Looking back at the comparison of service/service-compact pistols versus the slightly-upsized micro-9mm pistols, I selected two examples that were close to hand: from Springfield Armory, the Echelon 4.0FC and the Hellcat Pro. 

The Springfield Hellcat Pro has a sight radius of about 5.7 inches, while the Springfield Echelon 4.0C has a sight radius of approximately 6.5 inches.

Going back through images of targets shot for retiree qualification, I could see that the Hellcat Pro shot a clean score, but I used quite a bit of the FBI-Q to get that score. With the Echelon 4.0 FC on this year’s qual, I had a fifty-shot group that all fits under my hand. 

That was pretty good shooting, for me. 

I compared them on two types of standards. One was shooting one-handed, 25 yards on a B-8 repair center. I had the targets posted face down so I concentrated more on the sights than where the scoring rings were. 

The other was a “demi-Test.” Fired at ten yards on a B-8, it’s five rounds in five seconds from low ready. That gives me a sustained fire comparison.

The distance work was miserable. I used duty-class ammo, Hornady Critical Duty 135gr. +P in both guns. The ammo is a known quantity and any problems would be down to the shooter. 

I shot high with the Hellcat Pro, a 6.5” horizontal string – that could be vision more than grip or trigger. The rounds hit about 3 ¾” high, another indicator that it’s a vision problem. Three rounds went into four-inches (Critical Duty is always better than that). 

I hit center, favoring to the left with the Echelon 4.0FC and the same ammo. Not surprisingly, the group measured the same for extreme spread with the best 3 in 3 7/8”, practically a draw. 

The time it took to shoot five rounds with an attempt at precision was longer with the smaller gun. 

Trying with 115gr. FMJ range ammo – shot two-handed, the groups were bigger for the Hellcat Pro. The Echelon split between group size for extreme spread and “best 3;” 2 ¼” for three hits. It was much larger for the smaller gun. 

On a succeeding range trip, I tried to “remediate” the Echelon 4.0FC; I know it shoots well for me, but it’s like I have to relearn it every time I shoot it.

Shooting some old stock Black Hills Ammunition 124gr. FMJ remanufactured, my first five-shot one-handed 25-yard string gave me a 42/50. The second, after I changed my hold and grip, was a 43/50. The best string was 5 ½”, better but not great. 

At the end of that first trip, I posted fresh targets and did the “demi-Test” with both guns. The Hellcat Pro shot the test in time, but barely. The Echelon had time left over – but the Hellcat Pro bested the score by a single point. 

Is the difference in shootability that big a deal? Well, if you just can’t carry the service compact concealed due to its size relative to the environment you’re in or due to physical infirmity, you’re not giving up much to go to the Hellcat Pro. But the Echelon is far more comfortable to shoot. 

That should come as no surprise. 

– Rich Grassi