Springfield Armory Hellcat

easy
Shop tier 1
high confidence
Pistol
striker fired
micro compact
concealed carry

field strip ~1 min · reassembly ~2 min · detail strip ~15 min

Before you begin Verify this firearm is unloaded. Remove the magazine or empty the cylinder or tube, lock the action open, and check the chamber both by sight and by touch. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and remove all live ammunition from your work area.

Springfield Armory, Inc. limits owner disassembly The maker's own procedure goes as far as: Field strip only: slide, captive recoil spring assembly and barrel off the frame.. Springfield says dismantling beyond the field strip is not necessary and should only be done by Springfield or a qualified pistolsmith. (Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc., p. 22 springfield-armory.com [1])

Specifications

Manufacturer: Springfield Armory, Inc.
Origin: Croatia / United States
Category: Pistol
Action: Striker-fired, short recoil
Calibers: 9x19mm Parabellum
Capacity: 11+1 or 13+1 depending on magazine
Production: 2019–present (in-production)
Also known as: Hellcat Pro, Hellcat RDP

Model-specific safety

Trigger press required to disassemble This design requires pressing the trigger as part of the takedown. That makes verifying an empty chamber non-negotiable. Check it twice, keep the muzzle in a safe direction, and never take a shortcut on this step.

This pistol requires a trigger pull to field strip. That single fact is responsible for a large share of negligent discharges during cleaning. Verify the chamber is empty, verify it again, and point the muzzle somewhere that a round would not matter.
This is a micro-compact with a short, stiff recoil spring. Keep control of the recoil spring assembly.
Carry pistols collect lint around the striker channel and extractor, which causes malfunctions. Clean those areas specifically.
Wear eye protection while disassembling. The manual requires it.

Under spring tension

Recoil spring assembly

Easily lost parts

Takedown lever

Tools

No tools required for the field strip.

Shop difficulty

Shop tier 1 Tier 1 — easy among pistols, for the full job: strip to the parts that get coated and put it back together working. 45 rows, but 8 are magazine and alternate-base rows: about 37 working parts in a pinned polymer frame (sear housing, trigger, locking block) and a striker slide. Captive recoil spring under tension and a striker that must not be snapped forward are the only cautions Springfield prints.

Parts: 45 numbered parts (Standard Hellcat 'Slide Parts List' (p. 32) + 'Frame Parts List' (p. 36), incl. 11- and 13-round magazine rows and an extended base; OSP lists omitted.), from Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc., p. 32, 36 springfield-armory.com [1].

Bench time: about 15 min to strip, 25 min to rebuild (estimate). Slide (striker locking plate, striker, striker safety, extractor, sights) and frame (sear housing pin and safety, trigger/locking block pins, slide stop, mag catch); rebuild longer for the sear housing springs.

Small parts: 9 pins, 11 springs, 0 detents or plungers (counted from the manufacturer's parts list (one per key number unless a quantity is given))

What comes off for coating

Slide: striker locking plate, striker, guide, spring and retainer, striker pin safety and spring, extractor, pins, spring and plate, rear sight, front sight — pin punch, sight pusher
Frame: sear housing pin and pin safety, sear housing, sear, disconnector and springs, trigger assembly and trigger pin, locking block and pin, slide stop lever and spring, disassembly lever, magazine catch and spring — pin punches

Special tools

dovetail sight pusher (or brass drift and padded vise) — Removing and refitting dovetailed sights for coating

Known pain points

The recoil spring is a captive unit under tension. (both)
Source: Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc. springfield-armory.com [1] — “CAUTION: Captive Recoil Spring System. Spring is under tension.”
Letting the striker snap forward with the slide off damages the striker pin safety. (both)
Source: Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc. springfield-armory.com [1] — “CAUTION: Do not retract and release the striker allowing it to snap forward as this can damage the striker pin safety.”
Springfield says anything past the field strip is for Springfield or a pistolsmith. (both)
Source: Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc. springfield-armory.com [1] — “Further dismantling is not necessary and should only be done by Springfield, Inc. or a qualified pistolsmith.”

