you’ve got the option to see that piecehere.
When you have success, its nice to take some time to reflect on the win.
Apparently, that isnt how Springfield rolls.
And once I had the new Hellcat RDP in my hands, I wasnt disappointed.
With its small footprint and impressive capacity, the Hellcat has become an extremely popular handgun for concealed carry.
Comps have generally been an aftermarket accessory or a part of a custom-built gun.
What does a compensator do?
A compensator uses physics to help reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise.
Its actually pretty simple.
When the pistol is fired, hot gases push the bullet from the case and down the barrel.
Normally, a gun pushes back and the muzzle upward under recoil.
The opposite forces that the comp produces counteract these physics.
The result is a softer-shooting and faster-recovering handgun.
Do compensators really work?
Yes thealuminum compensator on the Hellcat RDPdefinitely works!
Both are improvements that are a win in a defensive handgun.
Compensator a Compromise?
As my buddy Joe Weyer fromAlliance Police Traininglikes to say, There is no free lunch.
The compensator itself weighs a mere .7 oz.
To mount the compensator, the Hellcat RDP features an extended .528 threaded 3.8 hammer-forged barrel.
When attached, the compensator adds just a single inch to the overall length of the pistol.
It also will be easier to shoot well.
Ive been pining for a 4 Hellcat.
From a production standpoint, fitting compensators can be difficult, expensive and time-consuming.
Springfield has solved this issue with the self-indexing system for the Hellcat RDP.
Then reverse it one-half rotation.
Depress the locking lever and rotate forward again until it stops.
Rotate again in the reverse direction with the lever released until it locks into place.
The Hellcat RDP is available with an optional ambidextrous manual safety on the frame of the pistol.
It is a low-profile, unobtrusive design for those who want that option for their Hellcat.
My test pistol for this review did not feature this option.
But more on that in a moment.
That way you have the best of both worlds.
Speaking of the iron sights, the Hellcat RDP comes with theHellcats excellent Tactical Rack U-Dot sights.
HEX Wasp Optic
Remember that new optic I mentioned?
That optic is the HEX Wasp.
No fumbling to turn the optic on when you need it; its always on.
Personally, since these batteries are so cheap and common, I would recommend changing them out annually.
This is a rugged optic that is designed for concealed carry and duty use.
And, its backed by a lifetime warranty.
To that end, the Hellcat RDP features the new Gen 2 Trigger.
I liked the original Hellcat trigger, and the new Gen 2 worked just as well for me.
Yes, the Hellcat RDP shot like a custom Hellcat.
FMJTC through the pistol.
As I expected, the gun and the ammo were 100% reliable.
The HEX Wasp was a pleasure to use.
I really liked the serrations on the rear of the housing.
It seemed to make the window less of a window and just part of my normal vision.
The glass was clear and the dot bright.
The Self Indexing Compensator made the Hellcat RDP even more pleasant to shoot than I expected.
The Hellcat is a small, light pistol chambered in 9mm that is rated for +P ammunition.
That is an unavoidable side-effect of physics.
However, the Self Indexing Compensator tames that recoil.
My split times between shots also dropped a measurable amount with the Self Indexing Compensator mounted on the Hellcat.
With practice, Im sure my skills with the Hellcat RDP will improve even more.
The improved trigger makes the Hellcat more accessible to a wider variety of users.
The comp allows for faster follow-up shots with no real compromise in cost, weight, or size.
Conceal the next generation carry gun.
