September 25, 2019
By David M. Fortier
As concealed carry continues to grow in popularity in the US more people are looking for pistols which can easily be carried all day, but with no compromises. By no compromises I mean, chambered for a service cartridge, reliable, large magazine capacity, good sights and acceptable accuracy. Enter the new Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol.
The Springfield Hellcat 9mm was designed specifically to meet the needs of the man or woman looking for a small easy to carry and conceal pistol. It’s small, thin and light. At the same time it’s chambered in 9mm Parabellum rather than a pocket pistol .380 chambering. Better still, it holds as many 9mm Parabellum cartridges as an old-school full-size Browning Hi-Power.
The Springfield Hellcat 9mm is obviously intended to run head to head with SIG Sauer’s P365 and other ultra-compact 9mm carry pistols. Featuring 11+1 rounds of 9mm, and 13+1 with an extended magazine, it usurps SIG Sauer’s P365’s position as top dog when it comes to capacity and simply kicks dirt in the face of the 6+1 Glock 43. Yes, SIG Sauer does indeed now offer a 15-round magazine for their P365, but few are going to use that as their primary magazine. It’s intended as a spare. So capacity wise, the Hellcat looks pretty good on paper.
Springfield also is touting the reliability of their new Hellcat, obviously taking a swing at SIG Sauer’s checkered track record with their P365 which has had “issues.” If it lives up to its claims remains to be seen. Production models will need to have some time in owner’s hands before that is known for sure. But, Springfield Armory is clearly using SIG Sauer’s problems as a marketing tool.
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Narrow, easy to carry with an enhanced gripping surface and easy to see combat sights, the Hellcat looks great on paper. If it proves as reliable as Springfield Armory claims, then this could be a real winner. Pricing? $569 for the standard model and $599 for it cut for a red dot sight (OSG). Eric Poole, editor of our sister title Guns&Ammo , recently had a chance to spend some time with a new Springfield Hellcat. Check out Guns & Ammo to read what he had to say.
Still need more information? Check out the Springfield Hellcat detailed review with accuracy results on Handguns .
For more information about Springfield Armory, please visit: www.Springfield-Armory.com
