(Photo by Alfredo Rico)
January 27, 2025
By Guns & Ammo Staff
Until May 7, 2024, the selection of semiautomatic handguns in The Golden State was frozen in time. The 2013 “microstamping” amendment to the California Unsafe Handguns Act (UHA) was the cause. It required the firing pin on semiautomatic handguns to imprint the make, model, and serial number of the handgun on the cartridge case. The technology required to impart this information on the firing pin was not tenable. In 2023, the amendment was temporarily suspended, opening the door for new models to be added to the DOJ Handgun Roster. Two of the models making the list were the Springfield Armory Hellcat with 3-inch barrel and Hellcat Pro with 3.7-inch barrel. Both are 9mm, optic-ready, micro-compacts.
Unique to the California-compliant models is a visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator with red on both sides and “LOADED WHEN UP” along the topstrap and barrel. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) Then & Now Guns & Ammo editors Eric Poole and David Faubion debuted the Hellcat in September 2019. It popularized the “micro” segment and one-up’d the SIG Sauer original P365 by offering an increased magazine capacity with 11- and 13-plus-one magazines, as well as a 15-rounder soon after. The P365 fed from either a 10- or 12-round magazine initially. The rivalry continues as other brands introduce similar size and capacity striker-fired options, while the Hellcat Pro can feed from a 17-round magazine; the P365-FUSE can be configured with a 21-round magazine. The latter versions are slim, but no longer a micro.
As of 2024, there are three Hellcat types: Hellcat ($599 to $843), Hellcat RDP ($778 to $983), and Hellcat Pro ($649 to $1,050). Base models feature a 3-inch barrel, and are offered with or without the Optics Sight Pistol (OSP) optic cut. The RDP models feature a 3.8-inch threaded barrel with compensator. The Pro models offer a 3.7-inch barrel.
The slide has subtle serrations, both front and rear, that resemble claw marks. The Adaptive Grip Texture also fills the scallop for the finger index and face of the guiderod. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) CA-DOJ Hurdles Before Hellcats could be approved for sale to California residents, Hellcat models had to meet state requirements. The Hellcat passed a California safety test, which requires a prominent loaded-chamber indicator and a magazine disconnect. Of the three, only the Hellcat OSP and Hellcat Pro OSP were approved for sale in California. Threaded handgun barrels are illegal in California, so the RDP did not make the cut.
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Passing a safety test infers an objective process, but California scrutinizes firearms to the extreme. In order for a test lab to qualify for certification, the California DOJ requires that the lab’s employees must not have a financial involvement with any manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, distributor, or dealer of handguns. “Financial involvement” is a nebulous term.
The UHA is extremely specific about features such as the loaded chamber indicator; the standard Hellcat peep hole atop the barrel/slide does not meet state requirements, so this feature was subject to a design change. California-model Hellcats have a small lever with the sides painted “danger red” when protruding above the slide. The lever provides tactile and visual status that a case is in the chamber. Also, the words “Loaded When Up” are printed atop the barrel and slide.
California-compliant magazines are limited to a 10-round capacity. Two are provided, one with a flat basepad for optimal concealment and another with a grip extender. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) Both models include 10-round magazines, California’s legal capacity limit. One is a flush fit, and the other features the extended-grip basepad. A magazine disconnect prevents the pistol from firing if the magazine is removed.
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California Kitty Guns & Ammo received a sample of the California-compliant Hellcat OSP for review. What makes the Hellcat OSP an ideal concealed-carry pistol is the 6-by-41/4-by-1-inch dimensions and 23-ounce weight when fully loaded. Its height and length are the size of a small postcard, and its loaded weight is lighter than a 2-month-old kitten. Unlike a kitten, the Hellcat can be carried comfortably in any o’clock position without printing in a quality inside-the-waistband holster. If you off body carry, it fits in a small purse or fanny pack.
It’s size and weight complement the great frame design, which is contoured at the touchpoints giving the hand and fingers index points to nestle into. The web of the hand rides deep in the extended beavertail, facilitating a firm grip and helping to mitigate recoil. The backstrap’s arc fills the palm well for retention. Two subtle grooves on the frontstrap supports the fingers in place. The firing hand’s contact inspires confidence, enhanced by the brand’s Adaptive Grip Texture.
The grip is slim and contoured to instinctively locate the thumb above the magazine release and two fingers below the triggerguard. Texture completely covers the grip. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) Perhaps an overlooked detail that notably supports control is the concave contour above the magazine release. Additional contouring rear of the dust cover on both sides of the frame. Theses shallow divots serve as indexing points for the thumb and index fingers, and aid in attaining a consistent grip each time the pistol is drawn.
Enhancing its grip-ability is Springfield Armory’s proprietary Adaptive Grip Texturing. Found throughout the frame, the texture looks like a medium-grit sandpaper, but the surface feels smooth. When the hand presses firmly into the grip, the subsurface texture featuring staggered pyramids provides traction.
The steel slide is a billet-machined component finished in Melonite. The slide incorporates double serrations on the front and rear. The serrations are shallow but effective at locking the finger’s pads in the raised and recessed areas. You will not lose traction when aggressively racking the slide. The slide’s edges have been contoured to prevent snagging on a holster.
Inside the slide is a 9mm, 1-in-10-inch twist, hammer-forged barrel supported by a captive double recoil spring with full-length guiderod.
Under the frame, the dustcover features a short, single-slot accessory rail. Though this is not a proprietary rail, it is limited to mounting subcompact lights such as the Nightstick TCM-5B , Streamlight TLR-7 Sub and SureFire XSC .
The magazine release is also reversible for those who are left-handed, and the gun’s center of balance is the triggerguard cut.
