In 2023, Springfield Armory introduced the Echelon to a very receptive market. I personally have had very good results with the pistol myself and have not been disappointed. This pistol has proven to be 100% reliable and fits my hand perfectly. Human engineering is a cut above, with all controls readily accessible, and the sights are easy for my aging eyes to pick up quickly in just about any light condition. If the spirit moves me at some point in time, a red dot optic can be affixed to the Echelon with little fuss.
One of the challenges I faced after receiving my Echelon was finding a suitable holster. Fortunately, there were some very good examples available right from the start. However, I had a special requirement and am left-handed — a formula for trouble in many cases.
Over the last several years, weapon-mounted lights (WMLs) have moved from the exotic category to the commonplace. As these lights have grown smaller and even brighter, it’s hardly unusual to encounter them on everyday carry pistols. I have also taken a shine to the combination units that feature a visible laser aimer along with the white light. To my thinking, the laser/light combo has much to offer, and I have used one on my primary teaching pistol for the last five years. Finding a suitable holster can sometimes be an exercise in futility.
My challenge was that I had a new-to-market pistol and wanted to use it with a Streamlight TLR-8 XG. The fact that I’m a southpaw further muddied the waters. More than one manufacturer gave me the thumbs down, but I wasn’t about to give up the chase. At some point in time, the light in my head went off, and I remembered Falco Holsters and their extensive line of holsters. Might they be able to help my cause?
The Source
I reached out to Falco to see if they could come up with a holster for my Echelon with the Streamlight TLR-8 X G. In no time, a trio of Falco holsters arrived on my doorstep. Falco ships worldwide through FedEx, and the wait time wasn’t much different from the holsters I have ordered from domestic manufacturers. Holsters are also covered by a limited lifetime warranty, and Falco offers a 30-day buyback if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
A Horse of a Different Color
As indicated earlier, I have grown quite fond of the small white light/laser units on a working pistol. Combining an intense white light with ultimate night sight offers a great many advantages and with the right holster, there isn’t much of a downside. The trick of course, is finding such a rig to carry your pistol in. Although combination light/laser units have been readily available for over 25 years, they have never proved as popular as the white-light-only variants. One of the major stumbling blocks has long been a dearth of practical holsters that would accommodate a pistol with a light/laser combo.
The Streamlight TLR-8 X G is a relatively new entry to the market and features a 510-530 nanometer green laser that is visible in a wide range of light conditions. Light output is rated at 500 lumens and 5,000 candela which exceeds that of many larger units and power is supplied by either a CR123A or rechargeable SL-80 battery. This unit weighs a scant 2.64 ounces and is no larger than my thumb.
In the past, finding a concealment holster that accepts a pistol with a light/laser unit was a challenge, to say the least. But Falco turns out a wide range of such holsters that will harbor pistols with just about all the popular weapon mounted lights as well as light/laser units. With that in mind, I turned to Falco for a holster for my Springfield Armory Echelon with a Streamlight TLR08 X G. Let’s take a look.
Inside-the-Waistband Options
Without question, the most discreet way to pack any sort of serious pistol is to utilize an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. Because the slide and barrel are hidden inside the pants, a light covering garment that covers the grip is pretty much all you need to keep under the radar.
Two Falco IWB holsters were sent along for consideration. First up is the A635 Hamilton, a classic design crafted from 7-8-ounce premium Italian leather. It is an open-top design in a traditional pancake configuration and is available in tan, brown, or black. The mouth is reinforced with an additional leather band to facilitate a one-handed return to the holster, which, to me, is an absolute requisite.
The bottom of the A635 is open to allow the use of pistols with threaded barrels and orientation of the holster is straight up with a neutral cant. Narrow polymer clips for a 1.5 inch wide belt allows the user to tuck the shirt in around the holster for even greater discretion. Stitching is first rate and by the looks of it, the A635 Hamilton should hold up for the long haul. If you fancy a red dot optic, the Hamilton can certainly handle it.
The A911 L TalonGuard takes a very different approach. Rendered from both Kydex and leather, this hybrid design has a great deal to offer. The Kydex portion covers the triggerguard and light from both sides, significantly improving both safety and passive retention while the leather component envelopes the slide. The end result is a holster that is comfortable and secure and allows for a fumble-free draw stroke.
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Like the Hamilton, the A911 L has an open bottom that accepts a threaded barrel. The leather portion of the holster features a sweat guard which not only shields the pistol from body moisture but keeps oil off your shirt. A proprietary Falco stainless steel clip secures the A911 L to the belt, and an optional concealment claw is available if you wish to carry the A911L in the appendix position.
The C908 L
All things considered, I prefer an outside-the-waistband (OWB) for everyday carry and this is especially true when I’m teaching. With that in mind, the Falco C908 L looked like just the ticket for my Echelon with the Streamlight TLR-8 X G.
Like the A991 L, the C908 L is a hybrid, neutral cant design crafted from both Kydex and leather. Premium quality Italian leather is combined with U.S. made 0.08 Kydex to create a precisely fit design that is exceptionally fast to draw from. The C908 L features a sweat guard and open muzzle and can accommodate a red dot optic and suppressor height sights. Strong, durable belt clips for either a 2 or 1.5 inch wide belt are available. The leather panel which is up against the body can be had in brown or black.
Final Thoughts
Many shooters here in the U.S. may not be all that familiar with the Falco brand, but I can assure you that quality is every bit as good and in many cases, even better than the established names. They indeed offer custom features at an off-the-rack-price and workmanship is top shelf. Not only do they offer the widest range of holsters, but their 30-day buy back policy and limited lifetime warranty are yet another plus.
I tend to reserve IWB carry for those social settings where staying as low profile as possible is the order of the day. In that situation, the Hamilton A635 would get the call. I’m very particular about IWB rigs, particularly when it comes to comfort and the A635 makes the cut. The A911 L TalonGuard is yet another very solid holster particularly if you factor in appendix inside-the-waistband (AIWB) carry.
I expect that my Echelon pistol will spend most of its time tucked away in the C908 L holster. For either the range or social carry, it meets all of my requirements.
Whether your needs are mainstream or you need something a little bit different, be sure to check out the offerings from Falco. To say the least, I came away very impressed and no matter what your needs, they probably have you covered.
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