Fit or check on rebuild

Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties — Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench

This is Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's. How tiers are rated. Forum reports are owners' experience, not specifications.

Manufacturer videos

Official videos from Springfield Armory, Inc.'s own channels, linked rather than copied. Where a video and the steps on this page differ, follow the manufacturer's manual and video.

Springfield Armory® Workbench: Hellcat SPRINGFIELD ARMORY field strip, cleaning, reassembly, maintenance · 2021-01-05
Covers: Hellcat (Hellcat Pro / RDP not named)

Procedures

Clear and Make Safe

Clear & Make Safe

Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
Removed at this step: Magazine
Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open.
Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.
WarningLook and feel. Both, every time.
Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

Field Strip

Manufacturer’s video: Springfield Armory® Workbench: Hellcat SPRINGFIELD ARMORY

Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and put on eye protection. The manual requires it.
Lock the slide open by pushing up the slide stop lever.
TipIf that is awkward, put an EMPTY magazine in the magwell, retract the slide until it locks back, then remove the magazine. Confirm the magazine is empty first or you will chamber a round.
Visually inspect the chamber again to confirm the pistol is unloaded.
Rotate the disassembly lever clockwise to a vertical 12 o'clock position. It will not rotate with a magazine inserted.
TipClockwise and up to vertical, not down.
Pull the slide slightly to the rear to release the slide stop lever, then, gripping the slide firmly, let it move forward slowly until the spring tension is released.
WarningThe slide is under spring tension. Keep control of it and do not grip it at the muzzle or over the ejection port.
While holding the slide, point the pistol in a safe direction and pull the trigger to fully unlock the slide from the frame.
WarningThis pistol cannot be field stripped without pulling the trigger. Only do this on a chamber you have just verified empty.
Leave the trigger where it is. It will not reset and stays in its rearmost position.
WarningDo not retract and release the striker, and do not push the trigger forward. If you move the trigger forward you cannot reassemble the pistol, and snapping the striker forward can damage the striker pin safety.
Move the complete slide assembly forward and off the frame.
Removed at this step: Slide assembly
Remove the recoil system from the slide.
WarningIt is a captive recoil spring system but the spring is still under tension. Maintain control.
Removed at this step: Recoil spring assembly
Remove the barrel from the slide. The pistol is now field stripped.
Removed at this step: Barrel

Reassembly

Manufacturer’s video: Springfield Armory® Workbench: Hellcat SPRINGFIELD ARMORY

Set the barrel into the inverted slide and seat it fully forward.
Seat the recoil system in the cut in the barrel lug and press it down into the slide channel.
Check that the trigger is still in its rearmost position before the slide goes back on.
WarningA forward trigger prevents reassembly. Do not force the slide.
Set the slide onto the frame rails and run it rearward until it seats.
Rotate the disassembly lever counter-clockwise back to its horizontal locked position.
Rack the slide several times and perform the function check.

Patent drawings

not under copyright

Drawings from US patents on this design. A patent shows the invention as the inventor filed it; the firearm that shipped can differ in detail, and later production often does. Use them to see how the parts relate, not as a parts reference or a procedure. Per the USPTO, the text and drawings of a patent are typically not subject to copyright; each patent here was checked for a copyright notice.

US Patent 12,130,103 — Manual thumb safety

Marijo Špine · assigned to HS Produkt D.O.O. · filed 2023-02-21 · granted 2024-10-29. Full patent (USPTO)

The Hellcat-family frame, trigger assembly, sear assembly and the optional manual thumb safety, shown on a side view of the pistol.

