9mm Shootout: XD Mod.3 vs. Echelon 4.0C

By Dan Abraham

Posted in
#Guns

In October 2024, Springfield Armory launched the XD Mod.3 OSP. The internet crowd and shooters alike were astounded that Springfield Armory could produce a pistol with a broad selection of enhanced, user-friendly features — and all at a remarkable price. Springfield improved the classic XD9 with a range of features and priced the pistol at an MSRP of $325. Completely shocking, right?

The Springfield Armory XD Mod.3 (left) and Echelon 4.0C may have similar features, but they are distinctly different handguns.

This makes the 16+1 9mm XD Mod.3 the best-priced handgun in the entire Springfield Armory line of handguns, and also makes it a contender for being the best value-priced gun on the market.

Then What?

In early December 2024, Springfield Armory launched the Echelon 4.0C. Many shooters were hoping for a compact version of the Echelon, and the 4.0C delivered. It gave shooters an incredible opportunity to get the striker-fired Echelon pistol in a smaller size with reduced weight. MSRP starts at $679.

Springfield Armory XD Mod 3 vs Echelon 40 Compact — The Springfield Armory XD Mod.3, shown here, is a highly evolved design with a long history of proven performance.

Concealed carriers were thrilled that Springfield Armory took all of the qualities of the full-size Echelon and scaled it all down with the 4.0C. Loaded with 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition (with 15 rounds in the flush-fit mag and one in the chamber), the Echelon 4.0C weighs just 31.5 ounces. Equipped with a slightly shorter 4” barrel and a shortened grip, the Echelon 4.0C could just about be the ideal EDC pistol.

Better yet, the smaller variant has the same incredible trigger and precise accuracy as its big brother. What’s not to be excited about?

Versus…

Although these handguns are very different in many ways, they do share a few similarities. They are both striker-fired, polymer-framed, compact-sized pistols that are both reliable and accurate. They both have similar 9mm magazine capacities, and both are optics-ready.

testing the guns — Both guns are optics ready, meaning they come from the factory with red dot sights in mind. No retrofitting of guns here. XD Mod.3 shown here.

Additionally, both pistols have smooth and crisp flat-faced triggers along with enhanced grip textures that are ergonomically pleasing. Each pistol has user-friendly controls and a straightforward disassembly process.

All of these similarities are features worthy of a great handgun. However, there is more to say about what makes these handguns different.

Let’s Talk About Mags

The Springfield Echelon Compact ships with one 15- and one 18-round magazine. By comparison, the XD Mod.3 ships with one 16-round magazine. Additional mags can be purchased at the Springfield store for just $30.99. Since the XD Mod.3 uses the same magazines as the existing XD 9mm pistol, you have complete compatibility with those already on the market — or already in your gun safe.

Springfield Armory XD and Echelon magazines — Although the affordably priced XD Mod.3 (left) ships with just one magazine, it is compatible with all existing XD and commonly available 9mm mags.

Out of the case I give the advantage to the Echelon 4.0C for shipping with two magazines. However, it is a more expensive pistol. The XD Mod.3 is designed to offer a lot of gun for the money, and it coming with one magazine is part of that approach. However, if you have a supply of XD 9mm magazines already, the Mod.3 might be the better choice in this category of comparison.

Get a Grip

The XD Mod.3 changed the grip texturing from the original XD line of pistols. It is highly upgraded with the changed grip texture and ergonomics. I find it very user-friendly.

Adaptive Grip Texture on Echelon — The impressive Adaptive Grip Texture is standard on the Echelon line of pistols. This texture really locks the gun into your hand regardless of the weather conditions.

The Echelon 4.0C has Adaptive Grip Texturing that is also seen on the “big brother” Echelon and the Hellcat pistols. The way the hand feels with the Adaptive Grip Texture stands out from the crowd. The texture surrounds the entire grip, offering sweaty or wet hands a solid grip on the pistol.

I will add a checkmark in favor of the Echelon 4.0C due to the ergonomic-friendly Adaptive Grip Texture.

The XD Mod.3 has a grip safety that is consistent with the XD/XD-M line of pistols. A grip safety forces a high grip on the pistols, which is advantageous to the shooter. However, I do not view it as a superior feature compared to the Echelon 4.0C. It basically comes down to the shooter’s preference.

Modularity

Springfield Armory did not stop with just the Adaptive Grip Texture. The designers also made the Echelon 4.0C modular. They have a Central Operating Group that allows the chassis — the BATFE-designated serialized part — to be removed and placed into another grip module.

Echelon Central Operating Group — The Echelon’s Central Operating Group allows the owner to swap out pistol grip modules to get the right fit and preferred color.

Springfield Armory has a variety of different-sized and -colored frames from which to choose. Each grip module also has three different-sized backstraps to custom-fit the shooter’s hand size. It doesn’t matter if the shooter has large or small hands, Springfield Armory has it covered. The modularity of the gun is a huge advantage.

