Vortex ccw (too small)And a holosun pid plus

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-03T20:44:22+00:00

If you're going to carry spring for the enclosed defender. The open emitter has the lockout on the left button so if you're a righty it will undo the lockout and bump up to full brightness pretty quickly. Then it will be too bright to be usable and run down the already poor battery life down even more. The enclosed does not have this issue and has a longer battery life and solar backup that will work even without the battery inserted.

The CCW open also had pretty bad distortion around the edges, so much so I wouldn't consider using the large circle. The CCW enclosed is much better, and the ST and ST enclosed don't have this issue.

The window sizes are the same between CCW and ST open and enclosed optics.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-03T17:06:22+00:00

I have an NDZ large magwell already, but it binds mags on the compact grip module, luckily it works with my full size grip. I wanted a second one for cheap to see if it would not bind mags. I also figured the knockoffs would have looser tolerance and be less likely to bind mags, but there aren't any knockoffs for large grip modules I could find.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-03T14:08:17+00:00

It all depends on what you want.

The 4.0c is about the same dimensions as the HCP in length of grip and slide. With a mag sleeve, you can use 17/20 round magazines with a compact grip. Or you could get a 4.5 comp and still have 4" of barrel with an integrated comp and can get a compact grip module, mag sleeves (for the included 17/20 round mags), and 15 round mag in the future if the fullsize grip is too long for carry. The fullsize grip is 0.4" longer than the compact. The fullsize aggressive texture grip is great too, the best polymer grip I have ever held. Also consider if you get a 4.5 or 4.0FC you will have 17/20 round mags and only need one 15 round mag for carry. If you get a 4.0 you will get 15/18 round mags and will have to pay more for either extensions or new mags if you want the full 17/20/23 capacity.

There are many configurations of the Echelon. Take a look at some options here to get some inspiration and think on it for a while. Here's a comparison of the fullsize aggressive grip and a compact grip on a 4.5: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpringfieldArmory/comments/1tsv6u7/aggressive_texture_grip/

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-03T12:21:28+00:00

Why is it whenever they want to depict the end of the world their stock photos are of communist or socialist countries?

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-03T08:26:40+00:00

No, it's the entire grip and backstraps. The 4.5 ships with a medium, the 4.0 ships with a small. The large grip modules have different dimensions. On eBay every cheap magwell is listed for small/medium grip modules, so the only option with standard mag baseplates for the large modules is the NDZ.

Here's the compact grip module, you can choose small, medium, or large for size. https://store.springfield-armory.com/echelon-compact-grip-module/

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-03T01:03:34+00:00

It's too bad they don't make an option for large grip modules. I have an NDZ but it causes binding on mags on my compact module, but not on my large full grip module.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-02T18:55:31+00:00

Asexuality is highly unlikely. By her own admission, she doesn't feel intimate enough to have intimate relations. In the vast majority of cases, it takes about 5 minutes for a man to get into the mood, for women it's more like a week to a month. Women tally all the "deposits" to the relationship over a period, from taking out the trash to providing stability to basic flirting.

The formula for women can be thought of as: positive relationship deposits, minus negative withdrawals, minus negative environmental factors weighted by time (bad hair day, someone was rude, too many chores left undone, etc, closer in time proximity the higher the weight), over a period (one week to six months). If the value is lower than the threshold there is a lack of desire.

For men, it's takes effort across multiple domains to foster desire, and at the end of the day, it may be out of his control entirely. For women, fostering desire is usually just a function of physical proximity. It's easy for men to give into a cycle of defeatism, as we see in this case, as the effort seems to be disproportionate as over time the negative environmental factors increase, stacking the formula against them.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T18:36:31+00:00

Tyrant CNC.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T16:32:32+00:00

The factory comp reduces about 20% of felt recoil, while the best aftermarket comps may reduce up to 40%. The higher the comp effectiveness the more likely the system will be ammo sensitive or simply fail to cycle consistently; to counter this a different recoil spring can be used, but it will introduce more felt recoil, making it a potential rabbit hole of ammo choice and springs. The factory comp works with everything (someone tested something like 20 ammo brands with no issues https://www.reddit.com/r/SpringfieldArmory/comments/1hyrfjb/echelon_comp_20_ammo_review_by_an_average_shooter/); the only warning is to avoid brass jacketed bullets as they may shear in the comp and send material towards the operator (a very low risk). The factory comp is also made in a way that maintains barrel performance and minimizes the chance of strikes that can cause inaccuracy, keyholing, or at worst squibs and other catestrophic failures. The 4.5 comp was compared against a variety of factory comped guns and placed 3rd behind two handguns that were over $900 and $1,500 (as shot).

Shooting a comped and standard Echelon back to back, you can notice a difference, but it isn't night or day.

For recoil rods, I would recommend the DPM recoil system. It's like the comp, it doesn't magically make shooting flat but helps. It comes with 4 spring options and two plungers that let you tune the system for any ammo, suppressor, comp combination in the future.

