Springfield Hellcat RDP - Rapid Defense Package

[@WheeledandWellArmed]

The walk through seems like it hits more check innovation boxes than anything else but obviously you are not a fan "because of feel". Thanks for your honest opinion.

[@RidersRange]

Relying on a personal defensive firearm requires, for me, a visceral connection. The overall handling and shooting experience just has to "feel" right. Most, but not all, 1911s feel that way to me, particularly my Staccato C (okay, that's called a 2011 - but the same basic feel). Even my Sig P365XL gives me that feeling and so do several of my Glocks (but then again, I carried a Glock of one form or another for 24 years). Maybe if I spent a lot more time with the Hellcat, I'd be able to get that same feeling, but it just hasn't given me a great "gotta have it" connected feeling so far. As always, thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@randomcommentary6099]

It would appear that my concern has been addressed. The feel of the Hellcat is not what is preferred, however as a newer shooter not truly connected with a particular firearm, the Hellcat has shown to be a worthy carry option.

[@rockyjudson799]

You prolly dont give a shit but if you're bored like me atm you can watch all the latest movies on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last couple of days =)

[@jamesonharley5226]

@Rocky Judson Definitely, I've been watching on instaflixxer for years myself :)

[@jackwicker]

Great video. The new crop of concealed carry oriented 9mm handguns is really something. The addition of an optic extends the range of their usefulness quite substantially. At a 2-gun match I shot last month, there was a guy whose only handgun was an FN 509 Compact MRD (3.7" barrel) w/ a red dot sight, and he was able to make shots out to 100 just as well as the rest of us shooting full sized guns with red dots or fiber optics. As someone who doesn't shoot handguns beyond ~25 yards frequently, seeing people make shots out to 100+ yards with subcompact, slimline guns really drives the extent of recent technological advancements home.

[@RidersRange]

BP Shugyosha, the main advantage of barrel length with iron sights is sight radius (plus a little extra velocity with some ammo). A good optic negates that advantage and practical accuracy out of a 3" barrel is about as good as out of a 5" or 6" barrel. Thanks for watching and for adding your thoughts.

[@dapperdangerous-l9i]

I did a osp with bronze slide I got an EPS carry and associated hardware. put the threaded barrel comp on and a tlr8 sub. love it

[@RidersRange]

Thanks for watching and adding your thoughts.

[@joshmatthews3450]

Thanks for the review so quickly after it was released. More detailed than the bigger pubs who got their models ahead of release from Springfield. Subscribed

[@RidersRange]

Josh, thanks for watching, subscribing and for your kind compliment.

[@mzampell]

Thanks for an honest review. I have a Springfield XD40 that I enjoy. I can shoot it more accurately than my other guns.

[@RidersRange]

Mike, thanks for watching and commenting.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

Good review. Thanks for sharing your experiences & thoughts on it.

[@RidersRange]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@allenbolen9705]

Love the regular Hellcat! You can get one with 2 15 and 2 13 and one 11 round magazine range bag and speed loader for less than 500$ Lot of firepower in a little package!

[@RidersRange]

Thanks for watching and adding your thoughts.

[@theifavlog1427]

Thank you for your very insightful review. I also purchased the 365xl about a month ago - after shooting the 365, the hellcat, and the 365xl side by side (the Hellcat was the "snappiest" of the bunch to me). The 365xl had noticeably less felt recoil and was more accurate out of the box, in my opinion. I also put a holosun 507k and hogue grips on. About a month later I discovered the Hellcat RDP and immediately got some "buyers remorse" that the compensator would make this shoot better than the 365xl. You seem to say that the XL is still a "better shooting gun" - for you at least. This put my mind at ease and makes me think I still made the best choice. However, I would love to shoot the XL and the Hellcat RDP side by side; would be fun to compare. PS - check out the Mag Guts solution for the XL. Takes the factory mags from 12 to 14 with almost NO change in mag length. Makes this gun a real contender (like it wasn't already LOL). Thanks again and keep up the good work!

[@RidersRange]

David, thank you for watching and for adding your thoughts.

