Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Introducing the latest innovation from Springfield Armory, the optic-ready FDE Hellcat Pro OSP with a threaded barrel. Engineered on a compact frame tailored for concealed carry, the addition of a 4.4″ hammer-forged barrel featuring 1/2×28 threads elevates the capabilities of the Hellcat Pro. This strategic design empowers users to deploy the pistol across a diverse range of applications. Boasting a 17-round capacity, an accessory rail for weapon light attachments, a threaded barrel, and an optic-ready slide, the new Hellcat is a versatile system that seamlessly combines functionality and adaptability.
Table of contents
Springfield Armory FDE Hellcat Pro OSP Specs:
- CALIBER: 9mm
- COLOR: Desert FDE
- BARREL: 4.4″ Hammer Forged Steel, Threaded (.5 x 28), Melonite® Finish, 1:10
- SLIDE: Billet Machined, Desert FDE Cerakote® Finish, Optics Ready
- FRAME: Desert FDE Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture
- SIGHTS: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear
- RECOIL SYSTEM: Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
- GRIP WIDTH: 1″
- MAGAZINES: (1) 15-Round, (1) 17-Round
- WEIGHT: 22 oz w/ Flush Mag, 22.4 oz w/ Extended Mag
- LENGTH: 7.2″
- HEIGHT: 4.8″ w/ Flush Mag, 5.3″ w/ Extended Mag
- MSRP: $710
Out of the Box
Springfield Armory has a wide lineup of Hellcat pistols, but this FDE Hellcat Pro OSP comes with two magazines, a flush-fitting 15-round mag for concealability and an extended 17-rounder. It also comes with a mag loader, safety lock, soft carrying case, and an owner’s manual.
Barrel
The biggest distinguishing factor for this specific pistol is its threaded barrel. Springfield utilizes a hammer-forged steel 4.4″ barrel with a 1:10 twist, Melonite finish, and 1/2×28 threads. The barrel sticks out approximately 7/8″ past the end of the slide providing enough clearance to reliably work with a suppressor. I have personally conceal-carried a pistol with a threaded barrel for around 6 years and the added barrel length does not make it any more burdensome. The barrel comes with a thread protector, and the threads are concentric which works great for shooting with a suppressor.
Slide
The biggest perk of the Hellcat Pro OSP slide is the fact that it is optics-ready. It is in the name itself. OSP stands for Optical Sight Pistol and in this case, the slide is milled to accept any red dots with the “Springfield Micro” or Shield RMS/RMSc footprint. Due to this pattern, I was able to mount a Vortex Defender CCW directly to the slide for the duration of this review.
Following the rest of the Hellcat lineup, the slide serrations are minimalist yet provide enough texture for reliable manipulation. Though I generally prefer a bit more grip, the current texture proves more than sufficient, especially when a red dot is mounted, as I typically rely on it for slide manipulations. Crafted from billet and adorned with a Desert FDE Cerakote finish, the slide not only looks sleek but also offers robust corrosion protection, enhancing the overall durability of the Hellcat.
READ MORE: Springfield Armory’s Got Hellcats in FDE, Standard and Optics-Ready
Sights On The Hellcat Pro OSP
Springfield includes a high-visibility tritium and luminescent front sight and a U-notch “tactical rack” rear sight. These iron sights are not only effective but also strategically positioned at a height that allows seamless co-use with a Vortex Defender CCW red dot. Situated at the bottom of the window, they remain unobtrusive yet accessible for use in the event of a red dot battery failure. It’s worth noting that while these sights are versatile, they aren’t suppressor height, making a red dot the optimal choice for suppressed shooting.
Frame
Crafted from Desert FDE polymer, the grip of the Hellcat Pro OSP showcases factory stippling with a tactfully textured pattern. This design incorporates taller pyramids with flattened tops, ensuring both comfort when holstered and minimal wear on clothing—an aspect where Springfield appears to have nailed the pattern.
The grip’s front features subtle ridges, facilitating quick and secure finger placement. Springfield’s claim of the Hellcat Pro OSP having a “smaller footprint than any other gun in its class” rings true, as the frame is noticeably slimmer compared to my other compact handguns, all while maintaining a 15+1 or 17+1 round capacity. The 15-round magazine seamlessly aligns with the frame, while the 17-round mag adds approximately half an inch, accompanied by a frame extension for an extended grip—ideal for those with larger hands. Magazines for the Hellcat Pro are readily available at a price of around $35.
