How many micro compacts are there these days? Heck, it felt like 2021 saw the introduction of half a dozen of them from Taurus, Kimber, and even two from Ruger.
Sig Sauer popped the whole thing off with the P365 in 2018, and, since then, it’s been America’s favorite handgun. Competition is good, though, and the P365 currently has a butt load in that arena.
Sig’s first competitor came from a company called Springfield Armory by way of Croatia. The Hellcat premiered in September 2019 and gave the Sig P365 hell.
Since then, these two guns have more or less defined the micro compact genre, and it’s only appropriate that we do a little side-by-side testing.
So keep reading as we stack these two models up against each other, look at their specs and features, and ultimately help you decide which one is right for you.
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The Models
Oh boy, is this just as simple as the Sig Sauer P365 vs. the Hellcat? No, of course not.
Each gun has several models on the market, and when you’re choosing one or the other, it might make sense to know all the versions available to you.
In Sig’s Corner!
P365: Standard micro-compact model with a 3-inch barrel, 10-round flush fit magazine.
P365XL: SIG Stretched the gun to accommodate a 3.7-inch barrel and a slightly longer grip. This gun is optics-ready and comes with a flat-faced trigger.
P365SAS: Standard-sized model with every corner and protrusion melted, including the sights. Designed for deep concealment.
P365X: Standard length slide with the longer XL grip and optic’s ready capability.
P365XL Spectre: Special model of the XL with slide cuts, a different grip texture, X-series trigger, and optics-ready capability.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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In the Hellcat’s Corner
Hellcat: Standard model with a 3-inch barrel and 11-round flush-fitting magazine. Available in FDE or Black.
Hellcat OSP: Standard model with a 3-inch barrel and 11-round magazine, but is optic’s ready. Available in FDE or Black.
Hellcat RDP: RDP stands for Rapid Defense package. This model uses a 3-inch barrel topped with a compensator and is optic-ready. Includes Springfield’s WASP optic and a “Gen 2” refined trigger.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Head to Head
So, which models are we comparing? Well, we are keeping it basic. Today we are stacking the standard P365 against the standard Hellcat.
No optics, no compensators, no long barrels, just the two most common variants of these guns. It seems to be the closest match capability and design-wise.
Size
Micro Compacts are defined by their small size and relatively high magazine capacity. They are best described as a single stack-sized gun with the capacity of a double stack. Their small size makes them relatively easy to carry, so let’s talk size.
Since the Sig is the real O.G., it’ll go first:
- Barrel Length: 3″
- Overall Length: 5.8″
- Width: 1″
- Height: 4.3″
- Weight: 17.8 oz
And here’s the Hellcat:
- Barrel Length: 3″
- Overall Length: 6″
- Width: 1″
- Height: 4″
- Weight: 18.3 oz
So as you can see, the Sig is a little shorter overall and weighs a little less, while the Hellcat is a little shorter height-wise.
It’s worth mentioning that the Hellcat remains slightly shorter but also packs one extra round in its 11-round magazine.
The differences are minimal, and when compared to guns like the Glock 26, they are both superbly small. The Glock 26 is bigger in every dimension and still only holds 10 rounds in its flush-fitting magazine.
Both the P365 and Hellcat conceal very easily without any major differences between the two. If you choose one or the other, you won’t have any issues finding holsters.
That said, the P365 seems to have more holsters available for it for a variety of different carry styles.
Do you like the Sig? If so, rate it below!
Features & Magazines
The Sig P365 and Hellcat are pretty dang similar. They hold a bunch of rounds, are small, and are both striker-fired, with polymer frames.
However, they both have a few features worth mentioning that set them apart…
Let’s start with the rails. Sig installed a very small proprietary rail.
The main benefit of this is that the front of the weapon stays very slim, making it a little more comfortable to conceal. The downside is, well, predictably the fact that accessories are few and far between.
Sig makes a laser, Streamlight makes two lights…and that’s seemingly it.
Springfield equipped their gun with a single slot Picatinny rail. These rails are bigger but do accommodate a wider variety of lights and lasers.
This includes options from Streamlight, Olight, Crimson Trace, and many more.
Sig uses its famed chassis system that makes the FCU the legal firearm. This allows you to swap your FCU between grip modules and slide lengths. Plenty of aftermarket companies produce grip modules, and Sig themselves allows you to mix and match.
The Hellcat implements a standoff device at the front of the gun. This oversized recoil guide rod prevents the slide from coming out of battery when shoved into a bad guy in some extreme close quarter’s work.
