The Unity Tactical Hot Button is valued for its minimal rail space requirement, angled ergonomics, and compatibility with MLOK and M1913 platforms.

It shares the same high-quality plug and wire specifications as the ModButton, ensuring durable and reliable connections, especially suitable for SMGs, rifles and shotguns due to its compact design.

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Unity Tactical HotButton Switch Ergonomics

Some shooters preferred the Unity Tactical Hot Button for its comfort and functionality, including both momentary and constant on modes, despite requiring more thumb movement.

Others noted that the choice is subjective and depends on the desired switch position relative to the thumb. The rail and mount type (MLOK or Picatinny) also influence the buying decision.

M1913 Scout

Having experimented with both the Modbutton Lite and the Unity Hot Button, I confidently think that the Hot Button is a better option. Mounted at a 10 o'clock position on the handguard, it offers unparalleled comfort without compromising grip, even with the required thumb movement.

Its dual-functionality of momentary and constant on modes solidifies its standing as my clear preference, regardless of the additional feature. Personal preferences may vary, and trying both may be the best way to determine suitability for individual needs.

M LOK Scout

Hot Button Tail Cap Compatibility

The Unity HotButton works with all Surefire style tail cap. The Surefire DS00 is highly recommend that provides secondary activation for the light. Some users have reported the lumen intensity flickers if the connection isn't tight, so be sure to have a tight connection and check the condition of the tail cap.

There are so many light configurations out there, and the Unity Tactical Hot Button is very ergonomic and slick light switch for shotguns and rifles.

Also laser plugs are available.

Right off the bat, Sig MCX is an expensive firearm compared to the PSA JAKL. The Sig MCX has been on the market for some quite time now, and the latest iteration of the MCX Spear LT has improved many things from its original release. Some users argue for the Spear LT's superior robustness and reliability over the PSA JAKL, considering it a better option if budget allows.

PSA JAKL VS MCX Pricing

As far as dollar value considerations. The PSA JAKL is much more affordable and the complete upper receiver can fit most standard AR15 lower receivers with some minor changes.

PSA JAKL: $1299

The MCX upper can also work with a standard AR15 lower receiver with an adapter, but you have to pay a premium for a Sig MCX.

Sig MCX SPEAR LT: $2599

Functionality

The Sig MCX Spear LT still uses the traditional AR15 style charging handle, and the PSA JAKL uses a side charging handle. The best part about the JAKL's charging handle is that its none reciprocating unlike a FN SCAR 16. 

This means for tactical training, the shooter can bring the gun closer to the ground without scraping the charging handle.

As far as rail system and customization goes, both MCX and JAKL have plenty of mounting spaces for lights, lasers, grips and other attachments.

Calibers

The Sig MCX and PSA JAKL both offer 5.56 NATO and 300 blackout. The MCX Spear LT also has the 7.62 x 39 version available.

PSA JAKL Problems

The PSA JAKL is still a fairly brand new upper receiver that features a long stroke piston rod, which functions like an AK rifle. The reliability of the JAKL just off initial 1000 rounds shooting shows its potential to last for a long time if it's maintained correctly.

The only noticeable problem with the JAKL is not dialing the gas block which can cause cycling issues if there isn't enough gas. So if you run into this issue be sure to readjust the gas block.

Some users have reported fitting issues with the JAKL on some AR15 lower receivers, and it was discovered that PSA did in fact have some issues with a particular batch of JAKL, and newer models have resolved these issues.

Some users have reported shell ejection problems with the PSA JAKL where the bolt fails to load the next round even after changing magazines. When tweaking the gas setting can fix the issue.

Sig MCX Spear LT Problems

The Sig MCX Spear LT is a premium product coming from Sig Sauer, but there has been many concerns of Sig's quality control and customer service over the years.

Given the Sig MCX Spear LT's high price point, many users expressed their disappointment with the quality issues encountered. There was an expectation that a rifle in this price range should have impeccable quality and no such issues.

Referenced TheFirearmBlog

As far as addressing some of the physical problems with the Sig MCX Spear LT, there are some common problems:

• Wobble barrel / flexing too much
• Barrel bolts weren't torqued to spec
• Laser device may not hold zero if the handguard isn't installed properly

Palmetto State Armory manufactures their uppers in-house at their own facility, which helps keep costs down since there's no middleman involved.

This approach allows them to offer their AR15 uppers at prices that don't exceed $900, making them much more affordable compared to other brands where the price often includes markups to cover the profits of intermediaries.

This strategy aligns with Palmetto State Armory's commitment to providing affordable firearms to civilians, ensuring that more people have access to quality gun parts without breaking the bank.

PSA JAKL Upper Receiver

With 5.56, I hardly notice any difference in performance across the four settings, and my setup is a pinned and welded 14.5" barrel because I just don't want to deal with any NFA stuff at this point in my life, and I've also moved a lot in the recent years. 

