{"id":408399,"date":"2023-09-08T17:00:09","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T22:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=408399"},"modified":"2026-01-12T10:34:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T16:34:10","slug":"the-springfield-echelon-vs-the-sig-p320","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/the-springfield-echelon-vs-the-sig-p320\/","title":{"rendered":"The Springfield Echelon vs the SIG P320"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Springfield Echelon has been released to mostly rave reviews. Even the reviews that aren’t raving consider it to be a pretty good pistol. It’s certainly an improvement over the Springfield XD lineup. The Echelon is an interesting design and has sparked numerous comparisons to the SIG P320.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why are the two guns getting these comparisons? It all comes down to the removable chassis system. SIG calls it the Fire Control Unit or FCU. Springfield calls it the Central Operating Group or COG. This simply means the serialized portion of the firearm can be removed from the frame. Shooters can remove the operating group and theoretically switch between frame sizes, slide lengths, and even calibers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The COG and FCU systems are slowly becoming standard, and this evolution of handguns makes them much more customizable. It also makes the Echelon and P320 competing designs. Since I have both on hand, I figured, why don’t we take both for a spin and see how they handle in comparison to each other?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Echelon vs. Sig P320: Breaking Down the Features<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both of these guns are pretty standard for striker-fired, polymer frame pistols. They use double stack magazines, both chamber 9mm, and have a fairly similar manual of arms, but there are some slight differences worth noting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Controls<\/h3>\n

The Echelon’s slide lock and magazine release are completely ambidextrous, and that’s always a nice touch. Most ambi magazine releases are quite stiff, but Echelon’s ambi magazine release is nice and smooth. Various models of the P320 utilize an ambidextrous slide stop, but the magazine release is only reversible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both use a dinky slide stop that just invites your thumbs to rest on it \u2014 at least my thumbs, anyway. With both guns, my thumbs sit on the slide lock and prevent it from actually locking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"p320
Both of these guns represent the modern, modular handgun.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the Echelon, we have a flat-faced trigger design with a trigger dingus to act as a safety. The SIG lacks the trigger safety and comes in both curved and straight trigger designs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grips<\/h3>\n

The SIG P320 has a few different options for grip texture that vary between the X Series, the AXG, and the Legion design. The Echelon uses the same adaptive grip texture present on the Hellcat. It’s quite nice. Either works fine, and one doesn’t necessarily stand out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If I had to pick one grip, I like the Echelon when it comes to stock grip designs. I will say the expensive AXG metal grip is very nice from SIG, and I like the Mirzon grip module for the P320 more than both stock options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Magazines<\/h3>\n

In terms of magazines, the <\/span>SIG P320<\/span><\/a> has 17, 21, and even 32-rounders. The<\/span> Springfield Echelon<\/span><\/a> has 17 rounders (currently), but the gun comes with two +3 extensions to bring it to 20 rounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Optics Ready<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Echelon model comes optics-ready, as do several SIG models. It’s fair to say both are optics-ready. The P320 uses one of two cuts. The older SIGs use a <\/span>Leupold DPP footprint<\/span>. The newer models use the SIG PRO footprint which works with optics like the SIG ROMEO1PRO<\/a> and <\/span>ROMEO2<\/span><\/a> series, as well as RMR footprints with a sealing plate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sight
The Echelon comes with suppressor-height sights.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Echelon uses a rather revolutionary system. The slide is cut for a wide variety of optics, and when you remove the cover plate, you are met with a mess of holes. The Echelon comes with several pins. These pins are removable recoil bosses that can be inserted to work with multiple types of optics. Springfield calls this the VIS system, and it allows you to mount optics from Trijicon<\/a>, Eotech<\/a>, Shield, Leupold, SIG, Bushnell<\/a>, and many more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, each model of the Echelon comes with sights capable of co-witnessing with the optic. These sights provide a lower 1\/3rd co-witness through the optic. This is a very nice touch. Since everyone is rocking optics these days, why wouldn’t they just include the sights to use them?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall I think the Echelon’s system of being optics-ready is better. It fits more optics, doesn’t require plates, and even comes with suppressor height sights!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"p320
The P320 and Echelon are direct competitors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Models Game<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One thing the P320 has in spades is various models and seemingly dozens of different designs. Models with integrated compensators, metal grip modules, and various custom shop options. The gun has been around for almost a decade at this point, and its roots have certainly sunk in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"p320
The P320 started the modular frame revolution, and it has the benefit of almost 10 years of aftermarket support.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Echelon is brand new, with a few different frame sizes that allow for different hand sizes. There is a threaded barrel model and a standard, but for now, that’s it. We’ve seen Springfield grow the Hellcat lineup, and that lineup didn’t include the COG modularity of the Echelon, so it seems likely the Echelon will have some customization and upgraded frames.\u00a0<\/span>
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