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Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha handguns - Now with an Echelon PRO!

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https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/1550027025

October 13, 2026, 09:14 AM
RogueJSK
Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha handguns - Now with an Echelon PRO!
quote:
Echelon®
Central Operating Group®
Variable Interface System®
LightForged™
Springfield Grey Cerakote®


Geez™, Springfield® sure went overboard® with the trademarks™.
October 13, 2026, 10:51 AM
egregore


I'm not sure what to make of that grip texturing. Is it supposed to evoke snake or shark skins? And ...



I see no indication that the frame is metal.
October 13, 2026, 11:20 AM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
I see no indication that the frame is metal.


It's not metal. It's polymer.

"Lightforged™®©" is just the typical over-the-top SAI marketing speak for it having laser-etched grip texture on the plastic frame.

quote:
Is it supposed to evoke snake or shark skins?


This "Badlands" texture is supposed to evoke parched, cracked earth. Like in a dry riverbed.


October 13, 2026, 01:57 PM
MacGyver
Long ago, I had the original IM Metal HS2000 (i.e. before the Croatian company changed its name to HS Produkt and before they entered into the branding/import arrangement with Springfield Armory for the US market). It was an excellent pistol, despite a couple of (largely subjective) things not being to my taste. As silly as it may sound, the marketing gimmickry after Springfield Armory entered the picture (though the partnership was a truly great business idea overall) killed most of my interest.

I think HS Produkt makes terrific product in any case, but SA’s marketing has always been corny, and has only gotten worse. They’re certainly not alone in that though…

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MacGyver,
October 13, 2026, 04:05 PM
cslinger
quote:
I had the original IM Metal HS2000


I did as well. One of the best values in a handgun I’ve ever had.


Take Care, Shoot Safe,
Chris
October 13, 2026, 10:06 PM
heydrich
There used to be a guy (VCD Grips) who made this grip design for the 1911.
I found the design and feel of his grips amazing!
Maybe, one day, Springfield will sell just the grip module.
I’d be all over that!


“I'm fat because every time I do your girlfriend, she gives me a cookie”.

Is committed to helping to responsibly increase carbon emissions.
October 13, 2026, 10:14 PM
parabellum
SA, Inc's marketing lingo is primo bullshit- Grade A manure, in a class by itself. Spread some of that on your vegetable garden and you could grow tomatoes the size of basketballs and zucchini you would need a backhoe to lift.

Too bad the products they hype with that stuff are often found lacking.
October 14, 2026, 02:57 AM
MacGyver
^^^I don't think anything will ever top "Grip Zone", but I think "LightForged" comes close.
October 14, 2026, 01:46 PM
JonDaddy82
Bottom line, it's what the market is asking for. Comp'd, optics ready, FCG, stendo mags, etc. When I'm shooting PCSL matches on the weekends this kind of setup is what everyone is walking around with on their warbelts.


IDPA ESP SS
October 15, 2026, 11:42 AM
parabellum
Yes, but they should really lay off the big heaping helping of fertilizer.
October 16, 2026, 06:51 PM
Black92LX
I shot a standard Echelon compact a couple weeks ago and it was a fine shooting pistol.

Nothing over the top but not bad for the price.

I need to buy a Croatian gun as I would like to have a gun manufactured in every country I have been to, that actually manufactures and imports guns to the US.

May grab me one. I’ll probably spring for a compensated model.


————————————————
The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad.
If we got each other, and that's all we have.
I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand.
You should know I'll be there for you!
October 16, 2026, 07:12 PM
egregore
The writer(s) as children (probably):



quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
Yes, but they should really lay off the big heaping helping of fertilizer.

Exactly. That's my beef, not with the guns themselves.
October 17, 2026, 03:01 PM
djpaintles
The HS series of pistols from Springfield Armory are generally excellent pistols. They are too good to be saddled with BS Marketing.

In the end buy quality firearms at good prices and ignore marketing.


Remember, this is all supposed to be for fun...................
October 28, 2026, 08:09 PM
Vaftocr
quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
"ecosystem"?

Leave it to SA, Inc Roll Eyes

I hear it’s good for sustainability.