The world of firearms is evolving and it is coming fast. We are no longer relegated to owning a pistol and rifle in fixed configurations. With chassis system handguns (SIG P365 with an FCU or Springfield Echelon with a COG), we can simply pull the “guts” - your serialized portion from your handgun - and plug-and-play it into multiple frames, chassis systems, and platforms. That is the premise of the Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis. If you have a chassis system pistol like those we mentioned, you can upgrade it to something much more capable in a matter of minutes with very few tools. So, today we are going to take a look at the Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Echelon 4.5F to see how it performs. Let’s dive in!
Strike Industries @ TFB:
Specifications - Strike SMC Bravo Chassis for Springfield Echelon 4.5F
The Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis for Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F 9mm has an MSRP of $119.95, making it very attainable for shooters who don’t want to fully invest in another firearm but want additional options for their chassis system handgun. Some of the technical specs surrounding the SMC Bravo Chassis for Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F 9mm can be read below as presented by Strike Industries:
Technical Specs
- Overall Length: 10.18”
- Overall Width: 1.44”
- Overall Height: 4.41”
- Overall Weight: 6 Oz
- SKU: SI-SMC-B-SAE-4.5-BK
- MSRP: $119.95
Standout Features
What used to be a completely foreign concept 5 years ago is nearly commonplace in the firearms marketplace if you look around for options. Being more accurate with your handgun over greater distances is not only a luxury, it can be a force multiplier. Beyond the premise of a chassis and the positive attributes that surround chassis systems as a whole, there is quite a bit more to like about the Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis, specifically.
- Enhanced Ergonomics: Improved design for enhanced control and handling
- Accessory Ready: Extended Picatinny rails at the front bottom and Rear Module Backstrap for tactical modularity
- Manual Safety Ready: Compatible with manual safety versions (designated area must be manually removed)
A Word from Strike Industries on the Strike SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Echelon 4.5F
“This is the Strike Modular Chassis (SMC) - Bravo for the Springfield Echelon 4.5, the premier ergonomic upgrade designed to enhance the Echelon platform with superior recoil management and extreme modularity. Built for sport, competitive and professional use, the Bravo chassis offers a streamlined, accessory-ready foundation.
The chassis features Dynamic Control™ for optimal recoil management and integrated Picatinny rails at the front bottom and Rear Module Backstrap for seamless mounting of lights, lasers, and other accessories. Maintenance is simplified with a design that remains true to the Echelon's ease of use while adding the rugged versatility Strike Industries is known for.”
What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch?
So, what’s the upsell? What’s the metaphorical and literal 30-second elevator pitch? For the SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F, you’re looking at several prominent traits that might tip the scale in favor of Springfield as opposed to a competing manufacturer at a similar price point.
- Dynamic Control: Patented system for optimal recoil management
- Ambi QD Sockets: Rear-mounted sockets with a loop-thru design for lanyards or paracord
What’s in the Box?
One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing firearms and their related products is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase? This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy, depending on what you want your end-product or concealed carry setup to look like. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive.
Included:
- (1) Springfield Echelon 4.5F chassis - Bravo
Field Use - Strike SMC Bravo Chassis for Springfield Echelon 4.5F
So, how did this chassis perform?... Before we get to that, we are going to walk you through the whole process of taking your Echelon handgun and turning it into a more capable rifle. To accomplish all of this, I only needed a couple tools and it took roughly 3 minutes to do in real time.
- (1) Punch
- (1) Small Hammer
- (1) Torx T25 Bit
- (1) Bit Driver
Installation & Assembly
To kick things off, you will want a clean working surface, which could be a gunsmithing bench, a living room table, or on the ground (I opted for a clean portion of concrete so the photos might come through better - better contrast). So, first we need to gather our parts.
Then, you will want to pop the COG (Central Operating Group) out of the frame of your Echelon handgun. This can be done by removing the Takedown Lever of your pistol and wiggling the COG out.
