-author ajax-home\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/author\/michael-mills\/\">Michael Mills<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dropcap\">I<\/span>n late 2023, the Springfield Armory Echelon hit the market like a sledgehammer. The Echelon, in its current form of a full-sized 17-round duty pistol, seemed to give us every option we wanted right out of the box.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55223\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-2.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-2-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-2-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-2-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-2-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Is this the ultimate Echelon? The author decided to take the excellent Echelon and make it the base for a very special custom project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At first touch you would notice the Adaptive Grip Texture, which is aggressive enough for hard use once pressure is applied, but smooth enough for concealed carry so you don\u2019t get rubbed raw.\u00a0<em>[Editor: Read more about this <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/hang-on-to-that-hellcat\/\">grip texture<\/a>.]<\/em>\u00a0Inside the grip module is the <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/will-this-end-custom-gunsmithing-work\/\">Central Operating Group<\/a>. This is a stainless steel chassis that is the serialized part of the firearm, allowing you to use any of the available three grip module sizes for a custom fit.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it is optic-ready  \u2014  but takes it up a level. The <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/how-does-the-echelon-vis-optic-mount-work\/\">Variable Interface System<\/a> offers direct mounting of an optic to the slide with more than 30 of today\u2019s most popular optics, with an advanced locking pin system. This system prevents side-to-side movement of optics, and also offers the lowest possible optic deck height to allow the co-witnessing of the pistol\u2019s iron sights with a large number of popular optics.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55224\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-4-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Springfield Echelon has aggressive slide serrations. This customized pistol also incorporates porting that blends in with those cuts.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The pistol has fully ambidextrous controls, textured indexing points on the frame, a double undercut triggerguard, and an excellent striker-fired trigger system with a dual sear design for the ultimate in safety.<\/p>\n<p><em>[Don\u2019t miss Massad Ayoob\u2019s <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/ayoob-springfield-echelon-review\/\">Springfield Armory Echelon review<\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signs Of Success<\/h2>\n<p>Anytime a new pistol is released, one of the easiest ways to determine how successful it will be is how the aftermarket responds. And this is where things get really fun, because companies will make everything from barrels to trigger components.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55225\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-8-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Featuring the Variable Interface System, the Echelon supports over 30 popular optics. The Steiner MPS is shown mounted here. Note the custom slide serrations on the top of the forward portion of the slide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Now, no one is saying you have to run out and get all these parts or things done to your Echelon. Right from the factory, the Echelon is an advanced performer amongst its peers. The trigger is a step above many in the striker-fired market. The aggressive slide serrations and trench cuts make running the slide easy.<\/p>\n<p>The operation is smooth and with the low bore axis you can run the Echelon very fast and flat. However, some of us just cannot leave good enough alone, and we seek to squeeze every bit of extra performance out of our pistols.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tricking It Out<\/h2>\n<p>One of my personal favorite additions to any pistol is a magwell. Magwell\u2019s are a favorite amongst competitors, police and many everyday carry enthusiasts. The main purpose of a magwell is to give a larger beveled surface area for you to insert a magazine under stress with speed and repeatability. A secondary benefit of a magwell is that it gives you a pinky ledge to really add a little extra grip to a pistol.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55226\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 21\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-21-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Steiner MPS Red Dot optic on the Echelon proved to be rugged, reliable and accurate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For the magwell for this project, I turned to Floyd\u2019s Custom Shop. Floyd\u2019s is known for creating extremely well-made and well-designed minimalist magwells that fit like a glove. This magwell will require the use of Floyd\u2019s magazine baseplates, which come in standard capacity, +2 and +5 variations. All of these will have a sleek look and allow for positive retention, stripping and insertion of your magazines.<\/p>\n<p>The key to a good magwell is that it must be large enough to make a difference and speed you up on a magazine exchange without being so large as to cause weight or size issues if carried concealed. It also must have no hard edges in the area where the magazine feed lips will strike it upon insertion.<\/p>\n<p>The whole point is to provide a funneling effect, so any hard edge would just be a hang-up spot. You also need enough relief area around the internal base to strip a magazine should you experience an ammunition failure or stoppage that requires magazine removal. All of these elements are addressed with the magwell from Floyd\u2019s.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pancake Flat?<\/h2>\n<p>If you have ever heard someone say, \u201cThat shoots flat as a pancake\u201d? There is a meaning behind that statement. When you want to get a fast follow-up shot and maintain an advantage in the competition or tactical world, recoil management is key.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55227\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 19\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-19-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The author found that the customized Echelon was very flat shooting. Recoil was quite mild and muzzle rise was minimal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The idea of the above statement is that if your muzzles moved up and down about the height of a good fluffy pancake, say around \u00be of an inch, you are doing pretty well out there with muzzle control. The Echelon is definitely capable of being run flat and fast with follow-up shots as designed, but again, why not squeeze a little more performance out of it if we can?<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to recoil reduction, we have a couple of options that have proven to be very effective. You can choose to add a compensator if you have a threaded barrel version of the Echelon. Or, if you have a standard barrel version like mine, you send it off to Floyd\u2019s Customs and have the barrel and slide ported.