Should I Customize My Echelon?

By Andy Grossman

Posted in
#Guns

It isn’t easy to improve something that is near perfect. But, we gun guys certainly love to customize our firearms, don’t we?

When I first got my hands on the Springfield Echelon, I was very impressed. I honestly couldn’t really find anything that needed to immediately be upgraded because the whole system just worked well and felt great in my hands.

While the Springfield Armory Echelon doesn’t require upgrades, customizing the gun to your individual tastes can make a lot of sense — and be a lot of fun.

Although the stock trigger is quite good, I initially toyed with the idea of swapping it out with an aftermarket one (remember, we like to customize!). However, I soon realized that the Echelon uses a Central Operating Group that can be dropped into a new grip module in just a few minutes.

The Mods

While perusing the grip module options on the Springfield Armory Store, I spotted the Sharps Bros. aluminum grip module. The Sharps Bros. grip module for the Springfield Echelon is a direct replacement of the Springfield Echelon grip modules. It is machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum and offered in three configurations at the time of writing this review.

customizing Echelon with Sharp Bros grip module — There is a range of products available to customize the 9mm Echelon pistol. Customizations include a grip module, trigger and magazine base plates.

There is one with a black-anodized finish with Brazilian Cherry grips, a black-anodized model with black-anodized aluminum grips, and a Midnight Bronze Cerakote finished one with black-anodized aluminum grips. All of the modules are the same other than color and grips, so we are going to stick to talking about the one I got with Brazilian Cherry Grip panels.

The Sharps aluminum grip module features a steeper grip angle than the OEM Echelon, while offering more pronounced ergonomic curves throughout. A standard factory Echelon grip angle is about 18°, while the Sharps grip angle is about 13°. Up front, you’ll find a built-in M1913 Picatinny three-slot accessory rail and some nice “gas pedals” on either side for both right- and left-hand shooters.

magwell for Springfield Echelon — The Sharp Bros. Magazine Funnel can help to improve the speed of your reloads — especially when under pressure.

The grip is designed to work with either 4.5F full size or 4.0C compact versions of the Echelon. By adding the Sharps Bros. optional Magazine Funnel, you get a flared magwell that the 17 and 21 round magazines will still sit flush with. Without the funnel, the module seats Springfield’s compact 15-round mags flush, giving a more compact grip feel.

The grip module from Sharps Bros. weighs around eight ounces, while the stock polymer grip weighs about four ounces. The added weight balanced the gun well, and it feels really good in the hand. The wood panels feature a lightly checkered texture, while the grip module itself has some shallow checkering on the front and back strap. The same checkered stippling is also found on the small gas pedals. That slight stippling offers just enough grip when shooting the Echelon, while the added weight helps reduce felt recoil.

recoil reduction on Springfield Echelon — The author believed the heavier grip module reduced felt recoil while shooting the Springfield Echelon.

The grip also has a deep beavertail on the back and an aggressive undercut at the base of the triggerguard. The combination of the two cuts just sucks your dominate hand into the perfect position every time you grab the gun, making for easy draw with fast target acquisitions and no fumbling to get your grip right no matter what condition you might find yourself shooting in.

Installing the grip module is very simple to do yourself, but if you are unfamiliar with working on handguns I always recommend taking it to a certified gunsmith for safe installation.

trigger Echelon upgrade — The Tyrant CNC trigger shown here in red is also available in black, blue, gold or grey. The center safety paddle can be had in black or gold.

The Echelon’s Central Operating Group is the actual serialized part and classified as the firearm, so there is no need for new paperwork when installing the Sharps Bros. grip module. Removing the takedown lever and punching out one pin is all you need to do to remove the Central Operating Group unit from the polymer grip module. The pin removes your magazine release so you can re-install it in the new grip module.

In my case, I installed a new red aluminum anodized magazine button from NDZ Performance to match the NDZ base pads and extensions I added to the magazines. I also installed a new I.T.T.S. trigger from Tyrant CNC while I had the Central Operating Group out of the module.

The result was worth it in not only the looks department, but also the handling and performance of the gun for me. The trigger shoe has virtually no take up and it gives you a very crisp break with a short reset. It really built on the strengths of the factory trigger.

I also added a red anodized back plate to match all the other red parts. NDZ Performance makes it very easy to accessories your gun with a pop of color with all these small parts. Swapping out polymer parts for metal parts is always a good thing in my opinion as well.

Hands-On

Shooting the Echelon with the Sharps Bros. Grip Module was incredible. The gun just feels right, which is crazy to say because the stock Echelon felt incredible as well.

customizing the Springfield Armory Echelon — Personalizing the Springfield Armory Echelon with customizations can increase your enjoyment of the shooting sports.

The Sharps Bros. Module not only looks incredible but enhances the performance as well giving the gun a custom look and feel without changing functional reliability or any moving parts. The addition of the Tyrant and NDZ parts further added to the appeal.

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