Why this is the Springfield Armory Hellcat’s patent: listed on the maker’s patent-marking page — Springfield Armory® Patents — Springfield Armory (patent-marking site linked as "Patents" from the springfield-armory.com footer) sa-ip.com [7]: “Hellcat® Series Handguns Applicable Patents: PATENT PENDING US11747112 US11846491 US12130103”

**US Patent 12,130,103, Sheet 1 of 10 — Fig. 1** The patent: “FIG. 1 is a side view of a firearm.” Drawn for the patent, as filed; the production firearm may differ in detail. US Patent 12,130,103 — Manual thumb safety, Sheet 1 of 10 — United States Patent and Trademark Office. Source. US patent drawing, not subject to copyright.

**US Patent 12,130,103, Sheet 2 of 10 — Fig. 2** The patent: “FIG. 2 is top perspective view of a frame of the firearm of FIG. 1 and components within the frame.” Drawn for the patent, as filed; the production firearm may differ in detail. US Patent 12,130,103 — Manual thumb safety, Sheet 2 of 10 — United States Patent and Trademark Office. Source. US patent drawing, not subject to copyright.

**US Patent 12,130,103, Sheet 5 of 10 — Fig. 5** The patent: “FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a trigger assembly of the firearm of FIG. 1.” Drawn for the patent, as filed; the production firearm may differ in detail. US Patent 12,130,103 — Manual thumb safety, Sheet 5 of 10 — United States Patent and Trademark Office. Source. US patent drawing, not subject to copyright.

**US Patent 12,130,103, Sheet 6 of 10 — Fig. 6** The patent: “FIG. 6 is a disassembled view of a sear assembly of the firearm of FIG. 1.” Drawn for the patent, as filed; the production firearm may differ in detail. US Patent 12,130,103 — Manual thumb safety, Sheet 6 of 10 — United States Patent and Trademark Office. Source. US patent drawing, not subject to copyright.

US Patent 8,646,200 — Ammunition magazine with an improved magazine base locking

Mario Rendulic · assigned to HS Produkt D.O.O. · filed 2011-11-28 · granted 2014-02-11. Full patent (USPTO)

The pistol magazine (body, follower, spring and base plate) and how its base plate locks on.

**US Patent 8,646,200, Sheet 1 of 5 — Figure 1** The patent: “FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the hollow body of the whole magazine to show the spatial layout of its constituent parts in a state when the base is locked.” Drawn for the patent, as filed; the production firearm may differ in detail. US Patent 8,646,200 — Ammunition magazine with an improved magazine base locking, Sheet 1 of 5 — United States Patent and Trademark Office. Source. US patent drawing, not subject to copyright.

**US Patent 8,646,200, Sheet 2 of 5 — Figure 2** The patent: “FIG. 2 shows the four basic parts of the magazine.” Drawn for the patent, as filed; the production firearm may differ in detail. US Patent 8,646,200 — Ammunition magazine with an improved magazine base locking, Sheet 2 of 5 — United States Patent and Trademark Office. Source. US patent drawing, not subject to copyright.

Torque specifications

No sourced torque values from the manufacturer are recorded for this firearm. Where a fastener has a specified torque — action screws, scope bases, muzzle devices, barrel nuts — get it from the manufacturer or a gunsmith rather than estimating it.

What the manufacturer does say: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "Step 3: If you chose to use thread locker, use sparingly and on screws only. DO NOT apply thread locker to threaded holes in OSP pocket (Figure 27-4)." (Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual, p. 30 (OSP Optics Installation))

Reported by other sources — not the manufacturer

Not a manufacturer specificationThese values come from the people and publications named beside each one, not from Springfield Armory, Inc.. They are recorded with who said them and their exact words so you can judge them — not as a recommendation. Confirm any of them with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before you put a wrench on your firearm; a wrong value can crack a stock, strip a thread or loosen a muzzle device.

