Here at Freedom Gorilla we love seeing innovation. One of the companies who continues to impress us is Springfield Armory. Their release of the new Springfield Echelon shows us that they have a capable team, engineering solutions to fit the modern day consumer.
The modularity of the Echelon is amazing, with its Central Operating Group, backstraps, grip sizes, and magazines. But our favorite innovation is the Variable Interface System, which lets you use a series of pins to mount over 30 types of optics to the slide - without the need for adapter plates.
If you are the proud owner of a Springfield Echelon and are wondering the best Holosun Red and Green dot sights you can mount on it and how, then keep reading.
In this guide we are going to tell you all of the Holosun optics that fit your Echelon, what pins you need to use, and explain a little bit about each optic so you can make the most informed purchase decision possible.
Quick Nav
- Pistols this article applies to
- Holosun Optics we recommend for the Springfield Echelon
- Holosun vs other brands
- What Optics Footprint is the Springfield Echelon
- Optics Adapter Plates for the Springfield Echelon
- Best DPP Footprint Holosun Optics for the Springfield Echelon
- Best RMR Footprint Holosun Optics for the Springfield Echelon
- Holosun 407C - Best Budget Option
- Holosun 507C - Best All Around Option
- Holosun 507C ACSS Vulcan - Best Specialty Option
- Holosun 507 Comp - Largest Window Optic
- Holosun 508T - Most Durable Open Emitter
- Holosun 509 ACSS Vulcan - Best Specialty Closed Emitter
- Holosun 509T - Most Durable Closed Emitter
- Best Modified RMSc Holosun Optics for the Springfield Echelon
- Holosun EPS - Largest Window with Lowest Deck Height
- Holosun 407K - Best Budget Option
- Holosun 507K - Best All Around Option
- Holosun 507K ACSS Vulcan - Best Specialty Option
- Holosun EPS Carry - Best Closed Emitter Option
- How to choose between red or green reticles
- How to choose between open vs closed emitter
- How to decide which reticle style is best for you
- Conclusion
Which Springfield Echelon models does this apply to?
| All Springfield Echelon Models |
Which Holosun Optics do we recommend for the Springfield Echelon?
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Using Pin Set 1, Larger Optics
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Using Pin Set 3 without rear pins, Smaller Optics. To mount any of these optics you will need these screws Using Pin Set 2, Larger Optic. Use screws included with SCS 320 |
Why do we recommend Holosun Optics vs other options?
- They are a good combination of high quality and affordability.
- They have the longest battery life and batteries can be changed without removing the optic.
- They come in red & green reticles with different sizes and styles.
- They are strong with 7075 aluminum or titanium housings and glass.
- They have convenient features like Shake Awake, easy to press brightness buttons, and Side Mounted Batteries.
- Some models have Solar Panels which will power the optic if the battery dies.
- They have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
- They are reliable, water proof, and have a great track record
When you compare them to other options like Leupold, Trijicon, Crimson Trace, Burris, Bushnell, Aimpoint or others you will find the Holosun’s are more affordable or have more features, longer battery life, and a proven track record with millions of optics sold in the last 10+ years.
What optics footprint is the Springfield Echelon?
The Springfield Echelon uses a groundbreaking new footprint system called the Variable Interface System of VIS for short. It has a series of screw holes and utilizes pins that you can insert into cut outs. We really like this idea and have seen a pin system used in other manufacturers and are glad to see it being put to use here.
For the DPP (Delta Point Pro) Footprint optics you will use PinSet 2.
For the RMR Footprint Holosun Optics you will use Pin Set 1. This comes installed on your gun once you take off the cover plate.
For the Holosun Modified RMSc footprint optics you will used Pin Set 3 without the rear pins. Pin Set 3 is included in the case with your Echelon.
What adapter plates exist for the Springfield Echelon?
CHPWS has recently released quite a few Springfield Echelon Adapter plates.
This is to accommodate some of the optics that require two adapter plates like the 509T or to eliminate optics that have a large gap or screw issues like the 407K/507K/EPS/EPS Carry.
