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Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 ACP Review: A Premium Pocket Pistol
When Springfield Armory released the original Hellcat chambered in 9mm, it immediately caught the attention of concealed carriers seeking maximum capacity in a micro-compact package. However, if you’re like me and have larger-than-average hands, it was just too small for comfort. Plus, with all of the other options on the market that were only slightly larger but much more comfortable, it didn’t make a ton of sense.
The Hellcat is a very capable pistol, especially with a red dot and 13-round magazine.
But once you step down to the .380 realm, you come to expect that ultra-compact size, which makes this Hellcat .380 make much more sense. This variant builds on the reputation of its predecessor by delivering high capacity in a controllable but compact package.
Since it’s been years since I gave the Hellcat a chance, I figured now is better than ever with the new release to check it out.
Features To Focus On
It’s immediately evident that this is a very small pistol, but you may need to pay closer attention to the other features to understand how Springfield still manages to make it ergonomic and easier to control than some other comparable .380s.
The included soft zippered case is a nice touch.
Springfield’s Adaptive Grip Texture plays a major role in how the Hellcat .380 feels in the hand. The texture is aggressive enough to lock the pistol into your grip but not so much that it becomes uncomfortable during carry or longer shooting sessions. While you’re focusing on the grip, you’ll also notice there is an undercut trigger guard and a beavertail. When you combine those three features, you wind up with a rather decent purchase despite the overall size.
Tons of attention was paid to the ergonomics.
Then, of course, we can’t forget about the capacity. The 11 and 13-round magazines that come with the Hellcat are not only impressive on their own, but the additional length provided by the extended magazine and the optional finger rest for the 11-round magazine provide even more real estate for your fingers.
SALE 
Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 ACP 13 Round Magazine
7 reviews
Original price was: $34.99.$24.99Current price is: $24.99.
SALE 
Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 ACP 11 Round Magazine
Original price was: $24.99.$17.99Current price is: $17.99.
The optics-ready slide is cut with an RMSc footprint and is finished off with a U-Dot rear sight and tritium front site. I do wish the serrations were deeper and more aggressive though, as the slide is thin and a bit difficult to rack, but not to the point of causing any issues.
You can see that the serrations are rather shallow.
The trigger is smooth and consistent, but won’t be winning any awards…not that I’d expect it to though. That said, for a defensive pistol, the trigger is more than adquate. Thanks to its repatability and the 3-inch hammer forged barrel, accuracy is very achievable with not too much training.
Range Time
I don’t own any .380 ACP pistols, and I barely ever shoot them, so I didn’t have a ton of different ammunition types on hand to test like I would with, say, 9mm. I only had one box of defensive ammo (Hornady Critical Defense) and then a couple of boxes of 95-grain Blazer Brass FMJs.
Hornady Critical Defense .380 ACP 90gr Hollow Point Ammo
3 reviews
Price range: $24.99 through $239.99
Not surprisingly, I didn’t experience any malfunctions with the few boxes I put through it. What was surprising was how controllable the pistol is. I didn’t expect much recoil, but oftentimes guns of this size are rather “snappy”. I found this one to be much more tame than I expected, and it was easy to stay on target with quick follow-up shots.
You won’t be winning any shooting competitions with it, or at least I won’t, but within defensive distances, it’s good to go. Anything out past maybe 25 yards I’ll be reaching for one of my other pistols.
Specs
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Capacity | 11+1, 13+1 |
| Barrel Length | 3.0 Inches |
| Overall Length | 6.0 Inches |
| Grip Width | 1.0 Inch |
| Height | 4.0 Inches (w/ flush mag), 4.5 Inches (w/ extended mag) |
| Weight | 16.1 Ounces (w/ flush mag), 16.5 Ounces (w/ extended mag) |
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- High capacity for a .380 ACP pistol
- Optics-ready slide
- Excellent concealability
- Reliable and accurate
- Adaptive Grip Texture feels great in hand
- Accessory rail
Cons:
- Small grip may not fit larger hand sizes comfortably
- Price is at the premium end of .380 pistols
Final Thoughts
The Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 ACP is one of the more compelling micro-compact pistols in its class. It delivers concealability, capacity, and modern features in a package ideal for concealed carry.
The 13-round magazine is the way to go!
It doesn’t deliver massive stopping power, but it’s not necessarily meant to. Instead it brings maximum concealment with no significant sacrifice in handling or capability. Either way, the Hellcat .380 makes a strong case for itself as a serious contender in the world of everyday carry firearms.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
