Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm Pistols

A recent addition to the Springfield Armory line, the Hellcat was introduced in 2019. This is a pistol designed for concealed carry that can carry magazines on par with full sized pistols. It is a slightly larger version of the original Hellcat. Springfield Armory took the old design and added a few features to improve control, accuracy and handling. The grip is the first thing you will notice. The Hellcat almost burrows into your palm, creating a tight, fit that is easy to hold, aim and fire. Rather than a true sub-compact, the Hellcat sacrifices a little size for greater control and less recoil. It remains a solid, well-designed pistol with good concealability, relatively high magazine capacity and its accurate. All these factors work together to create a solid platform for self-defense that is durable, reliable and most importantly effective. It has a little variety as well with seven different versions available.

This striker fired pistol features a stainless-steel slide with a blade safety next to the trigger. An additional safety, a low-profile ambidextrous thumb style is an option. The compact version has a 17-round, flush magazine, a 3.7-inch barrel length and an overall length of 6.6-inches in a tightly packed 21-ounce package.

The slightly smaller sub-compact version is made for concealed carry use. Just six-inches long with a three-inch barrel it weighs just 17.9-ounces but carries a substantial 13-round magazine. It features Tritium/Luminescent front sights and a Tactical Rack U-notch rear sight.

The largest version of the Hellcat, measuring seven-inches overall, with a 3.8-inch barrel is an “in between” pistol. Small enough to use as a concealed carry handgun, but large enough to fire accurately and use as a standard personal defense pistol. Springfield Armory made this one very light for a pistol approaching standard dimensions at just 19.4-ounces.

No matter how big or small you are, there is a Hellcat you can use for concealed carry. They work well in shoulder or belt holsters. The subcompact is small enough for a leg holster or even a pocket on a larger person.

These are excellent for carrying in a purse, backpack or handbag with their hammerless profile. There is nothing to snag inside a purse or knapsack, you can easily pull the Hellcat without fear of hooking it on something.

Aside from concealed carry, the standard size Hellcat is still a small frame pistol with full sized potential, use it as you would any other full sized handgun.

• Base Model – The Hellcat in its standard form is 6.6-inches long, tips the scale at 21-ounces and sports a 17-round magazine and a 3.7-inch barrel. Finished in Black Melonite it’s an attractive pistol.
• Pro Comp – An integrated compensator directs exhaust upwards, reducing barrel creep with quick shots. It includes a 15 and a 17-round magazine and is optics ready.
• OSP Micro Compact – One of the more popular concealed carry Hellcats in a small, micro-compact style. Just 17.9-ounces with a three-inch barrel and an overall length of six-inches. It’s smaller than some cell phones and fits in a pocket easily.
• RDP – This one means business with a threaded barrel and an included Shield SMSc Red Dot. At seven inches overall, it remains a good choice for concealed carry with loose clothing.
• Pro – Classic lines with a 3.7-inch hammer forged barrel, reversible magazine release and a loaded chamber indicator. It has front and rear slide serrations.
• Pro OSP – Available in a sand colored Melonite finish it features adaptive textured polymer grips, a 17-round magazine and a 3.7-inch barrel on a 6.6-inch frame.
• Micro Compact RDP – A pair of magazines, one 11 and the other 13-round, with a rear slide deck cut to fit a micro red dot. This is a larger model at seven-inches overall and a 3.8-inch barrel. It’s light for a compact at just 19.4-ounces.