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Echelon 4.0C - Should I?

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USMC6095

Alpha
Hello. New to the forum. I bought my first Springfield a few months ago (Operator AOS 1911) and really enjoy it. I shoot it very well straight out of the box. I currently carry a Sig P365 as my EDC but I am quite intrigued by the Echelon 4.0C and I am considering purchasing one and working them side by side. One will end up being the nightstand gun and one will be the EDC at the end. I am hoping it shoots as well as the Operator for me. I have seen a couple videos discussing problems with the magazines. I have seen the slide lock back and during a mag change the top round nosedives for some reason and you get a failure to feed. I have also seen two videos with the baseplate falling off and spilling the rounds all over the ground. Also, in the videos the slide automatically releases during the mag change and other times the operator had to rack the slide manually. What exactly is the pistol designed to do?

Would appreciate if some of you will share your thoughts on the firearm and your confidence level of using it for an EDC.

I have the chance to get one of the gear packs with 5 mags and the red dot for $599. Seems worth it to me. What do you say?
Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Mr. @USMC6095,

Welcome to the forum! This is my Echelon 4.5F Comp next to my XD9 Mod.3.

FletcherPW-Practice-022525-024.jpg


I have not experienced any of the issues you mention. I know poopoo occurs, manufacturing tolerances, break-in periods, etc, but even since brand new my Echelon has been a dependable machine.

I do have a couple of pistols that will occasionally send the slide forward if I really slam in a full magazine. That behavior is not consistent or repeatable and may have something to do with how clean the gun is, or me getting lazy and sweeping my thumb across the slide release during a quick mag change. It's never happened on my Echelon.

Magazines just have to be checked periodically. They get dropped, worn, damaged, dirty, perhaps reassembled improperly, baseplates can fail. I consider mags as consumable items to be replaced when necessary.

There's a lot to like about the Echelon. Multiple backstraps on the diffetent grip modules work for a custom fit in your hand. The only nit-picky complaint I have is that I've realized I don't like U-notch sights. But that's an easy fix. I'll either install the optic that came with the gear-up promotion or replace the stock iron sights with my favorite SpeedSights.

Forgive my tome. I tend to use a lot of bandwidth. Sorry if I state the obvious. I also want to thank you for your service. Can you rent one at your range, just to be sure? I'm confident you'll like it. If not, customize grip modules, backstraps, sights, etc, until you do. ;)

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
BassCliff said:
Hi Mr. @USMC6095,

Welcome to the forum! This is my Echelon 4.5F Comp next to my XD9 Mod.3.

View attachment 100955

I have not experienced any of the issues you mention. I know poopoo occurs, manufacturing tolerances, break-in periods, etc, but even since brand new my Echelon has been a dependable machine.

I do have a couple of pistols that will occasionally send the slide forward if I really slam in a full magazine. That behavior is not consistent or repeatable and may have something to do with how clean the gun is, or me getting lazy and sweeping my thumb across the slide release during a quick mag change. It's never happened on my Echelon.

Magazines just have to be checked periodically. They get dropped, worn, damaged, dirty, perhaps reassembled improperly, baseplates can fail. I consider mags as consumable items to be replaced when necessary.

There's a lot to like about the Echelon. Multiple backstraps on the diffetent grip modules work for a custom fit in your hand. The only nit-picky complaint I have is that I've realized I don't like U-notch sights. But that's an easy fix. I'll either install the optic that came with the gear-up promotion or replace the stock iron sights with my favorite SpeedSights.

Forgive my tome. I tend to use a lot of bandwidth. Sorry if I state the obvious. I also want to thank you for your service. Can you rent one at your range, just to be sure? I'm confident you'll like it. If not, customize grip modules, backstraps, sights, etc, until you do. ;)

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Click to expand...
Thank you for all the info and I appreciate the TY for the service. I made a phone call and the local Range USA has one for rent so I know what I will be doing tomorrow at lunch. I am hoping that they will allow me to try the different backstraps during my range session as well. As far as sights go, all of my guns have red dots on them as my eyesight has not been good to me the past 10 years or so and my ability to use the irons is very weak to say the least. To think I could tear up a target from 500 yards with the M16 years ago is crazy. I am a little curious if the U notch will be easier for me than the more conventional 3 dot sights. It will be an interesting test.
 
