New SA Hellcat variant

[Madcap_Magician]

Hellcat Pro OSP, compact (mid-size) version, 3.7" barrel, 15-round capacity.

This is interesting. I was hoping Sig would make a 15-round P365 with a 4" barrel to compete with the Glock 19, but looks like SA got there first. I'd still like a 4" barrel, though. This looks like it's aimed heavily at the AIWB market.

 

[lee n. field]

So, a double stack, optics ready & close to service size XDS. Without the grip safety that some complain about.

Springfield listens to the market.

Will the classic XD disappear now? 20 years is a good run.

 

[Trey Veston]

More choices are always good. My dad loves his Hellcat, and I love my P365. But when it comes to a G19-sized 9mm pistol, I have found nothing superior to my G19 Gen 5 MOS. It is absolutely reliable, accurate, and ergonomic.

BTW, SA discontinued the XD-M line. I had just bought an XD-M Elite OSP 3.8" 10mm when I found out. Apparently, they are going with the "Elite" XD-M series.

 

[LeftyRed]

Smart move, but I do wish it had a grip safety. In the minority, but I don’t care still want it.

I think it’s also smart to introduce the “XL” version. The regular HC really can’t compete with the 365 for pocket carry, and I find both of them lacking in grip area. But the 365 X/XL is an different animal, and I’m hoping the HC version is too. Hope it offers a better grip than the shorter version. Will pick one up over a Sig for sure.

Lefty

 

[greyling22]

this is slightly off topic, but I'm not going to lie, I hate springfields naming system for the xd. xd, xdm, xdm-letter, xd elite.... it's as bad as the smith 3rd gen numbering system. 5906, 4905, 3.14159......

 

[CNobbe]

Local Scheels store had a couple already, put one in my paw and have to say it felt really good. I have medium sized hands and it felt very natural and I liked it more than the 365 XL. I like my regular P365s, but the big Hellcat might be a new winter carry option down the road.

 

[Jim Watson]

Very square feeling, like minimum plastic butt over a magazine.
The one in store here had a HARD trigger pull.

 

[gobsauce]

this is slightly off topic, but I'm not going to lie, I hate springfields naming system for the xd. xd, xdm, xdm-letter, xd elite.... it's as bad as the smith 3rd gen numbering system. 5906, 4905, 3.14159......

I gotta ask, does anyone know what X,D or M mean?

Or how S&W's naming system work?

 

[greyling22]

I gotta ask, does anyone know what X,D or M mean?

Or how S&W's naming system work?

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/guide-smith-wesson-semi-automatic-models/

 

[LeftyRed]

Is it just me, or are things switched around? Use to a company would start with a full duty sized gun, then introduce a compact, then get even smaller and bring out a sub compact. Now we have been flooded with some nice micro compacts, and the companies are making the micro compacts bigger! LOL

Got to say I’m enjoying the competition and the great handguns that are coming from it!

Lefty

 

[Mark_Mark]

I love all these compact hi-cap guns coming out. carrying 2 guns IWB with extra mags have never been easier

 

[Styx]

I still have not jump on the hybrid micro 9mm bandwagon and doubt I ever will. I also don't understand why they cost as much or more than the larger pistols. Less machine time, less parts, and less plastic and expensive metals should equal cost savings for the end user, but instead it's higher profits for the manufacturer. It should be much cheaper to produce. It use to be that even the single stack 9mms were $50-$150 less than their double stack counterparts.

@LeftyRed That may be why manufacturers are more than happy to start small. It use to be that smaller guns were frowned upon for primary carry, but now they preferred by many. I like to carry all steel, larger, and heavier guns. I am not obsessed with capacity either.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I still have not jump on the hybrid micro 9mm bandwagon and doubt I ever will. I also don't understand why they cost as much or more than the larger pistols. Less machine time, less parts, and less plastic and expensive metals should equal cost savings for the end user, but instead it's higher profits for the manufacturer. It should be much cheaper to produce. It use to be that even the single stack 9mms were $50-$150 less than their double stack counterparts.

@LeftyRed That may be why manufacturers are more than happy to start small. It use to be that smaller guns were frowned upon for primary carry, but now they preferred by many. I like to carry all steel, larger, and heavier guns. I am not obsessed with capacity either.