Here are the current adapter plates that exist for the Springfield Echelon
- Springfield Echelon EPS/EPS Carry Adapter Plate
- Springfield Echelon 407K/507K Adapter Plate
- Springfield Echelon RMR/SRO/407C/507C Adapter Plate
- Springfield Echelon 509T Adapter Plate
- Springfield Echelon ACRO Adapter Plate
Best DPP Footprint Holosun Optics for the Springfield Echelon - Pin Set 2
Below are all the Holosun Optics that have a Delta Point Pro footprint and will fit your Echelon with Pin Set 2
1. Holosun SCS 320 Green Dot - Best Enclosed Emitter Recharging Option
Buy the SCS 320 At The Best Price
The Holosun SCS 320 is an awesome new optic from Holosun that comes with a DPP (Delta Point Pro) footprint. This optic is an enclosed emitter and has a green MRS Reticle.
What's great about it, is that it uses Holosun's newest "Solar Charging Sight" (SCS) technology. It has an internal rechargeable battery that is constantly getting powered up by the solar panel on the top. The optic consumes power less than it produces it so it can last indefinitely.
The battery has a 20k hour reserve, which means at full charge if it never saw light it would last 20k hours.
This optic has auto brightness settings, is IPX8 waterproof, and fits the Echelon Perfectly. It has perfect co-witness where you see enough of your irons but not so much that it obstructs the optic lens and dot.
Read our full SCS 320 review here.
Best RMR Footprint Holosun Optics for the Springfield Echelon - Pin Set 1
Below are the best Holosun Red & Green Dot sights with an RMR footprint that you can mount on your Springfield Echelon. These will mount to your Echelon using Pin Set 1 and the included Holosun Optic Screws.
These are larger optics that will have some overhang on the slide and which come with solar panels.
1. Holosun 407C Green & Red Dot - Best Budget Option
Buy the 407C At The Best Price
The most budget friendly option is going to be the 407C. The 407C has a 2 MOA dot only. The housing is aluminum.
If you are ok with having just a 2 MOA dot all the time, then the 407C is a great option.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 407C review here.
2. Holosun 507C Green & Red Dot - Best All Around Option
Buy the 507C At The Best Price
The Holosun 507C is very similar to the 407C except it has Holosun "MRS" reticle.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and the MRS (Multi Reticle System) lets you use a 32 MOA ring + 2 MOA dot, or it can be toggled to show only the 32 MOA Ring or just the 2 MOA dot by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 507C review here.
3. Holosun 507C ACSS Vulcan Green & Red Dot - Best Specialty Option
Buy the 507C ACSS Vulcan At The Best Price
The 507C ACSS Vulcan may pique your interest. It's just like the 507C except is has the ACSS Vulcan reticle. This reticle features a 250 MOA Ring and a 10 MOA chevron - sounds crazy right? Well it's crazy awesome! It helps new red dot shooter and experts alike, and allows for the most precision out of all optics mentioned here.
You can learn more about the ACSS reticle here but to summarize, the 250 MOA Ring helps you find the center dot quickly if you are off center and the 10 MOA chevron acts like a BDC reticle and also has a very precise point for precision work.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and if you wanted to turn the outside ring off you can by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 507C ACSS review here.
4. Holosun 507 Comp Green & Red Dot - Largest Window Competition Reticle
Buy the 507 Comp At The Best Price
Next on the list is the Holosun 507 Comp. This is one of the newest and most sought after optics from Holosun. Comp stands for "Competition" because this optic features a VERY large window, meant for competition shooting. It's the largest window in the industry.
The 507 Comp has some key differences vs the other optics listed here. First it has the C.R.S. which is the Complete Reticle System. This gives it many reticle configurations like a 2 MOA Dot only or a 2 MOA dot + 8 or 20 or 32 MOA Circle or just a 8 or 20 or 32 MOA Circle.
The 507 Comp also does not have a solar panel on it which means there is also no auto brightness setting.
It has a 7075 aluminum housing, shake awake, a side removable battery, manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
This is a large optic.
Read our full 507 Comp review here.
5. Holosun 508T Green & Red Dot - Most Durable Open Emitter
Buy the 508T At The Best Price
Next on the list is the Holosun 508T. It's very similar to the 507C except it has a stronger housing made out of titanium and a square window that's a little bigger.
The 508T's square titanium housing is made to give it extra durability, both from the shape and the material.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and they come with Holosun's Multi Reticle System, which is a 32 MOA ring + 2 MOA dot, and can be toggled to show only the 32 MOA Ring or just the 2 MOA dot by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 508T review here.
