Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp OSP Review

Springfield’s popular Hellcat pistol has become one of the most dominant micro-compact 9mm pistols in its peer group. It is small in size, but has previously unprecedented capacity and great shootability. The standard Hellcat was just the first step, though, and as we’ve seen with other flagship microcompacts, Springfield engineers shaped and massaged the platform into an even more ideal concealed carry pistol. I’ve shot countless Hellcats and Hellcat Pro pistols, and I didn’t expect the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp to be much different – I was completely wrong.

Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp OSP Specifications

• Calibre: 9mm
• Capacity: 15+1 or 17+1
• Magazine material: steel
• Dimensions: 4.8 inches (H) x 6.6 inches (L) x 1 inch (W)
• Weight: 1 pound, 4 ounces (weighed with empty 15-round magazine and optic)
• Frame: polymer
• Slide: steel, black melonite finish
• Grip: Fine dotted pattern
• Barrel: 3.7 inches, Melonite finish, integrated compensator
• Sights: Tritium dot on the front, U-notch on the back
• Optics Ready: Yes, RMSc footprint (Shield SMSc optics used)
• Trigger: Single-action, 6 pounds, 10 ounces (measured)
• Safety: Activate the safety bar
• Price: $600

Most important features

• Integral slide/barrel compensator
• RMSc optical footprint
• Subtle but grippy stipple texture
• Unobtrusive controls and sliding serrations
• Accuracy average: 1.809 inches (13 five-shot groups at 15 yards)

View highlights

• Dramatically reduced recoil impulse
• Excellent capacity
• Maintains good concealability
• Easily co-witnesses iron sights
• Heavy tractor

What is the Hellcat and what makes the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp different?

The market for micro-compact 9mm pistols was just starting to blossom when Springfield introduced the 3-inch barrel Hellcat in late 2019. To date, the main and comparable competitor in the space is the Sig P365, which was launched last year. Like the P365, the Hellcat is a polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm pistol that crams 13 rounds of ammunition into its small magazine. This was earth-shattering, as pistols of this size typically topped out at 8 rounds of ammunition.

This new pistol was reliable, highly concealable, and had a grip texture that provided secure traction but was not too abrasive. Low profile controls, front and rear cocking serrations and good iron sights added to its usefulness. The only drawback to the design was (and is) the way the recoil impulse is directed back into the shooter’s hand. The Hellcat pistols universally have sharper, faster recoil than most similarly sized blasters, although it is still manageable.

Evolution of the Hellcat

Following the success of the regular Hellcat, Springfield launched the Hellcat RDP in 2020, which featured a Hex Wasp red dot and threaded muzzle with a self-timing compensator. Although the original Hellcats were only offered with iron sights, the OSP (optical sight pistol) models quickly stole the show – representing a dramatic move toward the use of red dots on EDC pistols.

In 2022 we got our look at the Hellcat Pro OSP, a slightly larger model. By using a slightly longer 3.7 inch barrel and a longer grip, they created an even more stable, higher capacity platform while still remaining well concealed. The Pro OSP is an ultra-slim, subcompact pistol that can hold 15+1 or 17+1 rounds – the same as classic compact and full-size pistols like the Glock G19 and G17. Sig has done the same with the larger P365 XL and P365 XMacro pistols.

The Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp

The most recent feature of the Hellcat family is the Hellcat Pro Comp integral compensator. The gun still has the 3.7 inch barrel – although only about 3.2 inches of it is a functional rifled barrel – with a compensator built into the barrel itself. Initially I rolled my eyes at this development, thinking this would either be a simple barrel gate, or a shorter barrel and a half-shaft compensator on the front of the slide. One criticism I have of some of the integrally compensated Sig P365s is that the slide compensators don’t seem to do much work with 9mm. Shooting the P365

However, the compensator on the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp is different. It is a compensator milled directly into the front half inch of the barrel itself. The slide and barrel both have a rectangular port on the top, but if you look closely you’ll see that the rifling ends at the port, and some of the barrel steel is extended outward, creating a blast chamber that directs the air . gases upward.

When shooting alongside the portless Springfield Hellcat Pro with a 4.7-inch threaded barrel, the difference in muzzle flip and reduction in the characteristic sharp recoil impulse was mind-boggling – especially with 115- and 124-grain +P loads. Driving the gun hard and fast, I was able to keep the red dot on target without ever being blown out of my sight by the recoil.

Standard Hellcat Pro OSP features

If you’re familiar with the Hellcat, most of the features of this new weapon are repetitive. Each model typically includes one or two defining features that optimize it in some way – the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp is no different.

Besides the compensator, the optical mounting and compatibility are the most important. I have the model with a Shield SMSc, but the RMSc footprint is compatible with a variety of optics. The great thing about the SMSc and the low optic cut is that the standard low profile factory irons that Springfield equips the guns with are easy to see through the optic – something the larger pistols like the XD-M can’t claim.

All controls are low profile and won’t snag on holsters or clothing, and they’re decidedly right-handed. Although the rotating takedown lever and slide stop lever do not extend very far, they are not difficult to operate, and the only drawback is that the slide stop lever is a bit sharp on the thumb.

The original Hellcat used 13 round magazines, the Hellcat Pro Comp comes with one magazine for 15 and 17 rounds. The 15-round magazine fits flush with the base of the grip, and the 17-round magazine is covered with a textured extension that extends just below the frame. Even if you pack a 17+1 loadout, the Hellcat is still less obtrusive than a regular compact pistol like a Glock G19.

Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp OSP accuracy

The Hellcat Pro Comp impressed quite a bit with how well it shot in a practical sense. The reduction in recoil impulse and muzzle flip increased control significantly, but I was initially unimpressed with the accuracy. To test accuracy, the Living outside The standard protocol is to shoot groups of 5 shots from 15 yards, fired from a standing position with two hands, braced on a tripod in a bag.

When testing ammunition such as Hornady’s 115-grain critical defense And Remington’s 124-grain gold sabre, which were great from a functional standpoint, I saw below-average accuracy. Most pistols in this style print groups of less than 2.5 inches, with 1.5 inches being pretty good. Every group I fired had shots that extended the length to three or four inches – even with 125-grain Staccato Match ammo.

A funky trigger

I had been shooting at my normal pace for this task, but decided to shoot as carefully as possible. I really had to pull the trigger on the Hellcat, but with great care I managed to get my average group size down to 1.451 inches with the Staccato Match ammo.

The biggest hurdle to accuracy with this pistol is the stiff trigger, which has a relatively long and uneven pull. When pulling the trigger it peaks at almost 7 pounds, and then still has significant rearward movement before breaking. Making clean shots requires enormous concentration to slowly push in that extra movement. At my normal pace, I was hitting shots far to the left of where they should have been. When running and gunning, the stiff trigger isn’t as noticeable, but when you’re trying to make careful, precise shots, the trigger shoe itself is a bit painful.

I’d like to see a sharper pause and a shorter, more palpable reset.

Final Thoughts: The Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp OSP is a great concealed carry pistol

Line extensions are often not that exciting, but the simple integrated compensator on this new Springfield Hellcat is striking. One of the most important features of a concealed carry weapon is its shootability. Can you shoot accurately and stay on target under stress? That’s a lot easier with this iteration of the platform. Together with this industry-leading feature, it provides excellent concealability, capacity and ergonomics. Plus, it’s a well-supported platform with plenty of holster options to suit your needs. Is the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp the most dramatic gun introduction we’ve seen recently? No. But it takes a solid, successful platform and makes it even better. That’s worth getting a little excited about.