Preview: Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact 9mm

by
posted on September 26, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
springfieldhellcat1.jpg

The popularity of Defensive Pistol matches keeps growing, and now Springfield Armory has a new micro-compact model that should prove to be a wise choice for Defensive Pistol games—the Hellcat 9mm pistol. The new Hellcat boasts best-in-class capacity of 11+1, which is upped to 13+1 with the included 13-round extended magazine. This carry gun also comes in an optics-ready configuration dubbed the Hellcat OSP (see it pictured at the top of this article). OSP stands for "Optic Sight Pistol."

The Hellcat features a 3-inch hammer-forged barrel, reversible magazine release lever and a flat trigger body. There is a trigger-lever safety, but unlike Springfield's striker-fired XD line, the Hellcat does not have a grip safety. The trigger group is nickel boron coated. The slide is billet machined with a melonite finish. Additionally, there are top slide serrations that are located on the rear part of the slide. These serrations should make slide manipulation slightly easier with the additional surface for grasping.

Springfield Hellcat 9mm micro-compact magazines
The Hellcat comes with two magazines that allow three possible configurations. The 11-round mag can be used with the flush plate for a smaller footprint, or with the included pinky extension. The 13-round extended magazine’s bigger footprint includes more area for the adaptive grip texture.


The standard Hellcat weighs 1 pound, 2.3 ounces. Add another 0.3 ounces with the 13-round extended magazine. Height is 4 inches with the standard magazine, and 4.5 inches with the extended one. Length is 6 inches.

The base model Springfield Armory Hellcat (Model No. HC9319B) retails for $569, while the OSP optic-ready model is $30 more (Model No. HC931BOSP). For more details on the new Hellcat, visit the Springfield Armory website at springfield-armory.com. And, be on the lookout for a future review of this new 9mm micro-compact pistol for Defensive Pistol competitive shooters.


Read more about the Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm micro-compact pistol:

Latest

XS VP9 1
XS VP9 1

XS Sights Adds Fiber-Optic Sights, Optic Plates for HK VP9

XS Sights releases fiber-optic sights and CNC-machined optic plates for the HK VP9, offering ACRO and RMR footprint compatibility.

Beretta Launches Full Training Apparel Line

Beretta debuts Training Gear Collection at 2026 NRA Annual Meeting with seven pieces engineered alongside top shooters for range and competition.

NRA America’s Rifle Challenge Featured on ‘Gun Talk Nation’

Kyle Lamb joins ‘Gun Talk Nation’ to make the case for ARC as the best entry-level AR-15 competition and to explain why civilians and tactical shooters alike benefit from match experience.

Mein Reaches Super Final as Team Federal Cleans Up in San Antonio

Derrick Mein finished third in the Main Event and Gregg Wolf won American Field HOA at the 2026 World English Sporting Clays Championship.

Vincent Hancock Receives NRA Golden Bullseye Competitor Award in Houston

Four-time Olympic skeet gold medalist Vincent Hancock accepts 2026 NRA Media Golden Bullseye Competitor award at NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas.

Results: 2026 Tennessee State BB Gun Championship

Lily Cope scored 474.9 of 536 to win the Tennessee State BB Gun Championship Match over 37 competitors in Cookeville.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.