In the magazine department, the Hellcat takes the lead. It ships with both an 11-round flush fit magazine and a 13-round magazine. Sig ships with 10 rounders for a flush fit, but it also offers an optional 12-round magazine as well.
Hellcat stays a little ahead until you get to the 15-round magazines.
Both companies offer a 15-round option for their guns which gives you Glock 19 firepower. If you acknowledge the aftermarket, Mag Guts makes +2 springs that drive up the Sig P365’s magazine capacity.
One thing about the Sig magazines I hate is that they rust. I mean, they rust super easily.
The gun itself doesn’t rust, but all of my mags rusted with minimal exposure to the elements. This is not an issue with the Hellcat magazines.
Breaking Down The Egonomics
Both guns are very similar in their ergonomics. The base models have a trigger, slide lock, and magazine release for controls. Sig produces a manual safety model with an ambi safety.
The slide locks are both relatively useless to me. My thumbs tend to pin them down when firing, so the slide never locks back to the rear anyway. Both are textured and plenty easy to use.
The magazine release for both firearms is a simple button design. They vary slightly in shape but aren’t much different. Sig’s P365 features a broader magazine release, but the Hellcat is taller.
Both make it easy enough to reload.
The slide serrations on the Hellcat are very aggressive and go over the top of the slide. This makes it easy to grip the slide and work it at a variety of angles.
The P365’s slide serrations are plenty sufficient, but the Hellcat outshines them.
I also prefer the adaptive grip texture on the Hellcat. It’s not so aggressive that it rubs your body raw or shreds t-shirts, but it does allow for a good purchase. You can grip tight, and the gun won’t move.
Springfield also brought their grip texture up and above the magazine release to greet more of the hand.
Sig’s texture isn’t bad, and the gun stays put. However, it’s not as aggressive as the Hellcats. It also ends right below the magazine release.
When it comes to the optic’s ready models, I’m surprised Sig hasn’t released something like the OSP — the standard small frame with optic compatibility. It’d make for the shortest, optically equipped version of the P365.
Down to The Wire Accuracy
Small guns like this are not precision pistols…not even a little bit. They are designed for the traditional 15 yards or so concealed carry range.
Skilled hands can certainly take them out further, but that is not their purpose. The Sig offers a lighter trigger pull, and that’s something I most certainly appreciate.
The P365’s trigger glides rearward, hits a slight wall, and breaks cleanly.
Springfield’s Hellcat uses a flat-faced trigger. The pull is considerably heavier than the P365 but far from bad. Sig brings a 5.25-pound trigger pull, while the Hellcat offers a 6-pound, 10-ounce trigger pull.
Trigger weight differences like that aren’t massive, and if you can shoot one accurately, you can shoot the other accurately.
For me, the P365 shoots straighter — even at 25 yards, I can consistently land fast and consistent shots onto a gong.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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With the Hellcat, I seem to have less consistency. With drills like Dot Torture and the iHack, I tend to drop rounds with the Hellcat, but less so with the Sig.
Trigger pull might be an issue, but the sights might be an issue as well. The P365’s lower profile sights are smaller and allow me to see more of the target.
On the other hand, the Hellcat’s sights are both larger and taller which makes them obscure the target a little more.
On man-sized targets, there isn’t any real difference, but on small dots, it’s evident.
Sig’s XRAY3 sights mix day and night time sights. The front and rear sights all feature glowing tritium vials, and the front sight has a polymer, high visibility green insert for daytime shooting.
Springfield equipped the Hellcat with a very interesting sight setup. The rear sight is a black sight with a white U, and it’s very Hackathorn style. Its front sight has a glowing tritium vial in the middle with a big yellow ring around it.
Hellcat sights are quite nice for practical shooting at close range. They are quick to align and rapid on target. The P365’s sights are the same but a little lower profile.
Getting sight focus with either isn’t tough to do and getting lead on target quickly isn’t tough to do either. However, the P365 does a bit better job with its smaller sights and better trigger when it comes to more precise shooting.
In fact, I replaced the trigger in my Hellcat with one from Apex to make it a little more refined.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Reliability
I’ve owned my P365 since a few months after launch, and in that time, I’ve had very few issues. Most of the issues I have had have been from bad ammo rather than the actual gun. I’ve run it hot and dry without issue over several hundred rounds during a defensive pistol class.