Fastener	Torque	Who says so, and their words	Where it comes from
Optic adapter plate mounting screws (Holosun 407K/507K plate) Springfield Hellcat OSP with HOLOSUN adapter plate for 407K/507K (plate listed for "Glock 43X 48 MOS & Hellcat OSP")	1.4 N·m 12 in-lb · 1 ft-lb	Reported by HOLOSUN Europe (holosun.eu, operated by Picotronic GmbH, HOLOSUN European distributor) Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher “Tightening torque recommended: 1,4 Nm”	Adapter plate compatible with Holosun 407K/507K for Glock 43X 48 MOS & Hellcat OSP (product page) — HOLOSUN Europe (holosun.eu, operated by Picotronic GmbH, HOLOSUN European distributor) holosun.eu [2]
Optic adapter plate mounting screws (Holosun 407K/507K plate) Springfield Hellcat OSP with HOLOSUN adapter plate for 407K/507K (plate listed for "Glock 43X 48 MOS & Hellcat OSP")	max. 1.7 N·m 15 in-lb · 1.3 ft-lb	Reported by HOLOSUN Europe (holosun.eu, operated by Picotronic GmbH, HOLOSUN European distributor) Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher “tightening torque Maximum: 1,7 Nm”	Adapter plate compatible with Holosun 407K/507K for Glock 43X 48 MOS & Hellcat OSP (product page) — HOLOSUN Europe (holosun.eu, operated by Picotronic GmbH, HOLOSUN European distributor) holosun.eu [2]
Red-dot optic mounting screws on EGW adapter plate (plate fixed with supplied M4-0.7 x 8mm screws) Springfield Hellcat / Hellcat Pro Optics Ready (OSP) with the EGW 'Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Sight Mount Adapter for Springfield Hellcat Optics Ready'	15 in-lb 1.7 N·m · 1.2 ft-lb	Reported by Evolution Gun Works (EGW) Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Remove optics plate, install EGW adapter plate, tighten set screw if applicable, place optic, apply blue Loctite, torque mounting screws. Threadlocker: Blue Loctite on the provided mounting screws (EGW instructions) “Torque mounting screws to 15in/lbs”	Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Sight Mount Adapter for Springfield Hellcat Optics Ready (EGW product page, installation instructions section) — Evolution Gun Works (EGW) egwguns.com [4]
Adapter plate and optic screws (EGW plate replacing the optics cover plate) Springfield Hellcat / Hellcat Pro Optics Ready with the EGW 'Springfield Hellcat Red Dot Plate \| EGW Fits Venom & FastFire'	15 in-lb 1.7 N·m · 1.2 ft-lb	Reported by Evolution Gun Works (EGW) Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Remove factory optics cover plate, install EGW adapter plate, install optic, apply blue Loctite, torque screws. Threadlocker: Blue Loctite (EGW) “Torque screws to 15 in/lbs”	Springfield Hellcat Red Dot Plate \| EGW Fits Venom & FastFire (EGW product page, installation instructions section) — Evolution Gun Works (EGW) egwguns.com [5]
Red-dot optic mounting screws (6-32 flat head, supplied) into EGW rear-dovetail sight mount Springfield Hellcat (NON-OSP, not optics ready; listed on EGW's XD/XDM dovetail mount) with the EGW 'Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Mount for Springfield XD, XDM' (replaces the rear sight; fo	15 in-lb 1.7 N·m · 1.2 ft-lb	Reported by Evolution Gun Works (EGW) Secondary — a parts or tool maker, or a gunsmithing publisher Remove the rear sight, install the EGW mount in the dovetail, tighten the set screw if applicable, place the optic on the mount, then apply blue Loctite and torque the optic screws. Threadlocker: Blue Loctite on the provided mounting screws (EGW instructions) “Torque mounting screws to 15in/lbs”	Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Mount for Springfield XD, XDM (EGW product page, installation instructions section) — Evolution Gun Works (EGW) egwguns.com [6]

Materials and factory finish

As stated by Springfield Armory, Inc.. Prep, masking and cure depend on these; a polymer or aluminium part, a nitrided or anodised finish, and a blued steel part are each a different job. Variants with other finishes may exist — check the maker's page for the exact SKU on the bench.

