Hellcat OSP with a Romeo Zero optic

[ripley16]

I recently picked up a Hellcat OSP. I'd hoped to get one from the factory with a Shield SMSc sight already attached but it looked like that wasn't going to happen. One of my LGSs had the Sig Romeo Zero in stock so after confirming it would match the optic screw holes in the gun, I bought it. The screws are too long and must be shortened, (I used a fine file), or replaced with ones the correct length. The screws must be tight to work right. I've seen a video of someone who didn't bother to use the right length screws and his sight wobbled. Length is critical.

Although I've shot a rental previously, I've only been once to the range so far with mine and most of the shooting was to zero in the sights. One of the reasons I chose the Hellcat was the ability to retain the rear iron sights along with the optic and hence co-witness the two sights. With the bright yellow stock front sight and the blazing bright red dot the sights are very easy to pick up. Once dialed in I was able to shoot good groups at 7 to 15 yards.

I found the Hellcat to be reliable with one failure to lock back after the last round as my only issue. I shot two different brands of range ammo with 115 gr. bullets. I'll test some carry ammo next visit. Overall I am impressed. The gun has good grip characteristics, the sights are bright and redundant. Quick shooting is relatively easy and comparable to any small gun. The fact that it can hold 14 rounds in such a small package is amazing.

The Romeo Zero is quite small and matches the width of the gun. The sight turns off after two minutes if inactive then pops on immediately if moved. Battery life is good for well over a year and advertised as 20,000 hours. Fresh batteries come with a 10 year life span. I've ordered a holster made to accommodate the optic. At .4 ounces it adds little to the weight. My old eyes really take to these small optics. This one allows the exact same sight picture optic on or off.

The Hellcat is certainly worth a look see by anyone thinking of a new carry gun and/or adding an optic to a defensive gun. Here's mine...

https://i.postimg.cc/9fwYz26f/hellcat_with_romeo.jpg (https://postimg.cc/HJHyPqsG)

[340pd]

I shot the Hellcat and found it to be a really nice pistol and great for carry purposes. The optic just adds to it's functionality.
Wee see a lot of failure to return to battery issues with new small pistols. Lubrication and the use of a heavier bullet during break in and that issue is usually self correcting.
You chose well.

[Bawanna]

Do you have to remove the sight to replace the battery on that one. Many require that, a few can be swapped out from above. It sure looks nice, the optic is pretty compact, should be a good set up.

[ripley16]

Do you have to remove the sight to replace the battery on that one. Many require that, a few can be swapped out from above. It sure looks nice, the optic is pretty compact, should be a good set up.

The small button battery loads from the bottom.

[DJK11]

Thanks for the very informative write up. So this makes me wonder why Kahr is sitting back watching a chunk of market share evaporate, or are they. Kahr was an innovative company and were kings of the pocket pistol. Are they working on a similar offering? In this climate they would make a killing. No pun intended.

[Bawanna]

Optics although around for many years now are still kind of a new frontier. Mostly aimed at full size gun for the majority. I know they are quite the rage now for LE and especially older officers with aging eyes. Many departments with big budgets are issuing guns equipped with optics.

This Hellcat is the first compact that I've seen that didn't look out of place with an optic. Personally I'd not opt for one on my Kahrs, kind of defeats the purpose and mission.

I bought my Canik solely for the purpose of playing with optics as it is optic ready, however I haven't put down the gold for the optic yet. Turns out it's a fantastic and wonderfully accurate pistol with or without optics. This was when our dept was heading towards the optics issue plan. Now of course it don't really matter to me unless they call me to come down and install a pile of optics, then it of course will matter.

I still want to try one on my Canik but the urgency is no longer there.

[zamboni]

What a coincidence to see this post today. Today my Holosun optic for my Hellcat got delivered, after waiting months to actually find one in stock. I can't comment much on the optic yet, but on paper it seems to have alot of good features, including side access to the battery so you don't have to remove it. As far as the Hellcat... Like Ripley, I just cant' get over something the size of my CM9 holds 12 rounds. I only have around 100 rounds through it, but no malfunctions yet.1697916980

[guido4198]

How's the trigger on the Hellcat..??