I’ve shot the Hellcat a little less, well, a lot less, but it’s also been completely reliable. One of the biggest issues with the XD series is that ridiculous grip safety. It’s been known to break and seize the gun up.
Springfield wisely did away with it for the Hellcat and likely helped increase its reliability.
Final Verdict
So where does that leave us? Which one should you choose?
For me? Well, I carry the Sig Sauer P365. I like the Hellcat, but I like the P365 a little more. It has more customization options more holsters, and I have far more training on it than the Hellcat.
That said, the Hellcat is a solid pistol too. In fact, if my P365 broke tomorrow, I’d have no reservations about carrying the Hellcat, though.
Which would you carry? Or which do you carry? Let us know in the comments below. For more carry guns, check out our comprehensive list of the Best Concealed Carry Guns.
26 Leave a Reply
I own both the P365 and the Hellcat OSP. I have carried and trained with both as a CCW. They are both well made, dependable and accurate. I however prefer the Hellcat. I have large hands and I find the minor additional width of the Hellcat provides me a better grip. Under rapid fire I find that the Hellcat is easier to keep follow up shots on target. The Hellcat has better stock sights. I do not have a red dot on either of the two pistols, as I am much quicker on target and accurate with just the factory sights. On a small CCW firearm such as these two I think under stress type shooting response time is greatly reduced without the optical sights. I do have redots on larger firearms, Glock 17 and HK VP9 tactical. Just saying.......my opinion and personal experience. Both the Sig P365 and the Springfield Hellcat are well made reliable, capable firearms for CCW options.
I own several carry size handguns and the sig 365 is the best by far. Size vs ammo capacity it outweighs the crowd. I also own the shield, smith Wesson j frame revolvers, Glock 43x , and a 27. In midsize the sig 320 outshines too, I own the 320 and love it, I have a Glock 19 with aftermarket sights, and ghost trigger, and the 320 outshoots it “ a little bit”. Sig arms has it dialed in!
Have both and shoot them both about the same, however the size and better trigger go to the Sig!
I have the hellcat and it shoots fine for me. I like the sights a lot. I'm able to aquire the target quickly. It is a little snappy but comes back on target quickly. I have not had the opportunity to shoot the 365 but, I do like the feel of it.
I own both. I carry the P365, it has a better feel in my hands and I have better accuracy with the P365
I really love the Hellcats grip.
But when I tried the triggers. The 365 was better for me hands down. I suspect I shoot better with the 365.
I own both. I carry the Sig P365. My first choice is the Sig. If I could have only 1 , it would be the Sig.
I primarily carry a SA XD mod 2, that was until I bought a Sig P365 and wow the weight and conceal-ability between the two are night and day. I am planning on getting a Hellcat soon as I am a SA fan but wow the Sig has really won me over. Usually this time of year I usually just carried a Ruger LCR .38spl but well the Sig just feels lighter and I carry two extra 12 rd mags on non dominant side. Sure beats the 5 shot and maybe a couple 6 round strips in my pocket.
I love the sights on the Sig. Out of my XDm, S&W M&Ps, and Glock 19 I love it the most, well unless you are talking about my SA XDm OSP and of course it is better.
I have as you mentioned had great luck with my hostler selection for the P365. I was able to find both a great owb and iwb holsters.
Now my problem is trying to decide if I want a Hellcat first or pick up the P320 17 or 18.
The only thing that kept me from being head over heels in love with the P365 is the thumb safety. I am used to carrying without a thumb safety. Pretty much if I am ever in a dire situation that requires me to use my firearm I want has few things to worry about. I can carry it with the safety off but without the Glock style trigger safety, I am a bit iffy on carrying with the safety already disabled.
I am a firm believer in always having a round in the chamber. I still do with the Sig. It’s just that little extra thing that I worry could cause me an issue if I am ever required to protect my family. Not enough to keep me from currently being my main CCW EDC.
I have a hellcat micro love it easy to pocket carry even in the summer I also carry the 642 smith both are great conceal and very reliable guns
I have the p365 an I just love it very easy to conceal very comfortable to wear my best friend has the helical an it seams to be a awesome weapon as well military training tells me the 365 is abit better overall but still the helical is truly a winer as well.
Choosing a CCP is a matter of feel (grips) and aesthetics (looks) as the technical aspects. I own my second P365, traded my original for one with a safety, with a 12 rd magazine which fits my hand perfectly. Have 2 of the 12rd and the original 10rd mags with grip extenders. Tried the Hellcat, GC3, G2, 938, HK VP9SK. There is a CZ micro I would like to try but of all the ones I mentioned, none is as well made, none feels as good as my P365 though the HK has a softer recoil. May replace my Walther PPQ with a P365 Macro!
