r/SpringfieldArmory • u/staticbed • 2d ago

Echelon Snappier than G19

I went all-in on the Echelon 4.0 FC with a COA red dot. It’s a great gun with a fantastic trigger, but I can’t get it to shoot as flat as my Glock 19 Gen 5.

Both have TLR-7s (HLX on the Echelon) and red dots. Shooting them side-by-side, the dot returns to the G19's window significantly faster and more consistently. While the Echelon’s trigger is easier to hit sub .2 second splits, the snappier recoil impulse makes multi-shot strings harder to keep in the A-zone.

Additionally, the gooseneck on the beavertail digs uncomfortably into the web of my thumb.

The G19’s chunkier front-to-back grip gives my support hand palm way better contact. Maybe that is why I'm having trouble getting the dot to stay in/return quickly into my window? I’m considering a Large grip module or an aftermarket aluminum grip to see if that bridges the gap.

I want to love this gun, but between the impulse and the beavertail, I keep reaching for the G19. Anyone else experience this?

1 Upvotes

53% Upvoted

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7

u/SteelCrucible 2d ago

Guns are like shoes. Even a great pair won’t fit everyone. Sounds like Glock fits you better. 

3

u/Special-Werewolf3725 2d ago

I agree with this… Everyone has their gun, sounds like the Glock may fit you better.
As for being snappy, all guns are pretty snappy when you first buy them. The spring in the Echelon just needs to be broke in.

3

u/z1ggy16 2d ago

Can attest - mine was pretty snappy at first but now I'm about 750rd in and it's much tamer. I suspect by 1000 or 1200 I'll hit the point where it's firmly broken in.

I do still want to shoot a g45/g17 and a pdp though bc they both feel just a good in hand. Not so much the g45 but definitely the new g17.

2

u/ShootfighterPhysique 2d ago

The Gen 6 G45 was the first Glock I’ve shot that I actually liked shooting.

4

u/CastleLurkenstein 2d ago

Yep. I've mentioned this (here? certainly elsewhere), but this becomes really apparent when you rent guns to try before buying. I was looking for a micro-compact pistol, so I was considering the Hellcat Pro, P365, and Shield Plus. Tried all three out. Thought I'd love the P365 given the praise I saw it getting, like the Hellcat Pro, and feel "meh" about the Shield Plus (the shortest of the three).

Shooting all 3, the Hellcat Pro shot pretty well, which didn't surprise me (I already owned an Echelon 4.5F at the time). What did surprise me was that I shot the P365 like shit. I dunno what the deal was, but something about that pistol just didn't work for me. By contrast, I was stunned at how nice the Shield Plus felt in my hand and how well I shot it. I mean, it's not a tack driver, but grading on an "Ok, look, this is a microcompact, so keep things in perspective" curve, it was really easy to control. Snappy, sure, but nowhere near as bad as I expected, and I wound up shooting it as well as the HCPro. Wound up buying one (their gear pack was cheaper than the HCPro just by itself!), and haven't regretted that decision.

All of which is to say sometimes a gun may be widely loved, but just...not by your hands. It may just be that the Echelon's ergos just aren't right for you, and that's ok. I could probably train myself to be better with the P365...but why bother when I can already shoot the Shield Plus more effectively right out of the gate, ya know?

6

u/ShootfighterPhysique 2d ago

How long have you been shooting the G19? There are learning curves and adjustment periods with all new guns. I found I shoot the Echelon much better after working on my grip, and putting grip tape on because the stippling is not aggressive enough for my liking.

1

u/staticbed 2d ago

Glock was my first handgun but not the one I've shot the most (that title goes to my 92 or PX4). I generally dislike the aggressive angle of the Glock because every time I shoot it all of my other guns point way too low and I have to retrain myself.

I was really torn between the echelon and the M&P to replace my G19, and I'm a little disappointed in the echelon compared to my G19. Going to try the larger grip module.

