Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP
Posted May 19, 2023
When most of us consider a concealed carry pistol, we look for something lightweight, compact and reliable. The Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP (Rapid Defense Package) is among the newest and most popular sub-compact 9mm pistols to hit the market, quickly gaining the attention of consumers and earning its place as a premier concealed carry choice. With its sleek curves, precision engineering, and advanced design, the Hellcat is certainly an interesting option for anyone looking for a reliable and powerful concealed carry pistol.
The Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is a modern take on the classic semi-automatic concealed carry pistol. It is a striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol with an overall length of 6” and a barrel length of 3”. It also features a reversible ambidextrous magazine release, a 1911-style grip safety, and an extended beavertail for a comfortable and secure grip. The pistol comes with two 11 round extended magazines and fits inside most popular holsters for maximum concealability.
The slide of the Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is machined from 17-4 PH stainless steel for superior durability and corrosion resistance. The pistol utilizes a flat wire striker spring and dual lockout safety devices for reliable performance. Additionally, the low profile slide release and take-down lever are reversible to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed shooters. The red dot sight (RDP) package also comes with two magazines, a ten round flush fit magazine and an eleven round extended magazine, as well as two red dot mounting plates for use with any standard micro reflex sight.
The Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is an extremely tight and well-made pistol that is surprisingly accurate for its size. With an overall length of 6” and a barrel length of just 3”, the Hellcat is a remarkably small gun that weighs only 18 ounces loaded and is designed to be extremely reliable and easy to concealed carry. The trigger is far from being a trigger lock but does a good job at being fairly consistent and easy to shoot.
The Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is certainly a versatile and reliable concealed carry choice for many. It is well-made, boasts excellent accuracy, and fits easily into most popular holsters. It is also equipped with many features aimed at making shooting easier and more enjoyable, such as the reversible ambidextrous magazine release and extended beavertail for a secure grip. Additionally, the included 11-round magazines and their compatibility with standard 10-round magazines maximizes the Hellcat’s capacity and makes it an ideal choice for those who want a reliable and powerful concealed carry pistol without the need for additional magazines.
Overall, the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is an impressive concealed carry pistol that packs a lot of features and performance into a small package. It is well-built, reliable and accurate, and provides plenty of options for carrying and using in various situations. Despite its small size, the Hellcat is a very capable gun that is sure to provide years of reliable service and performance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
• It has a slim profile that makes it perfect for concealed carry.
• It offers an impressive capacity of 11+1 rounds with its extended magazine.
• The trigger is smooth and light, weighing in at 3.25 pounds.
• It has an integrated tactical reflex sight which provides precision speed and accuracy.
• It is lightweight, weighing just 18.3 ounces with the flush magazine.
Cons
• It has a complex takedown procedure, and the recoil spring housing can be difficult to remove.
• There are no options for mounting a handgun light or laser.
• It's a bit more expensive than some other handguns in its class.
• Some shooters find the grip a bit uncomfortable due to its aggressive texturing.
• The slightly slimmer design can make it a little harder to shoot comfortably than some other handguns.
Who Should Buy
The Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is a popular choice for concealed carry pistols, so anyone who is legally able to carry a firearm should consider this firearm. It is a great choice for those who are looking for a lightweight and reliable handgun that offers good ergonomics, accuracy, and a large enough capacity that it won’t leave you wanting more.
However, anyone who wants a firearm primarily for home defense should look to other options. The Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is designed more for concealed carry and range use than home defense, so other options may be more suitable for that purpose. Any individual who is not legally able to carry or purchase a firearm should not purchase the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP.
Comparisons
| Feature | Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm Luger | 9mm Luger | 9mm Luger | 9mm Luger |
| Capacity | 11+1 /13+1 | 10+1 | 11+1 | 10+1 |
| Action | Striker-Fired | Striker-Fired | Striker-Fired | Striker-Fired |
| Barrel Length | 3” | 3.1” | 3.1” | 3” |
| Overall Length | 6” | 6” | 6.2” | 6” |
| Empty Weight | 18.3 oz. | 21.7 oz. | 21.1 oz. | 22 oz. |
| Sights | U-Dot Dovetail Sight System | Night Sights | Fiber Optic Sights | Suppressor Sights |
| Safety | Trigger w/ Integrated Safety | Passive Safety | Trigger Safety | Trigger Safety |
| Slide Finish | Black Melonite/FDE Cerakote | Matte Black | Stainless Steel | Black Oxide Steel |
Features / Specs
-9mm
-11+1 or 13+1 capacity
-Barrel length: 3”
-Stripe width: 1”
-Weight (with empty magazine): 18.3 ounces
-Height: 4”
-Grip width: 1”
-Overall length: 6”
-U-Dot™ Combat Sight
-Adaptive Grip Texture
-Optics Ready
Popular Accessories
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- Holsters: The Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP is commonly paired with holsters such as a Kydex Outside the Waistband holster, an inside the Waistband holster, and a Concealed Carry Holster.
- Magazine Extenders: Popular magazine extensions for the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP include those from Shield Arms, Taran Tactical, and Magpul.
- Sights: Popular aftermarket sights for the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP include those from Trijicon, Ameriglo, Truglow, and LPA.
- Laser/Light Modules: Popular laser/light modules for the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP include those from Viridian, Crimson Trace, and Streamlight.
- Grips/Backstraps: Popular grips and backstraps for the Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact RDP include those from Talon Grips, Hogue, and Ergo.
Accuracy
The Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP has come out of the gates as one of the most accurate pistol-caliber carbines on the market. The 18-degree grip angle gives it a natural pointability, and the combination of an extremely short 3" barrel with the micro-sized frame and magazine capacity makes for an incredibly compact package. The accuracy is aided further by the Hellcat's built-in optics system and the excellent trigger system. This is an excellent handgun for self-defense, home defense, or just fun at the range. It is able to consistently hit targets from numerous distances and can easily achieve sub-2" groups at 25 yards. The Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP is a highly accurate pistol-caliber carbine that's extremely compact and user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for any enthusiast.
