It has not been easy, but its better than the ah, you know the rest… Now for a quick definitions section.
Hellcat OSP: Optical Sight Pistol.
SMSc: Shield Mini Sight compact.
Many people associate the Hellcat Pro OSP with high performance, but it is also great for old eyes. In this article, the author explains how.
AIWB, Appendix Inside-The-Waistband.
I know you know the last one, but I relish being thorough.
Not the weapons fault, but totally on me.
When you focus on a pistol’s iron sights, the target necessarily blurs. That means you have to pick which one to focus on — your front sight or the threat.
First off was my grip.
Over the years, I have developed arthritis in my hands.
No, dont worry, Ill let you in on my HIPAA deficiencies if you swear to confidentially.
With a red dot optic, both the aiming dot and the threat are in the same focal plane, making it possible to keep both in clear focus.
I am more recoil sensitive than I was in the past.
It affects my ability to get the gun back on the threat.
Ill deal with it.
The Shield SMSc optic allowed the author to accurately shoot his Hellcat Pro without the need for additional vision correction.
The Hellcat Pros generous and tactile grip was kind to me in this regard.
Second, and more importantly, my eyes have become obstructionists.
Nearsightedness and astigmatism have pitted my handguns iron sights against a distant B21 target in competition for my focus.
At all distances, shooting the Hellcat Pro was easy and accurate with the SMSc red dot sight.
These have widened my groups.
At 25 yards, a once-achievable fist-sized grouping of bullets has ballooned to minute-of-man.
Hes kind of like The Stig on the original Top Gear tv show if you get my reference.
The author found it easy to carry the Hellcat Pro concealed with a mounted red dot sight using the BlackPoint Tactical holster.
There were a few things I had in mind with the RM and Hellcat.
Testing It Out
At the Rangemasters playground, we dry-fired the Springfield Armory Hellcat.
I found pleasure in the pull of the trigger.
Take-up to the next click was nicely short.
The sight picture of the SMSc was bright and easily acquired.
Punch the Hellcat out and the dot was right there every time.
I had loaded 12 rounds into the first stainless steel magazine.
Boom, boom, boom, spoke the Hellcat Pro.
My initial string went 12 of 12 in the states qual hit area.
These were fired standing, Isosceles, and unsupported, which is where you may live in a gunfight.
This was much better than my last 25-yard string at the range.
The Shield-brand red dot advertises four MOA.
I saw it as much less.
The red glass floater was co-witnessed with theexcellent U-Dot systemof the Hellcats factory irons.
I put my visual intent on the SMSc exclusively, though.
Both coexist, unlike in the iron-sighting regimen of an aging shooter.
The Hellcats ergonomics and trigger made the rest of a successful engagement possible.
It can be worn AIWB or dominant-side IWB, with or without the optic.
With a reassuring Kydex snap, the Hellcat seats itself.
The dual metal clips are especially aggressive and would not surrender my belt.
I appreciate a holster that retains the gun but resists overt removal attempts.
This is the raised section of Kydex to the left of the belt clips.
Price point, $89.99.
We were getting attached to this cat from the holster, hip, high-compressed ready and low ready.
The gun felt balanced and reliable.
RM put a two-inch group in the B21s elbow at 10 yardsen rapido.
Conclusion
We like to say its not the age, its the mileage.
Life erodes us, so we adapt where we can.
The right tool for the right job, our elders might say.
