Making a pistol wider, longer, taller and heavier is usually not a great idea, especially in an EDC gun. But that is exactly what Springfield Armory did to the original Hellcat to create the Hellcat Pro, a pistol that improved on the functionality of the original Hellcat. The larger size Hellcat Pro—larger by mere fractions of an inch—tweaked the usability by providing more grip and more slide for better recoil management, as well as a larger 15+1 round capacity. The newest variant, the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP, directly addresses muzzle flip with an integral compensator. Less flip equals faster follow ups.

The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP features an oblong hole in the barrel near the muzzle that lines up with a similar slot milled into the slide. The physics are easy to understand. While a fired round leaves the barrel, the slide cycles to chamber the next round, the barrel flips up. In small barrel pistols like micro nines, there is not a lot of barrel or slide, so the slide movement is snappy and the muzzle flips up. The port in the barrel helps push down on the barrel and the muzzle of the pistol when the shot is fired so there is less muzzle flip. Shoot with both eyes open, and you will see a lick of burning gasses flare up from the port. But does it work? Yes.

The compromise with the compensated barrel is the sight radius is slightly reduced when using the big dot and U-shaped notch iron sights. When using a red dot like the Shield SMSc, there is no compromise. SA could have gone the route of the Hellcat RDP and screwed a compensator onto the muzzle, but that would have increased the Pro’s length. Porting the barrel is a good idea to better manage muzzle flip without increasing the length.

I have experience with the original, nonported Hellcat Pro and preferred how the Pro cycled compared to the mor base Hellcat. I also like the Pro’s longer grip, which make all the difference in control and fast follow up shots. Firing up the Pro Comp, I noticed an immediate difference. There was noticeably less muzzle flip. Running the Mozambique Drill, I found the two shots to center of mass were fast and grouped tight. The single shot to the head is surgical, and I attribute that to the Shield SMSc red dot. Dumping a full magazine as fast as I could in an 8-inch circular target, the Pro Comp offered more recoil control.

Just for the record, I fired the Pro Comp for accuracy at 15 yards. I loaded up with train and defense ammo; on the light side with Armscor with a 115-grain FMF, in the middle was Streak Ammo with a 124-grain TMC bullet and on the heavy end was Remington HTP with a 147-grain JHP. No issues at all from any of the loads. The Pro Comp chewed through ammo just like you’d want it to. The best group was a tie between the Streak and Armscor at 1.7 inches for five shots. The Remington had a best of 2.3 inches for five shots. The average group size across all ammo was a decent 2.1 inches. Combine that with accurate and fast follow ups; sign me up.

I rotated the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP into my conceal carry routine and carried it exclusively for the last few months using a CYA Supply Co. Base IWB Kydex holster. The cant of the holster is adjustable, as is the retention, and it is compatible with red dots. The holster has smooth edges and a sweat guard, which is helpful now that the heat is on down here south of the Mason-Dixon Line. I carry appendix and sitting in a vehicle or behind the key board, the Hellcat Pro Comp and CYA Base holster are comfortable. The Hellcat safely clicks in place when inserted into the holster and the holster seems to spit the pistol out on draw. The draw is slick and fast with minimal friction.

If you like the original Hellcat Pro and want less muzzle flip, the Pro Comp is a good option. The only real competitor the Pro Comp has is the SIG P365XL Comp models, but the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp has a leg up with a 15+1 round capacity compered to the SIG’s 12+1 capacity. You can also get two Hellcat Pro Comps for the price of the SIG.

Micro nines are notoriously snappy shooters with plenty of muzzle flip. The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP noticeably reduces muzzle flip, and that’s a good thing when you need to shoot fast and multiple times. So, the question you need to ask yourself is: To comp or not? Given the choice, go with the comp.

Notes: Typical SA quality and finish, which translates to nice.

Notes: Delivers on reliability—load and go—and recoil was noticeably improved for faster follow up shots.

Notes: Even though this is an upsized micro nine with a red dot it is easy to carry.

Notes: At 6.2 pounds it is heavy but is it smooth and consistent and a good serviceable trigger for self-defense. I’ll take a 2-inch group at 15 yards from a micro-nine any day.

Notes: Handles great, excellent grip angle and texture, an undercut where you need it, good accuracy and now better recoil management.

Caliber:                        9mm

Overall Length:           6.6 in.

Barrel Length:             3.7 in.

Height:                       4.8 in. w/flush fit mag

Width:                        1.0 in.

Magazine Capacity:     15 rounds w/flush fit mag

Weight (unloaded):     21.0 oz. w/flush fit mag

MSRP:                        $699