Review: Hellcat Pro 4.4” Threaded Barrel Kit

By Yamil Sued

In today’s article, Yamil Sued reviews the new Hellcat Pro threaded barrel kit. This kit allows you to upgrade your Hellcat Pro to a 4.4″ threaded barrel for the addition of a comp or suppressor. The kit was provided for review to the author by Springfield Armory.

Springfield Armory raised the bar for micro-sized EDC pistols when they released the Hellcat in 2019. I remember thinking that there was no way Springfield could top that pistol. It was not only accurate and reliable, but also featured ergonomics that belied its compact dimensions. Frankly, I was shocked that such a small 9mm could be so easy and pleasant to shoot.

Well, Springfield Armory would soon prove me wrong with the release of the Hellcat Pro. The Hellcat Pro took everything about the Hellcat that was great, and added just a little bit more. By that, I mean they added a little bit of barrel length — namely increasing its length from the 3” barrel of the Hellcat to 3.7”. In addition, they lengthened the grip just a bit, extending it past the length of the flush-fitting 11-round magazine of the original to accept a flush-fit 15-rounder.

[Be sure to read Massad Ayoob’s Hellcat Pro review here.]

The result was a pistol that was just a little bit longer and a little bit taller than the Hellcat — all the while retaining the slim 1” width of the original. These added dimensions gave the gun even better handling and shooting characteristics — not to mention capacity — while still retaining the overall compact dimensions and concealability that made the Hellcat so popular.

Needless to say, I quickly added a Hellcat Pro to my stable of EDC guns and couldn’t have been happier with it. I observed as Springfield expanded both the Hellcat and Hellcat Pro lines with colors and options to fit every just about every need out there.

For me, one of the coolest options Springfield came out with in the Hellcat Pro line was the threaded barrel model. Unfortunately, I had already purchased a Pro and could not justify the cost of a whole new gun to get the threaded model. I already had a perfectly good Hellcat Pro that I loved, I didn’t want to have to purchase a new pistol just for that option.

My Second Chance

I should have known that Springfield would not leave me out on the cold on this. I was pleasantly surprised to see the release of the Hellcat Pro 4.4” Threaded Barrel Kit on the Springfield Armory Webstore. Priced at $169.99 and including a thread protector cap, the kit gave me an affordable way to turn my Hellcat Pro into a threaded model.

The barrel kit consists of the 4.4” threaded barrel and thread protector. The barrel features a 1:10” twist rate as well as a black Melonite finish for rust-resistance and lubricity. The thread pitch on the barrel is ½”x28 TPI (threads per inch), ensuring a wide variety of 9mm muzzle devices will fit this barrel.

[The threaded barrel kit is compatible with the new California compliant Hellcat Pro pistols.]

Installtion of the threaded barrel is a simple task, one as simple as field-stripping your pistol. Safely unload your Hellcat Pro, lock the slide back, flip the takedown lever, release the slide, remove the guide rod assembly and remove the barrel. Now, remove the thread protector from the new barrel, install the barrel in the slide, and then proceed to install the barrel guide rod and replace the slide back on the frame. At this point you can either put the thread protector on the barrel or your desired compensator or muzzle attachment.

Topping It Off

On that subject, I own a Hellcat RDP that comes with the really cool Self-Indexing Compensator. Needless to say, I wanted to see how this would look on my Hellcat Pro thanks to my newly installed threaded barrel. I removed the compensator and successfully installed it on my Hellcat Pro, and it perfectly indexed on the barrel.

Given that the vast majority of 9mm suppressors made in the U.S. are threaded with the standard ½”x28 TPI thread pattern, it’s not hard to find a suitable suppressor for this conversion. Since all suppressors behave differently due to ammo selection, I would recommend that you try before buying.

Some ranges, like my favorite, C2 Tactical in Scottsdale, Arizona, have rental suppressors that you can try for a nominal fee. Given the complexities of purchasing a suppressor legally, I think this is a good idea that helps you to pick the right suppressor for your Hellcat Pro and you’re 100% happy with your purchase.

Finding a holster is where things can get somewhat complicated. When using your threaded barres on the Hellcat Pro, you will need a holster specifically designed for an extended or threaded barrel. There is a good selection of Kydex, leather and hybrid holsters with an open bottom that will allow you to use the Hellcat Pro in the threaded barrel configuration, with and without a muzzle device. There is also a good selection of custom holster makers that can create a superb holster in both leather a Kydex that will fit the new barrel configuration on your Hellcat Pro.

Range Time

Although this is much more prevalent at longer ranges and with a rifle, it is still important with a pistol to make sure that your point of aim/point of impact does not change when you change out something like your barrel.

When I replaced my barrel, I tested it at 10 yards from the Ransom Multi-Cal Steady Rest to make sure all was good. I shot the new Federal 124-gr. Punch ammunition specifically designed for the Hellcat pistols. My accuracy results ranged between .75” to .85” at that distance, just about the same results I achieved from the pistol with the factory barrel.

During the testing, I discovered my point of impact had shifted ever so slightly to the right and a bit higher. However, this difference is so small that I didn’t find it necessary to make any adjustment in my optic. For some context, every time you change ammunition you will likely find a slight shift in point of impact.

My final test for this conversion would be the chrono test for velocity. I was curious how much of a difference the addition .7” of barrel length of the threaded barrel over the standard 3.7” barrel of the Hellcat Pro would make. I set up my Labradar chrono and shot a five-round group with the Federal ammo. My average was 1,127 feet per second (fps), which was about fps faster than the same ammunition shot through the 3.7” barrel configuration.

Conclusion

So, is the Hellcat Pro 4.4” Threaded Barrel Kit worth purchasing? For me, the answer is most definitely “yes.” With this additional part you can order directly from the Springfield Armory Webstore, you have the versatility of adding a variety of muzzle devices such as suppressors, brakes or compensators.

Add to that the fact you can add the threaded barrel option to your Hellcat Pro without incurring the extra expense of a new firearm, and you have a winning option. So, if you want to take your Hellcat Pro to the next level, I think this threaded barrel should be your next purchase.

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Hellcat® Pro 4.4" Threaded Barrel, 9mm

Hellcat® Pro Series

Labradar

C2 Tactical

Ransom Multi Cal. Steady Rest