Springfield meets Sig... another potential 80% possibility.

[clm2112]

Caught an announcement for the Springfield / HS (Croatia) Echelon pistol. While it isn't a clone of a Sig P320, it follows a lot of the design philosophy of the P320 in it's use of a metal fire control unit. Springfield calls it a "Central Operating Group". Ahem, it is a stamped metal FCU along the same lines as the Sig P320.

So, obviously, while nobody is making an 80% version yet, it absolutely could be made in the same manner as JSD's MUP-1. It is just a stamped sheet metal frame. HS made it different enough from the P320, but it pretty much works the same way. Possibly even a little better since it is designed as a striker firing mechanism from the start, instead of an adaptation of a hammer fired mechanism.

While the cast metal frame FCU of a P365 is going to be pretty tough to make an 80% version of, this Springfield version has some potential.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

That new pistol looks great at first glance. The replacement for the XD I presume.

 

[clm2112]

That new pistol looks great at first glance. The replacement for the XD I presume.

That's the target market as far as I can tell. Like Sig, if the Echelon sells well, it will probably become the guts of the entire line. HS is going to sell this outside the US as well. If they manage a contract with a military or police force of an EU country, then it will likely be a long-term success.

One advantage that was pointed out in using a modular fire control unit is that it makes import into the US easier. So, HS in Croatia can configure them as full-size pistols that pass US import laws, then Springfield can reconfigure them into compact and sub-compact models that otherwise wouldn't be able to be imported.

 

[Bongo Lewi]

That's the target market as far as I can tell. Like Sig, if the Echelon sells well, it will probably become the guts of the entire line. HS is going to sell this outside the US as well. If they manage a contract with a military or police force of an EU country, then it will likely be a long-term success.

One advantage that was pointed out in using a modular fire control unit is that it makes import into the US easier. So, HS in Croatia can configure them as full-size pistols that pass US import laws, then Springfield can reconfigure them into compact and sub-compact models that otherwise wouldn't be able to be imported.

I had a feeling SA was preparing for the next generation striker guns. The XD line was showing its age. I had a few of them and they performed well. Also, my primary EDC is a Hellcat. I alternate between the ‘regular’ and the Pro. Excellent carry guns, both of them.

I hope this new Eschelon is as good as it looks. The Prodigy DS is a winner. I have the 5 inch model. It runs like it was dipped in butter. Excellent entry level race gun. I’m super happy with it, and I am a 1911 snob. Not quite as fine as the Staccato, but it’s half the price.