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Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp Review: Professional Polymer Performance
You may have recently seen my Hellcat Pro review a couple of months ago, but I can assure you, this is not the same Hellcat Pro…it’s the Hellcat Pro Comp!
Springfield sent me this new release right after the last review was published, so it only made sense to provide another one to help you decide whether the integrally compensated model is right for you or whether you should go with the standard Hellcat Pro.
It’s hard to argue with a 17+1 capacity.
While this won’t necessarily be a comparison article, I’ll be sure to include some tidbits about the standard Hellcat Pro as well. If you want more granular-level details, you can check out the review linked above.
Features
I couldn’t begin dissecting the features without starting with the integral compensator—that is why this model was released.
As opposed to the earlier Hellcat RDP (Rapid Defense Package), which featured a Self-Indexing Compensator that attached via an included threaded barrel, the Hellcat Pro Comp utilizes an integral compensator designed with a single port in the barrel and slide. With the ports located on top of each, they help direct the gasses upwards, reducing the muzzle rise. This means you hypothetically should be able to see quicker and more accurate follow-up shots.
Notice the front sight is placed behind the port.
Springfield ensured to place the front tritium sight behind the port to help maintain an uninterrupted sight picture. It’s a small detail, but it shouldn’t be overlooked!
While those are the newest features, there are still plenty of others that are well worth discussing.
As most newer pistols are these days, the Hellcat Pro Comp comes ready to accept a wide variety of optics. With the right optic plate, you should be able to fit the majority of your favorite smaller red dots. I’ve been running a Holosun SCS-CARRY, which fits like a glove.
You’ll also find forward and rear serrations on the slide. They’re shallow, though, and I’d love to see them more aggressive on the next iteration of the Hellcat Pro.
One of my favorite grips in the game.
Working our way down the pistol, the Adaptive Grip Texture is unique to Springfield. It features a combination of short and tall pyramids that lock into your hand when pressure is applied. The tall pyramids have a flat top while the short ones have a point; this way, your clothes don’t get snagged.
The left is the “right” choice.
And we can’t forget the super impressive capacity that the Hellcat Pro and Pro Comp deliver. With a flush magazine, you’ll have a 15+1 capacity, and with the extended magazine that now comes with the Hellcat Pros, you’ll have a 17+1 capacity.
For a pistol of this size, that’s amazing.
Specifications
The specifications are listed exactly the same as those of the Hellcat Pro, but I imagine the two small ports would reduce the weight ever so slightly.
No size differences
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Capacity | 15+1, 17+1 |
| Barrel Length | 3.7 Inches |
| Overall Length | 6.6 Inches |
| Grip Width | 1 Inch |
| Height | 4.8 Inches w/ Flush Mag, 5.3 Inches w/ Extended Mag |
| Weight | 21 Ounces w/ Flush Mag, 21.4 Ounces w/ Extended Mag |
Range Report
Having put so many rounds through my Hellcat Pro, I wasn’t concerned about the reliability of the Hellcat Pro Comp, but I, of course, had to at least put some rounds through it to verify! And to see if the integral compensator makes much of a difference.
I had to shoot them side by side for science purposes!
I quickly fired 150 rounds downrange with it, and just as expected, I didn’t have a single malfunction. The majority of the rounds were 115-grain Blazer Brass FMJs, with some 115-grain Hornady Critical Defense FTXs.
Alternating between the Hellcat Pro and Pro Comp during the same range session, the reduction in muzzle rise was only slightly noticeable. Still, my groupings were tighter overall with the Pro Comp, especially in the “rapid fire” ones.
It’s not a bad grouping for some of my first shots through the Hellcat Pro Comp at eight yards and shooting quickly.
By the end of the range trip, I found myself only grabbing for the Pro Comp to finish off the last few magazines.
Pros & Cons
Many of these will be the same regardless of which Hellcat Pro model you go with, but this new model has a leg up.
Pros:
- Integral compensator mitigates muzzle rise
- High capacity for its size (17+1 w/ extended mag)
- Reliable and accurate
- Adaptive Grip Texture feels great in hand
- Optics-ready slide and accessory rail allow for a wide range of attachments
Cons:
- Shallow slide serrations
- Controls sit too close to flush with the frame and slide
Parting Shots
If you’re in the market for a new striker-fired polymer 9mm, the Hellcat Pro Comp should definitely be on your shortlist.
It offers the capacity of a much larger pistol in an easy-to-carry compact package. Then it has the plethora of features, with examples such as the optics-ready slide and accessory rail, that allow you to really make the pistol your own.
Compact, capable, and customizable.
With the new Pro Comp model’s MSRP only $50 more than the non-compensated model, it’s a no-brainer to grab this one. I still always recommend shooting a gun, if possible, before you decide to purchase it, so check your local range and see if they have any available to rent.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