6. Holosun 509T Green & Red Dot - Most Durable Closed Emitter
Buy the 509T At The Best Price
Note: If you plan on on mounting the 509T to the Echelon slide using the included RMR adapter plate you will need these screws because the Holosun ones are too long.
The 509T is going to be the most heavy duty pistol optic you can buy from Holosun. It's an enclosed emitter and made with a titanium housing. The titanium is not to make it lightweight, it's to make it more durable.
The 509T comes with and RMR adapter plate
The enclosed emitter ensures that nothing can obstruct the view of the emitter and the lens, meaning water, dirt, lint or any other molecule will not get inside the optic. It will also make the optic easier to wipe off if it were to drop in mud or something like that.
The 509T is not going to be the lightest optic, but it will be the toughest.
It also has a nice big FOV and is filled with nitrogen which will help with fog-mitigation, just like a scope.
It's available in Red or Green reticles and they come with Holosun's Multi Reticle System, which is a 32 MOA ring + 2 MOA dot, and can be toggled to show only the 32 MOA Ring or just the 2 MOA dot by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
It has shake awake, a side removable battery, solar failsafe with auto brightness or manual brightness modes, 10 daylight and 2 nightvision settings, and is IP67 waterproof.
Read our full 509T review here.
7. Holosun 509 ACSS Vulcan Red - Best Specialty Closed Emitter
Buy the 509 ACSS Vulcan At The Best Price
Note: If you plan on on mounting the 509 ACSS to the Echelon slide using the included RMR adapter plate you will need these screws because the Holosun ones are too long.
Similar to the 509T is the 509 ACSS Vulcan. It is an enclosed emitter optic, but it has two major differences. It’s made out of aluminum and it has the ACSS Reticle (10MOA Chevron + 250 MOA Outer Ring)
This optic is a good option is you need an enclosed emitter and must have the ACSS Reticle.
8. Holosun EPS Red or Green 6MOA, 2MOA, MRS - Best All Around Closed Emitter
*Note: To install this optic without using the included Holosun RMR adapter plate you must purchase these Echelon EPS/EPS Carry Screws. These screws will let you eliminate the need for the Holosun RMR adapter plate, allowing your optic to sit lower on the slide. When installing without the RMR adapter plate you will need to use Springfield Echelon Pin Set 3 without the rear pins.
Note: If you plan on on mounting the EPS Full Size to the Echelon slide using the included RMR adapter plate you will need these screws because the Holosun ones are too long.
Last but in no way the least is the Holosun EPS. This is Holosun’s latest closed emitter optic and is made out of aluminum. It has a lower deck height than the 509T and 509. It comes with an RMR adapter plate but you can actually mount this to your Echelon without the adapter plate. But you will need these Echelon EPS Screws to do that.
These EPS models come in red or green and either a 2MOA, 6MOA, or MRS Reticle. The MRS Reticle has a solar failsafe and auto brightness mode, the others do not.
Read our full EPS Full Size review here.
Best Modified RMSc Footprint Holosun Optics for the Springfield Echelon - Pin Set 2 without the rear pins
*Note: To mount any of these optics below you will need these screws. That is because the included screws are too long
Below are the best Holosun RMSc a.k.a. K Series footprint optics you can mount on your Springfield Echelon. These are smaller optics that will sit about flush with your slide.
These will install using Pin Set 3 for the front and not using any pins in the rear and the included Holosun Optic Screws.
1. Holosun 407K Green & Red Dot - Best Budget Option
*Note: To mount this optic you will need these Echelon K Series screws. That is because the included screws are too long
Buy the 407K At The Best Price
This is the most affordable micro optic Holosun makes and is available in a 6 MOA green or red dot.
If you are looking for a single dot optic that is very affordable and great for plinking then this might be the one for you.
The 6 MOA dot is a really nice size. It's big enough to pick up rather easily, but still small enough to be precise with.
It has an aluminum housing, side removable battery, manual brightness controls, shake awake, is IP67 waterproof, and 50,000hrs of battery life.
Read our full 407K review here.