[@CHenry1951]

Good review, I don't have one my friends do, and it's nothing I plan on buying, I like your honesty that your not a real fan but a good review anyway. With all the makes out there we have plenty of choices, to each their own !!

[@RidersRange]

C Henry, thank you for watching and for commenting.

[@panzerman22]

Damn Springfield giving all these guys free guns to review.

[@RidersRange]

Maybe some day this channel will get big enough to get T&E guns, but so far I either have to buy it, or borrow from friends. No free guns OR ammo for Rider’s Range.

[@jaytrock3217]

Great video. Looks really cool, and I do like the safety. The size with the compensator, you might as well get a Glock 43x MOS with shield mags. I have the Sig p365 and xl. Hardly ever carried the XL. Gave it to my dad. I have a glock 43x MOS coming in. Already have shield mags and metal mag release.

[@RidersRange]

Jay, thanks for watching and for adding your perspective.

[@AffordableArmory]

Nice video! I carry my Hellcat quite a bit and love it, but I too prefer the Sig 365 series. I’m not sure what benefit a compensator has on a gun like this (besides blinding muzzle flash and deaf neighbors). It would be interesting to see a side-by-side shooting comparison with the regular Hellcat and see if it shoots any “flatter” (reduced muzzle rise). Generally speaking, I don’t think 9mm pistols need compensators; I have one on a Smith and Wesson that I will eventually do a video on.

[@RidersRange]

I think TheFireArmGuy shoots both in his range review, though not a scientific test. I would expect that video shortly.

[@JoRocket77]

Excellent review

[@RidersRange]

Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@charles17508]

I like that rdp best comp on market also I don't have to adjust my hand also qvo makes dope holsters for the rdp

[@RidersRange]

Thanks for the info on QVO Tactical holsters.

[@scottmorgan1016]

Thanks for the walk thru. I like it except for the compensator. It's ugly to me but otherwise I like it very well.

[@RidersRange]

Scott, from what I experienced shooting it, the comp is for show and maybe for bragging rights, but it doesn't seem to do anything for performance. Thanks for watching.

[@chgofirefighter]

I purchased the Hellcat a while ago, decided to sell let her go. The pistol was far too snappy for my liking with my ammo of preference Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. the Sig 365 handle the ammo much better than the Hellcat, less snappy, quicker sight acquisition too. Oh and a better trigger too! PMM makes a barrel/,compensator for it but it’s pricey $355 🤦‍♂️ but the footprint is far less pronounced than the Hellcat RDS. The price of the RDS IMO is not worth the investment ... 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@RidersRange]

chgofirefighter, thanks for watching. I agree with you, though you have to admit that Springfield was thinking a little "outside the box" with this model. I'm guessing it will be quite popular, just not for you or me.

[@chgofirefighter]

@@RidersRange Yes indeed, but I'm in the same boat as you.. Not for me~ I think Sig 365 IMO is a better option. But like anything else, personal preference and or bias I guess lol

[@robertduncan2742]

For those who are in a price range on optics which would you recommend. Also a great review

[@RidersRange]

Robert, thanks for watching and thanks for the compliment. In the Hellcat RDP price bracket you can find the Sig P365XL and Glock 48 MOS and still have enough money left over for a decent optic, such as the Swampfox Sentinel (even better if you are eligible for their great Military or Law Enforcement discount), or Holosun HS507K. For a little less you can probably get the new Ruger Max-9 and an optic. Or for even less than that, probably the new Taurus G3c TORO and a decent optic (but don't quote me on prices). But it's a matter of personal taste and which fits you best. I personally like the 365XL best (check my videos on it), but that gun doesn't work for everyone.

[@Kingjames313]

What guns would you view as “better options for the price”, as you said?

[@RidersRange]

Kingjames313, thanks for watching. It comes down to individual preference. Some folks will really like the Hellcat, some will prefer the new Ruger Max-9. Others - myself included - will prefer the Sig P365XL. So, for me, the Sig is the "better option for the price". I'll add to that the Glock 48 MOS (with Shield Arms 15-round mag). But again, those are just my preferences, as the Hellcat just wasn't the best for me, though I'm not claiming my preference is best for everyone. And the RDP compensator added length and complexity without adding any real shooting advantage (but is is an interesting idea). Ideally, you would be able to shoot all the guns and find which one works best for you.

