Non-Political Any handgun owners have one of these? Springfield Hellcat 9mm subcompact

[Triplegreen500]

Glock G42 vs Springfield Hellcat Micro Compact size comparison | Handgun Hero

Same size.
Only +4.14oz weight
DOUBLE the capacity, in 9mm instead of .380.

...and, I MUCH prefer the grip angle of the Hellcat to...well...just about anything from Glock. I don't know whose hands they used as a template, but...wow. Awful ergonomics.

 

[moparedtn]

In that size frame, the Sig P365 whips all asses. You just can't beat the number of rounds
on-board, it's USA-built and it shoots fantastically. It's also the smallest gun I can comfortably
shoot (due to the "stack and a half" sized grip).
If you get a chance, get both of them in your hands at the same time.
The Hellcat is a copycat of the P365; it's just that the Sig does everything better.

 

[Triplegreen500]

If you get a chance, get both of them in your hands at the same time.
The Hellcat is a copycat of the P365; it's just that the Sig does everything better.

Respectfully disagree.

I fired both, extensively, before purchase. The P365 "walked" in my hand, both elevation and windage, where the Hellcat is rock-solid, locked to my palm. The 365 was much snappier, too - a lot more muzzle rise, likely exacerbated by all that walking around in my hands. I also had quite a few FTEs from the 365, but that could have been due to either hand position (again, it walked around a lot so I was trying to make it stay put), or just a dirty gun.

The P365XL...I can hold a little better than the standard size piece, but it still walks around on me more than the Hellcat.

I also love the durability. 20k rounds through ONE firearm, with no rebuilds. Excessive, actually, for a personal-defense pistol...but that's the way I like it. I gotta know it's gonna work when (if) I need it.

 

[moparedtn]

Respectfully disagree.

I fired both, extensively, before purchase. The P365 "walked" in my hand, both elevation and windage, where the Hellcat is rock-solid, locked to my palm. The 365 was much snappier, too - a lot more muzzle rise, likely exacerbated by all that walking around in my hands. I also had quite a few FTEs from the 365, but that could have been due to either hand position (again, it walked around a lot so I was trying to make it stay put), or just a dirty gun.

The P365XL...I can hold a little better than the standard size piece, but it still walks around on me more than the Hellcat.

I also love the durability. 20k rounds through ONE firearm, with no rebuilds. Excessive, actually, for a personal-defense pistol...but that's the way I like it. I gotta know it's gonna work when (if) I need it.

Duly noted - and I respectfully disagree with you on this one.
I admittedly have a certain amount of prejudice for the country of manufacture for each, of course -
but straight up, the quality of build between the two is marked and noticeable, least to me (and a lot
of the folks who know a lot more than myself appear to agree with).

The grip on the P365 is marginally bigger around, something that matters to someone with big ol'
claws like mine (I owned and similarly sold a Shield for the same reason) and is quite easy to shoot
repeatedly without hand fatigue; the purchase is quite natural on the P365, whereas a thinner, differently
arranged grip like that on the Hellcat is something I have to consciously address when I pick it up.
Further, since they're both of similar barrel length and centerline of bores, one isn't going to logically
be "snappier" than the other when shooting identical ammo - the physics don't make sense that there
would be (and I found no such when shooting both).

The Hellcat has a price point advantage; it being a tad thinner may make more sense to thinner fingered
folks or those who are very sensitive to carry widths; some may even find the name attractive.
It's certainly a serviceable firearm, as are most "polymer wonders" these days.

The combination of number of rounds on-board (which still is quite impressive and sort of a black magic
that Sig figured out and nobody else has yet), the build and material quality, the natural ergonomics
and the country of origin sold the gun for me - it's truly the first little pistol I can shoot a couple hundred
rounds at a time out of, find aim quickly and not lose accuracy from fatigue over the course of the session.

Everybody has their favorites and we're blessed to be living in these times, where there's SO many good
choices out there that it's hard to make a bad decision.
It boils down to personal preference, however swayed each of us are.
All that said....
I NEED MORE AMMO!!!

 

[fratzog lover]

Same size.
Only +4.14oz weight
DOUBLE the capacity, in 9mm instead of .380.

They are both big pocket guns.

