The Springfield Hellcat series is easily one of the best-selling and most popular micro-compact handguns to hit the market as of late.
Luckily for us, with that popularity comes lower prices and ample factory and aftermarket support. This includes magazines, mag extensions, trigger upgrades, optics and optics plates, and so on.
With all of those options, it can be a bit of a challenge to determine which are worthwhile, and which are gimmicks, snake oil, or a plain ole waste of money.
Not to worry! That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a list of the must-have accessories for the Springfield Hellcat in 2024.
Must-Have Hellcat accessories
Let’s start with the base model, shall we?
Extended mags
The Hellcat already boasts an impressive 13-round standard capacity, which is pretty incredible for its size. I think the Hellcat was the first micro-compact pistol to offer more than a 10-round standard capacity from the factory. But you’d be silly not to pick up a few 15-round or 20-round extended mags.
Shoot, I’ve even seen some 50-round drum mags for those mag-dump enthusiasts. At the very least, I’d highly suggest maximizing your firepower potential with a few 15-round factory Hellcat mags.
Weapon-mounted lights or laser sights
No self-defense pistol is complete without a light or laser! And the good news is that there are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of options out there for the Hellcat.
I’m a huge fan of the Surefire XSC light for the Hellcat pistol. The XSC features a high-performance LED emitter and proprietary parabolic reflector designed to deliver an impressive 350 lumens of brilliant white light out to 90 meters.
350 lumens is perfect for a self-defense rig, as it’ll cut through the dark with ease and ensure positive target identification with no problem. Plus, the light is fully ambidextrous and the internal battery is rechargeable with an onboard battery gauge, protecting against any unexpected loss of power.
Hellcat pro accessories
The Hellcat Pro is a beefed-up version of the original Hellcat, sporting a larger frame and grip, a longer slide, and a longer barrel. While it’s similar to the original Hellcat pistol, there are a few different accessories I’d recommend for the Pro over the original model for 2024.
Performance Trigger
If you’re going for the Pro model, why not upgrade the trigger system with a performance trigger from Apex Tactical?
The stock trigger on the Hellcat Pro isn’t bad, but it could certainly be better. Apex Tactical offers a variety of easy-to-install trigger enhancements that reduce overtravel, yield a smoother reset, and offer a light pull and crisp break without sacrificing safety or reliability.
Better yet, many Apex Tactical trigger systems do not require any aftermarket fitting or costly tooling for installation.
Threaded Barrel
Sure, the stock Hellcat Pro barrel is fine as it is, but there’s no harm in upgrading your pistol with a suppressor- or compensator-ready barrel!
There are tons of aftermarket barrels out there, and many of them are relatively affordable to boot. A quick Google search will point you to countless options, including those from True Precision, Apex Tactical, and Herrington Arms, to name a few.
If you’re a Springfield Armory purist, however, you can always order an OEM threaded barrel straight from the SA factory as well.
Holsters. So many Holsters.
Man, where to start? There are seemingly endless holster options out there for the Hellcat Pro.
Personally, I’m a fan of the Safariland Schema holster. It’s a minimalist holster featuring a skeletonized polymer body, making it incredibly lightweight and super easy to conceal.
I’ll admit that I have a rather squishy dad bod, but I can comfortably carry in the appendix position for days on end without chafing, rubbing, or stabbing myself in the gut when sitting, standing, walking, or driving. It’s a “no frills” holster, but it does the job and does it well.
Hellcat OSP Accessories
The Hellcat OSP (Optics Sight Pistol) is shipped from the factory with an optics-ready slide, which is a major improvement over the original Hellcat base model pistol. But what’s an optics-ready pistol without an optic?
Add a Red dot
If you’re an irons-only fan, the good news is that the Hellcat features some of the best stock irons I’ve seen in recent memory. However, I’d highly suggest making use of the factory-cut optics-ready slide with a quality red dot sight.
Red dot optics have become increasingly popular for handguns over the past decade or so, and the Hellcat is no exception. Adding an optic to your Hellcat not only enhances accuracy but also aids in delivering quick target acquisition, especially in high-stress self-defense situations.
Personally, I would recommend using the Holosun EPS Carry with the Springfield Hellcat. The Holosun EPS Carry is specifically engineered for concealed carry applications and offers a smooth, snag-free draw from any IWB holster.
Compatible with the Holosun “K” footprint series, this enclosed reflex sight features an illuminated 6 MOA red/green dot reticle for quick target acquisition, while multiple user-selectable brightness settings deliver exceptional clarity in any lighting.
Plus, Holosun’s Shake Awake technology automatically activates the red dot when it detects motion, allowing for near-instant hands-free activation, meaning you don’t have to fiddle with power controls in a self-defense scenario.
Hellcat RDP Accessories
Right out of the gate, the Hellcat RDP comes equipped with a factory-installed Shield SMSc micro red dot and a self-indexing compensator. So, what’s to add?
More Mags. Extended Mags.
Much like the Hellcat and Hellcat Pro, I’d start with some extended mags. Back up the Shield SMSc and compensator combo with some 17-round mags. Shoot, you might even opt for a +2 or +3 mag extension for your 17-rounders for some serious firepower.
In addition to the beefed-up firepower, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a holster with a mag caddy, or carry a backup IWB mag pouch. Whatever your setup, make sure you can carry extra mags. More mags equate to more ammo and better chances of outgunning a threat.
Stay Strapped in 2024
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of all the bits and bobs for Springfield Hellcat-series pistols; It’s a list of some of the best accessories I’ve discovered for 2024.
I love the Hellcat pistols. They’re great little guns with tons of options to fit any need. From high-capacity magazines and mag extensions to trigger upgrades, optics, and optics plates, this is my list of some of the best accessories for the Springfield Hellcat in 2024.
