Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp, Examined and Reviewed

The brand new Springfield DS Prodigy Comp is the newest within the line of double-stack 1911 9mm pistols that has actually shaken up the 2011-style pistol market. The DS Prodigy was one of many first mainstream double-stack 9mms that introduced a top quality 2011-style pistol to the sub-$2,000 worth vary. We shot the hell out of them again in 2023, and I used to be excited to get my fingers on this compensated mannequin. The Springfield DS Prodigy Comp embraces the worth and efficiency of the unique prodigy, however presents us with an excellent flatter-shooting competitors gun.

Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 4.25-inch Specs

See It

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capability: 17+1 or 20+1
• Motion: Single-action, hammer-fired
• Barrel: 4.25-inch, bull profile, chrome steel, built-in compensator
• Dimensions: 7.8 inches (L) x 5.75 inches (H) x 1.28 inches (W)
• Weight: 38 ounces (with empty 17-round journal and Vortex Defender ST pink dot) (weighed)
• Body: Carbon metal, cast
• Slide: Carbon metal, cast
• Optics: Lower for optic, makes use of Company Arms adapter plates
• Controls: Proper-handed slide cease, magazine catch, ambidextrous security levers
• End: Black Cerakote
• Grip: Polymer grip module, tremendous stipple texture
• Sights: Tall, fiber-optic entrance, serrated black “U-notch” rear (drift adjustable
• Set off: Aluminum, single-action, curved shoe, 5 kilos, 5 ounces (measured)
• Worth: $1,734

Key Options

• Integral compensator made by eradicating materials from the barrel itself
• Company Optic System optic plates for various pink dot sights
• Tall, co-witnessing iron sights
• Features a 17- and 20-round journal — appropriate with 2011 magazines
• Accuracy: .907 inches (common of 4 5-shot teams from 15 yards)

Assessment Highlights

• Easy and dependable
• Compensator works effectively to cut back muzzle flip
• Thumb security match is tighter with much less play than early 1911 DS Prodigy
• Good worth for a 2011-style pistol
• Nice accuracy

Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp Breakdown

In late 2022, the Springfield Prodigy made waves as the primary mainstream 2011-style pistol within the $1,500 worth vary. It’s a double-stack 1911 chambered in 9mm that has a cast body and slide, and the quick body grip module that’s attribute of this type of pistol. The time period “2011” is trademarked by Staccato, previously STI, and the Prodigy was and is a extra reasonably priced, entry-level different to pistols just like the Staccato P and new Staccato C. 

Early manufacturing Prodigy pistols had some feeding points, however by the point we obtained our samples, these have been historical past. We’ve seen nothing however dependable efficiency from the Prodigy over a number of thousand rounds via two totally different pistols. You possibly can learn the complete evaluate on the unique 4.25-inch Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy right here, however our takeaway is that it’s a dependable, smooth-shooting pistol that brings lots of worth for its $1,300 price ticket. 

Different rivals have flocked to the sector, and we’ve seen a pair totally different Turkish imports current nice values as effectively. The modestly-priced MAC 9 DS 1911 is one other good entry-level performer for 2011-style pistols, however is much less refined than the Prodigy.

Entrance and Middle: The New Compensator

Essentially the most outstanding replace to the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp is the integral compensator. An analogous compensator was first launched on the Hellcat Professional Comp.  At first look, this comp seems very like others which use a barrel that terminates in need of the top of the slide and the place the slide itself is ported and typically has a built-in blast chamber to redirect gasses. On 9mm pistols, many of those compensators are decorative and don’t actually drive the muzzle down a lot (if in any respect) throughout taking pictures. 

The slide on the 1911 DS Prodigy Comp is ported, however the compensator’s blast chamber is actually milled out of the bull-profile barrel. The rifled portion of the barrel terminates about half an inch behind the muzzle, and this hogged-out fuel chamber successfully routes gasses upward.

I fired about 500 rounds via this pistol and the addition of the compensator makes a big distinction in muzzle flip and the way simply it’s to maintain the pink dot within the subject of view and on the right track throughout speedy taking pictures. I famous that the distinction is much more pronounced in smaller pistols just like the Hellcat which are extra liable to muzzle flip. It’s probably not honest to match it to the dead-nuts efficiency of higher-end compensated weapons just like the Staccato XC, however it’s a extremely significant addition to the Prodigy. For a comparatively small enhance in worth, this makes it an much more efficient and attainable entry-level competitors gun. 

Different Important Options of the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp

There aren’t lots of modifications that we see from non-comp Prodigy fashions, however one is the usage of taller iron sights that may be co-witnessed via all kinds of pink dot optics. Additionally, it’s notable that the entrance sight has been relocated again behind the muzzle compensator. This could assist a bit with sight image, however can even forestall the tritium entrance sight bead from turning into caked with carbon fouling.

These pistols, like earlier Prodigies, use the Company Optic Techniques mounting plates to accommodate totally different footprints. The one I examined wore a Vortex Defender-ST pink dot sight, a pleasant optic with a large viewing window that made operating my Birchwood Casey plate rack a breeze.

This pistol has a snug grip module that contains a tremendous stipple texture that’s grippy however not too aggressive. Controls are the identical as you’ll see on different Prodigy pistols, however I did discover that the ambidextrous thumb safeties appear higher match than these on the unique Prodigy I examined. These function crisply and when within the “fireplace” place, there may be virtually no squishiness or play within the security levers — one thing that the unique Prodigy had.

The Prodigy has a set off that, by striker-fired requirements, is nice, however it’s a bit stiff for a contest double-stack 9mm. Fortuitously, it’s appropriate with some aftermarket mods and choices to enhance it for those who want. 

Additionally like different fashions, the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp comes with two magazines: one 17-round and one 20-rounder, made by Duramag. The pistol can also be appropriate with the Staccato model and different 2011-style bottleneck magazines, however I didn’t expertise any malfunctions or points utilizing what got here with the gun.

Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp Capturing Efficiency

No information is nice information in terms of pistol reliability, and we’ve come to anticipate trendy handguns to be simply that. I examined this Prodigy (and others) with all common-weight bullets and several types of apply and defensive ammo. Every little thing from 115-grain steel-cased FMJ via 147-grain JHP and 100-grain Black Hills Honey Badger monolithics functioned with out incident.

For accuracy testing, I adopted our handgun protocol of averaging five-shot group sizes fired from 15 yards from a standing place, utilizing a bagged tripod for help. The Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp was surprisingly correct, averaging .907 inch teams utilizing Staccato match ammunition. For reference, a lot of the handguns we take a look at common between 1.5- and 2-inch group sizes at 15 yards. Beneath an inch is phenomenal. When operating via metal arrays, I might exactly hit 8- to 12-inch metal targets at 50 yards, and accuracy is definitely enough for A-zone hits at any sensible distance.

Closing Ideas on the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp

We’re at all times excited to see corporations add significant updates to their product strains — particularly after they’re carrying out what they got down to do. This pistol integrates a compensator that does efficiently enhance taking pictures efficiency, and does it at a reasonably minimal worth enhance. They’re simply hitting the market, however I’d suspect that avenue worth will settle at 100 or 200 bucks greater than the usual Prodigy. For shooters keen on competing with a 2011-style gun (or simply leisure taking pictures), this is a superb choice.