I started with the upper kit, then added my existing lower receiver with a modified bolt release paddle and receiver back plate.

Since the upper is wider than a standard AR15 upper, any factory AR15 bolt release paddle needs to be trimmed in order to fit the lower receiver. PSA also sell a premade JAKL bolt release paddle. I highly recommend just buy it unless you have a dremel tool at home to DIY it.

However, so far there isn't any battery assisted device for the JAKL, and the Magpul BAD lever will not work on the JAKL.

Lower Receiver Part

The PSA JAKL needs the JAKL lower receiver backplate adapter to go on the lower receiver featuring a QD sling mount. Everything in a normal AR15 lower receiver will work with the JAKL including aftermarket triggers.

All you need to do is screw this in like this:

The only complaint here is that the adapter have sharp edges that can cut your hand if you're not careful. 

Since the PSA JAKL is a bufferless system, there is no need for the buffer spring. The pic rail adapter can accept many folding stock like ones used on the Sig MCX.

A pic rail stock actually provides me adjustable cheek height positions, which also compensate my optic mount height. I can basically make a lower third optic mount feel like a 1.93" optic height mount by adjusting the stock position. 

PSA also partnered with F5 MFG to make the F5 MFG PSA JAKL Modular Stock System. The F5 MFG modular left-side folding stock system is adjustable, ultra-rugged, lightweight, and simple to operate. It has the aesthetics of the ACR rifle.

• Left Side Folding Stock 
• Adjustable Cheek Riser
• Adjustable Stock

Bolt Carrier Group

The PSA JAKL has a long piston connected to the rest of the bolt. It's very similar to an AK, and its heavy with a tough Carpenter 158 bolt paired with a 4340 steel carrier.

The installation of the bolt in the upper receiver is very easy like an regular AR15 BCG, and the charging handle can be switched to either side based on preference. 

When putting the BCG back into the receiver, it took me a couple try before finding the sweet spot to snap everything in place. The long piston needs to be perfectly aligned with the gas block before everything can fit. For someone new to the JAKL, this will take you about like 5 to 10 minutes to get it right and figure out where all these odd spots are.

And when it comes to maintenance, the JAKL keeps things simple. Field stripping, as well as taking out the carrier, recoil, and sled assemblies, is tool-free. This means cleaning and upkeep are straightforward, keeping you shooting more and fiddling less.

The recoil spring retainer snaps it in place. Unlike the FN SCAR, the PSA JAKL retains everything on the upper receiver and it doesn't exert any bolt force on the backplate, and the charging handle doesn't reciprocate when firing, so I can grip the rifle anyway I want, and it won't cause malfunction when firing close to the ground or wall.

Reliability

This review only covers the use of 5.56 without suppression. So far it feeds well with factory 55 grain ammo without any issues unless the adjustable gas block is improperly dialed.

If there isn't enough gas coming back to cycle the bolt the upper will not chamber the round or have trouble feeding a round and fully seat it.

Some people have reported that early batch of PSA JAKL may have some inconsistent bolt specs due to some quality control issues. Please contact PSA for more information.

PSA JAKL Handguard

The handguard on the PSA JAKL is proprietary. All of them come with M LOK slots and the entire Monolithic 6105 Rifle-Length Receiver is one piece. For standard AR15 users who hate handguards getting lose, the PSA JAKL will not have that issue.

At the front of the handguard, there is an opening to tune the gas setting. There are multiple settings to play around with, and low gas setting can cause cycling issues if not shooting suppressed.

Just use a bullet tip to dial.

There are plenty of MLOK slots available to mount lights and grips like this:

PSA JAKL Barrel

This particular PSA JAKL is 14.5" pinned and welded barrel with a SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider. Overall its 16" so I can attach a stock to the rifle and not deal with any NFA headache.

The barrel is 5.56 NATO nitride 4150V chrome moly steel barrel with a 1:7 twist rate. The 1:7 twist rate is good for 55 grain to 77 grain bullets. Some people complaint that the M4 profile barrel adds too much weight to the upper and it will be nice to have a pencil profile barrel in the future.

Be sure to reference this in the future

Wrap Up Remarks

PSA has been making AR15 ownership much more affordable and accessible in today's economy. The JAKL isn't as cheap as PSA's standard AR15 upper, but it offers a completely different ergonomics than a traditional AR15, and there aren't many like it. In fact, there isn't anything like it.

For people who want something new and unique, and still use the same AR15 lower ergonomics, the JAKL is the answer. 

Light Deals

Streamlight ProTac 2.0 Rail Mount Weapon Light - 2000 Lumen: Priced at $109.99, this compact and powerful light is designed for long guns. It mounts directly to 1913 Picatinny rails, is compatible with a broad range of weapons, and is powered by a rechargeable battery. It produces up to 2,000 lumens of light and features a multi-function tailcap for mode switching.

