I like to think I’m immune to advertising, or at least most advertising. I realized that I’m not immune, as my interest in double-stack 1911s (DS 1911) grew. The gun industry has been hit hard by the DS 1911 bug. These guns have been around for quite some time, but until recently, the market was seemingly small. That’s changed, the market exploded, and now we have double-stack 1911-style pistols at every price point. This includes Springfield’s entry into the market with the Prodigy series.
The Prodigy isn’t a budget-grade firearm, but it offers a mid-price point entry for those who are DS 1911-curious. The Prodigy retails for less than 1,500 dollars on the net. However, comps and added optics might shift that price point. Springfield has launched the standard full-sized 5-inch model, a more compact 4.25-inch model, and a carryable 3.5-inch model.
This isn’t my Prodigy; it’s borrowed for the review, but I’m sad to give it back to its rightful owner. I guess the DS 1911 bug has not just bitten me, I’ve dived headfirst into it.
Springfield Armory 1911-DS Prodigy 9mm Pistol
The Springfield Prodigy series is a single-action-only handgun that features a double-stack magazine. The Prodigy series uses a polymer grip module with a steel frame to achieve that true 2011-style design. The Prodigy series uses 2011 parts and components, making upgrades and customization easy.
The gun came with a 17 and 20-round magazine and is only available in 9mm. The Prodigy is optics-ready and uses a plate system developed by both Agency Arms and Springfield. The plate incorporated a rear sight, so while you do remove the rear sight, you don’t lose it.
The Prodigy comes with massive shelves that are disguised as safeties. The Beavertail grip safety has a nice expanded beavertail for a good high grip on the gun. The grip is heavily textured, and while thick, I didn’t have a problem getting a hand around the gun for maximum control.
The Prodigy comes with an accessory rail for lights, lasers, cupholders, and whatever else you want to attach. The trigger and hammer are both skeletonized. The gun uses a five-inch bull barrel for increased accuracy. Out of the box, it feels and looks like an awesome pistol. After putting in some dedicated dry fire reps, I was excited to hit the range and see what me and the gun could do.
To The Range With the Prodigy
When I do these reviews, I try to make the ammo useful for my training purposes. I’ve spent a lot of time with rifles and shotguns lately and have ignored my handgun skills. I used my time with the Prodigy to practice a variety of basic shooting skills. I used the ammo and time to work a lot on my draw.
The fat bottom Prodigy makes it easy to get a grip and get the gun into action. My draw drill was at seven yards with a 4-inch target. I worked and practiced and got my draw down to 1.29 seconds from an active retention holster. When shooting the Prodigy, I immediately noticed the light recoil and quick reset of the slide.
The slide snaps right back in place, and I could watch that big green sight throughout its entire movement. It’s not snappy, and the big grip dissipates recoil into your hand well. I had a long day of shooting planned, and my hands never got tired. The Adaptive Grip Texture sticks to your hand and clings to you well.
The gun’s extended beavertail allows for a high hold on the gun, and the trigger guard also features an undercut for a high grip on the gun. It’s comfortable and allows you to get good recoil control. This was a big focus of my training, getting a good grip with every draw, and the Prodigy allowed it, as long as I didn’t screw it up.
Going Fast
Controlling the gun to longer strings of fire proved easy. I did Bill Drill from the holster and was hitting around 2.5 seconds with every round in the A-Zone. I’m constantly seeking to be faster, and while I’ve ever broken the two-second mark once, I think some time with the Prodigy would allow me to do it again.
Opening up that trigger allowed me to appreciate the single-action design. It went fast and wants to go fast. Let’s be real, going fast is half the fun of shooting. Having a gun that responds well to going fast allows you to embrace that fun without only turning ammo into noise. Dropping quick double-taps with the rounds nearly touching is always satisfying to see.
Shooting Straight
The big sights are easy to see, and the big green front sight is easy to track. At 50 yards, I had no problems engaging man-sized targets and keeping the rounds centered mostly in the chest and lower stomach. At 25 yards, I could land headshots at that same target with some controlled practice.
I set up an 8-inch shoot and shot the target at 25 yards and landed all five shots on target, with two touching. They were a little low and to the left, but I’ll take it. The Prodigy undoubtedly outshoots me.
The controls are fantastic. I could easily disable the safety as I drew the gun and clicked it back in place after I was done firing. While firing, it’s a great shelf to rest your thumb and help control recoil.
The magazine release is big and sticks out from the frame for an easy press and quick reloads. My main complaint is that the slide lock is a little small and blends into the slide, making it tough to hit. Slingshotting tends to work a little easier on the fly for me.
What About Reliability?
I saw the reports of the Prodigy having some failures when it was first introduced a few years ago. I was on the lookout for this and brought out a mix of brass and steel-cased ammo. FMJs were primarily used, but I also brought out some 115-grain Remington JHPs. It all performed without a problem. I had no notable failures over 500 rounds and some change.
The only problem I had was with the 21-round magazine. It would often fail to lock the slide open when the last round is fired. I can press it up from the bottom, and it would lock the slide, but without that pressure, it wasn’t happening. This problem did not occur with the 17-round magazine.
Live Inventory Price Checker
|
|
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy 9mm Magazine 17rd - PH6917 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 42.99 $ 37.99 |
|
|
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm Pistol - 5" | Rainier Arms | $ 1449.95 |
|
|
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm Luger 4.25in Black Cerakote Pistol - 20+1 Rounds | Bereli | $ 1235.00 |
|
|
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911 DS PRODIGY COMP 4.24 AOS 9MM | Shooters Choice | $ 1599.99 |
|
The DS 1911 Bug
The Springfield Prodigy performs admirably. It’s a ton of fun to shoot, and I’m starting to understand why the DS 1911 market is growing so much. It’s comfortable, easy to shoot, accurate, and brings you that M1911 trigger with a whole lot more ammo. You can’t beat that.
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.
Sorry, already bought two Hellcats for the wife and I and that is what we will keep for a lot less money. As for these new 1911’s that aren’t 45cal and hold 15 bullets, why bother making them.