2. Holosun 507K Green & Red Dot - Best All Around Option
*Note: To mount this optic you will need these Echelon K Series screws. That is because the included screws are too long
Buy the 507K At The Best Price
The next step up from the 407K is the 507K. This has all the same features like an aluminum housing, side removable battery, manual brightness controls, shake awake, IP67 waterproof, and long battery life but it also has Holosun's Multi Reticle System (MRS).
The MRS Reticle is a 32 MOA Ring with a 2 MOA dot. It's really cool when you look at it - it's similar to an EOtech's reticle if you've ever seen them.
The other cool thing is you can toggle the reticle holding down the "-" for 3 seconds. So if you wanted to, you could use just the 32 MOA Ring, the 2 MOA Dot only, or both the 32 MOA Ring + the 2 MOA Dot.
Read our full 507K review here.
3. Holosun 507K ACSS Vulcan Green & Red Dot - Best Speciality Option
*Note: To mount this optic you will need these Echelon K Series screws. That is because the included screws are too long
Buy the 507K ACSS Vulcan At The Best Price
Next on the list is the 507K ACSS Vulcan. This is exactly like the 507K except is has the ACSS Vulcan reticle. This reticle has a 230 MOA dotted outer ring and a 3 MOA center dot.
The purpose of this reticle is to help you find the center dot quickly if you are off center. To learn more about the ACSS Vulcan reticle check out our article here.
The dotted outer ring can be turned off by holding down the "-" button for 3 seconds.
The main advantage of the ACSS Vulcan reticle is to be able to find the center dot quickly when drawing the pistol.
All the features are the same as the 507K except for the reticle, and this is available in both red & green.
Read our full 507K ACSS review here.
4. Holosun EPS Carry - Closed Emitter Option - Best Enclosed Emitter Option
*Note: To mount this optic you will need these Echelon K Series screws. That is because the included screws are too long
Buy the EPS Carry At The Best Price
The EPS Carry is very similar to the 407K and 507K except it has one major difference, it is an enclosed emitter optic. This means the laser emitter is protected by a hood. So dirt, mud, or debris will never get in the way of the emitter to distort the reticle. It also has the highest waterproof rating at IPX8.
There are 3 versions of the EPS Carry. The 2MOA, 6MOA, and MRS Versions
The MRS version has a solar panel on it which acts as a solar fail safe to power the reticle of the battery dies. It also gives you an extra auto brightness feature which can be toggled on or off.
Read our full EPS Carry review here.
Choosing between Red or Green Reticles
You may be wondering if you should get a red or green dot reticle. We get this question a lot so I am going to list a few bullet points for you to consider.
- Green reticles are less straining for the eye to see.
- Green reticles can help with astigmatism. If you have astigmatism you will see a blurry dot, we have been told by a few customers that Green dots help with their astigmatism, making the dot look more crisp than the red version.
- Green will not washout on backdrops like green grass, foliage, or green colors.
- In theory Green dots can have a longer battery life because Green is brighter, so for example a green dot on brightness setting 6 may be the same brightness as a red dot on setting 7 - which would save battery life.
If you want to learn more check out our full article about Red vs Green Dot Pros & Cons here.
Choosing between Open vs Closed Emitters
The simplest way we can break down open vs closed emitters is to look at how you plan on carrying the pistol. If you plan on being outdoors in the elements with rain, snow, sleet, then a closed emitter will be beneficial.
If you plan on carrying OWB most of the time and plan on being outside then closed emitter would be beneficial.
If you plan on carrying IWB or don't plan on being outside using your red dot in the pouring rain or heavy snow then an open reflex is fine.
Open reflexes will still work in the rain or snow but the closed emitter will give you extra peace of mind.
An open reflex can collect dust and debris on the inside of the reticle over time, so you'll want to clean it out from time to time. An enclosed emitter is easier to clean in this aspect.
To learn more about Open vs Closed emitters you can check out our Open vs Closed Emitter Guide here.
How to decide which reticle style is best for you
In this guide we covered a few different reticle options. If you need some help deciding which is best for you here are some of our thoughts on each.
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Conclusion
What's great about the Springfield Echelon is that you can choose to run any Holosun red or green dot sight you please on it.
As you can see there are a lot of options. We recommend figuring out your primary use case for the pistol and choose the optic you feel best suits your needs.
We hope you enjoyed this guide and found it helpful. If you have any further questions please reach out to us.
Thank you for reading!
