… if I can call it precision, more appropriately the attempt at precision, a follow-up to this feature in which I questioned the shootability of the smaller-though not tiny pistols compared to the service compact variety of pistol.
I’d opined that a pair of shooting issues are raised when comparing the two predominant handgun formats for a good many people out in the world: one is precision at distance, the other speed of engagement consistent with coarse accuracy.
Your mileage may vary, as they say; if you can’t shoot, another gun ain’t going to help. If you’re a regular shooter at a plateau of skills, different gear may or may not get you going again.
The samples, with the Echelon 4.0C above and the Hellcat Pro Comp below, were both from Springfield Armory; each shot 2-handed, from 25 yards on B-8 repair centers.
The idea here is to minimize differences other than size – both guns are similar in cartridge capacity, caliber, barrel length and porting.
Why do I think that upsized micro-compact Nines are so prevalent? Due to the flood of guns since the advent of the SIG P365, et. Seq. They’re not going to make them – and keep doubling down on the concept – if product’s not moving out the door.
The guns I selected due to their proximity in features are from Springfield Armory: the Echelon 4.0C Comp and the Hellcat Pro Comp.
Other than overall size/weight and the operating system, there are more similarities than differences.
The Echelon 4.0C is just over a half-inch longer, about 1/3 inch longer, .2” wider and weighs three ounces more than the Hellcat Pro.
The sights are essentially the same. As to optics mounting, there are more options for the Echelon, but the smaller Hellcat takes optics meant for the slimmer, smaller guns.
On the Hellcat Pro Comp, I have the Shield SMSc and the Echelon 4.0C Comp has the enclosed emitter Burris FastFire E. While you could opine that the difference in optics would lead us to a different result, I’ll take your word for it.
Just having a reflex sight on both guns means you’re not having to center the front sight into the rear notch and superimpose both on the target. In the words of George Harris, “float the dot, shoot the shot.”
I can tell you that’s easier. It doesn’t correct inconsistent grip or jarring the muzzle off the target line, but it calms the aiming solution some.
For ammo, I’m still using some old stock. This was Remington 115gr. JHP ammo from way-back. I didn’t bother to rezero either gun; measurement would include group size as well as numerical score on a B-8 repair center. Shooting was two-handed from 25 yards.
The procedure was to fire five rounds, go check and mark the target, come back and shoot another five. Shots fired were not on the clock – this was “how well can I shoot them” only.
Is there a lot of difference between the larger gun (above) and the smaller? You judge. Next: handling drills
The results include noting that the Hellcat Pro was printing left – six of ten rounds fired were left of center. That’s more a grip issue than a sighting issue. The Echelon stayed someone more in the middle for windage. Still the groups were huge, not befitting the equipment but embarrassing the shooter.
The larger gun posted ten hits in 6 3/8” standing, off-hand, at 25 yards. I know it can do better. The smaller gun was less than an inch more group size, at 7 1/8”. Likewise two points separated the larger gun from the smaller, at 87 for the Echelon and 85 for the Hellcat Pro.
By either metric is that enough difference to matter?
I suppose that’s up to the user to determine. Meanwhile, I’ll move to handling exercises with each gun.
— Rich Grassi
