Is the Springfield Hellcat a Good Gun?
The Springfield Hellcat is a popular concealed carry gun that has gained widespread recognition for its compact design, reliability, and shooting capabilities. In this article, we’ll delve into the features, pros, and cons of the Hellcat to help you determine whether it’s the right fit for your needs.
Overall Performance
The Hellcat is a subcompact handgun chambered in 9mm, with an overall length of 6.6 inches and a width of 1 inch. It weighs in at 17.3 ounces unloaded, making it lightweight and easy to carry concealed.
Magazine Capacity and Reliability
One of the standout features of the Hellcat is its unique 15+1 capacity magazine, which uses a proprietary design that accommodates more rounds without extending the gun’s profile. This makes it ideal for self-defense situations where reliability is paramount.
The Hellcat has a reputation for being extremely reliable, with many owners reporting reliable function even with inferior quality ammunition. This can be attributed to its smooth breech face, carefully angled feed ramp, and chamfered chamber walls, which work together to smoothly feed rounds into the action.
Accuracy and Sight System
The Hellcat features a compact length of pull to ensure a comfortable shooting experience even for smaller-handed users. The gun also sports an ambidextrous manual safety to allow for easy manipulation during firing.
The Hellcat ships with a textured, high-contrast Tru-Glo front sight, which provides a sharp sight picture and easy tracking in low-light conditions. For those who prefer an illuminated sight, the Heinie Ladder Set is available as a separate accessory.
Ballistics and Performance
As a 9mm Luger, the Hellcat is capable of impressive accuracy and stopping power. In testing, the Hellcat has demonstrated a zero-to-50-yd accuracy of 3-4 inches, which is impressive for a gun in this class.
With modern 9mm cartridges such as the Hornady +P Critical Duty round, the Hellcat delivers an impressive 1,025 fps muzzle velocity, allowing it to effectively defend at distances beyond 10 meters.
Concealed Carry and Erosion
One of the major selling points of the Hellcat is its ultra-compact design, making it easy to carry in a variety of garments and holsters.
Springfield also offers proprietary Hellcat holsters, designed specifically for optimal concealed carry. These holsters feature a rear mounted clip for maximum convenience and versatility.
The Hellcat also boasts an ergonomic design, with contoured grips and a slightly oversized trigger guard to fit small to medium hand sizes. This helps minimize printing and ensures the gun stays hidden under light or loose clothing.
Grip and Ergonomics
The Hellcat has a contoured and textured grip, making it easy to hold onto for extended periods. This feature is particularly useful when carried concealed, as the ridges help prevent accidental holster drops.
Clerk and Maintenance
The Hellcat features a disintegrating fiber optic striker indicator, which helps quickly detect when the gun needs loading. This is handy, as it eliminates the need for manual inspection when assessing the gun’s state of readiness.
For maintaining the Hellcat, Springfield provides a user manual with detailed instructions and precautions. Additionally, most of the gun’s major components are easy to strip and clean, minimizing down time and making cleaning an efficient process.
Specifications and Comparisons
| The Hellcat’s stats: | Feature | Hellcat |
|---|---|---|
| Calibre | 9mm | |
| Barrel Length | 3.3 inches (83.8 mm) | |
| Overall Length | 6.6 inches (167.6 mm) | |
| Width | 1 inch (25.4 mm) | |
| Height | 4 inches (101.6 mm) | |
| Capacity | 15+1 |
Comparison to other 9mm subcompacts:
- Glock 43 (single-stack, 10rd capacity)
- Walther PPS M2 (double-stack, 15rd capacity)
- Heckler & Koch VP9SK (double-stack, 15rd capacity)
- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ (double-stack, 13rd capacity)
The Springfield Hellcat stands out due to its large 15+1 magazine capacity, compact design, and affordable MSRP. While not always the most feature-rich pistol, the Hellcat proves itself a reliable, capable, and easy-to- carry option for personal protection.
Conclusion
Overall, the Springfield Hellcat is a solid CCW choice with strong performance, reliability, and concealability. The large magazine capacity, low maintenance requirements, and versatile features make it an ideal concealed carry gun for individuals in need of a high-powered, reliable sidearm.
