#gammage

[catchingthoughtstheblog]

The Springfield Echelon: One Gun, Two Very Different Shooters

The Springfield Echelon - One Gun, Two Very Different Shooters

There’s a funny thing that happens when a new handgun hits the market. New shooters ask, “Is this too much gun for me?” Experienced shooters ask, “Yeah… but can I outshoot it?”

Enter the Springfield Armory Echelon, and let me just say this up front: This pistol doesn’t care which camp you’re in—it’s here to work.

I picked mine up from Brownells, because that’s where I shop for pretty much all my firearm needs. And yes, before you ask, I always use discount code BOP10. If I’m saving money, you should too. After getting mine, I sent it over to Floyds Customs and have the side ports done to it....AMAZING!!!

Now let’s talk about why this gun deserves some real attention.

For the New Shooter: Calm, Confident, and Forgiving

If you’re newer to shooting, the Echelon does something incredibly important—it doesn’t fight you.

The grip angle feels natural right out of the gate. You’re not wrestling the gun into alignment; it just shows up where your eyes are already looking. That’s huge when you’re still building fundamentals like grip, sight picture, and trigger control. Although I did purchase a Sharps Bros Lower to go on mine, the orginal grip was still very nice.

Recoil is very manageable with this one. The slide tracks smoothly, the gun returns to target predictably, and you don’t feel like it’s trying to jump out of your hands every time you press the trigger. That means:

Faster confidence building

Less frustration at the range

More focus on learning instead of surviving each shot

And here’s the big win: the trigger is consistent. Not scary light. Not gritty. Just clean enough that you know when it’s about to break—perfect for learning good habits instead of flinching through bad ones.

For the Experienced Shooter: Modular, Capable, and No-Nonsense

Alright, now for the seasoned crowd.

The Echelon is not trying to impress you with gimmicks. It’s impressing you with execution.

Springfield’s Central Operating Group is the real MVP here. The serialized chassis system makes this platform extremely adaptable. Different grip modules, optic setups, and configurations mean this gun can evolve with your needs instead of being replaced by the next “hot thing.”

The slide is optic-ready, and not in a “you-need-three-adapters-and-a-prayer” way. It’s clean, direct, and purpose-built. Mounting an optic feels intentional—not like an afterthought.

Accuracy? It’s there. The barrel and slide lockup are solid, and the gun rewards proper fundamentals. If your shots are off, it’s probably not the pistol—and we both know that truth hurts a little.

This is a compact that still shoots like a duty gun, which makes it a strong option for:

Concealed carry

Range work

Defensive training

Or that “do-it-all” slot in your collection

Real Talk: Why the Echelon Makes Sense

Here’s the thing—I’ve shot a lot of pistols that were either:

Too complicated for new shooters

Or too boring for experienced ones

The Echelon lives comfortably in the middle, and that’s actually its superpower.

It’s approachable without being watered down. It’s capable without being overbuilt. And it feels like a firearm designed by people who actually shoot, not just design on paper.

Final Thoughts from the Bench

Whether you’re just starting your shooting journey or you’ve been burning powder for years, the Springfield Echelon earns its place on the line.

If you’re looking to pick one up, Brownells is the move. Solid inventory, fast shipping, and once again—use discount code BOP10 when you check out. Saving money on ammo and gear just means more range time, and I’ll never argue against that.

If you want to see this pistol in action, bench-tested and talked through without marketing fluff:

📸 Instagram: @GotGammage

🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@gotgammage

As always, stay safe, shoot straight, and keep catching those thoughts—both on and off the range.

— Catching Thoughts

[catchingthoughtstheblog]

Split Cards at 15 Yards — Why I’m Loving Hodgdon Titegroup from Brownells

I recently dove into ammo reloading and — surprise — it’s a blast. My current favorite component: Hodgdon Titegroup purchased from Brownells (of course I used code BOP10 and saved a little cash).

Honestly, I attempted another powder to start with and it didn't give me the results I needed. I spoke with a brother (shout out to Rick The Ruller out of NOLA) and he put me on to Titegroup! The powder burns consistently, groups tight, and—yes—I’ve been splitting playing cards at 15 yards with the rounds I loaded. Here’s the story and why I’m keeping Titegroup in the bag.

How Titegroup Won Me Over

As mentioned, I tried a few powders when I started reloading, but Titegroup stood out fast for a few practical reasons:

Consistency: Across multiple loads and sessions the powder gave very repeatable performance. That translated into predictable velocities and point-of-impact consistency at the range — the kind of repeatability that turns a "good" group into a "wow" group.

Clean-ish burning: Not the smokiest powder I’ve used. Barrels stay cleaner between strings than with some others I tried.

Works well for small pistol rounds: If you’re mainly doing handgun stuff (like I am), it’s a solid choice for accuracy-focused practice loads.

Value + savings: Buying from Brownells and applying the BOP10 code knocked some off the price — always nice when you’re doing a lot of range practice.

The Fun Part Are The Real Results

My favorite brag: with my handloads using Titegroup, I’ve been splitting playing cards at 5 yards - 10 yards & 15 yards reliably. That’s not just a one-time fluke — it’s repeatable enough that I’m using it as my informal accuracy benchmark. If you like shooting for precision and seeing tangible improvements session-to-session, that kind of feedback is addictive.

A Few Practical Notes (from experience, not a how-to)

Quality components make a difference: primers, bullets, and brass all affect results, so consider the whole recipe — not just the powder.

Start conservative and follow published load data from reputable sources if you’re adjusting anything. Safety first — always.

If you’re tuning for accuracy, small changes in components or seating depth can matter. Patience pays off.

