Glock 17 vs Springfield Echelon: Veteran vs Rookie

Springfield Armory has recently released its new Echelon series pistol. The Echelon is a full-sized, duty-style handgun that is entering the very crowded market of a polymer frame, striker-fired pistols. Currently, the king of that market is the Glock 17. The Glock 17 wasn’t the first polymer frame, striker-fired pistol, but it was the first successful one. With that in mind, it seemed only right for the Glock 17 vs Springfield Echelon. 

They have a ton in common. As mentioned, they are 9mm, striker-fired, polymer-frame handguns. Both are duty-sized guns with all the modern features you can throw on handguns. Rails, optics-ready configurations, threaded barrel designs, and more. The Echelon and Glock 17 feature modern capacities and would both be at home in the hands of military and police forces. Glock built the bridge for Echelon to cross, but does that make one or the other superior? 

Spec Comparison – Glock 17 vs Springfield Echelon

The Glock 17

Gaston Glocks invented his first gun, the Glock 17, to arm the Austrian Army. Gaston had no experience with firearms. However, he was fairly skilled with polymer construction of items and was already supplying the Army with various items. He assembled a team of European firearms enthusiasts and experts, and the Glock 17 was born. Since then, the Glock has gone through five generations of design and has armed countless soldiers, police officers, and citizen defenders. 

Models and Variations of the Glock 17

The Glock 17 is available in the Gen 3, 4 and 5. Both the Gen 4 and 5 are available with the MOS option. Glock also makes a long slide version of the Glock 17, the Glock 17L. This is not to be confused with the Glock 34. The Glock 17L has a longer barrel than the 34.

Springfield Echelon

Springfield Armory imports the Echelon from the Croatian company HS Produkt. Springfield Armory and HS Produkt have worked on several firearm projects and have developed many platforms together. The Echelon’s construction came from the minds at HS Produkt, as well as industry experts like Rob Leatham, aka the Great One, to develop the pistol. The Echelon has made a huge splash recently and seems to be the most promising design out of the Springfield Armory catalog. 

Models and Variations of the Springfield Echelon

The Echelon is available in four different models. They offer the standard Echelon with a U dot sight system along with a low capacity version of this same model. In addition, they offer the Echelon with upgraded 3 Dot tritium sights with a standard barrel and with an extended threaded barrel.

Glock 17 vs. Springfield Echelon Comparison

With introductions out of the way, let’s dive into seeing where the two guns differ and where they converge. We’ll go category by category to determine which gun might be better for you. 

Reliability

In terms of reliability, the Glock series changed the game. They single-handedly raised the expectations for the reliability of a service handgun. Glock has always been a champ in terms of reliability. I’ve owned several Glocks, including multiple generations of the Glock 17. I’ve yet to have an issue in terms of reliability with my Glock 17s. They run like absolute champs, and they do so when they are filthy, dirty, and full of sand and mud. If the film U.S. Marshals is to be believed, they can even be fired underwater, which is likely true for any gun….at least once. 

With that said, in my testing, the Echelon has performed flawlessly. It’s a very capable weapon without any reliability issues. In Ryan’s review of the Echelon, he found the same to be true. The reason Glock edges out the Echelon is because it has been around for a very long time and has proven itself in the worst conditions possible. The Echelon simply hasn’t been around the block enough to gain the same reputation and success. 

Accuracy

When it comes to shooting handguns, the accuracy of the gun is really determined by the shooter. A good shooter will shoot most guns accurately. Modern manufacturing has made it so most guns are going to be perfectly adequate in the accuracy department. Luckily for use, it seems pretty tough to make a gun that’s not accurate these days, especially a handgun. 

Both the Echelon and the Glock are full-sized handguns, and their accuracy is basically equal. Are there some slight differences in trigger pulls and sights? Sure, but they are really minor differences that are often blown up by the internet at large. A good shooter will have no problems shooting either weapon accurately. 

Ergonomics

While they might tie in the accuracy department, the Echelon clearly pulls ahead at ergonomics. Glock is really stuck on their block-like grip on top of their difficult-to-press magazine release, dinky slide releases, and two generations of finger grooves. Admittedly, the Gen 5 did wonders to improve Glock ergonomics.

However, at first grip the Echelon is the better gun. It’s thinner in the grip and feels much better in the hand. The trigger guard has a nice undercut, and the rear of the grip has an overhang. You can get a nice, very high grip on the Echelon. Outside of the Gen 5, the Glock series has always come with a bit of slide bite for me. That’s not an issue with the Echelon at all. 

The Glock trigger is okay, but if you’ve ever fired one for an extended period, you’ll know how it rubs on your finger. That doesn’t occur with the Echelon. We also get an ambidextrous magazine release and slide lock. I do think the slide lock is dinky, and it’s really trying to tie Glock for tiny slide locks. 

One feature that’s neat and often overlooked with the Echelon is the rear wings. I don’t know what else to call them. At the rear of the slide sits scalloped areas that make it very easy to rack the gun regardless of the condition of your hands, the presence of optics, and beyond. 

Shootability

Duty-sized guns that weigh nearly the same that fire the same cartridge both tend to be low-recoiling, easy-to-control weapons. The Glock 17 and the Echelon are both easy to fire and keep on target. You’ll notice minimal muzzle rise, and your sights will find their way quickly back on target. I can easily fire both guns with a single hand, and they are well-suited for competition, training, duty, and defense. 