 

[fratzog lover]

Respectfully disagree.

I fired both, extensively, before purchase. The P365 "walked" in my hand, both elevation and windage, where the Hellcat is rock-solid, locked to my palm. The 365 was much snappier, too - a lot more muzzle rise, likely exacerbated by all that walking around in my hands. I also had quite a few FTEs from the 365, but that could have been due to either hand position (again, it walked around a lot so I was trying to make it stay put), or just a dirty gun.

The P365XL...I can hold a little better than the standard size piece, but it still walks around on me more than the Hellcat.

I also love the durability. 20k rounds through ONE firearm, with no rebuilds. Excessive, actually, for a personal-defense pistol...but that's the way I like it. I gotta know it's gonna work when (if) I need it.

How many people are drooling at the sight of 10,000 rounds. Looks like a pile of gold.

 

[1967coronet]

.38 special , fits fine in my back pocket.
The 2 round capacity is ok with me.
Tee shirt and Jean's and it's still out of sight.

 

[Triplegreen500]

Further, since they're both of similar barrel length and centerline of bores, one isn't going to logically
be "snappier" than the other when shooting identical ammo - the physics don't make sense that there
would be (and I found no such when shooting both).

As I said, I suspect that's at least partially due to the fact that the Sig walks in my grip, where the Hellcat is tattooed to my skin when I fire it. I suspect that is due to both shape, and texture - the Sig was much more 'rounded' feeling to me, where the Hellcat is blockier and has that great, sandpaper-type texture.

The 2 round capacity is ok with me.

My 7 round XD-s was OK with me...until...



It took 12 rounds for the deputy to bring this guy down. And, it's in suburban Maryland...about 90 minutes from where I live. Not Chicago. Not Detroit. Not Baltimore. The suburbs of Maryland.

I'd fired a Hellcat when they first came out (2019), and I liked it...but it was "too similar" to my XD-s and I couldn't justify the cost to have a second gun that was so much like the XD-s.

Then...2020. Lockdowns. COVID. Crime spikes. Riots. All of a sudden...capacity made a BIG difference, especially in the same size package, and shooting nearly identically. When one popped up in the case at my LGS...there went the stimulus check! (Seriously - the timing was perfect, and oh so poetic!).

 

[biomedtechguy]

The trigger...

...has been redesigned because of complaints about the original trigger.
I don't know if you tried the original design or the new one.
From what I've read, and thanks for all the replies, it seems like I am going to have to stick with my Ruger LCP II for my primary carry, primary in that it's with me most of the time, unless I have my 5.7. The 5.7 is FAR too big, even if the Urban Carry below the belt "carry system" works out for me, to carry in places that I need "invisible carry" first and foremost. Ultimately, I'd like to have my 5.7 with me, especially when I'm not working, when "invisible carry" isn't as important.

 

[Triplegreen500]

The original trigger is not a problem with proper trigger discipline.

If you side-load the trigger, you can press it up against the safety blade and it will not fire. I can - if I consciously try - make mine do this during dry-fire.

I have yet to do it during live-fire. Proper grip, and proper trigger stroke, pulls the trigger and makes a "bang" every time.

 

[biomedtechguy]

After reading beyond the posts that had me concerned, now I'm not sure.
I am sure that I'd have to handle the Hellcat in person before I could decide.
I use a "Sticky Pocket" holster for my LCP II, and it has never failed to remain in my pants pocket when I draw the weapon. That is the type of "holster" I would want for the Hellcat.

 

[joe smith]

After reading beyond the posts that had me concerned, now I'm not sure.
I am sure that I'd have to handle the Hellcat in person before I could decide.
I use a "Sticky Pocket" holster for my LCP II, and it has never failed to remain in my pants pocket when I draw the weapon. That is the type of "holster" I would want for the Hellcat.

I always tell people its what fits "YOUR" hand......

 

[Triplegreen500]

Agreed. If you're interested, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) replaces being able to hold, and fire, one on your own. Internet blather is exactly that

 

[biomedtechguy]

I'm 6'3" and heavy....so there's nothing "average" size about me. One of the reasons why I like B-Bodies. More room.
The first time I held a 5.7 I knew I had to have one. The more I learned about it, the more I wanted one.
As small as my Ruger LCP II is, it fits my large hand reasonably well, but I'm sure I'd like the Hellcat.

