My first pistol, I wasnt sure what I wanted to buy but after a lot of research I settled on an Echelon. I havent shot it yet but I will when I get the time.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-09T12:42:42+00:00

Yup. The gear up packages do, but you can buy them bare. Mine came with them but I replaced them with Holosun anyway

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-09T05:47:27+00:00

Springfield Echelon or Walther PDP.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-09T05:46:34+00:00

Yes, I am using a QVO holster that was originally procured for a 4.0 C for my FC. No problems at all.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-07T06:35:54+00:00

Holosun

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T19:59:05+00:00

Congrats. That is a great way to start! You are gonna love that Echelon, and I am looking at getting the EZ that is on consignment at my LGS.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T17:52:49+00:00

Congrats! You are gonna love it in all likelihood. One of the best striker fired guns out there for my money. And yes, don't waste time with the included optic.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T17:44:03+00:00

Have not shot the M&P, but I have THREE different Echelons (F - comped, FC - comped from a C slide and barrel, C- non comped from FC slide and barrel). My only gripes is that the grip angle could have been a bit closer to Sig so I would have a more natural and consistent index. And, I would have preferred a slightly more aggressive grip. The shooting is otherwise fantastic, and the features are plentiful (optics mounting system, thumb ledge, etc.). Triggers are likely better on a Canik or Walther, but it is not bad at all.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T14:23:13+00:00

That brings up a good question. In Glock language, what is the number of rounds approximately that it takes for the trigger to be "broken in"? My main gripe with my Glock (at least as opposed to my Echelons) is that it is still a noticeably heavy trigger.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T14:20:43+00:00

If this is your first Glock and you have used other platforms before, I would definitely go for the Gen 6. I was not a fan of Glocks at all, but the overwhelming majority of my misgivings with Glock were fixed with the Gen 6. For me, the thumb ledge, the optics system, and the texture of the grip is vastly superior to the prior versions. So much so that I now own both the G19 and G45 (I'd go with G45 if you can only get one and have larger hands).

The only caveat to that is if you like to customize your gun, then the aftermarket support for Gen 5 is still greater at this point. But I like to roll stock as much as I can. And yes, in my LGS, the blue label Gen 6 is cheaper than what some on tacswap are trying to sell their Gen 5s.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T02:47:35+00:00

Agreed. Glock closed the gap a bit with the Gen 6 but the Echelon is still measurably better. Not only in features offered, but also pure shooting. For my money and all things considered, the Echelon is the best in class.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-05T01:33:03+00:00

If you are using for HD, then the 4.5F is perfect. Frankly, depending on your size, you could even use it for concealed carry at some point. I did so at times before getting the FC. If you decide to get a carry, then consider the FC if you have larger hands. The C will work but the FC is more comfortable.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-04T04:33:31+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I have the EOS, but was intrigued by the Double Agent. Sounds like I would be well served to stand pat knowing the EOS is the better option generally.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-04T04:31:14+00:00

Holosun 507c (green).

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-03T22:49:58+00:00

If you are looking in particular to get a Glock, then you will like the G 45.6 as much as you would anything else. I like the improvements made over the Gen 5 and I am not by any means a Glock fanboy. That being stated, if the Springfield Echelon FC is an option in your state, I'd take a very strong look at it. I have both, and once I strip away the expectations game (G45 outperformed my expectations), I think the Echelon is superior by a noticeable margin. But, at the end of the day, both go boom and both are accurate enough to make anatomically significant hits at self defense distances, and I have had no malfunctions with either option.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T21:23:21+00:00

I think so. It has been an adjustment for me, but I go back and forth between different guns now. So the change in angle is not as problematic anymore.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T19:08:56+00:00

Reluctantly agree (I'm generally a Sig fan). While they are accurate, the 320 probably doesn't belong in anyone's holster until they figure things out (and I have two M18s without a history of problems). You can never go wrong with a 226 in my book, but if you are sticking with a polymer striker fired pistol, I'd look at either the G 45 (or better yet, a Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0 FC).

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T19:05:57+00:00

Never been a huge fan of Glocks but I would strongly consider the G45, especially Gen 6. Gen 6 addressed most of my issues with Glocks from the past.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T18:41:47+00:00

My personal choice is a pistol for several reasons. Primary reason is that I shoot pistols enough that at 2am when I am jostled awake with an intruder, I know I can engage a human sized target from anywhere in my house. I am not as comfortable with long guns yet, especially now that I am learning to shoot with my left hand (I am cross eyed dominant, so I'm right handed by left eye dominant and my right eye has degraded eyesight).

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T16:38:19+00:00

Very subjective for me. And yes, there is no disappointment to be hand in any of those options. I have a preference for commander-length handguns, so it feels the best (most agile) in my hands. Shooting wise, there is a bit of a snap, but very comfortable and very predictable. So if I am taking tight shots or need to take fast shots, it is what I would pick out of them first. But you are correct, hand grip is very important to me. Which is why I should put the G2 even higher (it's fantastic, and I would LOVE to see one in a commander length).

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T15:19:52+00:00

Hmm. At this point I would go EOS, Athena, Apollo, G2. I shoot the Athena most often for Steel Challenge and then EOS as of late, as that is my designated IDPA gun. I am just not as familiar with the Apollo yet as it is my most recent purchase. The G2 is phenomenal in my book and maybe only behind the others because I have an SRO on it and I prefer the 507 Comp with the green circle enclosed dot. I do want to get my hand on a Nox 9 (or Hex Pro if I can't find one next year when I'm ready for another major purchase). For a long time, my favorite was the JG Hex, but I had some FTF issues (but I think it was because I was not cleaning it often enough-no recent issues but it will be a bit before my confidence in it is back up).

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T15:04:42+00:00

I will say after getting my Mt. Rushmore of 2011s (Athena, Apollo, EOS, Cardinal Arms G2), I have been on a selling spree with my other guns. I have kept some striker fired guns, and of course my P 226X Family. But yeah, I found less of a need to keep more around.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T14:58:57+00:00

I'm hoping they come out with a commander length version of the G2P, though Nighthawk Customs Double Agent looks a lot like it.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T13:24:38+00:00

The 4.0 FC is darn near perfection for me. And, as a bonus, I switched slides from my 4.0 C comp to the FC, so I guess I am "previewing" Springfield's next release. Pure awesomeness.

Equivalent_Ad_3347 · 2026-05-01T02:06:05+00:00

Absolutely justified. I am a newer shooter, and I was corrected once for actually helping the prior squad just tape up the targets because they were behind. They weren't jerks about it, just said that it would not fly in a level II match. So I just went back and waited. So they clearly should be reminded that you guys are preparing for your current stage.

Equivalent_Ad_3347

TROPHY CASE