It was 2019 when we made acquaintance with Springfield Armory's Hellcat, “the world's highest capacity micro-compact gun” with a capacity of 11+1 rounds in 9mm caliber (13+1 with the included extended magazine). Five years later, it's time to meet the new 9mm Hellcat Pro Comp OSP, whose main feature is the integrally compensated barrel with correspondingly ported slide.
To better understand what this gun actually offers, better start breaking down the acronyms in the name: first, this is a Pro model, which means it has a longer barrel (3.7”/94 mm) and longer grip (height is 4.8"/122 mm with flush magazine) than a standard Hellcat, which features a 3”/76 mm barrel and a height of 4”/102 mm. Moreover, it is an OSP, or “Optical Sight Pistol”, variant. That is, optics ready. And finally Comp stands for “compensated”, of course: to reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise, the new Hellcat Pro Comp has a single port, machined into the hammer-forged barrel and slide. The port redirects gas upwards, effectively reducing muzzle rise and enhancing control for faster and accurate follow-up shots. The front sight is positioned behind the compensator for an uninterrupted sight picture.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp OSP video introduction
The striker-fired, polymer framed Hellcat Pro Comp OSP is chambered in 9mm and ships with one 15-round and one 17-round extended magazine, or two 15-round magazines. The larger “Pro” size makes this still compact EDC pistol more versatile, combining the performance of a larger handgun with high concealability.
The milled OSP slide fits the Springfield Micro footprint and is designed to accept most popular micro red dots. Factory sights are made up of a tritium/luminescent front sight and a tactical rack rear U-notch.
The now customary Picatinny rail on the dust cover also allows for the mounting of preferred accessories. The recoil system includes a dual captive recoil spring and a full length guide rod. Barrel and slide have the usual Springfield Armory Melonite finish.
Priced at $699 in the US, the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp OSP comes with a double-zipper, soft-sided case.
Not a bad price point for an optics-ready, compact compensated, high-capacity carry pistol indeed.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp OSP specs and price
| Caliber: | 9mm |
| Barrel Length: | 94 mm |
| Overall Length: | 168 mm |
| Height: | 122 mm (with flush magazine) |
| Width: | 25 mm |
| Sights: | Tritium/luminescent front, tactical rack U-notch rear |
| Magazine Capacity: | 15 or 17 rounds |
| Weight: | 595 g |
| Price (MSRP in the US): | $699 |