Component	Material	Factory finish	Where it comes from
Barrel Hellcat 3in Micro-Compact 9mm, Black, HC9319B	Steel	Melonite®	Hellcat® 3" Micro-Compact 9mm Handgun - HC9319B - Springfield Armory (Specs) — Springfield Armory, Inc. springfield-armory.com [3] “Barrel … 3" Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10”
Slide Hellcat 3in Micro-Compact 9mm, Black, HC9319B	—	Melonite®	Hellcat® 3" Micro-Compact 9mm Handgun - HC9319B - Springfield Armory (Specs) — Springfield Armory, Inc. springfield-armory.com [3] “Slide … Billet Machined, Melonite® Finish”
Frame Hellcat 3in Micro-Compact 9mm, Black, HC9319B	Polymer	Black	Hellcat® 3" Micro-Compact 9mm Handgun - HC9319B - Springfield Armory (Specs) — Springfield Armory, Inc. springfield-armory.com [3] “Frame … Black Polymer w/ Adaptive Grip Texture”

Parts list

Transcribed from the manufacturer's parts list (Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc., p. 32, 36 springfield-armory.com [1]) — Standard Hellcat: 'Slide Parts List' p.32 + 'Frame Parts List' p.36. Omitted: OSP Slide Parts List (p.34, adds OSP slide/sight, OSP Plate 45, OSP Screw 46) and OSP Frame Parts List (p.38).. Key numbers refer to the exploded view in that document.

45 parts

Key	Part	Qty
Slide parts list
2	Slide	1
3	Barrel	1
23	Striker Locking Plate	1
24	Striker	1
25	Striker Guide	1
26	Striker Spring	1
27	Striker Spring Retainer	1
28	Striker Pin Safety	1
29	Striker Safety Spring	1
30	Extractor	1
31	Extractor Pin	1
32	Extractor Spring	1
33	Extractor Spring Pin	1
34	Extractor Spring Plate	1
35	Rear Sight	1
36	Front Sight	1
37	Recoil Spring Assembly	1
Frame parts list
1	Frame	1
4	Locking Block	1
5	Trigger Pin	1
6	Locking Block Pin	1
7	Disassembly Lever	1
8	Magazine Blocking Lever	1
9	Slide Stop Lever Spring	1
10	Slide Stop Lever	1
11	Sear Housing	1
12	Trigger Assembly	1
13	Sear	1
14	Sear Spring	1
15	Sear Spring Pin	1
16	Disconnector	1
17	Disconnector Spring	1
18	Disconnector Pin	1
19	Sear Housing Pin	1
20	Sear Housing Pin Safety	1
21	Magazine Catch	1
22	Magazine Catch Spring	1
38	Magazine Body - 11 Round	1
39	Magazine Follower	1
40	Magazine Base - 11 Round	1
40a	Magazine Base - Extended	1
41	Magazine Spring	1
42	Magazine Body - 13 Round	1
43	Magazine Base - 13 Round	1
44	Magazine Floor Plate	1

Function check

After every reassemblyPerform these checks on a verified-unloaded firearm. If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire — stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.
Rack the slide and press the trigger. The striker should release cleanly.
Hold the trigger to the rear, rack the slide, then release slowly and confirm the reset.
Press the trigger again to confirm the striker releases.
Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine and the magazine drops free.

Maintenance

Lubrication points

Frame rails where the slide rides
Barrel hood and locking lug
Outside of the barrel at the muzzle end
Rear barrel lug where the recoil spring assembly bears

Cleaning notes

Light lubrication only — a thin film on the rails and barrel. Keep the striker channel dry and free of solvent, since oil there collects fouling and causes light strikes. Clean carry pistols on a schedule, not by round count.

Suggested inspection interval: roughly every 2000 rounds. This is a general guideline, not a manufacturer specification.

