IF you can find or order a Springfield Hellcat with the manual safety & that makes you feel good go right ahead & get yourself one
If you are able to get it paid for before 9/30/22 you can get a free range bag & three extra magazines FREE...
Hellcat® 3" Micro-Compact OSP™ 9mm Handgun w/ Manual Safety - Springfield Armory
or the RDP
Hellcat® RDP 3.8" Micro-Compact 9mm Handgun w/ Manual Safety - Springfield Armory

 

I'm around your size and I have an XDM Elite Compact and a Hellcat with a manual safety.

The safety on the Hellcat is low profile and doesn't seem to snag in my experience. It is extremely easy for me to flick off (even out of the box) and it is not too difficult to push on though it is more difficult than it would be on a larger gun such as a 1911. As always, your experience may vary and I don't think you're being irrational-- keeping in mind that the manual safety does not replace proper gun handling and safety (e.g. four rules of safe gun handling).

Both are great at the range, though the XDM Elite has a nicer trigger. Overall, I really prefer the Hellcat overall due to the size, weight, and capacity, but I do agree with all of the gun reviewers that said the slide serrations could be improved on the Hellcat.

 

The Apex trigger on the Hellcat is just as nice as the Meta trigger on the XDM elite. I have both. I also have a powder river in an older XDM that’s pretty comparable with the new meta triggers. I’m my own safety so I don’t care either way but I don’t like manual safeties period.

 

It was just my stated opinion as well, no disrespect intended. My Apex was dropped in the Gen 1 and yes it was a tremendous improvement.

 

I appreciate your input!👍

 

I don't know what I am looking for here. I guess anyone who has any experience with the manual safety on the Hellcat or someone to tell me if I am being irrational.

The holster is THE SAFETY. Don't play with the pistol, don't unholster it unless you need to shoot. Don't re-holster it in your pants.