Springfield’s California Legal Pistols: Hellcat, Hellcat Pro and XD-M Elite

By Peter Suciu

I am confident that all of us would easily agree that protecting our Second Amendment rights is one of our most important responsibilities. There is the old saying that “As California Goes, So Goes the Nation”. While this may be true for automotive emissions and even online privacy laws, in the case of firearms, it can often go in the opposite direction. While the rest of the nation can own a wide range of firearm types, it can be a challenge to get any new handguns or rifles in for consumers in the state.

Frankly, it seems like supporters of the Second Amendment in California face what can only be described as “unique challenges.” The nation’s most populous state requires specific requirements and modifications to be “Cali-legal.” Some of these includes a magazine disconnect, tactile and visible loaded chamber indicator at the rear of the ejection port, and a 10-round magazine.

[Read Massad Ayoob’s Hellcat Pro review here.]

Fortunately, Springfield Armory has recently surmounted the steep hill of California’s requirements to offer three new “California-compliant” handguns that include new offerings in its popular Hellcat and XD-M Elite lines. With these releases, residents in the Golden State will have access to the XD-M Elite 4.5” 9mm, and a pair of offerings from the Hellcat series of 9mm pistols — the Hellcat OSP and the Hellcat Pro OSP.

Apart from the adaptation of the designs for the magazine disconnect, the loaded chamber indicator and the 10-round capacities, all three variants will feature the same proven performance and capabilities of their non-Cali-legal siblings. 

“California’s requirements for handguns are legendarily stringent,” said Mike Humphries, media relations manager for Springfield Armory. “Thankfully, Springfield was able to adapt these three firearms to the stated requirements while still retaining the appealing design and performance features that make them so popular.”

Hellcat OSP

Resident of the most populous state will have an opportunity to purchase an excellent micro-sized concealed carry pistol with the Hellcat 3” OSP 9mm. this pistol, featuring cutting-edge design and performance, raises the bar on concealed carry pistols with its exceptional handling and shooting characteristics. 

[Read a full review of the Hellcat OSP here.]

Premium features include its 3” hammer-forged Melonite-coated 1:10” twist barrel and slim 1” width. Despite its small size, the Hellcat OSP still packs in 10 rounds of 9mm. Its OSP-cut slide cut can accept a micro red dot sight, while its Adaptive Grip Texture makes for exceptional handling characteristics. 

It ships with two 10-round magazines and a double-zipper case.

California Compliant Hellcat OSP Specs

Caliber	9mm
Color	Black
Barrel	3” Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:10” twist
Slide	Billet Machined, Melonite Finish, Optics Ready, Loaded Chamber Indicator
Frame	Black Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture, Magazine Disconnect
Sights	Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear
Recoil System	Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Grip Width	1”
Magazines	Two (2) 10-Round
Weight	17.9 oz.
Length	6”
Height	4”
MSRP	$633

Hellcat Pro

The Hellcat Pro OSP 9mm in the Golden State offers the perfect balance between concealability and performance. Taking everything about the Hellcat that was great, the Hellcat Pro adds on a little more barrel and grip length for enhanced performance and handling. 

The pistol features a hammer-forged barrel and the Adaptive Grip Texture treatment. Optics ready and equipped with a versatile accessory rail, the Hellcat Pro OSP combines compact dimensions with the performance capabilities of a much larger pistol. Its hammer forged 3.7” barrel further provides impressive strength and durability, along with enhanced ballistics and downrange performance. 

The California-compliant pistol ships with two flush-fitting 10-round magazines, and double-zipper case. 

California Compliant Hellcat Pro Specs

Caliber	9mm
Color	Black
Barrel	3.7” Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:10” twist
Slide	Billet Machined, Melonite Finish, Optics Ready, Loaded Chamber Indicator
Frame	Black Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture, Magazine Disconnect
Sights	Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear
Recoil System	Dual Captive Recoil Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Grip Width	1”
Magazines	Two (2) 10-Round
Weight	21 oz.
Length	6.6”
Height	4.8”
MSRP	$649

XD-M Elite 

The XD-M Elite 4.5” 9mm was designed to pack all of the advanced features of the Elite line into a well-balanced and extremely capable package that is Golden State approved. It features the Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META), designed to deliver what Springfield describes as “the finest production polymer-framed pistol trigger pull available”. Rounding out the package is an ambidextrous slide stop for fully ambi controls along with enhanced slide serrations.

The most notable difference between the standard XD-M Elite 4.5” 9mm and the California-compliant model is the lack of the extended and flared magwell (due to the shorter 10-round magazines). The pistol comes with two California-compliant 10-round magazines and a double-zipper case.

[Check out this review of the XD-M Elite for additional information.]

California Compliant XD-M Elite Specs

Caliber	9mm
Color	Black
Barrel	4.5” Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:10” twist
Slide	Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, Loaded Chamber Indicator
Frame	Black Polymer, Magazine Disconnect
Sights	Fiber Optic Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear
Recoil System	Captive
Grip Width	1.2”
Magazines	Two (2) 10-Round
Weight	29 oz.
Length	7.6”
Height	5.75”
MSRP	$609

California Dreaming

Springfield Armory never abandoned the citizens of California. While no one can reasonably justify the draconian anti-gun laws in the state, the company’s philosophy has been that California residents are still entitled to the right of self-defense.

Consequently, the company always offered as many California compliant handguns as possible to the lawful residents of the Golden State. In fact, on the company’s California Legal Firearms page, you can find dozens of guns that Springfield has on offer for residents.

“The modifications to the California-legal Hellcat, Hellcat Pro and XD-M Elite 9mm pistols — such as the magazine disconnect safety, tactile and visible loaded chamber indicator and 10-round magazine — allowed these excellent pistols to now be available to the residents of this state,” Humphries continued. 

I am sure that residents of California could not be happier for these pistols to now be available in their state. And why shouldn’t they be? They now have access to three of the best 9mm pistols available on the market today.

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