Firearm: Springfield Armory Echelon Compact: MSRP: $719)
Springfield Armory recently released the pistol we’ve chosen for today’s kit, the Echelon Compact, to a chorus of voices wondering why the company didn’t offer this version first, rather than the full-size Echelon released in 2023. The answer is quite simple: Springfield Armory wanted the full-size Echelon available first to fill a duty-pistol-size hole in its lineup. Sure, several of the XD models were of sufficient size for duty purposes, but Springfield Armory wanted an all-new gun to present to law enforcement officials. Once the full-size offering took off, Springfield immediately turned its attention to the concealed-carry market with today’s gun, the Echelon Compact.
Designed to be similar in size to other compact pistols, the Echelon Compact has some familiar dimensions: barrel length is 4 inches, overall length is 7.25 inches, height is 5.125 inches and weight is 24 ounces with an empty magazine. Speaking of magazines, two come with the pistol, a flush-fit 15-round mag and a slightly extended 18-round magazine. Sizewise, this puts the Echelon Compact squarely in the same category as popular pistols like the Glock G19, Smith & Wesson M&P9 Compact, FN 509 Compact and similar handguns. It’s a size that’s not too hard to conceal and is moderately easy to shoot. Add in the modularity of the Echelon grip frame – with different frame sizes and backstraps to fit it to the shooter’s hand – and it’s equally at home on the range as it is in the holster.
Of course, Springfield Armory’s excellent optics-mounting system, the Variable Interface System, is also present on the slide to attach a wide variety of red-dot sights if desired. This system uses two sets of screw holes drilled into the slide and a variety of removable pins to match the footprint of more than two dozen different models of powered optics. Since there are no plates or shims needed, optics sit as low as possible on the slide and allow co-witnessing with the standard sights. It’s an intuitive setup that allows a wide variety of options while still being relatively simple and is one of the cleverest multi-optic systems I’ve seen.
Need more encouragement to check out the Echelon Compact? How about a completely ambidextrous set up, where the magazine release works for both right- and left-handed shooters without needing to take anything apart? Also mirrored on both sides of the pistol are the slide-release levers, and texturing for the either the support hand thumb or the trigger finger when not shooting is duplicated on both sides. Add in the Central Operating Group that is the serialized component, and you can swap out various grip-frame sizes for an even more precise fit. There are plenty of reasons to give this Compact a try.
Holster: Safariland IncogX (MSRP: $92.50)
To carry the new Echelon Compact, we’ve opted for Safariland’s excellent IncogX holster carried in the appendix position. Designed with input from Travis Haley of Haley Strategic Partners, the IncogX is purpose-built for concealed carry with a microfiber-suede-wrapped Boltaron body, polymer belt clips, strut shims to aid in concealment and a generous sight channel to accommodate taller front sights.
The IncogX is also quite modular: it’s constructed to facilitate carry in both the appendix position as well as in the standard 4 o’clock strong-side location. The belt clips allow the holster to be covered by a tucked shirt for deep concealment and there’s an optional magazine carrier that can be attached to the rig, sidecar-style if so desired. There are even models to accommodate mounted lights. There’s a lot of utility in the IncogX, making it a great match for the Echelon Compact.
Accessory: Nightstick USB Rechargeable EDC Flashlight (MSRP: $79.92)
Rounding out today’s kit is another piece of eminently useful gear, the Nightstick USB Rechargeable flashlight. With 320 lumens available at the push of the tailcap button, the USB-320 has a run time of 1.5 hours, an overall length of 4.5 inches and a weight of only 3 ounces. It’s a supremely useful piece of kit that won’t take up a lot of space or add extra heft to your daily gear, yet offers plenty of light in either a momentary-on or constant-on capability.
Best of all, it follows one of the better recent trends in handheld flashlights: it recharges via a USB-C charging cable, which comes included with the light. While it does mean that once the light runs out of charge, it will take some time to get it up and running, the upside is there’s no need to search for batteries of any type or worry about bringing spares along wherever you might be. The aluminum housing is also IPX7 rated for water- and impact-resistance.
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