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter inline\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"logo-tal-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/themes\/thearmorylife\/img\/logo-tal-tm-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our <a class=\"ajax-giveaways\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/giveaways\/\"><strong>monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Porting is a permanent modification, so you have to be comfortable with the fact there is no going back once you do this. Floyd\u2019s again has a great reputation for porting and slide work. The Floyd\u2019s design is a tri-port on each side of the barrel and slide, with an aggressive forward slant and an upwards gas dispersion angle. Porting of this nature effectively pushes the gasses out the side and slightly upwards to ensure minimized muzzle rise and equal gas relief to the left and right.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looks and Performance<\/h2>\n<p>Between the magwell and the porting work done to this Echelon, this is one aggressive-looking pistol. But how does it perform and feel after all of this work? The feel of the magwell and how it grips the hand is exactly part of the reason I am such a fan of them. Not only does it help with mag exchanges and controlling muzzle rise, it also provides another indexing point for your initial purchase upon drawing the pistol.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55228\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 14\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-14-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Floyd\u2019s Custom Shop offers magazine baseplates for the Echelon that can increase magazine capacity by up to five rounds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I don\u2019t know about you, but I have grabbed low on the grip many times when training under stressful situations. When it comes to baseplates they will drop free faster, add a few rounds and securely lock onto the magazine body with two set screws for retention.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the porting, the slide work also featured the addition of serrations across the top of the slide. These followed the natural design and angles from the original design. These serrations are aggressive and complete the custom look, feel and performance of the slide. On the range, I noticed an immediate difference under recoil with the barrel porting relating to muzzle control.<\/p>\n<p>You will also notice a difference in sound. Since some of the gasses are now exiting the sides of the slide and barrel, you will notice the sound traveling differently, especially if you use electronic ear pro. It is not anything annoying or excessive, just noticeable.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55229\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 11\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-11-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hornady Critical Defense ammunition, popular for self-defense, performed flawlessly in the \u201cultimate Echelon.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I am also happy to report after firing a few hundred rounds of different 9mm ammunition, from basic 115-gr. ball to 147-gr. self-defense ammo, there was not a single malfunction. All of this testing was completed with a <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/steiner-mps-review\/\">Steiner MPS red dot sight<\/a> on the pistol. Needless to say, I am very happy with the performance gains on my personal Echelon.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Completing The Ultimate Echelon<\/h2>\n<p>There are still a couple of small items to talk about to make this pistol the final package. No duty pistol would be complete without an optic and a light in the modern era. For this, I turned to a new variation of an old favorite: the SureFire X300 Turbo. This Turbo model throws a punishing 66,000 candela. This amount of light allows you to positively identify your target well beyond normal pistol shooting distances.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-55230\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-800x533.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-400x267.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-600x400.jpg.webp 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9.jpg\" alt=\"is this the ultimate Echelon 9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/is-this-the-ultimate-Echelon-9-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A SureFire X300 Turbo weapon light completed this Springfield Armory Echelon custom build. It is a proven performer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For the red dot, as noted, I went with the Steiner MPS fully enclosed red dot. I did this for two specific reasons. First, it\u2019s a large optic for a pistol, so I wanted to ensure the aggressive porting would not cause malfunction with an optic like this. And second, because it uses the same optics footprint as the\u00a0<a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/dont-read-this-if-you-play-dungeons-dragons\/\">Aimpoint ACRO P1<\/a>, it requires a plate. I wanted to ensure you would still be able to use the factory sights, even if just slightly, which is possible with the MPS.<\/p>\n<p>I have to say, I am extremely happy with how this turned out and to me the juice is worth every bit of the squeeze if you want the ultimate Echelon.<\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-forum-thread hide-share\"><span>Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"forum-thread-button-wrapper hide-share\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/forum\/threads\/19780\/\">Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-featured hide-share\"><span>Featured in this video<\/span><\/h5>\n<section class=\"featured hide-share grid-two\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/floydscustomshop.com\/Springfield_c_51.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin-top: 2rem; max-width: 80%;\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/product-floyds-custom-shop.png.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/product-floyds-custom-shop.png\" alt=\"Floyds Custom Shop\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>Floyds Custom Shop <\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-echelon \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/echelon-series-handguns\/echelon-handguns\/echelon-45-9mm-handgun-3-dot-tritium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-9mm\">9<sup>mm<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EC9459B-3D.png.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EC9459B-3D.png\" alt=\"Echelon\u2122 4.5&quot; 3-Dot Tritium\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>Echelon\u2122 <span>4.5&#8243; 3-Dot Tritium<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.surefire.com\/x300t\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 80%;\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/product-surefire-x300t.jpg.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/product-surefire-x300t.jpg\" alt=\"SureFire X300T\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>SureFire <span>X300T<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.steiner-optics.com\/products\/mps-micro-pistol-sight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 65%;\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/product-steiner-mps.jpg.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/product-steiner-mps.jpg\" alt=\"Steiner MPS\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>Steiner <span>MPS<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/is-this-the-ultimate-echelon\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Michael Mills In late 2023, the Springfield Armory Echelon hit the market like a sledgehammer. The Echelon, in its current form of a full-sized 17-round duty pistol, seemed to give us every option we wanted right out of the box. Is this the ultimate Echelon? The author decided to take the excellent Echelon and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}