[gb6491]

How's the trigger on the Hellcat..??
My experience is that it is usable out of the box. However, the Hellcat's trigger shows dramatic improvement (smoothness and weight) after installation of Powder River's trigger kit (https://shop.powderriverprecision.net/category.sc?categoryId=54). I probably wouldn't own one without the trigger kit, YMMV.
https://i.postimg.cc/NjfptVyP/powder.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/gjT808Qb/3pocketamigos1000.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[ripley16]

The trigger is flat, with a Glock like safety lever and has tiny serrations that give your finger secure purchase. The pull is about 1/2" long that hits a "wall" at the end, then a crisp break. It feels about 6 lbs or so to me but I have no means to measure it... just a guess. The reset is about 1/2 of the full stroke. Although it has a unique feel to me personally, I found it quick and easy to adapt to. With only 100 rounds of experience I was able to shoot some tight groups. I think most people would like the trigger.

[340pd]

A Powder River kit greatly improved my XDm in .45. Good stuff from them. It's is a shame we have to add aftermarket parts to these guns to make them acceptable. Maybe that is what makes this fun for us and keeps creative aftermarket people in business.
Shield, Apex
Springfields, Powder River
Ruger, Volquartsen or Sweet Pea
Browning and S&W Victor Tandem Cross
etc.

[gb6491]

A Powder River kit greatly improved my XDm in .45. Good stuff from them. It's is a shame we have to add aftermarket parts to these guns to make them acceptable. Maybe that is what makes this fun for us and keeps creative aftermarket people in business.
Shield, Apex
Springfields, Powder River
Ruger, Volquartsen or Sweet Pea
Browning and S&W Victor Tandem Cross
etc.
Ain't that the truth!

I did the Apex thing with my Shield 9mm, even tried it in the 45 Shield, but felt the stock 45 trigger was better.
Most of my Rugers have Voquartsen parts in them...some Clark and Tandemkross parts as well
My Buckmarks are pretty much stock, but have the "Heggis flip" done on them and Browning triggers with over travel stops.

I lucked out with my XD 45 Tactical. I bought it used and it already had a Powder River trigger in it. The gun appeared to have been hardly used and I can't help but wonder if this was because the trigger's over travel had not been adjusted properly. Fixed that pretty easily and it's a fine shooting pistol :)
https://i.postimg.cc/vBtKp9dd/xd45tacticalcrop.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5YjpzX0P)
Regards,
Greg

[guido4198]

Soooo...Add another $100.00 to get a good trigger. Do both the 13 rd and 11 rd magazines come with the pistol, or do you have to purchase that extended one separately, like with the Sig365..?? (Add another $50.00).
Thanks. Since these are so popular,,,there's NONE in a local shop for me to visit and ask all these questions. They will reappear however at some point, I'm sure. Unless of course Federal rules change after the next election and such "HI-CAPACITY" options are totally banned.

[gb6491]

Soooo...Add another $100.00 to get a good trigger. Do both the 13 rd and 11 rd magazines come with the pistol, or do you have to purchase that extended one separately, like with the Sig365..?? (Add another $50.00).
Thanks. Since these are so popular,,,there's NONE in a local shop for me to visit and ask all these questions. They will reappear however at some point, I'm sure. Unless of course Federal rules change after the next election and such "HI-CAPACITY" options are totally banned.
I'd guess there are many that are content with the Hellcat's trigger as it comes. I was looking to improve it so, yeah, another $100 for the trigger I have in it. I consider it money well spent.
It comes with both a 11 and 13 rounds magazine.

[ripley16]

As an FYI regarding magazines; Springfield Armory offers a nice deal when you register your for your warranty. They give a one time use discount code for purchase of any merchandise on their on-line store. I used mine to get more magazines at $21.50 each.

[jeepster09]

It is no different than owning a Harley....not to many people buy one and ride it without doing a lot of upgrades.

[dustnchips]

Just gotta add that bling.

[lockhart]

I shot one of those Hellcats yesterday at the range. Fellow shooting next to me and my buddy, came over from his position and asked us if we wanted to try it. Hail yes, I said! The little red dot came up in the view area without having to move the gun around to try and find it. I wasn't impressed by the trigger pull, and the blade in center of trigger chewed on my trigger finger. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, very accurate, but the recoil lets you know you are shooting a compact pistol.

[ripley16]

A follow up after a few months. I've hit the range once or twice a week and that familiarity has paid off. I really, really like this gun. Now that A few rounds are down the pipe the trigger has gotten a bit better, the groups have tightened up a lot and my eyes appreciate those bright sights. Found a nice holster made for the OSP model that works well.

The only trouble encountered was with the optic installation. My fault. I did not trim the screws enough resulting in the sight not seating fully into the slide cut. The screws needed to be shorter and thus tighter. The battery failed after about 7 weeks. This is how I discovered my mistake.

While talking about the Sig Romeo... it has held it's zero very well, which was my main concern. I love this gun.