SA fanboy try out (tried the echelon out report)

[Jputt85]

That could explain some handling differences. I think the FC is the one with the beefier full sized frame that allows you to get the 4.5F's ammo capacity, but also has the shorter compact model's 4" barrel. So the frame could feel a bit oversized for the gun compared to the average compact handgun. Have you tried switching in the smaller sized backstrap? I found that helped alot for me and my short sausage fingers. They dont look very different, but those small changes do make a difference in comfort.

So. Some thoughts on how to adjust for the shorter barrel length and back heavy grip.
Low cost option: If you still have the picatinny mount for a dot sight that you didn't need thanks to the VIS, you could mount that on the underbarrel rail and attach a fitted piece of material to add some weight to the front end of the barrel. That should help with barrel flip a bit. The flashlight mounted on one of the guns in the earlier photos could fit the bill.
You could get a threaded barrel and attach a muzzle break. It would make the gun feel closer to a proper full size. Or, if you have the budget for it, you could replace the barrel and slide with the compensated versions.

 

[Jsimon78]

That could explain some handling differences. I think the FC is the one with the beefier full sized frame that allows you to get the 4.5F's ammo capacity, but also has the shorter compact model's 4" barrel. So the frame could feel a bit oversized for the gun compared to the average compact handgun. Have you tried switching in the smaller sized backstrap? I found that helped alot for me and my short sausage fingers. They dont look very different, but those small changes do make a difference in comfort.

Usually “full size” grips I don’t have a problem with. All 3 XDm’s I have are good. I carry compact sized stuff and my hands fit snugly on them. It just might be me.

 

[Musashi]

And why buy a firearm that you have to modify the h$ll out of just to get it to work to your satisfaction when one could have bought a more appropriate gun in the first place. I considered buying an aftermarket grip module for my 4.5 before I realized it cost almost as much as the original purchase. Crazy thinking on my part.

 

[Jsimon78]

And why buy a firearm that you have to modify the h$ll out of just to get it to work to your satisfaction when one could have bought a more appropriate gun in the first place. I considered buying an aftermarket grip module for my 4.5 before I realized it cost almost as much as the original purchase. Crazy thinking on my part.

You’re not wrong on that.

 

[Jputt85]

And why buy a firearm that you have to modify the h$ll out of just to get it to work to your satisfaction when one could have bought a more appropriate gun in the first place. I considered buying an aftermarket grip module for my 4.5 before I realized it cost almost as much as the original purchase. Crazy thinking on my part.

Fair. But dont we usually customize our guns for comfort and performance to a certain degree? Better sights, lasers, scopes, suppressors, muzzle brakes, etc.? Things that improve on the overall quality of a weapon. I see it as an extension of that practice. That also could have been what SA was going for with the Echelon by designing a highly modular weapon. Give the customer a base model to work from and let them expand on it to work toward their ideal weapon. Its a solid weapon that can readily be improved upon with a willingness to invest in it.

 

[Jsimon78]

Fair. But dont we usually customize our guns for comfort and performance to a certain degree? Better sights, lasers, scopes, suppressors, muzzle brakes, etc.? Things that improve on the overall quality of a weapon. I see it as an extension of that practice.

It all depends on what it is. For me I put very few things onto a firearm otherwise it’s all stock.

 

[Belt Fed]

The aftermarket modules for the Echelon is way overpriced IMO.