Guns & Ammo 2020 "Handgun of the Year" – Springfield Armory Hellcat

Adam Scepaniak
by Adam Scepaniak

Guns & Ammo has named their 2020 “Handgun of the Year” and it is the Springfield Armory Hellcat which will not come as a surprise to many people for how exceedingly popular it has been since its debut last September 2019. It has been in a constant battle with the SIG Sauer P365 for micro-compact superiority and either one laying claim to the title of “Handgun of the Year” would be duly deserving. The full press release for the nod of “Handgun of the Year” from Guns & Ammo can be read below as presented by Springfield Armory:

GENESEO, ILL. (11/4/20) – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce that its popular Hellcat® 9mm pistol has won the esteemed Guns & Ammo 2020 Handgun of the Year Award.

The micro compact +P-rated Hellcat features a class-leading capacity of 11+1 with its patented magazine — 13+1 with the included extended magazine — and has proven to be an extremely popular EDC choice for self-defense firearms purchasers. A 3″ hammer-forged barrel and a lowest weight of just 17.9 oz. empty ensure that the pistol is as easy to pack as it is to shoot well.

In addition to its minute dimensions and impressive power and capacity, the Hellcat OSP™ (optical sight pistol) variant allows for direct-mounting of compact red dot optics. An included removable seamless cover plate makes installation easy, and the optic can co-witness with the pistol’s excellent U-Dot™ sights — made up of a high visibility tritium and luminescent front sight paired with a tactical rack U-notch rear.

Offered in standard and OSP versions as well as in black or FDE, the Hellcat has created a new standard for cutting-edge EDC. And, it gives CCW users a terrific option for their own self-defense needs.

At the moment, if you have not already jumped onto the Springfield Armory Hellcat bandwagon, there are 5 different options to choose from that can be found on the Springfield website. These offerings vary from $599 – $799 in MSRP. This is now the 2nd award Springfield Armory has received as of late for their best-selling CCW pistol. Eric Poole, Editor of Guns & Ammo, goes on to explain what all went into their selecting the Springfield Armory Hellcat for this award:

During our year-long evaluation of the Hellcat, we have put several of the pistols through extensive testing. We’ve shot thousands of rounds through them, and we were able to shoot less than 2″ groups at 25 yards from a fixed rest. It’s clear that the Springfield Armory Hellcat and Hellcat OSP deserve this year’s Handgun of the Year honors.

Check Prices on Springfield Armory Hellcat Pistols

We all know that the concealed carry pistol market is a very diluted one at best with innumerable companies pitching forth offerings to entertain us opening our wallets for. To rise to the top as one of the best is a great accomplishment. I have owned a Springfield Armory Hellcat for the past year and authentically love it, but what do you guys and gals think? Would you choose the Springfield Armory Hellcat for this award? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.



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Adam Scepaniak
Adam Scepaniak

Managing Editor, AllOutdoor.com Staff Writer, OutdoorHub.com Staff Writer, TheArmoryLife.com Staff Writer, Tyrant CNC Smith & Wesson Certified Armorer Glock Certified Armorer Firefighter/1st Responder Mayor of St. Joseph, MN

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  • NPBravo NPBravo on Nov 08, 2020

    In a world where a RDO LTT Beretta 92 exists, I have difficulty in accepting a HellCat as "Handgun of the Year". It's one more in a series of polymer micro-nines. Yes, the segment is popular for carry guns, but the HellCat isn't doing anything particularly noteworthy in the segment, and it's not like it's particularly low-priced either.

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    • NPBravo NPBravo on Nov 10, 2020

      @Just Saying For a Handgun of the Year sort of award, the gun in question should 1) outperform other members of its segment, 2) demonstrate innovation, 3) make previously difficult to acquire capability more common.

      Restricting ourselves to the last year, in addition to RDO LTT 92s, we could also consider the all-metal P320, the Staccato lineup, or if we wanted to be salty and spicy about ATF, the Galil Ace 5.45 pistol.

      Micro-nines were innovative when first developed, but the Hellcat only plays a little with the margins in size/capacity, and lacks the holster support of more common and popular guns. I respect the marketing effort Springfield is investing into the gun, and I think it's better designed than the full-size XD, but it does not stand out in terms of performance, innovation, or in making itself addressable to a broader market in the micro-nine segment.

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