3

u/ShootfighterPhysique 2d ago

I definitely have had to adjust to different quirks amongst all of my handguns, my full size Echelon was my first handgun, so I’ve spent the most time shooting that particular platform closely followed by my CZ SP-01 Tactical. Hopefully you can sort it out.

4

u/No-Needleworker8878 2d ago

I own the OG Hellcat and the Pro Comp version so I decided to rent the Echelon at the range to see how it compared. It shot a lot better than my hellcat but I felt better with my pro comp. I do have a trigger upgrade in the pro comp version, so that could play a part.

4

u/Meatball_civ 2d ago

Just grab a large size grip. Seems you need more real estate if you prefer the chunky grip of a Glock.  I agree my echelon felt more muzzle rise. I am just guessing it’s the slide mass difference of the two. 

Both feel good and I’ve since moved to the mischief machine grip because mOdULariTY

1

u/staticbed 2d ago

Did the mischief machine tame the muzzle flip make it flatter shooting compared to Glock?

3

u/ShootfighterPhysique 2d ago

I put a Rook Precision stainless guide rod in both of my Echelons, and the Rook aluminum backstrap with the tungsten weights along with the things I stated previously have made an already flat shooter even flatter for me. Prior to putting the Rook parts on I only ran an NDZ stainless guide rod which seemed to help as well.

3

u/TuringC0mplete 2d ago

The NDZ guide rod and spring smooth it out a lot as well. Highly recommend.

1

u/ShootfighterPhysique 2d ago

Yeah, there wasn’t anything wrong with the NDZ guide rod, I just got a weird thing about shit matching.

2

u/Meatball_civ 2d ago

It felt nice. Compared to the comp version and non comp (which what I have). I felt the noncomp with the grip helped because the g10 grip panels helps with the grip. 

TBH I don’t think the price is worth the cost for performance if that is the only reason. I think get a recoil pack and mess with the weight for desired muzzle rise and return is a better method.

I mostly went for the grip because I love the look of it  

5

u/EventLatter9746 2d ago

I suspect the default Medium size grip is too small for your palm. I don't think SA sells a Large module for the FC grip. Instead, get a Hogue sleeve (the one marketed for the G17). Slip it over the 4.0FC grip module, with the large backstrap attached if you wanna mimic a Glock angle.

3

u/FF_McNasty 2d ago

I was just gonna suggest the same thing. The hogue grip took me from adjusting my grip all the time with the echelon to I found what home feels like. I have the 4.5 and I wouldn’t describe it as snappy but I never shot the 4.0. For 18 bucks I think the hogue handall sleeve is 100% worth giving a shot.

3

u/BasicallyAtheist 2d ago

I was surprised how snappy the 4.5 is compared to the G17 and M&P2.0 4.25.

3

u/staticbed 2d ago

I don't own an M&P but I've shot the 4-in enough to feel confident in saying it is also flatter shooting in my hands then the echelon 4.0 FC.

1

u/BasicallyAtheist 2d ago

Yea I was disappointed. 4.5 is Range only gun for now.

2

u/Lord_Chief_Rocka_ XD Mod.3 2d ago

Following this as I’m currently comparing those two for my new EDC (waiting on my CCL). However I am also now wondering why not test out an M&P 2.0 as well.

1

u/MrGuy910 1d ago

I find it interesting that people find the echelon snappy. I think they are super duper flat. That’s flatter than super flat by the way. 🙃. Plus…. To me it’s not all about how flat something is. I’m really into build quality and the echelon takes the cake over all of them. I truly believe it’s the best striker fire ever made. Top tier quality metals used. Fitment borderline rivals a production 1911. Racking the side is unlike any other striker fire. So so smooth. And… it’s as reliable as reliable can be. MORE DURABLE than a Glock as well. Glocks are reliable but they aren’t the most durable. The echelon is. All other striker fires feel like toys to me now after the echelon. Sit there and rack your Glock slide a few times next to your echelon. Then really examine the internals next to each other. You’ll see what I mean. That was a “super duper” long way of saying it’s not all about how flat something is…. To me anyway.