Olight USA i1R 2 EOS Keychain Flashlight Kit: Priced at $16.15 with code "BADASSOPTIC10". It's a USB rechargeable, ultra-mini flashlight with dual output modes, offering up to 150 lumens

Olight Baldr Pro Desert Tan Weapon Light w/ Green Laser: MSRP: $159.95, Now: $149.95

Olight PL PRO Valkyrie Rechargeable LED Flashlight: $155.94, Save 17%: $129.95

SureFire X300 Ultra LED Weapon Light: Price: $359.00 (Special Price Available)

Streamlight TLR-8 G Sub For 1913 LED Weapon Light w/ Green Laser: Price: $255.99 (Save 46%)

SureFire M640DF Scout Light Pro Dual Fuel LED Weapon Light: Price: $359.00 (Special Price Available).

The Springfield Hellcat, born as a response to Sig's P365, is Springfield Armory's pride in the concealed carry category. Crafted by HS Produkt in Croatia and imported by Springfield since 2003, the Hellcat is a step up from the earlier XD series. It's a micro 9mm powerhouse, offering an impressive 11+1 or 13+1 round capacity.

Despite its micro size, the Hellcat features a accessory rail, allowing for the attachment of Hellcat compatible light or laser. The Streamlight TLR 7 Sub is the best light for Hellcat.

Key Features of the Springfield Hellcat

• Standard Size Rail: Fits common accessories, making customization easy.
• Optics Ready: Comes ready for red-dot sights, a forward-thinking feature.
• High Capacity: Leads its class with one more round than similar-sized pistols.

Our Hands-On Experience

The Hellcat stands out as a single-action pistol that's comparable to a Glock in capacity and size to a Sig P365. It's a reliable firearm, and during our test, it fired 400 rounds without a hitch. Despite its 'snappy' recoil, common in micro pistols, it's a blast to shoot and surprisingly accurate.

Design and Ergonomics

Also, for those not using optics, the slide serrations extend over the top for a better grip. It's a fresh feature that might become popular, even if we're not sure about its holster compatibility yet.

Other standout features are the distinctive sight setup, a flat trigger, an ambidextrous magazine release, and a rail that's rare on micro pistols.

The Hellcat's design is intuitive, with slide serrations that extend over the top for a better grip. The trigger, while crisp, may not outshine other single-action triggers but is still commendable. The slide release lever, though easily accessible, might be too easy to engage inadvertently, affecting the slide lock-back on empty.

The textured surfaces and grip design of the Hellcat have been noted for their improvement over other smaller guns, providing better grip ergonomics and control. Despite different preferences for grip angles, the Hellcat seems to satisfy a wide range of users.

Optic Mount

The Springfield Hellcat comes in versions that are ready for optics and those that are not. It fits the Shield RMSc optic size, and you can find a variety of compatible red dot sights for the slide.

Options include the Holosun EPS Carry and 507K, Shield RMSc, Swampfox Sentinel, among others. From what we've learned, to mount the Holosun 507K or EPS Carry, you'll need the DPP Titanium optic adapter.

Now, if a new defense pistol can't support a red-dot, it's behind the times.

Check out this video by badassoptic.com for more info:

Iron Sight

Springfield Armory features the U-dot sights on the concealed carry pistol – they're excellent. Initially, I didn't thought too much about it, but after shooting the Hellcat, the large yellow/green dot made targeting swift and simple.

Moreover, red-dot sights are undoubtedly the future for pistols, and it's impressive to see a manufacturer offer an optic-ready model right out of the gate.

Comparing the Hellcat With Others

When Springfield Hellcat stacked against the Glock 43X, the Hellcat nearly double the capacity. It's a solid contender in the market, though its price point is on par with the Glock 43, which some might argue offers a slightly more refined experience.

The Springfield Hellcat could be best described as a single-action version of a Glock. The striker's design clearly shows Glock's influence.

Indeed, the slide's internal components bear a striking resemblance to those of a Glock, and they're put together in much the same way. This approach is smart — it's always better when parts are engineered to secure themselves without needing extra pins. And if Glock is the gold standard for reliability, which it is, why not emulate their design?

The trigger shoe and springs within the frame also echo Glock's design, although the Hellcat's parts are distinct, and it operates as a true single-action, unlike the Glock's partially pre-charged striker.

Shooting Performance

The 9mm Hellcat has a similar feel to the Springfield XDS when fired, which is common among micro pistols. The noticeable recoil is to be expected with its small frame.

This pistol is built for concealed carry and isn't intended for the same high-volume shooting at the range that you might do with a full-sized handgun. However, the recoil feels much more manageable with the larger Springfield Hellcat Pro.

