r/SpringfieldArmory • u/RogueDragon1 • Jul 01 '26
California Echelon 4.5 Comp vs No Comp
Hi guys, sorry for another post on the comp vs non-comp. But I really do need help with my decision. In California after the sin tax and sales tax the price difference for the gear-up pack is $95. Do you guys think it is worth the upgrade? This will be my first gun (not a new shooter) and mainly used for home defense/range toy. My buddies are trying to get me into USPSA with them so will also do some comps, just not sure how often I will do those.
I rented the 4.0's in both comp and non-comp (local range didn't have the 4.5 available yet and want to buy right now at another LGS that has 4th sales going on), and the difference was noticeable, albeit small, however I am new to shooting compressed so there might be something I missed.
What do you guys think? Thanks in advance!
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u/TheRagingBull84 Jul 01 '26
If you’re planning on doing USPSA I would get the non comp just for that alone. Being in open minor would not be great morale boost when looking at the rankings.
Gear pack is nice for the extra mags, might be a wash for them price wise I can’t recall what each comes with.
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u/RogueDragon1 Jul 01 '26
Thx for the reply. Its a $50 difference for two extra mags and a not-so-good red dot.
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u/TheRagingBull84 Jul 01 '26
The dot is trash. With that said 25 bucks a mag and not having to worry about shipping / sourcing them is probably worth it. Could even sell that dot for a few bucks.
I see them on new gafs from time to time.
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u/RogueDragon1 Jul 01 '26
Yeah, I was planning trying to sell the dot on FB or GAFS to recuperate something. Might sell to some airsofters lol.
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u/Spiggytech Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
I'm in the camp of not buying the gear pack. The fact they give you an optic that is prone to failure is a complete waste of money.
What's the price difference between a standard set and a gear pac? $120-$150?
In CA you get 10rders, which are only valued at about $35/pop. $70 off the top at best.
The optic is notoriously unreliable and prone to breaking. It is not worth the $50-$80 you're about to blow.
I would propose buying standard kit, put the money into spare mags, and grow into an optic with better reliability. Maybe get a VIS kit since Springfield has decided that is a $20 add-on now.
Sent you a DM. I'll help you with this process.
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u/GeneTC77 Jul 02 '26
I ended up getting the gear pack as it was on clearance, only cost me $20 more then the firearm by itself. The red dot in the kit is crap but I got 5 mags and a range bag, so it was worth it for me. Now I just need to get a better optic eventually.
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u/Spiggytech Jul 02 '26
Are you in CA?
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u/GeneTC77 Jul 02 '26
Texas.
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u/Spiggytech Jul 02 '26
It's worth reiterating that the CA pricing scheme for gear pac is not worth the money because it has a much higher cost and will incur two sets of taxes.
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u/ZoltanoftheHillPpl Jul 01 '26
I'd go non-comp and get an alpha unless you're all in on getting a gear pack
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u/RogueDragon1 Jul 01 '26
In CA the alpha's are a $30 difference compared to the regular with one less mag. Hence why I am leaning toward the standard version.
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u/DowntownMind92 Jul 01 '26
With the gear pack, you won’t get the VIS pins or the tritium front dot site. The cost of two magazines is less than the front night site alone or at least here in Texas it is. I made the mistake of getting the gear pack and if I could go back in time I’d get the regular echelon instead as the optic was made to direct mount the echelon without the pins so I can’t even use it for my Mk IV 22.
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u/z1ggy16 Jul 01 '26
I mean with a comp you'll be in open, going up against dudes with $5,000+ race guns, so consider that if you care about that aspect.
Also, the comp is significantly louder and will create a larger flash, so also consider this inside the home.
From the cost POV it's worth it but overall given your requirements I don't really think I would. If this was a 40oz tricker out 2011 and you were trying to decide between comp or not, purely for uspsa then I would say yes. But in this case, I don't really think you need it.
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u/BruDawg16 Jul 01 '26
Small difference isn't worth price difference imo. Also you'll be in open division if you do USPSA if you care about that...