Wear parts to inspect

Recoil spring assembly (short springs wear faster) · Extractor · Magazine springs

Common issues

Symptom	Likely cause	What to do
Malfunctions after extended carry	Lint accumulation in the striker channel and extractor recess	Clean those areas thoroughly.

Also covers

The procedures above are reported to apply to: Hellcat Pro · Hellcat RDP · Hellcat Micro-Compact OSP. Verify against the manual for your specific model.

Similar manual of arms

Sourcing

Confidence: high — Cross-checked against a primary source such as the manufacturer's manual or an issuing military technical manual.
Verification: Checked against the manufacturer manual
Last updated: 2026-10-29

References

Every source this page draws on, with its web address so you can read it yourself. Numbers in brackets elsewhere on the page point here.

[1] Hellcat Operation & Safety Manual — Springfield Armory, Inc. manufacturer manual primary source
https://www.springfield-armory.com/wp-content/uploads/Hellcat-Manual.pdf (checked 2026-09-14)
[2] Adapter plate compatible with Holosun 407K/507K for Glock 43X 48 MOS & Hellcat OSP (product page) — HOLOSUN Europe (holosun.eu, operated by Picotronic GmbH, HOLOSUN European distributor) website secondary source
https://www.holosun.eu/en/p/70189490 (checked 2026-09-27)
[3] Hellcat® 3" Micro-Compact 9mm Handgun - HC9319B - Springfield Armory (Specs) — Springfield Armory, Inc. website primary source
https://www.springfield-armory.com/hellcat-series-handguns/hellcat-3-micro-compact-handguns/hellcat-3-micro-compact-9mm-handgun/ (checked 2026-10-03)
[4] Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Sight Mount Adapter for Springfield Hellcat Optics Ready (EGW product page, installation instructions section) — Evolution Gun Works (EGW) website secondary source
https://egwguns.com/trijicon-rmr-sro-holosun-407c-507c-sight-mount-adapter-for-springfield-hellcat-optics-ready (checked 2026-10-11)
[5] Springfield Hellcat Red Dot Plate | EGW Fits Venom & FastFire (EGW product page, installation instructions section) — Evolution Gun Works (EGW) website secondary source
https://egwguns.com/vortex-viper-venom-springfield-hellcat-optics-ready-sight-mount-adapter-fits-burris-fastfire-and-docter (checked 2026-10-11)
[6] Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c Mount for Springfield XD, XDM (EGW product page, installation instructions section) — Evolution Gun Works (EGW) website secondary source
https://egwguns.com/trijicon-rmr-sro-holosun-407c-507c-mount-for-springfield-xd-xdm (checked 2026-10-11)
[7] Springfield Armory® Patents — Springfield Armory (patent-marking site linked as "Patents" from the springfield-armory.com footer) website primary source
https://www.sa-ip.com/ (checked 2026-10-13)

Notes: Cleanup on 2026-09-15: when this entry's trigger-press flag was corrected, the stale text asserting the opposite was left behind. The rendered page carried the new warning and the old contradicting one together, and in some cases a 'no trigger pull takedown' tag in the header. Removed. This was caught by screenshotting the built page rather than by any test, which is why a test now covers it. CORRECTED on 2026-09-14 against the factory manual. Two errors: the entry had the takedown lever rotating downward (the manual says clockwise to a vertical 12 o'clock position) and recorded the pistol as not requiring a trigger pull to disassemble. It does — the manual's step 7 is to pull the trigger to unlock the slide from the frame. The manual also warns that the trigger must stay rearward or the pistol cannot be reassembled, and that snapping the striker forward can damage the striker pin safety. Rated medium pending confirmation against a specific variant manual; Hellcat, Hellcat Pro, and RDP differ in slide length and muzzle device fitment.

Found something wrong? Corrections are the most valuable contribution to this project. Open an issue with the model, the step, and a source.