Springfield Armory Hellcat

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Ej3

Ej3

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I had an opportunity to shoot a Hellcat on Saturday. Recoil was good and it has a very nice trigger.

I was amazed at the size, considering one magazine is 11+1 and the other 13+1. It is comparable to the Shield with the 7 round magazine. In the photos below it is compared to the Shield and M&P 9C. And as I understand it, the 11 round magazine also has a flat base option. So if installed, it may actually be a bit more compact than the Shield.

Hellcat (1).jpg Hellcat (2).jpg Hellcat (3).jpg Hellcat (4).jpg Hellcat (5).jpg
 
The Hellcat's a winner in my book. It does everything it's supposed to and more than a little extra. I'm not a sub-compact guy, I like a CZ P-01 or 75D Compact for light clothing wear, a CZ 97B for colder weather. I got the Hellcat as a gift and after shooting it realized it was not that last ditch gun I thought. A viable carry gun on it's own and a much better back up than the LCPII I was carrying. IMG_3704.JPG
 
The Hellcat is high on my list should I decide to go back to a higher capacity sub/micro in 9mm. Currently, im super happy with my Shield .45, but I do like the way the HC looks and seems to shoot.
 
groundhog34 said:
They are hard to find at a REASONABLE price in these parts. $565 seems to be going price when you can find one.
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Sadly hard to find but they will come back. Every time I read or watch one of these reviews they sure look tempting. Would be a good replacement for my old well worn Kel-Tec P-11
 
Can't recommend them enough.

Haven't tried the optics version, but the night sights work well. Having 14 9mms in a pocket sized package is worthy of consideration.

I tried 400 rounds to get one to jam, limp wrist, weird steel cased possibly out of spec ammo - it will take anything.

They don't really advertise but it's set up with a stand off guide rod apparently, so it will still fire when flush against /pressed against something, like an old hammerless snub.

I happened into a heck of a deal.. New unfired hellcat, 2 11 rd mags 2 13 rd mags pocket holster etc for 450!
 
Forgot to say, it ran steel every shot at 15 yards. Target couldn't have been over 6 inches across. Works for me.

In my concealed carry class, I got to try a p365. Of the two, I prefer the hellcat trigger and sights.

In my hands, it seems the more accurate of the two. 7-10 yards, 365 wanted to group left for all of us (swat instructors as well).

Nothing terrible and certainly still combat accurate, but HC seems to be "on" better for me.
 
I've got a Springfield XD 9mm SubCompact that I've had for years. It's the same size as a Hellcat but, mine has a 13 and a 16 rd. magazine.
I think Springfield just renamed one of their old models with less capacity.
 
Hows it feel in the hand, is there enough room for two or three fingers?
 
Bo said:
I've got a Springfield XD 9mm SubCompact that I've had for years. It's the same size as a Hellcat but, mine has a 13 and a 16 rd. magazine.
I think Springfield just renamed one of their old models with less capacity.
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Not even close in size. The Hellcat is substantially smaller and lighter. My former XDS and XD are now gone as the Hellcat gives you an XDS size pistol with close to XD capacity. Big win in my book.
 
I still own a P365, and with the 12 round mag inserted it's easy for me to shoot well. I bought a Hellcat after trying one at a local range, have to tip my hat to Springfield as to me it fits bigger hands better and I find myself bringing the 365 with me on trips to the gun stores in case I need some trade equity. ;)
 
Bo said:
I've got a Springfield XD 9mm SubCompact that I've had for years. It's the same size as a Hellcat but, mine has a 13 and a 16 rd. magazine.
I think Springfield just renamed one of their old models with less capacity.
Click to expand...
I have the SA xd sc too but at times I hit some how the slide release causing slide to lock back with rounds still in mag. Frustrating. I try to keep thumbs forward away from release but still manage to hit the little slide release.
 
needmorecowbell said:
Not even close in size. The Hellcat is substantially smaller and lighter. My former XDS and XD are now gone as the Hellcat gives you an XDS size pistol with close to XD capacity. Big win in my book.
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I don't get the "substantially smaller' part.
According to Hellcat's specs, and my measuring apparatus, they both have a 3" barrel, same thickness and the XD SC is a 1/2" longer in height at best.
I don't see that as substantial.
 
Bo said:
I don't get the "substantially smaller' part.
According to Hellcat's specs, and my measuring apparatus, they both have a 3" barrel, same thickness and the XD SC is a 1/2" longer in height at best.
I don't see that as substantial.
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I posted the specs above. (On Thurs.)

20% shorter
20% thinner
40% lighter
Thats substantial.
 
357 Terms said:
20% shorter
20% thinner
40% lighter
Thats substantial.
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My thoughts too. YMMV. I had both at one time and it’s quite noticeable. Don’t get me wrong, I can carry an XDsc size gun most of the time no problem. For me that’s a G19, 32 or 29 these days, but for times where I need to go small the Hellcat fits the bill
 
I felt the same way. Guy was retired Leo, said he bought two accidentally... One optics and the bare bones version. Had them on pre-order and didn't cancel or some such.

Unloaded the lesser version, got more than he would from trade in I bet.

Me, the optics would likely preclude pocket carry as an option and I prefer to keep things simple.

Just took the "heck" cat, or battle cat as my kid calls it, on a 8 hour road trip. It was nice to have something so small yet capable.

The gun, holster, 2 11 round and 2 13 round mags all fit in the nice little zipper carry pouch included. Extra box of fifty jhp, decent little load out!

Still brought the 642. Old habits die hard (with a vengeance ).
 
I had a Hellcat for a while. SA did a great job with it, and it was very reliable. The only reason I got rid of it was that I prefer the 43x and traded the Hellcat for it.
 
ms6852 said:
Hows it feel in the hand, is there enough room for two or three fingers?
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It feels like a kids toy on my fairly large hands. Even with the extended mag it feels way to small and still doesn't have room for the little finger. My walther pps m2 is pretty much as small with the small mag but it just feels way better. I really wanted to like the hellcat, but to me it's way too small and uncomfortable.
 
Looking for some info as to the best IWB CCW holster for my no bones Hellcat. I'm smaller, 5'8" and around 130lbs. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
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