If you’re reloading pistol ammo and want a powder that’s easy to work with and gives consistent, accurate results, Hodgdon Titegroup is worth a try — especially if you can snag a deal (I used BOP10 at Brownells). It’s helped me tighten groups and hit fun little targets like playing cards at 15 yards — and that’s been more than enough to keep me coming back to the bench.

My Process (in short)

I keep my setup simple: Lee Classic Turret Press, a digital scale for accuracy, and a powder measure I trust. Titegroup meters beautifully — no clumping, no bridging — which makes it easy to get consistent charges. I double-check every tenth round or so just to be safe, but the results have been so steady it almost feels automatic. Of course, I always follow Hodgdon’s published load data — safety and precision go hand in hand. This doesn't work when I'm doing Copper Rounds...Hodgdon doesn't seem to have data for that - Oh Well!

Final thoughts

If you’re a handgun shooter looking for a powder that balances accuracy, efficiency, and reliability, Hodgdon Titegroup deserves a spot on your bench. Between its smooth metering, consistent burn, and great results on target, it’s hard not to recommend it. Add in a solid deal from Brownells (don’t forget the BOP10 code), and you’ve got a combo that hits as well in your wallet as it does on the range.

Reloading has deepened my appreciation for shooting — it’s not just about pulling the trigger anymore. It’s about understanding every part of what makes each shot count. And with Titegroup, those shots keep hitting exactly where I want them.

Follow along for more reload notes, range reports, and gear thoughts: Instagram: @GotGammage YouTube: https://youtube.com/@gotgammage?si=rklhFZNwHqycocAH

[maddi--paige]

beetlejuice ! | aug 25, 2023

[catchingthoughtstheblog]

Daddy Daughter Range Day

 Hello, Ladies and Gentlemen! Good Morning, Good Evening and Good Night to you wherever you are in the world! Today I am sooooo excited to tell you guys about such an amazing day I recently had with my oldest child. The day was long anticipated and yet it felt like it was over so quickly. 

My daughter’s name is Londyn. She is such a vibrant, witty and compassionate young lady. At only 9 years of age, she’s gifted and has the mental wherewithal of a 14 or 15 year old. So bright! Being that I’m a NRA Firearms Instructor, my children have been exposed to being around firearms safely since each of them were born. Londyn often would come into Daddy's Man Cave and do minimal tasks; refill ammo boxes, organize cleaning rods or even empty rounds from standing magazines. She’s been “working” with daddy since she was about 4 or 5 years old. I could have taken her to the gun range sooner, but I told her years ago that she couldn’t go until she was 9 years old and committed that age to memory! Year after year, she grew more and more comfortable and I began to allow her to dry fire empty firearms with me. During this time, her love for firearms and the safety of them continue to flourish! We would dry fire together at least once a week. Her skillset grew and the 6, 7 and then 8 year old, finally turned 9 and it was go time!

One night in late November, the night before our range trip, Londyn asked me about the Brownells Premium Electronic Ear Muffs (she just called them Electronic Headphones). I told her, “Daddy doesn’t allow people to use these. These are special and they’re meant for only the Instructor or someone who desires to be an Instructor.” Londyn looked up and me with one hand still in my range bag and the other on the headphones and said, “But if you’re an Instructor and I know what you know... doesn’t that make me at least an Instructor in that’s just isn’t teaching people?” I had not quick comeback. I simply stated, “Londyn, put my headphones down and those over there are yours.” lol. Needless to say she wore my Brownells Premium Electronic Ear Muffs and she absolutely loved them. 

I’ve since put together a Youtube video documenting our time. She even made fun of me throughout the making note of how many times I would keep mentioning the name “Brownells”. It was as if she worked for someone and was hired to keep track of my “Brownells'' comments. It’s not my fault that “Brownells” has everyone one could ask for on their well laid out Brownells.com website. Visit “Brownells'' at www.Brownells.com and browse through the more than robust selections. Also, if you would like to see the full video of Daddy and Daughter Range Day, follow this link: https://youtu.be/QP3RXtB60rg 

Until next time, thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with me. I hope you’ve heard my heart on how proud I am of my baby girl and I’m most excited about the possibility of you stopping and watching the video as well.

[benjaminwheelie]

These two beauties are my everything, my world. #Wicked #Gammage (at Gammage Auditorium) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxEkoB8lo9H/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=94t8dncgfki8

[davidarthurpersley]

I am discovering first hand the emotional impact one feels when researching ones own past to gather data to write an Autobiography. Though some of the places and buildings may have changed or even are gone altogether, the moment recalled, the experiences shared, and the memories will stay with you forever. It’s wild to remember the Grand halls I have had the honor and privilege of performing at in one capacity or another. Amphitheater and Grand Halls seating thousands including: The Hollywood Bowl and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in LA, Gammage Auditorium, Sun Dome, and The Herberger Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. Most recently the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne. I maybe starting an Autobiography about my life as the youngest son of a World Class Athlete. A child who traveled the world before I could really even carry-on a conversation, because I was just a baby. And also about my own life experiences in music, but I still keep myself focused and excited for what God has in store for the future. Be blessed. DA 🙏❤️🎼🎶🎹🎤#hollywood #hollywoodbowl #dorothychandlerpavilion #losangeles #gammage #gammageauditorium #franklloydwright #sundome #suncityarizona #herberger #herbergertheater #herbergerinstitute #herbergertheatercenter #phoenix https://www.instagram.com/davidarthurpersley/p/Bt2V45UHouC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=f5p6bciwivee

[moonlightmaladies]

backstage of ASU Gammage Theater

[rainbow-brite13]

Continuing his #musicaleducation. 🙏🏻🙌🏻🎭 #bettybuckley #hellodolly #asugammage #gammage #broadwaysgreatestmusical (at ASU Gammage) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsb7mCUn31d/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1syfsc6f4n699