TFB Review: Springfield Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm

TFB Review: Springfield Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm - Ported Performance or Simply Compensating?

The Springfield Armory Echelon has been a very well received introduction to a loaded handgun market because of its infusion of everything modern shooters are looking for. Springfield’s proprietary VIS (Variable Interface System) mounting system lets you plug ‘n play with all of your favorite red dots via a “post system” and no adapter plates are required. Couple that with extendos, a good trigger, nice stipple job, and other accouterments and it is all-around a wonderful pistol.

So, how could Springfield look to up the ante on this already popular firearm? Well, 2024 is the Year of Porting for Springfield Armory having already ported their Hellcat Pro and 1911 DS prodigy. So, why not apply that goodness to the Echelon as well. Today, we will take a look at the newly unveiled Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm to see how it performs! Will this handgun be considered ported performance? Or, is it simply compensating? Let’s dive in.

Springfield Armory @ TFB:

• TFB Review: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm
• All Gas, No Brakes! NEW Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp OSP 9mm
• Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm Introduces Porting
• TFB Review: Springfield Armory Garrison 9mm 1911

Specifications - Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm

Springfield uses some new nomenclature that is different from their typical naming conventions with the “4.5F” verbiage. This is a nod to the fact that we are looking at a 4.5” barreled pistol in a full-size frame. The rest is self-explanatory: Echelon Comp 9mm. The full listing of specifications for this pistol can be read below as presented by Springfield Armory:

• Cartridge: 9mm
• Barrel: 4.5" Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10
• Slide: Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish, Optics Ready, Integral Compensator
• Frame: Black Polymer
• Sights: Tritium / Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ Rear
• Recoil System: Captive
• Grip Width: 1.2"
• Magazines: (1) 17-Round, (1) 20-Round
• Weight: 23.9 oz w/ Flush Mag, 24.3 oz w/ Extended Mag
• Length: 8"
• Height: 5.5" w/ Flush Mag | 6.5" w/ Extended Mag
• MSRP: $749

While we are looking at the Echelon Comp 4.5F model today, Springfield Armory actually added 3 new offerings to their portfolio with the announcement of the integrally compensated barrel into the Echelon lineup. Again, for clarity, we are playing with the Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm 17-Round ( EC9459B-U-COMP) and all of these ported Echelons have an MSRP of $749.

• Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm | 15-Round | Part #EC9459B-U-COMP15
• Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm | 10-Round | Part #EC9459BLC-U-COMP
• Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm | 17-Round | Part #EC9459B-U-COMP

A Word from Springfield Armory on the Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm

Springfield is pretty hyped with the announcement of the Echelon Comp line of pistols because of how much the gun community has liked their prior ported offerings in the 1911 DS Prodigy and Hellcat Pro. They had these words to share regarding the new Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm:

"Built around a robust stainless steel chassis, the Echelon™ Comp 9mm handgun features an integral compensator with a single port on the hammer-forged slide and barrel, reducing muzzle rise for faster, more accurate follow-up shots. The revolutionary optics mounting system offers unparalleled adaptability with today's most respected red dot sights, while fully ambidextrous controls and interchangeable backstraps accommodate a broad range of shooters. The Echelon Comp includes both a 17-round and a 20-round magazine for added versatility."

What’s in the Box? - Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm

A very simple yet meaningful question many gun buyers contemplate before purchasing a firearm is, “What’s in the box?” So, this is everything you can expect if you want to jump in on one of these Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm pistols.

• One (1) 17-Round Magazine, One (1) 20-Round Magazine
• One (1) Extended Floorplate (convert 17-Rd mag to a 20-Rd mag)
• VIS Cover Plate & VIS Post System Accessories for Red Dots
• Owner’s Manual
• 3 Interchangeable Grip Panels
• Speedloader
• Nylon Pistol Case
• Cable Lock

What’s the Upsell to the Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm?

If you are looking for a reason to get off the fence on an Echelon Comp or simply looking to define a reason to bag an Echelon in general versus an XYZ competitor, the obvious and biggest selling point to the Echelon Comp 4.5F is going to be the integrally compensated barrel, unsurprisingly. Here’s what Springfield have to say about the Comp:

"The integral compensator featured on the Echelon Comp is discreetly designed with a single port on the top of the hammer-forged slide and barrel. Redirecting gas upwards, it effectively reduces muzzle rise and enhances control. The result is a pistol that delivers faster and more accurate follow-up shots. In addition, the front sight is positioned behind the compensator for an uninterrupted sight picture."

Range Experience - Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm

So, how did this pistol perform at the range?... I have a lot of trigger experience with the Echelon platform as I have competed at a Tactical Games event with one and owned one since their announcement having chugged roughly 3,000 rounds through mine now.

To test this new compensated version of an Echelon, I ran a bunch of Federal Premium’s Gold Medal Action Pistol 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). I’ll gladly give them a shout-out for a minute as this ammo in recent reviews has been reliable, clean, consistent, and given me good energy knocking down steel plates at the range. All good attributes you’d want and expect from your range ammo.

But what about the compensated barrel’s effects? Does it give you all of the secret sauce that you want in a ported barrel? A standard Echelon does not have a lot of recoil because it is a full-size 9mm with a well textured grip. Flatly, it is an easy to shoot pistol. That being said, the Echelon Comp 4.5F shoots even better.

The pistol exhibited even less felt recoil. I could find my red dot even faster - sometimes it never left the window while firing - and the pistol was even more pleasant to shoot. The porting gave me all of the expected, desirable traits you’d want from a ported barrel:

• Less Recoil
• Faster Sight Acquisition after Shots Fired
• Easier to Maintain Good, Strong Dexterity through a full 20 Round Mag
• Flatter Slide Cycling

Final Thoughts - Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm

So, what are my final thoughts on the Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm?... If you don’t currently own an Echelon, it would be a no-brainer to get this ported barrel version. Less recoil, same accuracy, flatter shooting, all the good stuff. If you currently own an Echelon, should you dump your current pistol and bag this one? That’s a toss up. My gun store manager mind says, “Two guns are better than one; own both!” There is only a $70 difference in the retail of a standard and ported model so it really depends if you want your pistol to be as flat shooting as humanly possible. Honestly, I am contemplating purchasing this review pistol so I will then own both. Overall, the Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm did everything I expected it to do. This pistol is a winner.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing The Firearm Blog and myself the opportunity to try out their Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm pistol. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think?

Do you believe that the Springfield Armory Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm pistol is something worth spending your money on? Would you take one with you hunting? Shoot a league or competition? Potentially deploy it for EDC (everyday carry)? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Springfield Armory and the Echelon Comp 4.5F 9mm pistol in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.