Hellcat Red Dots

Hellcat Optic

The Springfield Armory Hellcat is an amazing pistol. One of its best features is that it is "optics ready." You can quickly attach a red dot or other reflext sight to the pistol.

Not only that, but the pistol uses the RMSc footprint meaning an optic can be directly mounted to the slide. No need to use an adaptor plate with the majority of micro optics designed for pistols.

By directly mounting a red dot sight to the slide, it sits lower and allows you to co-witness the factory sights. This sighting backup is a real winner for a defensive pistol: Hellcat optics.

Hellcat RedDot —

Selecting a red dot sight for the Hellcat is fairly easy. As I stated above, the folks at Springfield Armory designed the pistol slide to accept a direct mount of nearly any pistol optic with an RMSc footprint.

Also known as the Springfield Micro Optic footprint, the RMSc is names after the Shield RMSc red dot optic that standardized the screw pattern. Holosun optics use a slightly altered footprint due to reasons that appear to be legal in nature.

If you want to attach one of thoese (like the 407k,) you have to grind on the slide - which is not ideal! An adaptor will allow you to mount the Holosun without machine work on your slide.

Hellcat Red Dots

A glass lens with multi-coatings to reduce the potential for fogging and scratches when compared to polymer lenses used in some cheap red dots. Coatings repel water to keep it free of water distortion in rain.

The best Hellcat red dot bodies are made from blocks of 7075-T6 aluminum. This is a high-strength aluminum alloy designed for critical aviation components and firearms parts.

It is tough stuff, and the toughest material used in any of Hellcat red dot optics options. Steel could be used, but it merely increases the overall weight of the package without any actual strength benefits.

Hellcat Red Dots
Hellcat Red Dots
Springfield Hellcat Optic

Springfield Hellcat Optic

I own a Hellcat pistol like most of you. So we likely had the same questionabout what RDS you might want to put on it. There aren't a lot of good resources to help figure out which Hellcat optic I want.

So, I decided to make my own to help you out. I put them all into a single list that I hope will assist you in making your own decision about what will work best for you.

I've tested all of the optics I talk about, so I definitely know the good (and bad) aspects of each. I will say that the sights made of more rugged materials performed better overall.

Best Optic for Hellcat

The OSP version of the Hellcat, called the Optical Sight Pistol, allows an easy addition of a red dot sight through direct mounting it to the slide. This results in a micro-optic that is very low to the bore axis and often allows co-witnessing with the pistol’s excellent factory sights.

The Springfield Micro footprint is 100% compatible with the existing Shield RMSc optic footprint. The Springfield Micro footprint is the standard for micro-optics designed for thin carry pistols.

This allows you to have a wide variety of micro red dot sights from which to choose. Companies like HEX, Shield, Trijicon, Holosun and Swampfox all make good stuff.

Best Optic for Hellcat
Optics for Hellcat
Optics for Hellcat

So, when you are searching for the best optics for the Hellcat pistol, you should probably start with looking at your needs. For example, are you a regular citizen who carries when heading into an office job? Or maybe you're a deputy sheriff who is carrying the Hellcat on his ankle as a backup gun.

Each of these scenarios suggests a different level of need. For example a cop who is going to be in the mud, rain and numerous fights probably doesn't want a cheap plastic optic. Instead, a red dot with multi-coated glass and a hardened aluminum body is the better choice.

But, price is also a consideration. So, figure out what your minimum needs are and set a budget. Then you can start looking at the electronic sight options for your pistol.

What Red Dot Fits the Springfield Hellcat?

The last question you need to solve is determining what optics fit your Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP pistol. The 9mm handgun is small and is best suited for small (or micro) sized optics. As I discussed above, the Hellcat slide is cut for the RMSc-type optic footpring.

Springfield calls it something else, but it is all the same. So, and optic (except Holosun models) designed with that footprint will work with the Hellcat.

Fortunately, there are plenty of models that are on the market now for that size. And...I test them all!

What Red Dot Fits the Springfield Hellcat?

Frequently Asked Questions

Almost any red dot sight with the RMSc footprint will fit the Hellcat pistol. The one exception are the sights made by Holosun. Due to the way they are manufactured, Holosun sights require either an adaptor plate or machine work on the Hellcat slide.

Springfield Armory designed the Hellcat with the Tactical Rack U-Dot sights standard.

The U-Dot sights are the best in the industry. The front sight is has a tritium vial centered in a large post. Surrounding the tritium is a bright, wide ring of photoluminescent material. This material absorbs ambient light and glows brightly in all lighting conditions to provide a clear aiming point.

The rear sight uses a wide U-notch that makes it fast to find the front notch. It also has a flat front to allow for one-handed reloads.

Even though these sights are fantastic, adding a red dot can improve both speed and accuracy in your defensive shooting.

Not without significant modification or an adaptor plate.

Holosun designed the 507K such that the locking lugs on the Hellcat slide need to be machined off of the gun for the Holosun to fit. Alternatively, you can purchase an adaptor plate. The plate will work, but it will prevent you from co-witnessing the factory sights.