Few optic-ready firearms exist on the California DOJ-approved handgun roster. The Hellcat OSP models include a coverplate that can be removed to accept RMSc/SMSc mounting standard. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) Sighting In Since California’s handgun market has been in a time warp, red-dot-ready pistols are rare. Springfield Armory was smart to send the OSP model to California for evaluation. California residents who are gun owners are clamoring for them. OSP models use the Shield SMSc footprint, but the optic is not included. The optics cut is deep enough to allow the stock sights to co-witness if the red dot is notched for them, which most are.
Although having the capability to run an optic is a selling point, good iron sights on a defensive pistol are a necessary default. Electronics can fail; the last thing you want to be doing is searching for a dot that’s not there. The Hellcat uses the company’s own Tactical Rack U-Dot sights, showing us that Springfield Armory understands this. The sights are visible in daylight or night, and are easy to align. The rear sight is a U-notch with a distinctive white, half-circle. The front sight is a luminescent yellow circle with tritium center. Setting the ball in the semi-circle is as easy as putting a round peg in a round hole.
A good sight system gets you on target quickly, but the trigger plays an important role in placing shots accurately. The Hellcat’s OSP trigger has a flat-face profile, dispersing the pressure of the trigger across the finger’s pad evenly. Bisecting the shoe is a safety lever which is flush when pressed. This detail eliminates a pressure point that becomes annoying after a day’s shoot.
The triggerpull weight is the only kink — due to the magazine disconnect — in an otherwise great pistol. G&A’s sample produced a 7 pound, 3 ounce pull. This is heavy. It’s not spongy feeling, just heavy. With the slack taken out, the trigger wall felt firm and consistent.
The hammer-forged 9mm barrel measures 3 inches and is Melonite finished, sporting a 1-in-10-inch twist. Like European-made firearms, the serial number appears on the frame, the slide and the barrel. (Photo by Alfredo Rico) Testing G&A’s first trip to the range was to get familiar with the Hellcat OSP. A Shield Sights’ Advanced Mini Sight Compact (AMSc) was mounted. The AMSc is an enclosed mini red dot that co-witnessed to the factory sights. One of the unique features to the AMSc is that it accepts any of three battery sizes: CR2025, CR2032, or CR2050.
With the optic zeroed. the first shots at the 10-yard target formed a small group. The pistol has a little more recoil than a 4-inch-barreled 9mm, but it is not too snappy. The muzzle pops straight up making it easy to drive back down to the target for a follow-up shot.
Two key components that make the Hellcat so shootable are the frames’ ergonomics and texture design. The grip is not too thin or thick, and it is contoured enough to provide excellent purchase with your hand. The gun feels just right in the hand and requires no additional fidgeting to maintain a grip.
With micro-compact pistols, it is not unusual for the shooting hand’s thumb to lay against the slide lock lever, thereby preventing the slide from locking back as the last spent case is ejected. This was the issue with the Hellcat OSP.
When performing reloads, we also found the location of the magazine release was well placed. There was no need to rotate the pistol inward for the thumb to depress the magazine release. This made for smoother reloads and a quick return to the target.
Shooting the Hellcat OSP within 10 yards was fun and accurate. The red dot and stock sights will get you on target quickly. The pistol recovered quickly. When it was time to perform G&A’s accuracy protocol for handguns at 25 yards, there was a bit of a struggle due to working the 7-pound, 3-ounce, trigger pull. The magazine disconnect required by California can affect triggerpull weight. Although the trigger was consistent, pressing it smoothly required effort. In our evaluators’ opinions, the groups at 25 yards were too large for defensive purposes. The accuracy test was therefore shot at 20 yards. This proved to be the ideal distance for grouping G&A’s sample. Most varied from 2 to 4 inches, although Federal’s 124-grain Punch did produce an impressive 1.3-inch group.
A short length of rail accepts aftermarket accessories. A rechargeable Viridian C5L Micro featuring instant-on activation, a 650-lumen LED, and green laser, was used during the evaluation. MSRP $229 (Photo by Alfredo Rico) No defensive pistol test is complete without carrying it concealed. For the Hellcat OSP, an N8 Tactical Xecutive IWB holster with the Xecutive Mod Wing . The Mod Wing rotates the grip towards the body. With a slightly over-sized t-shirt, the Hellcat was easily concealable. It was carried in the 3 o’clock position for 30 days. The pistol was so light and small that it was comfortable to carry while doing chores such as mowing the yard. The Mod Wing did its job at keeping the grip tight against the body. It did not dig into a vehicle’s driver’s seat or office chair when seated.
Summary The perfect concealed carry pistol is a reliable gun that is easy to shoot. It is also light and small enough that it won’t hinder a person from carrying it anywhere, anytime. The Hellcat OSP is almost perfect. If the sample you evaluate across a gun counter has a decent trigger, we have no reservation in recommending it to our friends in California.
Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP CA Compliant 9mm Type : Recoil operated, striker fired, semiautomaticChambering : 9mmBarrel Length : 3 in.Overall Length : 6 in. Height : 4.2 in. Weight : 1 lb. 12 oz.Finish : Melonite (steel)Capacity : 10+1 rds.Grip : Polymer, Adaptive Grip TextureSights : Tritium/luminescent (front), white-outline U-notch (rear); RMSc/SMSc footprintTrigger : Gen2; 7 lbs., 3 oz. (tested)Safety : Trigger lever, striker block, loaded chamber indicator, magazine disconnectMSRP : $633Importer : Springfield Armory, 800-680-6866, springfield-armory.com Manufacturer : HS Produkt, Croatia
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