Description

California concealed carry holders: the Springfield Armory Hellcat .380 ACP provides deep concealment capability in a California-legal configuration. The .380 ACP cartridge has no California-specific restrictions. Capacity is 9+1 (flush) or 11+1 (extended) — the 10-round capacity of the extended magazine is compliant with California’s 10-round limit; the 9-round flush magazine is also fully compliant. Confirm California Roster status with your CA FFL before ordering, as Springfield’s handgun roster participation for specific Hellcat models varies.

The optics-ready slide is factory-standard. A red dot on a pocket carry pistol was an edge case two years ago; today it’s a mainstream configuration that serious carry shooters request. Springfield is building it in rather than making customers mill their slides.

Springfield Hellcat .380 Features

• 9+1 capacity in .380 ACP / 11+1 extended — 9+1 in a pistol this small is competitive. The extended 11-round magazine ships with the pistol for range use; the 9-round flush magazine is the carry configuration. Both are metal-lined polymer magazines.
• Optics-ready slide (factory) — The OR slide has a low-profile footprint cut compatible with common micro red dots including the Shield RMSc footprint. No milling required. Suppressor-height sights included for co-witness.
• 0.95-inch width — genuine pocket carry dimensions — At under an inch wide, the Hellcat .380 fits pocket holsters in most pants pockets without printing. This is the key measurement for pocket carry viability — most micro-9mms run 0.99–1.10 inches wide.
• Adaptive Grip Texture — Springfield’s waffle/dimple grip texture provides traction without the sharp stippling that abrades clothing during carry. Balanced grip for carry vs comfort.
• Melonite finish on barrel and slide — Melonite (ferritic nitrocarburizing) is more corrosion and wear resistant than standard bluing or basic nitride. Appropriate for a carry pistol that will experience sweat, humidity, and holster wear.
• 3-inch barrel, striker-fired — Standard micro-compact barrel length. Striker-fired action with consistent pull. No external safety to manipulate — appropriate for a deep concealment carry pistol where draw speed is a factor. Compare with the Inglis 2035 for an optics-ready 9mm alternative at a higher capacity and price point.

Springfield Hellcat .380 Specifications

Manufacturer	Springfield Armory (Geneseo, IL)
Model	Hellcat .380
Action	Striker-Fired Semi-Auto
Caliber	.380 ACP
Barrel Length	3 in
Width	0.95 in
Weight	17.7 oz (empty)
Capacity	9+1 (flush) / 11+1 (extended)
Slide	Optics-Ready, Melonite finish
Sights	Suppressor-height 3-dot co-witness irons
Grip Texture	Adaptive Grip Texture
Trigger	Flat-face striker-fired, ~5.5 lbs
MSRP	$499.00
New For	2026

Hellcat .380 vs Hellcat 9mm — Choosing the Right One

The 9mm Hellcat holds 13+1 (OSP) with a 3-inch barrel and weighs 18.3 oz at 1.0 inch wide. The .380 Hellcat holds 9+1, weighs 17.7 oz, and is 0.95 inches wide. The differences are small but meaningful for pocket carry: the .380 is noticeably more pocketable. The 9mm has the cartridge advantage. The choice depends on carry method: for IWB or OWB carry, the 9mm is the better cartridge with marginal size difference. For pocket carry or deep concealment where the 0.05-inch width makes a real difference, the .380 makes sense.

Pros and Cons

What We Like

• Factory optics-ready at $499 — no milling required for red dot adoption
• Sub-0.95-inch width is genuinely pocket-carry sized
• 9+1 / 11+1 capacity is competitive for a .380 micro
• Melonite finish is appropriate for carry duty
• Flat-face trigger provides consistent reference

What Could Be Better

• .380 ACP cartridge trades some terminal performance vs 9mm — use quality defensive ammo
• 9+1 capacity is the main practical limitation

FAQ

Is the Springfield Hellcat .380 the same as the 9mm Hellcat?

No. The Hellcat .380 is a separate model engineered specifically for .380 ACP, not a conversion or variant of the 9mm platform. It is smaller and lighter than the 9mm Hellcat.

What red dots fit the Hellcat .380?

The Hellcat .380 OR slide uses the Shield RMSc footprint — compatible with Shield RMSc, Sig Romeo Zero, Holosun 407K/507K, and other micro-footprint red dots in that pattern.

Is the Hellcat .380 California-legal?

California handgun roster compliance must be confirmed with your CA FFL dealer. Springfield Armory CA roster status for the Hellcat .380 should be verified at time of purchase.

Can the Hellcat .380 use +P ammunition?

Springfield Armory does not typically recommend +P for the Hellcat .380. Standard pressure .380 ACP defensive loads are the correct choice. Confirm with Springfield at springfield-armory.com.

Does the Hellcat .380 come with a light rail?

The Hellcat .380 is a micro-compact in the pocket carry segment. It does not have a light rail — the size class doesn’t accommodate rail-mounted lights without significantly increasing width and weight.

New for 2026 — Ships to FFL. Last updated: February 28, 2026.

California Compliance Notice: The Hellcat .380 ships with flush (9-round) and extended (11-round) magazines. In California, the 9-round flush magazine is fully compliant. The 11-round extended magazine exceeds the 10-round limit and is not available for California sale; your CA dealer will substitute a 10-round magazine at transfer. Confirm California Roster status with your FFL.