This pistol earned its place as one of the worlds best 9mm handguns for personal protection.
Hellcat
The original 9mm Hellcat combines a remarkably compact size with unbelievable shootability.
The Hellcat measures just 1 in width, yet packs 11 rounds of 9mm into a flush-fitting magazine.
The Hellcat family offers a wide range of EDC-ready 9mm pistols. Hellcat Pro (left) and Hellcat in Desert FDE (right) shown. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Housing the pistols hammer-forged barrel is a billet machined slide with a Melonite finish.
[Be sure to read our article ongun finishes.
]It has highly effective slide serrations to enhance your grip.
The Hellcat RDP (Rapid Defense Package) pistol features an extended threaded barrel topped off with a Self-Indexing Compensator. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Springfield includes two magazines with the Hellcat: one 11-round flush fitting mag and one 13-round extended magazine.
The extended magazine gives you some additional surface area to grip in addition to the extra rounds.
[Catch theSpringfield Armory Hellcat reviewfrom Mike Humphries.]
Springfield offers a range of distributor-exclusive specialty color models in the line, such as this Hellcat 3” Burnt Bronze variant.
For me, reliability is the primary concern in any firearm used for self-defense.
The good news is these guns are seemingly bulletproof in the reliability department.
Every single one Ive shot has been 100% reliable.
The Springfield Armory Hellcat is exceptionally good for CCW with or without a red dot sight. It is shown here with a Shield SMSc.
Springfield uses itsAdaptive Grip Texture on the polymer frame.
The texture is fairly aggressive and locks the pistol solidly in the hand.
Yet, its not abrasive and wont ruin a t-shirt or hurt your hand during an extended range session.
The Hellcat RDP is shown here equipped with aSurefire XSC weaponlightand fitted with an included extended 13-round magazine. Image: Jeremy Tremp
Another great feature on the Hellcat is the standard sight.
Springfield Armory uses what I think are the best defensive sights offered on a factory gun today.
[Read more on theseSpringfield Hellcat sights.]
The Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded pistol features an extended 4.4” barrel with 1/2×28 threading and included thread protector. Image: Scott Conditt
The 3 Hellcat is offered in a wide range of variations.
That means no plates are needed.
In fact, Springfield offers it with or without a Shield SMSc included.
The Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro is an excellent home defense weapon and CCW tool.
The SMSc features a 4 M.O.A.
dot and a lightweight polymer body making it a good choice for concealed carry.
In addition to basic black, Springfield offers flat dark earth (FDE) as a standard color option.
As with any defensive tool, the Hellcat Pro works best with a well-trained user. Seek out competent defensive firearms instruction.
This variant integrates a Self-Indexing Compensator with a threaded barrel as a standard feature.
Additionally, all models are optics ready for direct mounting of micro red dot sights.
The barrels are 3.8 long and use the same hammer-forged process the standard Hellcat barrels use.
As with the other Hellcat barrels, this one has a Melonite finish for excellent durability.
[Dont miss Paul CarlsonsSpringfield Armory Hellcat RDP review.]
Likewise, the RDP guns have the high-quality Adaptive Grip Texture and superior U-Dot sights.
The basic Hellcat RDP 3.8 Micro-Compact ships from Springfield Armory with a Shield SMSc red dot sight standard.
Right out of the box, you have a complete gun that is ready for defensive service.
you might also get the RDP without an optic.
The company offers a manual safety version of the gun with and without the Shield optic.
For shooters in restricted states, Springfield Armory offers all versions of the RDP with 10-round magazines.
In addition to the included 15-rounder, the pistol also comes with an extended 17-round magazine.
The extended magazine also offers a little additional length for your hand.
Folks with large hands are likely to appreciate that.
[Be sure toread this Hellcat Pro review by Massad Ayoob.]
Of course, it maintains the effective U-Dot sights common to the line.
They are also offered in black or Desert FDE.
The Pro has a longer barrel than the original Hellcat, coming in at 3.7.
This improves your potential accuracy and precision due to the increased sight radius.
Likewise, the longer barrel allows rounds to achieve a greater velocity prior to leaving the muzzle.
Additionally, you’re free to get the Hellcat Pro with an optional frame-mounted, ambidextrous manual safety.
This is available in either black or Desert FDE versions.
For me, the Hellcat Pro is the ideal CCW pistol.
Its compact enough to conceal in virtually any situation I am likely to find myself in.
Beyond the basic Hellcat Pro, you might also get the Hellcat OSP Threaded model.
Springfield Armory fitted this pistol with a 4.4 threaded barrel.
The hammer-forged, Melonite-finished barrel is 12x28 threaded for the addition of a suppressor or comp.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a round-up of the entire Hellcat line.
So, take a look and pick out the one thats right for you!
Go to forum thread