 

[Triplegreen500]

I'm 6'4" with XL glove size, and I love the Hellcat. The LCP, 911, P365...all made me feel like I was trying to strangle a pencil, when I tried to fire them. The XD-s was the first subcompact I fell in love with - just like motorcycles, I'd tell customers "when you sit on the right one, it'll grab you by the throat and scream I'M THE ONE", and when I picked up the XD-s that was what happened. It just FIT. I put four rounds through it (total), then I did my CCW qualifications with it. Shot four targets - 250, 248, 248, 250.

When the Hellcat came out, it felt exactly like the XD-s to me, and it shoots just like my XD-s. Just...lighter, with double the capacity.

Put a few downrange with one, and you'll know. If you were closer to MD, I'd say let's meet at the range...sorry!

 

[70chall440]

Here is the advice I give everyone that asks me about something like this;

go to a gun store, handle every gun you can and the one for you will become evident, it will fell right in your hand pretty much instantly. Don't get wrapped up in the caliber or any of that other BS, most of armed encounters end when a gun is presented. in others where a round is fired generally ends once that happens whether someone is hit or not. In the remainder of the cases where the assailant is attacking the caliber is not as important and shot placement.

I know the caliber heros will be upset and start screaming about how .45 is the way to go but that argument has been around for many years and will continue for many years to come; however more people have been killed by .22's than any other caliber so there is that.

 

[dual fours]

I feel just fine with my Colt Mustang .380 with first magazine (cap. of 5 with 1 in the tube) of Hydro-Shock rounds. I feel the ''threat'' will mostly start at the 10' range and in daylight. BUT, I will be ready for that ''Up Close And In My Face'' attack in the dark. I can do both, rack a round if needed and fire one handed, strong hand or not. I carry two extra magazines with a cap. 5 rounds each and at (98%) times two more extra mags. with 6 rounds each, so a total of 28 rounds on me at one time. My dad (WWII Jungle Veteran) taught me as a kid to shoot small Autos. by extending the "pointer" finger on my right hand along the slide and use the "Bird" finger to squeeze the trigger. Just point and squeeze, even in the dark.
This post is an interesting read.
Now I need to look at one of these Hellcats just to see what everyone's talking about.
That MD. LOE, in the above video, there's not any chance he was using Non-Lethal Ammo? I never had any but Do they still make Glaser Safety Slugs?
I still like Black Talon Ammo. I think they have been band because of the damage they did.

 

[Triplegreen500]

MD does not issue non-lethal rounds for patrol, at least not anywhere I know of. Any sheriff I know personally carries honey badger, critical duty, or similar.

Nice thing about my Hellcat - without any extra mags, I still have 14 with me...double my XD-s. If I can't get it done in 14, I probably should have exited the situation...

 

[biomedtechguy]

made me feel like I was trying to strangle a pencil

The grip on my LCP II is narrow compared to my 5.7 for sure, but it isn't so small as to make shots unstable.
Note the small "finger grip" on the bottom of the magazine. That helps. This is the "Sticky Pocket Holster" I carry it in, which helps to keep it from printing, keeps me from worrying about accidentally discharging it (trigger "safety" only and I ALWAYS have one in the chamber, so pull trigger and BANG) and the holster STAYS in my pocket when I draw it. The U shaped "tab" of the holster and proper draw technique keeps the holster from pulling out with the gun.

Certainly I am more comfortable with a larger grip, and the double racked magazine of 20 5.7 x 28mm rounds in my 5.7 is IDEAL for my liking, but I could never carry it some of the places I carry the LCP II.

 

[Slap Stick]

Black Talons are just a name for hollow points. Inhave a bunch in .45 and they look identical to today's hollow points.
There was a big stink over them when they came out with people saying they spun and did more damage because of it. Of course they spun. All bullets do from a rifled barrel.
As for caliber when someone says this or that caliber is deficient I just ask if they would like to stand downrange.
The best advice (already stated) is to go look, hold one, and operate it. The one you shoot best and works best FOR YOU is the one you buy.
Support your local gun shop.