If you're looking to buy a modular 9mm handgun that has a wide range of customizability. The Springfield Echelon VS Sig P320 are two most popular options currently on the market. The P320 has been on the market for a long time and has went through many iterations, and the Springfield Echelon is brand new, and it offers Glock 17 alike features.
This guide presents a comparison between a factory Springfield Echelon and a custom built Sig P320 AXG side by side to highlight their differences and similarities, aiding you in making an informed buying decision.
Springfield Echelon VS Sig P320 - Side By Side Comparison
Physical Dimensions
Springfield Echelon
- Length: 8.0 in
- Height: 5.5"
- Width: 1.2"
- Weight: 23.9 oz with mag
- Capacity: 12 (+1)
P320
- Length: 8.6 in
- Height: 6.5"
- Width: 1.58"
- Weight: 33.3 oz with mag
- Capacity: 15 (+1)
Factory Barrel Specs
Springfield Echelon
- Length: 4.5 in
P320
- Length: 5.3 in
Magazine Capacity
The Springfield Echelon standard magazine holds 17 rounds, and the extended magazine plate holds 20 rounds. The Sig Sauer P320 full size frame accepts a 17 round magazine and the extended mag holds 21 rounds.
These guns with higher than 10 or 15 rounds are only legal in states without magazine limit restrictions.
Optic Footprint
Springfield Echelon
- Variable Interface System
It uses removeable pins to mount over 30 different optics including RMS, RMSc and RMR
Sig P320
- Plate system or custom slide direct mount
The Springfield Echelon has a special feature called the VIS (Variable Interface System). With it, you can use more than 30 different optics. Some of these optics include RMR, RMSc, DeltaPoint, and RMS. The holes for DeltaPoint Pro are the same size as those for RMSc.
One of the cool parts is that you don't need to buy separate optic plates. It's made to fit many customers' needs. But there's a catch: it uses a one-size-fits-all method for attaching handgun optics. This means the optic is kept in place with just a screw, and that could put stress on the screw.
For most shooting, this works well. But, if you're rough with the gun, like hitting the optic on hard things, it can stress the screw more. Some people really focus on using guns in tough ways, but that's not always the best way to judge a gun's quality.
The Sig P320 has a different system. It allows the user to use an optic plate adapter to attach a certain optic. Or, the user can get a custom slide that's milled just for that optic. This doesn't mean the Springfield Echelon is bad. In fact, we might see more special slides for it in stores soon.
P320 Daily Updated Deals
Grip Frame Comparison
You can choose from three grip sizes to find the best fit for you: small, medium, and large. Based on the user's natural point of aim, picking the right grip panel can help align the red dot sight much faster without readjustment.
The factory Sig P320 polymer grip frames feature no backstrap. In this guide, we have the Sig Sauer AXG full aluminum grip frame. It feels much more sturdier and beefier than the Springfield Echelon. The difference is very noticeable, first is the 1911 style / Sig P226 grip angle, and the next noticeable feature is the width, and the third is the weight.
When shooting both guns, the Springfield Echelon felt very similar to most full size polymer handguns, but the P320 AXG grip frame dampens most of the recoil and the overall recoil sensation is totally different from each other.
However, this is not to say that the P320 is better. Until more aftermarket grip frame for the Springfield Echelon hit the market, it will very much be like shooting metal frame Glock with completely different feel.
A heavier gun helps shooters aim quickly. Some people don't like guns with plastic frames. For them, the AXG P320 grip frame is a great choice.
Echelon Daily Updated Deals
Factory Trigger Performance
In this comparison, we have the factory Springfield Echelon trigger and the Sig Custom Shop flat trigger. Both of them are way better stock trigger than any handgun products in the last 20 years.
It's great to see the industry starting to put aftermarket quality trigger into stock handguns right out of the box, as modern shooters demand great trigger performance on day one without having to spend extra money to fix a poor trigger.
The Echelon Central Operating Group (COG) has the trigger shoe pretravel, but the length of the pretravel isn't too much to be considered bad. The trigger wall feels very obvious to the trigger finger, and it breaks very smooth at about 4.8 lbs. The reset is very crisp and short, and it exactly turns back to the wall before the next shot without take up.
The Sig P320 FCU is a great skeletonized aluminum trigger, but the wall isn't very defined. The shooter can feel the wall after pretravel, but there is take up while increasing tension is placed on the trigger until it breaks at about 4.5 lbs.
Both handguns set the bar high when it comes to providing a great trigger right out of the box, but there are still aftermarket parts available to improve the existing trigger performance. So if something isn't exactly what you want, don't let them be the deal breaker.
Sig P320 FCU Deals
Internals
You can easily place the FCU into any P320 grip module, and the same goes for the Echelon's COG system. Let's say you want to change the frame of your P320 for concealed carry in 9mm, 40SW or 357 Sig. You can do it without any hassle if you have another grip frame ready. SIG offers these modules, and many companies now make top-notch ones including Wilson Combat.
The Custom Works FCU is not just any standard FCU. It comes with a Ti-N coated frame and a Ti-N coated flat-faced trigger from the X5 Legion, ensuring durability and a smooth shooting experience. Sig Sauer has collaborated with various companies, termed the "P320 Collective." This ensures that users have access to a wide range of well-fitting and functional P320 parts.
For just $299, shooters can purchase the Custom Works SIG P320 FCU and embark on a custom pistol-building journey. This offers a cost-effective way to own a high-quality firearm tailored to individual preferences from scratch.
Slide Release
Both handguns offer ambi slide release. They provide enough contact surface for the user's thumb to engage, but all in all. The P320's slide release felt a little more comfortable to interact than the Springfield Echelon.
The Springfield Echelon's slide release felt like the metal piece is cutting into the thumb if not wearing gloves. However, it's recessed on the frame to prevent the shooter from accidently engage it when shooting.
Magazine Release
The Sig Sauer P320 features only left side magazine release. It's ergonomical enough for most users to reach and engage without any problem.
The Springfield Echelon feature ambi magazine release.
Both handguns are very responsive when taking out the magazine and inserting the magazine. The buttons are stiff enough to hold the magazine in place when shooting.
External Safety
The Sig P320 does offer variants that have the manual thumb safety such the M18 military standard issue. While many civilian P320 feature no thumb safety nor trigger safety. The latest P320 feature a brand new disconnect notch near the striker assembly to provide additional level of safety, and to prevent a "dead trigger" condition if the trigger is pressed while the slide is retracted.
The Springfield Echelon COG's design surpasses SAAMI drop test parameters and incorporates a unique secondary sear design in the COG, adding an extra layer of safety.
Please check out this video for more in depth discussion:
Slide Serration
The Springfield Echelon's factory slide is very well machined. One thing that stands out is the front and rear serration cuts. The back of the slide is flared a better grip.
The factory Sig Sauger P320 slide does have serration cut to get a good hand purchase, but the front serration doesn't cover enough surface area on the top portion for press check.
In this comparison, the P320 is matched with a Norrso P320 slide with very aggressive serration pattern that is lot better than the factory P320 slide.
Iron Sights
Both handguns feature dovetail style iron sights, and they can be swapped out at any time. If you don't like what came with the gun, please don't let that be the deal breaker.
On the day Echelon models come out, they have different sights and barrels. Customers can choose a U-Dot design or three dots. Both designs glow in the dark. The regular-height sights work well with many optics because of the low-mount VIS optic mounting system.
Aftermarket Parts Support
At the time of writing this comparison guide, The P320 already has a huge aftermarket support. These include barrels, grip frame, optic plates, slide, holsters and individual components.
Not for long, the Springfield Echelon will catch up with more products available.