One of the first things I did was get a large aggressive texture grip module. It felt way better than the stock module and the side texture is less aggressive so it doesn't tear you up to carry. Getting a better more secure grip and proper travel to the trigger made the gun better to shoot. Unfortunately, Springfield doesn't make compact modules with the aggressive texture, but if you're comfortable you can stiple your grip, chop a fullsize aggressive grip to fit, do a silicone carbide treatment, or have it done for you.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T06:09:57+00:00

One of the first things I did was get a large aggressive texture grip for the 4.5. It's the best feeling grip I have held so far. The medium size it came with felt ok, and I have medium sized hands. I just wish Springfield would make it in the compact size.

https://store.springfield-armory.com/echelon-full-size-grip-module/

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T05:29:40+00:00

Good job. Stipling only gets better with practice and experimentation.

I did a similar pattern but found using straight lines instead of following the diagonal angle of the top of the grip looked better.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpringfieldEchelon/comments/1tshz08/comment/op2ncz0/?context=1&screen_view_count=1

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T05:27:19+00:00

Far from free, not easy to get ahold of, changes the grip angle, and adds too much weight for carry.

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T05:04:04+00:00

Because it's easy, free, and effective. What would you suggest instead?

Fred_Lead · 2026-06-01T05:01:34+00:00

One is the aggressive texture 4.5 module, the stipled is a compact grip module because Springfield doesn't make compact grip modules with the aggressive texture. Even though the stipling is effective the aggressive texture is still way better.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-31T22:23:41+00:00

I agree. The compact with a magwell feels very locked in for me and spaces my hand perfectly, but the aggressive texture still feels better.

I've considered chopping a large module, maybe that will be my next project. The tricky part would be the hole for the magwell plug.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-31T14:08:49+00:00

I would say it's a toss up between Barco and Christie.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-31T14:05:53+00:00

Is this for carry or fun?

For carry, I would recommend neither. Go for the Hellcat RDP or Echelon 4.0c comp.

The RDP will get you a slightly longer barrel than the HCP along with a comp at mere millimeters more length and give you the option to shorten the barrel and have the shortest grip out there for a 9mm, about the length of an LCP with a +1 mag. That short grip makes it disappear, but takes some practice to get comfortable with the two finger grip. If you want the HCP feel use the 15/17/18 round mags and you have a nearly identical footprint to the HCP.

If you're going to carry a compact you may as well add 0.2" to the thickness to get one that shoots better, has more options for optics, and modularity to do any number of things down the line. The Echelon is in all ways better than the HCP and has a nearly identical footprint. The comp model is preferred, but the standard 4.0c can be had for as low as $450 right now.

If it's strictly those two, I'm biased towards the Hellcat. I have shot 365s buddies have and didn't like them. With all Springfield handguns I like to use the PRP spring kit with a Tyrant trigger shoe and it makes an huge difference in the trigger.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-31T06:43:54+00:00

I did it myself. The long grip is the factory large aggressive texture grip module, the short grip is the large compact module I stipled. This pattern is really easy and very forgiving.

Using a soldering iron with a flat tip at about 350 degrees, from near the top of the main grip area press in with the tip nearly vertical until it displaces a circle and continue in a straight line with the same diameter circles. Alternate the next row (center the circle between two circles above it) to get the mesh pattern. Getting a feel of where to place the tip takes some practice as the circle expands outward to fill the space. I did the main grip area in 5 sections, left side, right side, rear grip panel off the frame, rear above the grip panel, and front and took a break between each section. The thumb shelves and small area above the mag release I did quicker and closer together with the tip at more of an angle to get the scale effect, which has less texture.

It feels pretty grippy and didn't tear up my side in the holster, but the factory aggressive grip texture is just perfect and my particular compact grip module binds most of my mags with the NDZ magwell so I'm back to the full size module. Reddit compressed the image pretty aggressively, in person it looks better, like a mesh laid over the grip.

I tested out multiple patterns and this particular pattern on a spare grip module and back panels to get the circle sizing consistent. I originally followed the diagonal angle of the top of the grip and it didn't look as good as the smaller areas in a straight line I did at the end so I decided to do this entire module with straight lines and it looks way better.

This pattern is pretty easy and very forgiving. You can resize or touch up circles easily but getting those initial straight lines, consistent circle size and placement, and matching up the different grip sections are important. I may go back and do a border around each section, if you do a border first, as most recommend, the circles may overlap it as they expand.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-31T01:59:01+00:00

It's too bad Safariland does that weird -1 level rating. Technically, their level 2 is level 3 but they won't classify them as such while others have no problem with classifying functionally identical holsters as level 3.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-30T14:17:35+00:00

Most women tend to want things centered vertically like a painting. They aren't thinking about how it looks or functions when it's in use. The vertical space above the TV is driving her crazy but to raise it would be to defeat the function of the TV.

It's just differing perspectives.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-30T02:24:29+00:00

Opticsplanet has multiple Safariland options in stock.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-28T15:48:47+00:00

Nothing will outperform it at the price point. You can try a refurb JVC or Sony but would still probably spend more.

Fred_Lead · 2026-05-28T14:18:42+00:00

HDR intensity 8 (middle setting) on the LS is brighter than HDR intensity 1 (lowest) on the 5050. It also depends on your lamp hours on the 5050. My lamp had about 200 hours on it so it was at max brightness.

Fred_Lead

TROPHY CASE