The Springfield Hellcat 9mm Standard weighs 1 pound, 2.2 ounces, with an empty flush-fit magazine, which is a half an ounce heavier than the SIG P365. The Hellcat feels a little larger than the P365, which might have something to do its improved capacity. The Hellcat’s flush-fit magazine will carry 11+1 rounds, while the extended magazine, included with the Hellcat, takes capacity to 13+1.
Springfield Armory achieved this capacity gain by accident. Reportedly, an engineer was only tasked with achieving a 10-round magazine. He returned to the project manager later and asked, “Is it OK, if it holds one more round?” It wasn’t a joke. No matter how they looked at the design, there was room for one more while maintaining reliable functioning.
Let’s put the Springfield Hellcat’s magazine capacity in perspective. The Hellcat, with the smaller, easier-to-conceal, flush-fit magazine inserted, matches the capacity of two six-shot revolvers. Carry the Hellcat with the extended magazine, and the Hellcat duplicates the capacity of the original Browning Hi Power 9mm.
