The Springfield Hellcat is a micro-compact semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm. Released in late 2019, it quickly became one of the most popular concealed carry pistols on the market.
Although it is similar in appearance to Springfield’s previous subcompact, the XDS, the Hellcat is a unique design with no relation to the XD pistol series. If you are considering purchasing a Springfield Hellcat, you’ll need to buy a new holster for it.
Discover which features make the Hellcat special and how to look for a suitable Hellcat holster.
Specifications and Hellcat Holster Considerations
When the Springfield Hellcat first hit the market, the manufacturer described it as the “highest-capacity micro-compact 9mm in the world” due to its 11-round flush-fit magazine and its small dimensions: 6” overall length, 3” barrel, 1” wide, and 4” tall.
With magazine extensions, the Hellcat’s capacity may reach 13+1 or 15+1, although they significantly increase the pistol’s height.
Although the Hellcat’s dimensions suggest it is primarily intended for deep-concealed IWB carry, it is compact and lightweight, so you can reliably conceal it in an OWB holster.
Besides the carrying style, your holster choice also depends on the Hellcat variant you possess: The standard model, the red-dot ready Hellcat OSP, or the compensated Hellcat RDP.
Standard Springfield Hellcat
If you’re looking for a Springfield Hellcat holster, the right choice for you depends on which factors of concealed carry you wish to prioritize: Concealment or comfort.
Best Hellcat holster for deep concealment
If your priority is achieving the best possible concealment, the WTPH low-profile IWB Kydex holster is the best option. The 0.08” Kydex sheets employed in this holster’s construction are among the thinnest available, keeping the holster’s overall profile as low as possible. This option allows your gun and holster to limit printing.
The Kydex material is durable, making your holster naturally resistant to everyday bumps, scratches, and impacts. It also features a protective sweat guard, shielding your Hellcat pistol from direct contact with your body.
A sweat guard is an essential feature in an IWB holster because it protects the slide from body sweat exposure, capable of damaging the finish and introducing rust.
In addition, the WTPH Kydex IWB holster is 100% user-adjustable, letting you adjust the retention level, ride height, cant angle, and clip position. This holster offers unparalleled customization options for the perfect carry position.
Best Hellcat holster for comfort holster
If you need an IWB holster that provides you with the best balance between retention and long-term comfort, the WTPH Independence IWB Leather holster is the model for you.
Leather holsters have long been the most popular choice for gun holsters because they are naturally soft, comfortable, and visually appealing.
In the past, leather concealment holsters did not provide adequate retention, and shooters often had to make the difficult choice: The higher durability and retention of Kydex or the better long-term comfort of leather. However, today’s leather holsters are far more advanced and attractive than their predecessors.
Modern leather holsters like the WTPH Independence retain the aesthetics, softness, and comfort that characterizes leather products, but with some of the best features of a Kydex equivalent. These include high rigidity, custom molding for your specific handgun model, and adjustability.
Springfield Hellcat OSP
The Hellcat Optical Sight Pistol (OSP) is the optics-ready version of the Hellcat pistol. It is mechanically identical except the slide, which features a cut for a mounting plate and a red dot sight, such as the Shield RMSc.
Although the exact height of a Hellcat OSP varies depending on the mounted optic, you should expect it to be approximately 4.5” to 4.7” tall with the flush-fit magazine (5” to 5.2” with a 13-round extended magazine.)
Red-dot-ready pistols such as the Hellcat OSP require holsters with a red dot sight cut. The best holsters for this model are the WTPH Kydex holsters for Springfield Hellcat OSP, featuring precision-cut moldings that provide maximum retention without interfering with your optics.
Two variants are available: An IWB model suitable for deep carrying and an OWB version for comfort and convenience.
The IWB model is similar to the standard IWB Hellcat holster, made using the same materials and offering the same durability and customization options.
Although the OWB model is also a Kydex holster, it stands out from other offerings because it is a paddle holster instead of a traditional belt-mounted holster. Paddle holsters take seconds to adjust and are easy to install and remove, making them highly convenient and practical.
WTPH paddle holsters feature a pair of angled teeth for the best possible retention once installed in your waistband, allowing you to perform fast draws with confidence.
Springfield Hellcat RDP
The Hellcat Rapid Defense Package (RDP) is a high-performance version of the original Hellcat, featuring a HEX Wasp red dot sight, a manual safety, and a 3.8” threaded barrel fitted with a micro compensator.
Although it is still a subcompact pistol, the Hellcat RDP’s competition-inspired additions significantly extend its dimensions. The barrel and compensator add about 1” to the overall length, and the Wasp red dot sight makes it nearly as tall as the OSP a Shield RMSc.
Consequently, if you own a Hellcat RDP, you will need a dedicated holster; it will not fit in holsters intended for the standard and OSP models.
If you prefer to carry your Hellcat RDP inside the waistband, the WTPH Hellcat RDP Kydex IWB holster is the perfect solution. Although it is visually similar to the Kydex IWB holster for the OSP (including the red dot cut), this holster is molded to accommodate the longer barrel and mounted compensator.
The Kydex sheets are ideal for protecting your slide, barrel, and compensator’s finishes from impacts, scrapes, and exposure to body sweat, keeping this pistol in excellent condition.
If you prefer carrying the Hellcat RDP outside the waistband, you may enjoy the WTPH Hellcat RDP Kydex OWB paddle holster. Finding a comfortable carry position with a pistol equipped with an optic and compensator can be challenging.
With this paddle holster, you won’t need to spend hours deciding on a single waistband position; simply pull the holster out, adjust as needed, then replace it.
Find The Best Kydex and Leather Holsters for Your Springfield Hellcat
We The People Holsters offers a wide selection of hand-crafted everyday carry holsters. We offer a comprehensive selection of holsters suitable for any carrying style and position: IWB and OWB, left- and right-handed, Kydex and leather, fully adjustable and compatible with handguns from over 25 manufacturers.
We also carry many accessories and consumables suitable for any shooting enthusiast. Complete your EDC setup with one of our gun belts, practice your marksmanship with our free printable targets, and show off your patriotic pride and support of the 2nd Amendment with our apparel collection.