My go to for every day carry is the Sig P365xl with the Wilson Combat grip module. The longer slide makes little difference for CC and the WC grip module, with a 12 rd flush mag, is much superior, in my experience, to the standard P365 of P365x grip module. With a bit more sight radius and the xray3 sights, I can acquire and get rounds on target at 10 yards without issue.
Other than changing out the grip module for Wilson Combat's much superior grip module, I haven't modified the gun at all. No RDS, not light or laser. I want a clean, small gun that I can conceal, fire accurately, and not have to worry about things going wrong in the heat of the moment.
Hellcat all the way. It just feels so perfect in the hand.
Good article! However, it doesn't include the best Hellcat model of all, the Pro OSP! There are 3 Hellcat models now, and the latest, the Pro OSP, includes Tritium night sights, (2) 15-round magazines, an improved trigger, is optics ready, has a slightly longer (3.7" hammer-forged) barrel to solve the problem of not enough space on the underside of the slide to more easily accommodate a light, and was awarded a "gold level endorsement", the highest possible recommendation from members of the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). And I know it exists, because I have one. I really think you need to update the article to include this latest model as it's a real winner. (And no I don't work for Springfield Armory!)
The article once read mentions the different models, not including the one your talking about. The writer of the article is doing a comparison off of the base models of each pistol. Why would the update the article and make it about that model?
Agree 100%
I have compared both and the Hellcat Pro is by far the next!
I purchased the Hellcat OSP. I shot the P365 and the Hellcat. For me, the flat trigger is preferred over the curved trigger. Big fingers, and they kept hitting the bottom of the curve. I train with this pistol at 10 - 15 yards and get good groups. At 25 yards, I have an AR.
I do recommend upgrading the trigger. Apex Tactical has a great trigger kit for the Hellcat.
I compared the 365 to the hellcat at gun store. 365 just felt like much more quality gun. I've carried it since and it's a phenomenal gun. Usually carry in pocket.
I’ve carried a P365 with the Lima laser mounted on it for a couple years. It is very accurate for what it is. It feels great in my hands. I honestly can’t remember any jams or hangups through about a thousand rounds. My buddy bought a Hellcat when they became available and I’ve shot that quite a bit. He loves it. To me it doesn’t feel as good in my hands and as mentioned in the article, the sights just are not as precise as the 365. They will however get you on a bad guy pretty quick. I’ll stick with my Sig.
p365 is better and cheaper. imo.
this is the article I have been waiting on. I have been stuck on which should one should i get to replace my glock 19 G5 as my carry gun… I have held both guns (although i have never shot) & just really been gathering info and watching reviews. Ultimately i thibk im gonna go with the P365X model for the longer grip while maintaining concealablity.
I have the original p365 with the 15 rd. mag (have 3 of them) thus a longer grip. Even with the 15 rd. mag it still conceals in my pocket . And yes the mags rust easily.
I'm a P365 Fan. I've carried mine daily for 3+ years. I don't have trouble with magazines corroding, but I live in Southwest Colorado where relative humidity is very low, so that may have something to do with the corrosion issue.
I've fired several Hellcats, but none have impressed me. The standard Hellcat trigger just isn't as smooth or
clean as the P365 to me.
For my aging eyes, the P365 sights just "Pop" for me.
I have carried and practiced with my 365sas for over 18 months and I like the feel of the gun and how it seems to naturally point.
I have looked at and briefly fired the Hellcat but I think the SIG is a much better quality weapon.
I have a Sig 365SAS and it has become the most often carried pistol in my collection. It is easy to conceal and easy to pull out of a pocket holster with no snag or pull. Bullseye sight took a small adjustment period, but once used to it I find the little pistol very accurate to the 25 yards I would expect from the short barrel.
May invest in the XL soon for my wife.
I picked up a P365 a month or so after release and over time I replaced the trigger with the P365XL newer straight model, bought a P365XL grip and 12 round flush magazines, and I even had the slide milled for my 507K. I got it to what I consider the perfect carry gun for me in the Florida heat. Then Sig released the P365X! Grrrr.
Anyway, I still hold firm that it is a perfect carry gun in this configuration. Don't go through all I did, just get the P365X or XL. You should be comparing the Hellcat to those. The OG P365 is good, but the newer models are better.