In this case, the advantage goes to the more expensive Echelon.

For the Lefties

Here is a bonus for left-handed shooters. Both the XD Mod.3 and the Echelon 4.0C have ambidextrous magazine releases. The Echelon 4.0C takes things a step further with an ambidextrous slide stop, which makes it completely left-hand friendly. This is an additional check in the Echelon’s column.

slide serrations on XD Mod 3 — The slides of both guns are aggressively textured to improve your ability to manipulate them easily.

Both semi-automatic pistols have deeply cut slide serrations. The Echelon 4.0C has an innovative trench cut to increase your hand’s purchase during slide manipulation. Its forward serrations make press checks a breeze.

The XD Mod.3 improved the serrations, which have been extended across the majority of the slide. Both pistols make it simple to charge a round, press check, or grip with sweaty wet hands. I give the slide serrations a draw because both pistols have excellent slide serrations.

Give It to Me Flat

Flat triggers are in fashion in today’s gun world. It’s easy to understand why: shooters love a flat trigger that breaks at the precise moment. Recognizing this, Springfield Armory upgraded the XD Mod.3 with a flat trigger that has a smooth take-up and crisp break.

flat trigger for improved accuracy — Many shooters prefer flat triggers, advising they offer improved performance and accuracy on the range.

The Echelon 4.0C has a trigger that is worth writing home about. The trigger is flat and smooth with a crisp break and an extremely short reset. I consider the Echelon trigger action the finest of any striker-fired pistol in today’s market.

While I truly appreciate the improved trigger on the XD Mod.3, neither it nor any other striker-fired pistol can beat the trigger action of the Springfield Armory Echelon in my opinion. Advantage: Echelon.

Is It Time to Lose Weight?

Springfield Armory launched the Echelon 4.0C to give EDC carriers a smaller pistol while affording them all the great attributes that the full-size Echelon offers.

weight of pistols — Both guns are suitable for concealed carry and are reasonable in weight. The Echelon, however, holds an advantage.

The XD line of pistols has several models that are ideal for everyday carry. The weight of a handgun can be the difference between someone carrying their gun or leaving it at home.

What am I getting at? The XD Mod.3 with an optic weighs 29.28 ounces unloaded. The Echelon 4.0 Compact with an optic weighs just 25.19 ounces unloaded. That’s a difference of four ounces.

You may say that four ounces isn’t much, but when you insert a loaded magazine, all of a sudden, that four ounces makes a big difference. The lighter weight favors the Echelon 4.0C for carry. That makes another mark in the win column.

An Optical Illusion?

Springfield launched the Echelon with the patent-pending Variable Interface System, which is extremely innovative. This optic system has pins that can be placed in the holes cut into the slide to direct-mount the user’s preferred reflex optic — more than 30 types at current count. I would argue that it is much more than that, given that each optic footprint has many optics that will work. Springfield’s Variable Interface System is why I believe they lead the industry with forethought and innovation.

optics options — Red dot sights are simple to add to both guns. The XD Mod.3 uses tried-and-true mounting plates. The Echelon uses a patent-pending system that allows for a direct mounting of the optic to the slide.

The XD Mod.3 uses a plate optic system. And Springfield is selling the XD optic plates for just $25. That is a crazy low price. As for the plate itself, it’s heavy-duty steel, and the fit is perfect. Although the XD has a very cool and discounted optic plate system, the win goes to the Echelon due to the Variable Interface System, which takes second place to nothing.

Price, Cost, Expense?

Clearly, the Echelon is the technical “winner” when you look at each of the categories I covered. The Echelon represents today’s best cutting-edge technology from Springfield Armory, but the pistol also has a higher price than its competitor.

going head to head — If price is a concern, the XD Mod.3 delivers the best value on the pistol market today. It is reliable, loaded with features, and offered at an unbelievable price.

Now it’s time to give the XD Mod.3 its due. The XD Mod.3 has a suggested retail price of just $325, and as noted, that is a crazy low price for such a reliable, accurate and beautiful pistol.

I have seen the XD Mod.3 priced in the upper $200’s at my local gun stores. This is like the pistol prices we saw in the mid 80’s — only with more features and better reliability. When people ask me what handgun they should get as their first pistol, without hesitation, I tell them to get the Springfield Armory XD Mod.3.

The Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0 Compact’s MSRP is $679. The difference with the MSRP is $354. Is the Echelon 4.0C worth the additional cost? Absolutely! However, in the price category, the Mod.3 gets the win.

Conclusion

Both Springfield Armory pistols featured have their own personality and style. They are each incredible in their own ways. If I had to choose only one, I would go with the Echelon 4.0C. I strongly feel the additional cost is money well spent.

Nevertheless, I have a warm place in my heart for the Springfield XD line of pistols. I have been shooting them for years, and the Mod.3 continues the line’s legacy with even more features at an unbelievable price.

So, now it’s time for you to decide. Which one is the right one for you?

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