The parts were provided to the author for the purposes of this review.
Something piqued my curiosity.
Located right next to the main range was the Practical Pistol ranges.
Springer Precision offers an incredible range of high-quality upgrades for the Springfield Armory Echelon.
This handcrafted beauty was chambered in 9x21mm, popular at the time for USPSA Open Division.
Laying the Groundwork
But what exactly is Open Division?
Modifications can include optics, compensators, magazine wells, heavier guide rods, basepads and more.
The author worked with Springer Precision to create a custom competition Echelon 9mm handgun.
Fortunately, there is.
In my humble opinion, the best new pistol of 2023 was the Springfield Armory Echelon.
From the day I took it out of the box, I was immediately drawn to it.
The Springer Precision basepads are available in two sizes, including these 140mm extensions.
But what if I wanted to be fully race ready with the Echelon?
Fortunately for us there is Scott Springer, the genius behind Springer Precision.
Springer Precision is a leading aftermarket designer and manufacturer of parts and mods for Springfield pistols.
Guide rods are available from Springer Precision for the Echelon. They are designed to work with ISMI recoil springs with rates of 14 to 22 lbs.
Basepads
For my own Echelon, the first parts Scott sent me were basepads.
Scott had created a couple of designs exclusively designed for the Echelon magazine.
The basepads were initially manufactured in two models.
The Carry/Duty Magwell for Echelon works with the Springfield Armory 20-round magazine extension as well as the basepad and magazine extensions from Springer Precision.
This magazine requires the purchase of the custom Springer magazine spring to fit the inside dimensions of the basepad.
This extended 140mm basepad allows the shooter to load up to 22 rounds in the magazine.
The Competition basepad is manufactured in both aluminum and brass, which adds extra weight to aid with reloads.
The Springer Precision Shorty Compensator uses 1/2″x28 threads. The manufacturer recommends using it with their guide rod and a 14-lb. spring for maximum reliability with most factory ammo.
Guide Rod
The Echelon ships with a one-piece polymer captured guide rod assembly.
The Springer Guide Rod is available in solid stainless steel.
This is 10 times the weight of the factory guide rod.
The author’s Springfield Echelon is equipped with Springer Precision parts and topped with a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro red dot optic.
Magwell
Magazine wells are one of those must-have features in many pistols to speed up reloads.
The Springer Magwell is manufactured from high-grade aluminum and is available in black, gray and tan.
It attaches to the pistol via a 8-323/8 BHCS Torx screw.
The author found the customized pistol to be completely reliable when using the Springer Precision comp and 14-lb. spring. Muzzle rise was mild.
Compensator
The compensator is one of those often-misunderstood tools in the shooting world.
The compensator works by redirecting the gasses upward to help tame both perceived recoil and muzzle flip.
The compensator is machined from high-grade aluminum and has a matte-black finish that closely matches the slides finish.
The compensator also works with most factory ammo, though Scott recommends a 14-lb.
recoil spring and the Springer Precision Guide Rod for optimal performance.
My Setup
Scott helped me spec a pistol for competition, duty and just plain fun.
The pistol is set up with the compensator, guide rod, 14-lb.
recoil spring, magwell and both basepads.
The results were impressive.
I was also able to move from target to target much faster.
Muzzle flip was practically negligible, regardless of the ammo used.
As expected, the magwell was a breeze to install.
The only setback, for me is that I prefer the small grip frame and the small backstrap.
However, the brass competition basepad is a game changer for me.
I set up one specific magazine as my drop mag for practicing reloads.
When carrying the pistol, I will carry the lighter-weight aluminum basepad.
But for competition I will definitely go for the heavier brass basepad.
It is up on his site now.
Thats how cool this setup was to shoot.
If you do, I think youll find theres no better combination than Springfield Armory and Springer Precision.