Hi,

USMC6095 said:
Thank you for all the info and I appreciate the TY for the service. I made a phone call and the local Range USA has one for rent so I know what I will be doing tomorrow at lunch. I am hoping that they will allow me to try the different backstraps during my range session as well. As far as sights go, all of my guns have red dots on them as my eyesight has not been good to me the past 10 years or so and my ability to use the irons is very weak to say the least. To think I could tear up a target from 500 yards with the M16 years ago is crazy. I am a little curious if the U notch will be easier for me than the more conventional 3 dot sights. It will be an interesting test.
Click to expand...

I'm glad there's a rental available. Some folks love the U-notch rear sight. I don't. I do love the tritium in the front sight. I guess you could say I've begun the transition to optics due to my eyesight, cataract surgery, etc. One of my EDCs has an optic. I imagine more will too, in the years to come. Keep us informed. I'd like to know what you decide.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
I own the full sized Echelon. Excellent shooter right out of the box. I had to order a small grip module, and they never seemed to have the OD one in stock, so I went funky and got a black one...went two toned. I am glad I did though, as it fits me well now.

I have had no issues whatsoever with the gun. It's a little big for me to carry though, so it sits in a holster style rack that's attached to the bed frame.
IMG_5218.jpeg
 
USMC6095 said:
Thank you for all the info and I appreciate the TY for the service. I made a phone call and the local Range USA has one for rent so I know what I will be doing tomorrow at lunch. I am hoping that they will allow me to try the different backstraps during my range session as well. As far as sights go, all of my guns have red dots on them as my eyesight has not been good to me the past 10 years or so and my ability to use the irons is very weak to say the least. To think I could tear up a target from 500 yards with the M16 years ago is crazy. I am a little curious if the U notch will be easier for me than the more conventional 3 dot sights. It will be an interesting test.
Click to expand...

Just remember you can have the iron sights changed out. Just remember your breathing exercises as you shoot. I’d say something but I’ll wait to say it.
 
I just picked up an Echelon 4.0C on Friday. Haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet, but it fits my hand really well. Just messing with it, my magazines have been fine and it has never failed to lock back when racking the slide with a magazine in. I got the one with the threaded barrel and 3 dot tritium. Although I’ll be going red dot on it for sure. Just ordered the Sig Romeo X Pro for it. Look forward to shooting it over the next several days.
 
I bought the 4.0c and ended up following it up with a 4.5 grip frame chopped to 4.0 length, and then another 4.5 grip frame, slide, and barrel. If they ever start selling the COG separately, I'll buy one of those too. I couldn't pass up the deal on the full-size slide and barrel otherwise I'd have bought a complete 4.5. The only issue I've ever had is on two separate occasions, I ended up hooking the rear of the magazine into that stupid damn extra slot cut into the magwell for what i assume is a lanyard plug.
I also liked the Echelon sights well enough to add them to my XD9SC
 
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There's not a lot to bash on the Echelon (save the name, perhaps). Optics ready, really good grip texture, shoots well. Some don't cotton to the rear sight, but I prefer it to a rectangle or a blacked out rear.

You can certainly buy a lot less pistol for more mmoney. If you get extea mags in the process that's a big bonus. They seem to be a challenge to find at a reasonable price.
 
belladonna said:
I own the full sized Echelon. Excellent shooter right out of the box. I had to order a small grip module, and they never seemed to have the OD one in stock, so I went funky and got a black one...went two toned. I am glad I did though, as it fits me well now.

I have had no issues whatsoever with the gun. It's a little big for me to carry though, so it sits in a holster style rack that's attached to the bed frame.
View attachment 100967
Click to expand...
IMG_4979.jpeg

I see feet……🤣🤣
 
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