May 8th, 2023
7minute read
The earth moved just a little bit in September of 2019.
Thats when Springfield Armory introduced the9mm Hellcat micro-compact pistol.
In so doing, they helped rewrite the book on concealed carry in America.
The Hellcat Pro OSP with Manual Safety is the newest iteration of the respected Hellcat line of micro-compact concealed carry handguns.
Since that time, the Hellcat has evolved considerably.
One of the most popular models is theHellcat Pro OSP.
OSP stands for Optical Sight Pistol.
The manual safety on the new Hellcat Pro OSP is small enough to stay out of the way, yet perfectly configured for fast operation.
The Pro features the same basic Hellcat chassis, only lightly stretched.
The very latest version also adds a handy bilateral ambidextrous thumb safety to the mix.
Along the way, this rarefied Hellcat Pro starts dabbling in the realm of theology.
The Hellcat Pro is awash with bells and whistles that make your concealed carry gun safe, reliable and effective downrange.
A Near-Religious Fervor…
We corn-fed Americans are a terribly opinionated lot.
Counted among them is the way we pack our carry guns.
Striker-fired handguns are all the rage these days, and for good reason.
The only difference between the traditional Hellcat Pro OSP and this new version is the addition of a discreet bilateral manual thumb safety.
These triggers are monotonously repeatable from the first round to the last, while remaining both reliable and accurate.
Once you take the measure of a modern striker-fired trigger, it feels like an old friend.
However, the mechanical safety features of some of these modern guns are not without controversy.
The Hellcat Pro OSP with Manual Safety is a great addition to your everydaycarry load-out.
The Hellcat sports one of the most refined ignition systems in the industry.
The primary safety is a small blade built into the trigger face.
When left unmolested, the gun is always on safe.
The author gave the ambidextrous manual safety a full workout with range testing and carry time. It functioned 100% of the time.
However, put your finger inside the triggerguard and against the trigger face and the gun automatically goes hot.
There is also an automatic firing pin block built into the action.
This system keeps the firing pin locked and away from the cartridge until the trigger is pulled.
The manual safety version of the Hellcat Pro, like all Pros, can be fitted with top-tier red dot sights and white lights to form the perfect defensive package.
However, like most things involving firearms, it really all comes down to training.
Thats the Hellcat Pro OSP with manual safety we are discussing here today.
This appendage is perfectly scaled.
At a typical 7-meter concealed carry engagement distance, the Hellcat Pro OSP with Manual Safety punches nice tight groups.
It is easily manipulated but doesnt interfere with holstering.
As such, this simply represents another layer of versatility to the overall equation.
Use it if you want.
Dont if you dont.
I like the option, and it doesnt get in the way.
Whatever you decide, you should practice.
The Hellcat Pro represents the elusive successful compromise: small enough to be concealed while remaining large enough to enhance recoil control.
Practice and repetition are the basis of developing skill sets.
So it is with gun handling.
Adding a manual safety option to your concealed carry regimen demands a little extra practice.
Under pressure you will perform as you have trained.
There are literally countless real-world anecdotes to back that up.
Range Time
On the range, the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro represents the elusive successful compromise.
The gun is small enough to be controllable, while remaining sufficiently substantial to tame the chaos.
Recoil is brisk without being uncomfortable, and the extended grip allows for ample purchase.
The Hellcat Pro has a Goldilocks trigger.
That of the Hellcat Pro indeed hits that sweet spot between safety and shootability.
Springfield Armory offers the options you better customize that solution perfectly.
The Hellcat family of handguns is comfortable to carry, monotonously reliable and beautifully accurate.
In my opinion, these are machines that are legitimately good enough to bet your life on.
Now the Hellcat Pro OSP with manual safety adds yet another layer of security to your personal defense equation.
Packing a gun inevitably involves a lot of extraneous jostling.
The pistol is offered in three versions.
Priced at an MSRP of $649 is a standard version as well as a 10-round version.
It is, in short, a fairly typical example of Springfield Armory excellence.
Go to forum thread
