AO Review: Springfield Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm Desert FDE

In the roughly 3 – 4 years that the Springfield Armory Hellcat has been on the concealed carry market we have seen a lot of iterations of this popular pistol. Everything from the original model to those sporting pistol compensators, micro red dot optics, and much more. If a gun owner wanted more, Springfield listened to their consumers and gave it to them. One of the newest iterations to hale from the Hellcat series of handguns is the Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded. The term of “Pro” meaning it dons a longer barrel, slide, frame, and magazine. Then, “OSP” (Optical Sight Pistol) refers to its optics readiness to accept micro red dots. For those hard to satisfy shooters, the only thing left to appease their demands was a threaded barrel on top of that (and Springfield gave it to them). So, now we have the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm pistol with some of that peanut butter love in a Desert FDE (Flat Dark Earth) colorway. We are going to review that exact pistol here today. Let’s dive in!

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Specifications – Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in Desert FDE

The Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in a Desert FDE colorway has an MSRP of $710 which feels appropriate for the amount of features this handgun boasts over its original predecessor. With it being optics ready, high-capacity, carrying a threaded barrel, and hosting an actual Picatinny rail for accessories (not some FUBAR proprietary one), you have a lot of value here. Springfield Armory elaborates on everything in detail in their product specs below:

Cartridge: 9mm
Colorway: Desert FDE
Barrel: 4.4″ Hammer Forged Steel, Threaded (.5 x 28), Melonite® Finish, 1:10
Slide: Billet Machined, Desert FDE Cerakote® Finish, Optics Ready
Frame: Desert FDE Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture
Sights: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear

Recoil System: Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Grip Width: 1″
Magazines: (1) 15-Round, (1) 17-Round
Weight: 22 Oz with Flush Mag | 22.4 Oz with Extended Mag
Length: 7.2″
Height: 4.8″ with Flush Mag | 5.3″ with Extended Mag

DESERT FDE FINISH – The frame is molded from Desert FDE polymer while the coating on the slide is a rugged Cerakote® finish for a lifetime of worry-free carry
4.4″ HAMMER FORGED THREADED BARREL – The 4.4” barrel features 1/2 x 28 threads to attach various muzzle devices and is hammer forged for ultimate durability
TWO MAGAZINES INCLUDED – The Hellcat® Pro comes with two magazines, a flush-fitting 15-round mag for concealability and an extended 17-rounder

Featuring an appealing combination of class-leading concealability along with impressive capacity and performance, the Desert FDE Hellcat® Pro delivers the perfect balance. The pistol’s 4.4″ barrel is hammer-forged for durability and features 1/2×28 threading at the muzzle, further enhancing the Hellcat Pro’s capabilities. Optics-ready and equipped with a versatile accessory rail, this exceptional everyday carry is finished off in a durable desert FDE Cerakote® finish.

Field Use – Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in Desert FDE

So, what makes this Hellcat different from other Hellcat pistols we have previously reviewed here on AllOutdoor?… It is quite a few different things so we are simply going to go down the list. Only a few weeks ago, Springfield Armory announced that they were manufacturing and selling extended Hellcat Pro magazines that boasted 17 rounds. A traditional flush-fit magazine for the Hellcat Pro fits 15 rounds so you get an additional 2 round boost. This factory package comes with one 15-round and one 17-round magazine.

I’ll also tackle the elephant in the room of the new Desert FDE color. Some people are absolutists and believe all polymer handguns should be black; nothing else. I’m from the more modern train of thought that a splash of tasteful color is awesome. I love the peanut butter drip of this handgun. ‘Til the day I die I will continue to tell people “no one wants an ugly sportscar.” If you have a handgun that is a performance beast, but its curb appeal is boring or “Meh,” then that sucks. The sexy color Springfield is running with on this Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded is groovy.

The next element that I appreciate about the Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded is its real Picatinny rail. I keep stating “real” and tossing around italicized words because way too many competing manufacturers have proprietary, faux, or straight-up fake accessory rails. Like… why do they do that?! Springfield on the other hand has a real-deal, bonafide, certified Picatinny rail so I could easily toss my favorite WML (weapon mounted light) on here in my Streamlight TLR-1 HL.

Next up, we have the threaded barrel. I love that Springfield offers a factory configuration of a threaded barrel in the Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded because it opens up Pandora’s box of possibilities. While I might not carry a suppressed pistol on the daily, I can think of a bevy of uses for one. Being an outdoorsman, and this is AllOutdoor.com, I could use a compact suppressed weapon system like this to dispatch raccoons or mink who are harassing chickens in my chicken coop. I could bring it with on a coyote trapline that I run in the winter to dispatch varmints as well. I often keep a loaded handgun on my nightstand – either the phenomenal, brand new Springfield Armory Echelon – or I could run this package as configured so I am not immediately deaf in a home defense situation. Moreover, this is a hoot to shoot at the range suppressed for fun!

Finally, there is the OSP – Optical Sight Pistol – system that allows you to mount any Shield RMSc footprint micro red dot that you want. I opted for the new Vortex Defender CCW. They are already in their short time on the market a tried-and-true red dot with a bevy of screws, wrenches, and the best warranty in the industry backing it. Between all of the accessories I chose to kit out this handgun with, and Springfield making it so readily available to accept accessories, this is one of the coolest handguns we have reviewed this year on AllOutdoor.

Final Thoughts – Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in Desert FDE

So, what are my final thoughts on the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in a Desert FDE colorway?… This pistol gives you everything. You want a weapon light? You got it. Want to run it suppressed? They got you. Want even more rounds? Why not. Need a micro red dot? Say less, fam. This pistol has everything you could ask for and we’re here for it. We did not mention any of our shooting experience from playing with this handgun because it was essentially unmemorable – the handgun worked with 100% reliability. We ran frangibles, hollow-points, full-metal jacket, everything we could get our hands on and this handgun ate and cycled it all. At the asking price of $710, if you want a handgun that could be used for innumerable use-cases, this is it. You will love it.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in a Desert FDE colorway. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro OSP Threaded 9mm in a Desert FDE colorway is something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy one for everyday concealed carry? Take it with you camping or hiking? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Springfield Armory in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak