Springfield Armory’s Hellcat series of micro-compact pistols has been a popular choice for many shooters for concealed carry use since the introduction of the original 11+1-round capacity Hellcat in 2019. Springfield introduced the uprated Hellcat Pro OSP in 2022, which increased capacity to 15 rounds in a larger, yet still highly concealable package. The newest iteration of the Hellcat handgun is the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP, which adds an integrated compensator that keeps muzzle flip to a minimum and lowers felt recoil, making it the flattest shooting model yet.
A polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger, the integrated compensator on the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP is much more than a simple port drilled into the hammer-forged barrel. Instead, the single-port compensator is milled directly into the front of the barrel itself. Redirecting gas upwards, it effectively reduces muzzle climb and enhances control. In addition, the front sight is positioned behind the compensator for an uninterrupted sight picture. One thing to note—when using iron sights, due to the compensator, the sight radius is reduced.
The 3.7-inch-long, hammer-forged steel barrel (1:10-inch twist) has a Melonite finish, and when examined closely, you can see how much thought was put into the integral compensator design. The barrel is essentially 3.2 inches long, with that last 1/2-inch on the muzzle end dedicated to the compensator. Rifling stops near the compensator’s rectangular-shaped port, and part of the barrel has been expanded to create an area for the gasses to be redirected upwards.
Machined from a steel billet, the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP’s slide is Melonite-finished and has aggressive forward and rear slide serrations, along with a 1/2-inch port on top that provides an exit for gasses diverted by the integrated barrel compensator. Additionally, the Hellcat Pro Comp has the OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) designation, thus, the slide is milled to accept many popular micro red-dot optics. The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP provided to me for evaluation was equipped with the Shield RMSc optic.
For iron sight duties, in the front is a Tritium night sight, along with a tactical rack U-Notch in the rear that is adjustable for windage.
The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP has a black polymer frame that sports Springfield’s adaptive grip texture. The frame’s shape and contour fit my hands well. Combined with small finger grooves, the adaptive grip texture allows for solid purchase without destroying your hands. The undercut trigger guard is also contoured and allows for a high firing grip. The low-profile controls are right-handed- only and are easy to manipulate. Similar to other Hellcat models, the controls won’t snag on your holster or clothing. A ledge formed by the takedown lever where the frame and the slide meet provides a nice spot to push down on the frame, allowing your grip to aid the compensator in reducing muzzle climb. Additionally, there is a two-slot Picatinny rail on the frame for adding accessories such as lights or lasers.
As for the trigger, it breaks crisply and cleanly with a short reset. I measured the trigger pull weight at six pounds, eight ounces.
The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP comes with two magazines, an extended 17-round magazine, along with a flush-fitting 15-round magazine for better concealability.
AT THE RANGE
Before shooting the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP handgun, I gave it a quick lube and zeroed the optic. To begin, I placed several USPSA targets at seven and 10 yards. The reduction in muzzle rise when compared to other Hellcat models is especially noticeable. During a series of Bill Drills while drawing from a concealed holster and using the 17-round magazine, the compensator showed its worth, with the gun shooting extremely flat, allowing me to get back on target quickly for each shot. After five runs, I managed to score only A-zone hits and my best time was 2.89 seconds.
For evaluating the accuracy of the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP, I grabbed boxes of Hornady Critical Defense 115-grain FTX, Nosler ASP 115-grain JHP, Federal Syntech Training 124-grain TSJ and Winchester Defender 147-grain JHP loads. Accuracy testing was performed indoors at 15 yards from a sandbag rest. After my evaluation, it’s safe to say that the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP has more than adequate accuracy, with the Hornady 115-grain load posting the best average group size at 1.79 inches, followed by Nosler’s 115-grain load at 1.88 inches. The average group size for all four loads was 2.01 inches.
ACCURACY TABLE
After shooting about 300 rounds through it, the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp OSP had no malfunctions of any kind.
MSRP is $699, and for that price you are getting a lot of gun for the money. Much more than a simple line extension, the integrated compensator allows the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp OSP to shoot faster and more accurately with lower felt recoil and less muzzle climb than previous iterations of the Hellcat handgun. Besides the 15-round model reviewed here, a 10-round version is also available for restricted locales.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY HELLCAT PRO COMP OSP SPECIFICATIONS
Learn more at springfield-armory.com.
