It goes without saying that the Springfield Hellcat is a great micro-compact pistol. Like all weapons, there are groups of fans and detractors. In fact, using a Springfield Hellcat with red dot is one of my favorite gun setups to run for self-defense. However, there are Springfield hellcat problems that you need to be aware of before buying this weapon.
Top 5 Springfield Hellcat Problems
Every handgun has problems from time to time. However, I want to focus on the most common issues that Hellcat owners run into. Here are the top 5 issues that I found.
1) Issues With Magazine Feeding
Magazine feeding issues are the most common amongst Hellcat owners. Shooters have experienced situations where their magazines won’t feed new bullets into the gun’s firing chamber. This can cause dry fire or failure to fire altogether.
The following cartridges seem to have more issues:
- 147-Grain Bullets
- 115-Grain Bullets
I have had similar Kel-Tec KSG issues in regard to magazine feeding. So while this is not unique to Springfield Hellcat it can be a source of major disruption. In a self-defense situation, it is a major issue if your gun won’t fire!
2) Can Have A Touchy Trigger
Trigger safety is highly important. One of the biggest factors in gun safety is the force required for a trigger pull. Too tough of a trigger pull is one of the biggest problems with the M&P 15 Sport 2 that I tested.
However, the Hellcat’s trigger is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Many shooters report that the gun has a touchy trigger. There are even times when the trigger jams completely! If this happens to you, give your distributor or manufacturer a call and invoke your warranty.
3) Quality & Reliability Issues
When you purchase a new handgun you really want something that is reliable and will last. Guns are not cheap! It is very frustrating to buy a new Hellcat or gun accessory only to have quality issues.
There are shooters that have reported a drop in performance and accuracy after just a few hundred shots! Although I have not personally experienced this, some shooters have been shipped a new Hellcat Pro with manufacturing and defect issues. These include:
- Dual captive recoil spring issues
- Threaded barrel issues
- Trigger blade issues
- and more!
4) Weapon Price
The Springfield Hellcat is one of the most popular concealed-carry weapons on the market. It’s biggest competitors include:
- SIG P365
- Glock 43X
- Taurus G2c
It is no secret that the Hellcat Pro is the most expensive of these options. Normally, I have no problems investing in quality when it comes to guns & accessories. Many of the best pistol optics are not cheap…but they’re worth it! But if the gun or accessory has common issues, then it becomes a problem.
5) Personal Preference
The Springfield Hellcat has become one of the most popular handguns released in recent years, but not all shooters consider it to be a comfortable fit.
- When it comes to rating handguns, there is always an element of personal preference to consider!
For some shooters, the original Hellcat is simply too small and too light for their liking. If you ask me, that is a positive. But other people find it throws off the balance of the gun and impacts accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Springfield Hellcat reliable?
Do Springfield Hellcats jam?
Where does the Springfield Hellcat rank?
How many rounds does it take to break in a Springfield Hellcat?
Why can't you dry fire a Springfield Hellcat?
How far can you shoot with a Springfield Hellcat?
The Bottom Line
Is the Springfield Hellcat worth buying? I think so! This is a quality compact handgun that is perfect for concealed carry. The size and weight makes it perfect for close quarters combat situations.
However, no handgun is without faults. The Springfield Hellcat problems I discussed should not be ignored! In fact, I found many of the same problems with Walther PPQ in the past. If you run into any of these issues, give the manufacturer a call and invoke your warranty.
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