I get in different carry moods. my current mood is Colt 3” .45 ACP with a extra mag. I don’t feel under gun, it just need me to get to my rifle

 

[Anchorite]

More choices are always good. My dad loves his Hellcat, and I love my P365. But when it comes to a G19-sized 9mm pistol, I have found nothing superior to my G19 Gen 5 MOS. It is absolutely reliable, accurate, and ergonomic.

BTW, SA discontinued the XD-M line. I had just bought an XD-M Elite OSP 3.8" 10mm when I found out. Apparently, they are going with the "Elite" XD-M series.

I have to agree. While at first glance this Hellcat presents an interesting iteration, it’s no G19, the platform I personally have decided is my self defense pistol of choice. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

But these optics….I just can’t see carrying that. I know, I know, don’t knock it till you try it….but I’m most likely going to be at bad breath distance if I get in a gunfight, so I can’t rationalize the need for such an optic sight. YMMV.

 

[Rule3]

Always has to be more, more and then some more.

Micro compact ??

Crazy

 

[Riomouse911]

Is it just me, or are things switched around? Use to a company would start with a full duty sized gun, then introduce a compact, then get even smaller and bring out a sub compact. Now we have been flooded with some nice micro compacts, and the companies are making the micro compacts bigger! LOL

Got to say I’m enjoying the competition and the great handguns that are coming from it!

Lefty

Recent gun introductions seem to parallel the way auto manufacturers have worked over the years. Seems like newly introduced models start out smaller, then over the years they grow fat. (Ex: 1964 1/2 Mustang compared to a 1973 model, 1990’s Toyota compact pickup to a new Tacoma, etc.)

I guess it is too little of a good thing they’re adjusting for?

I do think it is the golden age of ccw options, though. Which is a very good thing.

Stay safe.

 

[CNobbe]

Was out at a range I don't get to very often and they had a new Hellcat Pro in their rental case. Decided to try it out. My biggest beef with the regular Hellcat is the texture bites my skin in a certain location and...the Hellcat Pro does too. The one I tried had a Hex red dot on it, not my thing, but it shot okay. I still shot my 365X better. To each their own, it feels wonderful in the hand.

 

[WestKentucky]

I know I’m in the minority on this one but the Ruger max9 was very impressive. It was also kinda expensive which is why I didn’t buy one. Same deal as all the other new offerings though. Surprising 9mm capacity in a small gun with optic cut. The biggest difference from one to the next is the way the grip is made so a man just has to figure out what feels right and points naturally. For me it’s between the 365xl and the Ruger. All far more spendy than they should be.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I have to agree. While at first glance this Hellcat presents an interesting iteration, it’s no G19, the platform I personally have decided is my self defense pistol of choice. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

But these optics….I just can’t see carrying that. I know, I know, don’t knock it till you try it….but I’m most likely going to be at bad breath distance if I get in a gunfight, so I can’t rationalize the need for such an optic sight. YMMV.

What I don't get is why they don't do the same thing for the old-style compact guns and full-size guns that they did for the subcompact ones. I wonder how many rounds a steel G19 magazine with the cartridges stacked like a P365 would hold. I know there's an aftermarket magazine for the Glock 48 that takes Glock's horribly space inefficient ten-round magazine and gets fifteen in there.

 

[LeftyRed]

I know I’m in the minority on this one but the Ruger max9 was very impressive. It was also kinda expensive which is why I didn’t buy one. Same deal as all the other new offerings though. Surprising 9mm capacity in a small gun with optic cut. The biggest difference from one to the next is the way the grip is made so a man just has to figure out what feels right and points naturally. For me it’s between the 365xl and the Ruger. All far more spendy than they should be.

I was empresses when I shot the Max 9, it shot better groups than any other “micro compact” I shot at the range that day. But it doesn’t feel good in my hand, wish it had modular back straps like the Taurus GX4. And I agree with the pricing, it’s a $350 pistol tops! But the market dictates the going price. Rumors have it, that Hogue is coming out with a slip on grip that adds some to the back strap instead of the palm swells. I can only hope as I would love to have a Max 9. I like Ruger and they stand behind their products.

I’m jealous of those that can shoot the Shield Plus as well! Great pistol, but I have never been able to get decent groups with either the regular or the Plus. Something about it just “jive” with me.

I have settled on the GX4 for the time being. Hands aren’t what they use to be, and it’s getting hard to practice with my j frames, even laser training. Waiting for a good slip on grip for the LCP Max, or my Sig 365-380 to get here to take over my EDC.