Next, grab your SMC Bravo Chassis and all of the other parts that you are going to put together.
Pop your COG into the SMC Bravo Chassis.
Next, put your original Takedown Lever into the SMC Bravo Chassis.
After that, you can put your slide and any accessories onto the SMC Bravo Chassis. For me, I like rocking the Surefire X300U-A WeaponLight on my Echelon. So, I transferred it to the SMC Bravo Chassis as well.
Next, we’ll want to attach our Strike Industries FSA Single Folder Brace. For this, you will want to use a Torx T25 Bit and Driver.
It might look like we are done at this point, but we are missing a Magazine Catch in the SMC Bravo Chassis. So, we are going to rob the Magazine Catch out of our original Echelon handgun and put it into the SMC Bravo Chassis.
To accomplish this, we need to use our punch and possibly a small hammer to drive a single pin out of the Echelon’s frame.
The irony that I used a Glock punch to work on my Springfield made me giggle, but let’s keep it movin’... Next, you should have 3 parts that we need to install into the SMC Bravo Chassis to make it complete:
- Ambidextrous Magazine Catch/Release Button
- Frame Pin
- Metal Block with Integral Spring
First, put the Magazine Catch into the frame of the SMC Bravo Chassis.
Then, gently (potentially with a needle nose pliers if you have too much caffeine in your system) place the Metal Block into the Chassis.
You may need to actively hold the Metal Block in place so it doesn’t get squirrelly on you. I did this by myself, but an extra helping hand from a range buddy would have been awfully helpful. Lastly, you will want to put the Frame Pin into place to hold everything.
At this point, you should be done and you can fully assemble your Sword of Truth! Or, Black Betty! Or, whatever you want to call your new firearm creation. You’re basically a gunsmith at this point because you used a hammer to build a gun.
Accuracy, Zeroing, and Sighting-In
Since the slide, your iron sights, and optic are independent of the SMC Bravo Chassis - meaning we did no gunsmithing on our slide assembly - your established zero should not have changed. For me, that was true. Trading out my pistol frame for this SMC Bravo Chassis changed nothing as far as accuracy or the need to zero my optic or iron sights.
Durability
The polymers that Strike Industries utilizes and the overall build of this product is very good in my opinion. My mantra is always that firearms and their related accessories are tools. I’m not out to abuse stuff for clicks, but I do use everything with no babying at all. All this being said, I never encountered any issue using the SMC Bravo Chassis. Its structural integrity never came into question; there were no fitment issues during installation/assembly, and I have heard no anecdotal evidence from any of my firearm industry friends to suggest otherwise.
Final Thoughts
So, what are my final thoughts on the Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F 9mm?... Probably the biggest failing or limitation to all handguns is lack of stability while shooting. The reason why we’re not all clapping steel at 100 to 200 yards is because we can’t be stable or calm enough to engage targets at that distance. So, the SMC Bravo Chassis solves a problem for all of us. This specific chassis is resilient, durable, reliable, and ergonomics as well as the fitment were perfect.
The only point of constructive criticism I have is the spacing or placement of the accessory rail. When I attached my weaponlight it couldn’t be pushed all the way against the frame so I could easily actuate the weaponlight. Yes, I could still reach it if I twisted or contorted my hand to do so, but it is more ideal to maintain your shooting grip while engaging accessory items like a laser, flashlight, etc. This might have been solved by having a different lug on the weaponlight, but most of the ones I tried placed the light barely out of my finger’s reach. All that being said, it is not the end of the world; only a point of information for prospective buyers. I would still recommend this to anyone who is looking to upgrade their handgun into something more capable and useful. Whether it is for self-defense, recreation, or otherwise.
In closing, I want to thank Strike Industries for allowing TheFirearmBlog and myself the opportunity to try out their new Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Strike Industries SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F is something worth spending your money on? Would you potentially deploy it to shoot a league or competition? Use it for home defense? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Strike Industries and their SMC Bravo Chassis for the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback and engagement.