Utilizing a full-length accessory rail, the Hellcat Pro OSP is accepting of almost all pistol weaponlights/lasers on the market. In today’s era, I firmly advocate for every concealed handgun to be equipped with both a weapon light and a red dot sight. For this reason, I opted to mount an FDE Streamlight TLR-7A. Personally, my wife and I both utilize this exact weapon light on our carry guns. It is a high-performing weaponlight at a competitive price point.
Controls
The controls for this pistol follow a fairly standard configuration. The slide lock/release is easily manipulated with just one hand, the takedown lever operates smoothly, and the mag release, though low profile, is easily activated. While some may prefer larger magazine releases, I appreciate the streamlined and low-profile design, making it an ideal shape for concealed carry. Additionally, the Hellcat® Pro’s magazine release is user-reversible, allowing for convenient ambidextrous use.
Trigger
The trigger is one of the most interactive parts of a firearm, so having a quality interface is imperative. I found the Hellcat Pro OSP to have a trigger similar to most other polymer handguns on the market. The take-up is smooth, and the wall is well-defined, but there is a decent amount of creep when pulling the trigger past the wall. One thing I like is that that after the shot, the trigger reset is right back on the wall leaving your finger ready for that next shot. I measured the pull weight to be between the 5.0-5.5lb mark which is standard for a carry gun.
Hellcat Pro OSP Precision
So how accurate is this pistol? Aiming to find out, I tested 5 different types of common carry ammunition and consistently got 5-round groups around 1″ when shooting from 10 yards. I feel like the pistol is capable of even better groups, but the trigger creep made it tough to tighten these up. Shown below are the groups I shot with this pistol:
Performance
Throughout this review, I was able to put a couple hundred rounds through the Hellcat Pro OSP. Most of the ammunition used was 9mm 115gr or 124gr Norma which can be found over at Ammuntiontogo.com. They are the official ammo sponsor for this pistol review and offer a wide selection of competitively priced ammunition. They have quick shipping, an easy-to-use online website, and competitive prices. Go check them out!
During my testing, I was impressed with the reliability of the Hellcat Pro OSP. While I have often had cycling issues when shooting suppressed with other pistols, the Hellcat ran without an issue. Around 75% of my shooting was suppressed, and I never had a single malfunction. This pistol ran with everything from 65gr Norma NXD to 147gr subsonic ammunition. For a concealed carry option, consumers demand rugged reliability, and during my testing the Hellcat Pro OSP delivered. I also appreciated the extended 17-round magazine that came with this pistol. Even though the 17-round mag comes with a frame extension, the grip also provides enough length for a solid grip. Some other compact options leave my palm hanging off the bottom of the magwell unsupported so I am thankful for the size of this frame.
Shootability of the Hellcat Pro OSP
One thing I found interesting was the amount of unburned powder flying back and hitting me in the face when shooting suppressed. It was a lot and quite unpleasant. So much so that I would not shoot this handgun suppressed without wearing eye pro. Even so, I still found myself getting pelted in the face with every shot. Not sure if this was more of an ammo problem, or what, but I figured it was worth noting. Otherwise, this pistol shoots well. It is a bit more snappy than pistols such as a G19 or M&P M2.0, but it is more compact so this is to be expected.
Speaking about the frame size, it is large enough to grip well, yet small enough to conceal without a problem. Every carry gun needs a holster, so I spent some time carrying and dryfiring from a BlackPoint Tactical FO3 Light Mounted Holster. It paired well with the Hellcat Pro OSP, and these holsters are very customizable with options for various weapon lights and diverse color schemes.
For those who want to see the Hellcat Pro OSP in action, I posted a short video to my Instagram page below:
Summary of the Hellcat Pro OSP
During my testing, I have been impressed with the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP. After shooting hundreds of rounds of various types of ammo both suppressed and unsuppressed, I never had a single malfunction. Reliability is essential when considering a pistol for an everyday carry option. Also, the Hellcat Pro OSP features an optic-ready slide, an accessory rail for mounting weapon lights, and even a threaded barrel for those who want to shoot suppressed. The MSRP for this FDE and Cerakoted Hellcat Pro OSP is $710. For those looking for a pistol that can do it all, this pistol fits the bill.
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