The factory trigger definitely feels a bit heavy after shooting highly optimized handguns. The take up isn't too bad, and the wall is very distinct. However, there is a heavy trigger pull until the break, and the reset distance is a bit longer than ideal. I wouldn't trash this gun just because the trigger pull is bad, and there are plenty of trigger upgrades available, which you can check them out here.

The slide release lever is functional but not without its issues. Its small size is typical for a concealed carry gun, but it can be challenging to engage, especially with gloves on.

The design isn't flawed mechanically, but it doesn't accommodate my grip when I'm wearing gloves. Additionally, the slide release's placement towards the back means my thumb often presses it unintentionally due to the gun's compact size.

This design requires shooters to adjust their grip to operate the slide release during a reload.

Main Takeaways

The Springfield Armory Hellcat is a dependable and precise micro subcompact pistol, making it an excellent choice for concealed carry, and we confidently recommend it.

The gun offers a lot of positives, but its trigger doesn't quite measure up to other single-action, striker-fired guns on the market. This wouldn't be an issue if the Hellcat were priced lower than its more premium competitors. Luckily, there are aftermarket trigger upgrades you can buy to fix this performance gap.

Springfield has done an outstanding job with the Hellcat. As a critic aiming to provide a comprehensive review, I must say this gun is a significant step up from any XDS model. If you're a fan of XDs, you'll probably adore the Hellcat for its superior quality, unless you're not accustomed to what a good pistol should feel like.

Pros

• High Capacity: The Hellcat offers an 11+1 or 13+1 round capacity, which is high for its class.
• Reliable: The review notes the Hellcat as very reliable, with no malfunctions reported during testing.
• Accurate: The pistol is described as accurate, with the reviewer shooting a better group than typically achieved with a full-sized pistol.
• Optics Ready: The Hellcat comes optics-ready straight from the factory, which is a forward-thinking feature.
• Good Ergonomics: The grip and slide serrations are praised, with the wrap-over slide serrations being particularly appreciated.
• Standard Size Rail: It uses a standard-sized rail, allowing for common accessories to be used.

Cons

• Price: The Hellcat is priced similarly to the Sig P365, but the review suggests it should be less expensive.
• Slide Release Lever Design: Some shooters may inadvertently hold down the slide release lever due to its placement, preventing the slide from locking back on an empty magazine.
• Trigger Quality: While the trigger is described as nice, it is noted that there are better options available for single-action triggers.
• Recoil: The gun is noted to be a bit "snappy," which is common for 9mm micro polymer frame pistols

The "collar" is smaller, so the thick spring fits better. If you use a different buffer, it might get stuck. You can't buy just the buffer. If yours breaks, you have to buy the whole set again. Or change the weight inside yourself.

Only 3 buffer weight options are available, the H2 is the best for most non suppressed AR15 builds. Depend on the gas system, you may have to go for the H1 or H3. However, it also depends on your ammo type, barrel length, gas amount and bolt weight to optimize the performance. So it's never one size fits all if you get serious with suppressed shooting.

Geissele Super 42 Spring Weight

Normal springs push with about 11-13 lbs. when the bolt is all the way back and 6 lbs. when the bolt is closed. The Super 42 spring pushes with 15 lbs. when the bolt is all the way back and 7.5 lbs. when it's closed. That's 25% stronger than a regular spring. There are other springs like Sprinco's that cost about $20 and are just as strong.

Twang Sound Elimination

The twang sound or vibration is definitely reduced. My AR15 uses the Magpul UBR stock with additional polymer around the aluminum buffer tube.  

The Geissele Super 42 spring is definitely better than a flatwire spring, and many users agree with that. If you are a casual shooter may ask: "Does it really matter"? 

If you're a casual shooter, this may not be an issue if you aren't consciously look for the problem. Most casual shooters who don't know about it until someone points it out. Otherwise, they wouldn't notice.

Super 42 Braided Wire Design Philosophy

The braided sprig wire design is inspired by the German MG42 machine gun. These wires move on their own, soaking up extra energy. This means the spring is less likely to break, making your rifle work better in high volume firing.

It also optimize the harmonics of the spring so the node oscillation doesn't collide into each other, which is the main reasons for the spring twang sound in the buffer tube.

When you compare it to the usual spring, the Super 42 Spring doesn't get shorter or weaker quickly. Based on the claim, the Super 42 

Final Verdict

Some experts say braided springs last longer than round ones especially for high rate of fire shooting. Flat springs also last longer than round ones. But do we need them to last longer than the typical round volume you shoot?

If you shoot less to wear out your spring, it's not necessary to go out of your way to upgrade. If you shoot a lot, and you shoot suppressed, and you don't like the recoil spring twang sound. The Geissele Super 42 is a good option.