The conflict now, in equipment selection, isn’t “45 vs. 9mm,” or “revolver vs. semi-auto,” or “this brand vs. that brand” -- it’s service compact vs. kinda-subcompact-but-not-really.

Put the GLOCK 48 over the GLOCK 19 – they’re the same size, looking side-to-side. Look at the width, the G48 is significantly smaller. Shoot one next to the other on the same course, the G19 is a more pleasurable range experience, easier to shoot well over a long period.

If you’re the “pursue the split time” sort or the “mag-dump, turn money into noise” sort, the G19 has it over the slimmer gun.

On one occasion, in the early days of the SIG P365, I got to shoot it on a range next to a P320 Compact. Care to guess which was the more pleasurable on the range?

Care to guess how many P365s of various configurations are routinely carried concealed compared to P320 Compacts?

Is the shootability of the larger Echelon 4.0C more critical than the Hellcat Pro (below) – or is the concealment the important metric? Does it matter?

Back in the old days, it was said that we shot 45 1911s on the range, but catch us out in public and we carried five-shot 38 snubs.

It was true. I first regularly carried a concealed S&W Model 60 Stainless Chief’s Special in a suede clip-on IWB holster.

Small guns in those days were just … small guns. The closest analog to the G48-43x/Hellcat Pro/P365XL-whatchacallit type guns – an upsized small gun – was the 3” Model 36 Chief’s Special. Available in heavy barrel trim with a square butt, it was more concealable than a M10, had the five rounds of the J-frame 38, but with better sights than a 2” and a square butt gripping surface to lock into your hand.

Neither fish nor fowl … just like with semi-autos in the ‘modern era.’

In terms of semi-autos in the current era, my experience is greater with the GLOCK, the G19 vs. the G43x, though I’m gaining experience with guns from Springfield Armory, the Echelon 4.0C versus the Hellcat Pro.

With both guns in comped versions, I can get a look at the differences and similarities. Both examples are here now.

The Echelon 4.0C Comp recoils straight back. Below, the torque is evident in this image of the Hellcat Pro Comp, below. Is that an important difference?

Sighting is one thing; the Shield Mini Sight Compact (SMSc) on the Hellcat Pro is vastly different than the Burris FastFire E on the Echelon -- but they’re size-appropriate to the gun they’re on, so it doesn’t seem so different.

Both guns have the ported slide/barrel and that zeros out the differences between unported and ported guns.

Ammo capacity? When I took up working with the Echelon 4.0C Comp, I sought out spare 15-round magazines. I’m not kicking doors or going out looking for trouble. I’m trying to stay clear of it.

The Hellcat Pro Comp came with a fifteen round magazine and a 17-round magazine. I have two fifteen round magazines for the gun for the same reason. I don’t even load them to capacity as they’re very small for the load they manage and I like to be able to do an in-battery load.

I’m not sure two or three rounds will make much of a difference for me if I’m carrying 25-30 rounds already. When I first got on the job, the duty load-out was six rounds in the gun and twelve more separated in a double dump pouch.

That was it.

Range accuracy is nearly identical – down to the “four in the group with one outrider” tendency, which is likely shooter induced in both cases. This is with the same ammo, Federal “Punch.” Likewise, reliability – 100% thus far with samples tested here.

That moves us to grip. I can get more hand around the smaller guns. That should make a difference and it does when you’re not shooting. The larger frame is easier when you’re shooting. It shouldn’t be that way, but as mass decreases for the same amount of output, there’s a price in the snappy recoil. More of the grip is consumed in the torque from the bullet going down the barrel and having less available to snap the gun back into line.

That gives us two problems: one is the amount of time it takes to get back in line. The other is fatigue. For new shooters, as well as for compromised shooters, due to infirmity, age, etc., fatigue is a factor.

On the range.

Likewise, if you are running .18 - .22 splits on the range, you’re likely doing that with the larger gun (if you’re getting hits). You are also outrunning your headlights if you’re shooting operationally. How can you assess the effects of the gunfire – or if the offender just moved offline – if you’re shooting faster than you can stop?

Splits of .33 - .50 are doable with the smaller guns, particularly the Hellcat Pro Comp. They’re easy with the Echelon 4.0C, with or without Comp. Likewise the P320 Carry, the G19, the S&W M&P9 Compact and others.

So, for real world use we’re down to speed of the first shot and distance capabilities.

— Rich Grassi