AllOutdoor Review – Vortex Defender-CCW Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dot

In the world of handgun optics, there are a few trends that are penetrating the industry right now. For one, people are in love with enclosed emitters. There are a bevy of benefits behind enclosed emitters that make them desirable to new and veteran shooters alike. Another trend is solar-powered ...

By Adam Scepaniak

Springfield Echelon 4.5F Chosen by St. Louis County Police Department

Springfield Armory has announced that the St. Louis County Police Department has adopted the Echelon 4.5F 9mm pistol  as its new duty sidearm. The Echelon series was developed as a modern, striker-fired platform with a focus on modularity, ergonomics and durability. At the core of the design...

By Eric B

Springfield Armory Announces Launch of Aimpoint COA-Equipped Pistols

Springfield Armory has officially announced the launch of their Aimpoint COA equipped handguns for the Echelon series of pistols. All three sizes that are currently available – the Echelon 4.0C, Echelon 4.0FC, and Echelon 4.5F – can now be purchased with a factory-equipped Aimpoint CO...

By Adam Scepaniak

Springfield Armory Launches Echelon Pistols with Aimpoint COA

Springfield Armory has announced a new line of pistols factory-equipped with the Aimpoint COA, starting with select variants of the Echelon 9mm platform. The new models are cut for Aimpoint’s A-CUT interface, which integrates the optic directly into the slide.

By Eric B

First Look: Echelon COA Pistols

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the new developments in self-defense technology these days. Options that represent cutting-edge features one day quickly become “standard equipment” the next. Take handgun-mounted optics. Not that long ago, having a red dot atop your pistol put you in som...

By Jeremy Tremp

Review: CORD Pandora PB-3 Red Dot

In today’s review, Joe Kurtenbach evaluates the CORD Pandora PB-3 red dot sight. Suitable for performance pistols like the Springfield Armory Echelon, the PB-3 is a rugged sight with an IPx8 rating. The sight was loaned to the author for this review. We all know the saying, “if you want somet...

By Joe Kurtenbach

Hellcat-Exclusive Viridian RFX11 Green Dot Review

In this Viridian RFX11 review, author Dan Abraham evaluates the usefulness of a green dot optic on a handgun. Green dots may be more visible in bright light than red dots. But, does that actually play out on the range? The RFX11 was provided to the author by the company for the purposes of this R...

By Dan Abraham

Julie Golob: Springfield Echelon 4.0FC Review

Does the sweet spot between compact speed and full-size confidence actually exist? Pro shooter Julie Golob puts the Springfield Armory 4.0FC pistol through its paces to see how this hybrid Echelon rethinks balance, recoil and real-world performance. Springfield provided the loaner handg...

By Julie Golob