Springfield Armory RDP Hellcat
More than just a grip zone upgrade, the Hellcat RDP Rapid Defense Package is not necessarily a version 2 Hellcat. But more like a special configuration that is meant to expand the Hellcat’s carry capability. And yes you can sprinkle in some upgrades for good measure ending up with a kitty that has more attitude.
The RDP package is paired with Springfield’s entry into the red dot market with it’s own Hex micro red dot. Red dots are growing in popularity every single day and are more mainstream than ever. It makes sense for Springfield to enter the market since they can control how everything works together. Instead of trying to adapt other companies red dots to work with their pistols SA controls it all. They can set the quality of their optics, but also keep the price competitive and outright beat some other options. It also allows them to provide the end user with an optic that comes with a great warranty. The electronics get a 5 year warranty, but everything else is lifetime.
Let’s Move on to the Compensator and threaded barrel. I want to put this under the category of wow I never saw that coming. Threaded barrels are nothing new, but the threaded barrel means the RDP Hellcat has a 3.8 inch Barrel. Potentially more accuracy and velocity thats a win/win. Threaded in the “standard” 9mm 1/2 x 28 thread pitch the RDP is suppressor ready. Yea carrying a suppressor not not useful for concealed carry, it’s the compensator that does the job for me. Leave it to Springfield and HS Produkt to design a compensator that uses a brand new locking system that does not require shims or additional parts for indexing and locking into place. This design will excel with self defense plus rated ammo and allow for faster follow up shots. It has me thinking that I may want to use this on my XDME OSP threaded for shooting competitions. A little work on the XDME barrel cutting an indexing lug and I am off to the races. Literally taking seconds and no tools I can move my comp from gun to gun. I hope SA expands this feature system wide to all their pistols with threaded barrels. Some food for thought isn’t it?
Put this new feature under the list of I predicted that a year ago. When I got my first Hellcat, I had published an educated guess that the Hellcat would eventually get a safety, or at the last min it was dropped for some reason. The hellcat frames have a precise mold mark that just happens to coincide right where the perfect place to put a safety would be. Guess what! I was right one of the two new RDP Hellcat pistols has the option of a manual safety. There are people that wanted to love the Hellcat but were not comfortable with not having a manual safety, here you go and added level of safety.
Lets talk about the RDP Gen 2 trigger This is something that I hope will roll out to all Hellcats from now on. Does it allow people to push their trigger sideways instead of front to back to shoot their Hellcat? I don’t know, someone will always find something to complain about instead of….duh just using a trigger like you are supposed to. What I do like is the recontouring for comfort. Both of my original Hellcats had trigger that would not necessarily bite my finger, it was more of a nip. Sharp edges added in with full power defense loads and my trigger finger would feel it.
So the Hellcat gets some cool refinements in an all in one package. MSRP is 899.00, wait wait wait before you go all crazy. One realize this is MSRP and if things ever calm down street price will be lower. Second MSRP for the older OSP Hellcat with the Shield optic it was 799.00 and it did not come with a thread barrel or a new compensator. So is the RDP for everyone? No but neither was the older Hellcat. The Hellcat was a solid contender, the proof was in the pudding. In Gunbrokers top 10 list of the most sold pistols of 2020 the Hellcat was number 3 overall in the new category. The NRA gave it Handgun of the Year 2020, Guns & Ammo gave it Handgun of the Year 2020 and it was Ballistics Best Readers Choice for compact Handgun 2020. Lets just say the RDP comes from good pedigree. So if the older Hellcat fit the bill for that many shooters, it just makes sense that the RDP with scratch the itch of even more shooters. I always knew the Hellcat would be the start of a new category of pistol series for Springfield and HS Produkt and boy was I right. It makes me wonder what’s next for the Hellcat? I predicted a larger version say with a 4 inch barrel and a 15-17 plus round capacity and while thats not want this is, that could still happen. But for now it looks like I am going to be happy with my little Transformer Hellcat RDP.
