Editor’s note: Below you’ll find the Springfield Armory press release and promotional video for the Hellcat, the company’s new micro-compact pistol with an industry-leading capacity of 11+1 rounds of 9mm. GunsAmerica has already published a first look video, which is also embedded below, and we’ll run a full review this Monday in our Digest.
GENESEO, ILL. (09/26/19) – After years of development, we are proud to introduce the Hellcat™, the highest capacity micro compact 9mm in the world and the next generation of defensive pistol from Springfield Armory.
“This is the first step in a new direction for Springfield Armory polymer handguns and embodies our disciplined approach to modern firearms design. Every detail of the Hellcat has been shaped by a singular mission — to deliver the definitive concealed carry handgun,” says Dennis Reese, CEO of Springfield Armory.
The 3″ barreled micro compact pistol features a class leading capacity of 11+1 with its patented magazine — 13+1 with the included extended mag — and is the result of years of painstaking development and engineering in addition to intensive collaboration with top engineers, shooters and self defense experts.
In addition to minute dimensions and stunning capacity, the Hellcat offers a paradigm shifting approach to red dot sight integration for an EDC pistol. Offered in an Optical Sight Pistol configuration, the Hellcat OSP features a seamless cover plate that removes to allow direct mounting of a micro red dot to the slide for the lowest possible profile. The result? A micro sized pistol weighing in at a mere 17.9 oz. with capabilities previously reserved only for full size defensive handguns.
Complementing the optic is the U-Dot™ sight system, offered on both the OSP and standard non-optic model. It is made up of a high visibility tritium and luminescent front sight paired with a tactical rack U-notch rear. This provides a quick-to-engage sighting system ready for a wide range of lighting conditions and allows one handed racking of the slide should the situation demand it. Additionally, the direct mount capability of the OSP allows for co-witnessing of the U-Dot sights with a red dot for ultimate instinctive target engagement.
Along with its small size and advanced features the Hellcat delivers rugged durability. The +P rated pistol features a hammer forged steel barrel and billet machined slide, both featuring Melonite™ coating. The lightweight and strong frame features Adaptive Grip Texture™, a seamless, pressure activated texture featuring a pattern of staggered pyramid shapes. The taller pyramids have a flattened top to ensure comfort in the waistband, while the shorter pyramids come to a point and are engaged when the pistol is firmly gripped. A high-hand beavertail and undercut trigger guard situate the pistol low in the hand for maximum control. A reversible mag release and standard accessory rail for lights and lasers ensure maximum adaptability.
Rear serrations run over the top of the slide for quick and easy manipulation and are designed for positive engagement. The Hellcat’s flat trigger body and nickel boron-coated trigger group provide a consistent trigger pull. A full length guide rod and dual active recoil spring ensure reliable operation and a smooth recoil impulse. The Hellcat also features a textured stand-off device at the muzzle that ensures the pistol will fire when pressed against a target.
Hellcats ship with one 11-round magazine with finger extension and optional flush fitting floorplate as well as one 13-round extended magazine. This provides you with maximum flexibility for both firepower and concealability to fit your specific needs.
It’s a jungle out there. The class leading Hellcat is designed to give you the Capacity to Defend™.
For more information about the Hellcat, please visit: https://www.spr-ar.com/r/3496
About Springfield Armory®
In 1794, the original Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the defense of our young, free Republic. The Armory functioned as a firearms supplier for every major American conflict until 1968 when the government sadly closed its doors. In 1974, nearly two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, Ill. revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy.
We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers. For more information, please visit us at: springfield-armory.com.
Where is the grip safety ? The biggest reason i own XDS
Dam shamefull !
If glock had grip safety there would be no other handgun for me .
I guess if you feel more secure with a pistol that holds a hatful of cartridges,so be it, I have been in two shoot outs (law enforcement related}, and I have to agree with two of the most famous old gun fighters ever. Bill Jordan,U.S Border patrol and Dan Combs, Okla.Highway Patrol.They both told me ,” If you put the first round in the right place,you don,t have to worry about any others.” Nuff said.
The first round onto how many MS-13 members?
Not a good idea to name a self-defense weapon “the Hellcat.” An anti-gun prosecutor will use that name against anyone who does use it in self-defense.
urban legends not withstanding, NO, that will not happen. Geez, the incredible shit some people believe.
You can name it anything you want. “Oprah’s Minge” is untaken at present.
Great. All those extra bullets should make me a better shot.
It is getting a little old. Every new sub compact is “the greatest yet” and “industry leading. When the p365came out, and don’t get me wrong I am a sig fan, the fanfare was pretty huge,the dimensions are pretty much the same as a keltec p11. As the other person stated it’s a flush fit 12 rounder. I carried a p11 for over a decade. It’s a little bastard to shoot but it does shoot. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around “newest and greatest” when there has been another VERY similar pistol around for well over 15 years. We could talk quality i’m Well aware of that but if it works i’m Ok with it.
The comment about .3 in taller ? Well, hell might as well pitch it in the trash.
But seriously….i’ll Take .3 for an extra round. It’s not significant, anymore than 1 oz. is. Isn’t the internet great…we can all put our 2 cents in.
We have reached the practical limit of small carry pistols, and each new one is absoloute best ever. While I am all in favor of progress, perhaps the hyperbole should stop.
I am not understanding your comment, maybe for sales Springfield should just throw their product on the table and tell us to buy it, or not?
If you took the time to build something sorta new, (my G43 of comparable size holds only 6 rounds and has no red-dot cut) you would want the world to know about it too, so you could get a return on your investment of time, energy and money.
Would have been complete with external safety. I won’t get one without
External safety?… Stop living in the past! It’s 2019 for crying out loud and this aint a 1911.
Those of us that’s still living in the past are still here thanks to External Safety’s on hammerless weapons. Not only us but thousands of other lives. You be supprised how little most people know about any weapon. I’ve heard and seen where external safeties prevented an accidental discharge. I’ve spent a lifetime around Guns. These so called “micro handguns” are the most dangerous of all. People carry in their pocket with other accessories. I seen an off duty policeman draw his pocket gun, trigger hung on his keys. He walks with one leg now(severed main artery above his thigh) because that Glock had no external safety.
You must use a quality holster, anyone who just puts a pistol in their pocket well thats one possible ending. If your pistol drops or it falls out of your pocket you could be arrested in some states. If you need a safety for a pistol you need better training and more range time.
Funny you should mention all of this about an external safety.. When I was younger and dumber man I had an external thumb safety installed on two of my now old Glocks, because I did not feel safe carrying a pistol without one.. Forward many years and a lot more practice and experience with carrying daily, handling and shooting a pistol with the care one always should, I would not carry or even own a pistol with a thumb safety for protection for all the tea in China. The fact there are more moving parts to fail at the most inopportune moment that could equals the death of myself or one of my loved ones is at the very tip-top of the list for me not to want to have one.
why? It’s a striker fired pistol with a trigger safety on the trigger face. Don’t trust yourself to keep your booger-hook off the bang-switch until ready to fire?
Wayyyyy too much capacity for us sitting ducks here in Connecticut… this is an all out assault weapon and far too dangerous for us to own without neutering that high capacity magazine!
High capacity magazines for some sanctuary states and/or such sites – are now 2 (two) !
Two rounds are extremely high and so dangerous, be aware.
Other guys are throwing rounds away but you are a professional reviewing a gun. Is there a difference?
When will
It be going on sale?
Class leading? There is a factory 12-round flush-fitting magazine for the Kel-Tec P11. The Hellcat has many fine features over the P11, but truth in advertising is good too.
The Kel-Tec P11 is also taller than the Hellcat in order to fit the 12th round. 4.3 inches high vs. 4 inches for the Hellcat.
The best advantage of the new Hellcat over the KelTec is that is a Springfield and not a KelTec…
Hmm I have a Sig p365 ..I have 10..12 and 15 round magazines
The P365 is a terrific carry gun, but its flush fitting magazine holds 10 rounds.