TL;DR: The Springfield Hellcat .380 is a small, optic-ready micro-compact that shoots softer than most subcompact 9 mms. In our drills it proved surprisingly controllable and accurate, especially at 7 yards — though reloads and slide-lock reliability were less than ideal. For concealed carriers who value red-dot compatibility out of the box, it’s a solid .380 option. Might not replace a full-size, but it’s a respectable pocket- or IWB-carry pistol.
Hellcat .380 Overview: Optics, Build & First Impressions
Springfield designed the Hellcat .380 as a micro-size defensive pistol with a 3-inch barrel—putting it in classic subcompact territory. Despite its size, the pistol does come optic-ready.
Optic Setup
The slide is cut for the Shield RMSc pattern, and ours arrived equipped with a Shield-style optic featuring a clear top. According to the manufacturer, the transparent housing helps ambient light reach the auto-adjust sensor for more reliable brightness control. If durability holds up, this could be a cool improvement over traditional auto-adjust red dots.
Magazines
The Hellcat .380 ships with two magazines:
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11-round mag (with pinky extension)
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13-round mag
Even the 11-rounder adds enough grip space for better control—a must for shooters with medium or large hands.
MSRP & Value
With a listed MSRP in the $600 range, the Hellcat .380 sits above many competitors. However, the factory optic cut adds significant value for shooters who run dots.
Range Testing the Hellcat .380
To get a feel for real-world performance, we ran our standard evaluation drills:
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Bill Drill
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3 Reload 3
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7-yard B8-style accuracy test
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10-yard accuracy test
Since we didn’t yet have a holster for this model, the gun was drawn from the table.
Bill Drill Results: Surprisingly Soft Shooting
The Hellcat .380 delivered a much softer recoil impulse than typical subcompact 9 mm guns. As Miles put it:
“It’s a tiny 9 mm, basically.”
Despite its size, the pistol wasn’t overly snappy, and grouping was tight on the first run. Times were on the slower side (around 3.29 seconds), but the objective here was feel, not speed.
The only recurring issue: the slide consistently failed to lock back on empty. (Potentially user error, riding the slide stop.)
3 Reload 3: Small Gun, Small Magwell
Reloads were trickier:
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Minimal magwell flare
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Short grip
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Tiny magazines
These factors slowed reloads and required more precise indexing. Again, the slide did not lock back on any string of fire.
Still, accuracy and control stayed solid once the shooter accounted for some leftward shot drift by adjusting point of aim.
Accuracy Testing
7-Yard “Fake B8” Results: Shockingly Good
Even with a substitute target, we produced what might be our best group ever in a Monday Gunday episode:
“This gun be accurate.”
All 10 rounds formed an impressively tight cluster.
10-Yard Results: Still Respectable
At 10 yards, the group naturally opened up, but everything remained within the 9–10 ring equivalent. For such a small handgun, the Hellcat .380 delivered accuracy above expectations.
Back in the Armory: Final Scoring
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 6.7 / 10 | Higher MSRP than many rivals, but optic-ready adds value. |
| Trigger | 6.5 / 10 | Heavy and long for shooter’s taste — common on carry guns. |
| Bore Axis | 7.5 / 10 | Standard for micro-compacts. |
| Sights | 8.5 / 10 | Solid iron sights + factory red-dot compatibility. |
| Aftermarket Support | 8.6 / 10 | Many 9 mm Hellcat parts appear compatible — potential for upgrades. |
| Capacity | 8 / 10 | 11 & 13 rounds is solid for a .380 of this size. |
| Serviceability | 8.5 / 10 | Easy to strip, maintain, and service much like other striker-fired pistols. |
| Value | 7.8 / 10 | Pricey, but optic-ready design raises value significantly. |
| Cool Factor | 6 / 10 | Tiny .380 won’t wow full-size fans — but for its category, it delivers. |
Overall, it scored a 75.1, putting it comfortably in second place behind the Hellcat Comp — and making a compelling case for shooters who want a compact optic-ready defensive pistol.
Final Thoughts & Carry-Setup Considerations
The Hellcat .380 might not replace a full-size duty gun, but for concealed carry it’s a solid performer — especially if you run a red-dot. It shoots softer than expected, handles well, and its size/mag capacity balance make it a viable micro-compact for EDC.
If you go this route, you’re going to need a good concealed carry holster or kydex holster to match — ideally something shaped for a compact grip and tight concealment. Once you grab the right holster, this could make a fine everyday carry gun.
Pairing it with a quality appendix carry holster or IWB setup will make a big difference in comfort and concealability.