From Springfield Armory, a full “Rapid Defense Package”: the new Hellcat RDP pistol

First introduced in 2019 as “the highest capacity micro 9mm in the world” thanks to its patented magazines with “best in class capacity” of up to 13+1 rounds, Springfield Armory's new iteration of the Hellcat is not just a pistol, but a whole “Rapid Defense Package” (RDP) including a Hex Wasp micro red dot and a self indexing compensator. 

But let's start from the gun: the Hellcat is a 9mm micro-compact, striker-fired pistol designed for every-day carry. Among the features, a 3.8" hammer forged steel barrel, top slide serrations for positive engagement in adverse conditions, and a black polymer with adaptive grip texture. Both slide and barrel have a Melonite finish.

Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP: red dot sight and self indexing compensator

To this platform, the new RPD model offers some very interesting and effective additions, namely a Hex Wasp micro red dot and a self indexing compensator. The Hex red dot line is a novelty per se, the Wasp model being expressly designed for concealed carry pistols. With a low profile and a machined 6061 aluminum body, the micro red dot co-witnesses with the Hellcat’s. The Hellcat RDP in fact features a high visibility tritium front sight and a tactical rack U-dot rear sight. The reflex sight battery life is a reassuring 65,000 hours.

No less important is what is fitted to the RDP threaded barrel muzzle: a patent-pending, self indexing compensator machined from aircraft-grade 8082 aluminum and anodized matte black. According to the manufacturer, the proprietary compensator “vents gasses upward putting downward pressure on the muzzle greatly reducing muzzle rise for better control”. The self indexing design makes installation or removal easy and does not require shims or additional parts for proper timing. The recontoured Gen 2 trigger – introduced with the Hellcat RDP – enhances ergonomics, too.

Thanks to these refinements, the Hellcat RDP promises fast target acquisition, accuracy and rapid follow-up shots. As an option and at no extra cost, you can have an ambidextrous manual safety on the frame of the pistol. It is low-profile and easy to operate both left or right-handed.

For a  MSRP in the US of $899, the Hellcat RDP comes with two magazines — a patented 11-round mag with pinky extension and a 13-round extended mag. 

Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP pistol in video

Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP pistol specs and price