Value

The Glock series is slightly cheaper than the Echelon. You can get a Glock Gen 4 for a great price, often less than six hundred for the MOS model. The Glock Gen 5 is nearly tied with the Echelon. While the Echelon isn’t the most expensive gun, it’s a hair more expensive than most of the Glock series. Even if it was cheaper, the Glock series would still pull ahead. 

One of the big reasons why the Glock is more affordable is that the magazines for it are so much cheaper and easier to find. Additionally, finding replacement parts isn’t only easier but cheaper. The Glock series has been around for decades, and that also means you’ll be able to find budget-ready holsters, sights, and accessories. Glocks are simply cheaper and offer a better value to the end user.

Modularity

I keep saying that Glock wins because it’s been around for decades, and that’s true. That has helped the Glock really pull ahead and maintain its dominance. That’s true here. There are so many Glock accessories you could assemble a Glock without any parts actually made by Glock. You can swap triggers, sights, magazines, magazine releases, add mag wells and threaded barrels, and hell, you can turn a Glock into a rifle! 

Glock dominates the aftermarket. The gun is very simple, which makes it easy to work on and to add parts, pieces, and various upgrades. At this moment, the Glock is the more modular platform. 

The Echelon has a lot of potential to become more modular. The Echelon uses an internal chassis system that’s removable and is the serialized portion of the gun. What this means is the COG, as they call it, can be removed and swapped to various grips. Springfield Armory makes several sized grips. Moreso than that, there is the potential for various upgrades in the future to swap calibers, slides, and more. 

While the potential is there, and the Echelon is modular, it hasn’t reached the crazy level of Glock modularity. 

Optic Ready – Echelon 

Optics readiness isn’t a category we usually judge, but both the Echelon and Glock MOS systems offer a multi-mount design to accommodate multiple optics. The optics industry can’t agree on a single footprint for pistol-sized optics, so we have to have multiple options to fit all these optics. 

Glock uses a plate system that is pretty revolutionary and mostly useable. It allowed you to mount whatever optic with a system of four plates, and additional plates have been produced since then. The main problem was that the early Glock plates weren’t always reliable, leading to an aftermarket of plates that were better. Plates also ensure you have to stack tolerances, which can lead to reliability issues. 

One of the Echelon’s standout features is the ability to add optics without plates. They call it the VIS or variable interface system. This allows you to add various pins to the top of the slide to accommodate various optics. No slide plates are required, so no tolerance stacking. The optic sits lower as well. I will also say The Echelon comes stock standard with suppressor height iron sights to allow for co-witnessing. This is a significant feature to include stock on the gun. 

The downside to the Echelon is that, currently, there is only a little support for an enclosed optic. I believe only modular optics like the SIG ROMEO2 and Burris Fastfire 4, and the wisely designed Holosun EPS will work. It also seems like the RCR from Trijicon will work, but I need help to test that theory to verify. 

Glock 17 vs Springfield Echelon – Our Grades

And the Winner Is?

At this point, you have to ask yourself. Do you want to go with what’s already very proven, modular, and easy to accessorize, but stay stuck somewhat in the past? Or would you move forward with a platform that’s stepped a bit into the future? That’s the question you have to ask yourself. Let us know below which gun you’d prefer. 

For now, I am saying the Glock 17 is the winner. However, time will tell if the Echelon pulls ahead as the aftermarket builds and years of in the field testing is done. Don’t forget to check out our best 9mm pistols article to see more of our favorite handguns and jump over to our complete Glock 17 review to learn even more about today’s winner.

Upgrades and Accessories for your Glock 17 or Springfield Echelon

The optics and weapon light suggestions are shared for both the Glock and Echelon. We also think you will want to stock up on both flush and extended magazines.

Upgrades and Accessories

Magazine Glock, 17 Round Factory Magazine		17 round capacity 9mm Polymer covered steel	Check Price
Extended Capacity Magazine Glock, 24 Round Factory Magazine		24 round capacity 9mm Polymer covered steel	Check Price
Magazine Springfield Echelon 17 Round Magazine		Factory magazine Steel body 17 round capacity	Check Price
Extended Capacity Magazine Springfield Echelon 20 Round Magazine		Factory magazine Steel body 20 round capacity	Check Price
Weapon Light – Budget Streamlight TLR-1 HL		1,000 Lumens Mounts to Glock style and Picatinny rails	Buy on Amazon
Weapon Light SureFire X300		1,000 Lumens Waterproof	Buy on Amazon
Red Dot Trijicon RMR Type 2		6.5 MOA dot 8 brightness settings Impact resistant housing	Buy on Amazon
Red Dot Aimpoint Acro P2		3.5 MOA red dot Enclosed emitter design	Check Price

Important Links and Videos

Here are some links to the Glock and Springfield Armory website for each model discussed today and the owners manuals.

• G17 by Glock
• Glock Owners Manuals
• Echelon by Springfield Armory
• Springfield Armory Echelon Operation & Safety Manual

Here is a video how to care for you Glock pistol.

Here is a video on how to care for your Springfield Echelon, including one on making sure your magazine is assembled properly.