[@Dc_7o2]

How do you like the hex wasp red dot compared to your sentinel. Do you see it as a viable option for the staccato c dpo?

[@RidersRange]

David, from the little time I spent with the Hex Wasp, I would say it appears that it will be a good comparison to the Sentinel. I could consider it if Swampfox didn't offer such a great discount to Military and Law Enforcement. I hope Sage Dynamics does his usual test on it soon.

[@T.A.B.Videos]

The first time I shot the hellcat I had a heck of a time with the trigger. I found if I put to much finger on it I couldn't pull the trigger, other than that nice pistol. Just not for me

[@RidersRange]

I had the same thoughts when I shot Dan's original Hellcat, and this one didn't change my mind.

[@jerrychaput2529]

Sold me great vid , easy to suppress also ...Aloha!!

[@RidersRange]

Jerry, thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@robertduncan2742]

I saw where the trigger is slightly different which is better than the first one. I saw one today and it has a great feel.

[@lightman5]

Wish I could order one that wasn't a pre order with no known release date...kind of a bit bullshit

[@RidersRange]

Wyatt, I just checked Gunbroker and there are three listed - with bids up to almost $1,300 on one. Crazy.

[@robluxuryvegas]

Can you put that barrel and comp on the NON RDP hellcat?

[@OMG_No_Way]

Yes. I heard that from a couple other reviews. And in one review they actually did it with a FDE Hellcat. I do hope Springfield ends up selling the threaded barrel and compensator separately. I’d love to upgrade.

[@RidersRange]

Robert, I'm guessing Springfield will wait for the supply of the RDP to catch up with demand, than they MAY consider releasing the barrel. But I'll be an after-market company will beat them to it, at least for a threaded barrel.

[@OMG_No_Way]

@@RidersRange There already is a company that does aftermarket threaded barrels. I read the name the other day and even looked on their site, but they’re on back order. And from my understanding based, on the comments I read, it’s been on back order for ever. Sorry, but I can’t remember the name of the place.

[@RidersRange]

Matt, I'm sure there are other companies making a threaded barrel for the Hellcat. However, the only reasons I can see for a threaded barrel are 1) a compensator - which, from my experience with this setup, doesn't actually do much; or 2) to run a suppressor, which some may so occasionally, but most folks won't do on an ultra-compact pistol.

[@OMG_No_Way]

@@RidersRange Not entirely sure about the compensator not doing anything. The Hellcat is snappy. If it helps even a little bit, it’ll be better for follow up shots. I won’t have complete confirmation until I personally shoot it. But every review is saying it does help some. The extra length doesn’t bother me from a concealed standpoint. And I’m with you, running a suppressor on it is just for fun. Imagine pulling that thing out of your pants. LMAO. There a joke there for sure. LOL

[@phillip6919851]

Nice review but real life usage is not going to be 7 years of course

[@RidersRange]

phillip, I think I would stick with my schedule of changing batteries every year, just in case.

[@donlesley1873]

I want to start my own channel for some free guns lmao

[@RidersRange]

Don, thanks for watching. Once you start getting free guns, please let me know. Rider's Range has been on KZbin for 22 months and we're approaching 6K subscribers, but no free guns, no ammo sponsor. So far all ammunition has been at my personal expense and the guns I have reviewed are either guns that I bought, or borrowed from friends.

[@donlesley1873]

@@RidersRange oh well that’s a bummer thanks for the great content though!

[@babyhulk5977]

i would rather have the original hellcat. that muzzle device is not to my liking.

[@RidersRange]

The idea of a muzzle brake, or compensator, is good - in theory. However, in my not-always-so-humble-opinion, the execution on the RDP, while innovative, is more of a gimmick without any actual practical function. As always, thanks for watching and commenting.