Springfield Prodigy Compact: Examined and Reviewed

The Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is the most recent of their line of in style polymer-grip double-stack 9mm 1911 pistols. Springfield was one of many first to mass produce a sub-$2,000 2011-style pistol, and the unique Prodigy was wildly profitable. This new compact mannequin is sized for hid carry, however nonetheless gives the options that give the platform its mass enchantment. It’s bought full-sized controls, comes optic prepared, and is probably the most probably versatile Prodigy pistol but. In case you’re on the lookout for an entry-level 2011-style pistol that may double as an EDC carry gun, then the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is value contemplating.

Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5-inch Compact Specs

See It

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capability: 15+1
• Motion: Single-action, hammer-fired
• Barrel: 3.5-inch, bull profile, chrome steel
• Dimensions:  inches 7 inches (L) x 5.1 inches (H) x 1.28 inches (W)
• Weight: 28.9 ounces (with empty 15-round journal and no optic) (measured)
• Body: 7075 T-6 Aluminum
• Slide: Carbon metal, cast
• Optics: Minimize for optic, makes use of Company Optics System (AOS) plates
• Controls: Proper-handed slide cease, magazine catch, ambidextrous security levers
• End: Black Cerakote
• Grip: Polymer grip module, fantastic stipple texture
• Sights: Tall, tritium/white-dot entrance, serrated black “U-notch” rear (drift adjustable
• Set off: Aluminum, single-action, curved shoe, 4 kilos, 12 ounces (measured)
• MSRP: $1,549

Key Options

• Compact size 3.5-inch bull barrel
• Shortened grip module designed for 15-round magazines
• AOS adapter plates permit use of quite a lot of purple dot optics
• Iron sights will co-witness by means of most optics
• Accuracy: 1.55 inches (common of six five-shot teams from 15 yards)

Evaluate Highlights

• Clean and dependable
• Correct
• Strong possibility for hid carry
• Thumb security match is tighter with much less play than early technology Prodigy pistols
• Good worth for a 2011-style pistol
• Some sharp edges on the grip

The Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact: A Extra Versatile Prodigy

The brand new Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is probably the most vital replace the road has seen since its introduction again in 2022. Initially, the Prodigy was launched in 4.25- and 5-inch variations and early testers encountered some journal and feeding points. That was all resolved by the point I bought my first pattern, which I proved by firing greater than 1,000 rounds. It was dependable and correct. So was the compensated variant, the Prodigy Comp, that we featured in our gun take a look at in 2024. 

Earlier 1911 DS Prodigy fashions have been all full-sized pistols that have been nice for competitors, a bedside handgun,  or for the entry-level 2011 fanatic, however they’re too massive to be good concealed-carry weapons. The brand new 3.5-inch-barreled Prodigy Compact gives a lot of the perks of the full-sized variations, however in a dimension that’s far more versatile. Its general size is lowered by almost an inch, and the grip is half an inch shorter.

1911 DS Prodigy Primer

The entire of the Springfield Prodigy sequence shares lots of the identical design options. For a deeper dive on these, take a look at my overview of the unique 1911 DS Prodigy. Like different fashions, the Springfield Prodigy Compact is usually known as a 2011-style pistol. The time period “2011” is trademarked by Staccato 2011, previously STI, which focuses on double-stack 1911s just like the Staccato P. There have been double-stack 1911 pistols for many years, so what’s new? Primarily, 2011-style pistols are distinctive in that they function a polymer grip module that attaches to a shortened body. Conventional 1911s normally have a strong body that extends right down to the underside of the grip, to which grip scales are connected.

Learn Subsequent: Finest 2011 Pistols

The Prodigy typically resembles the Staccato P. It sports activities related options equivalent to ambidextrous security levers, a beavertail grip security, skeletonized hammer, and optic mounting methods, but it surely’s not as refined and prices a few thousand {dollars} much less. As an entry-level 2011-style pistol, the Prodigy is an effective purchase, delivering easy, easy-to-shoot efficiency that has caught on with many shooters.

The New 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5-inch Compact: What’s New

The Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact has two apparent new options — a shorter barrel and grip module — and others which can be extra delicate. The cut-down dimensions assist the pistol obtain its compact standing. The polymer grip module was shortened, and the three.5-inch bull barrel leads to an general size extra much like customary compact handguns just like the Glock G19. It’s the identical general size, however the grip is about half an inch longer than the G19. 

The shortened grip module makes use of the identical fantastic stipple texturing as the unique prodigy, however this one accepts shorter 15-round magazines. It’s bought loads of actual property for establishing a correct grip. Although the grip is shorter than the unique Prodigy, it has the identical width and depth as the unique. As with that pistol, I believe these dimensions will work higher for shooters with bigger arms. These with smaller mitts may discover the grip a contact bigger than very best.

The pistol comes with two mags, made by Duramag, but it surely’s additionally suitable with the usual 17-round and bigger Duramag magazines, in addition to Staccato model 2011 magazines. Magazines are are bottlenecked on the prime to transition from double to single stack, similar to the upper capability ones.

Sights

The sights on the Prodigy Compact look similar to these on different fashions, however the place earlier Prodigy pistols have featured fiber-optic entrance sights, this one has a white-dot tritium night time entrance put up.. This mannequin comes with a contoured cowl plate that features a serrated black U-notch rear, however makes use of interchangeable AOS plates which settle for quite a lot of purple dot optics, together with Defend, Delta Level, RMR, Holosun, Vortex, and others. Every optic plate has a built-in rear sight much like what comes on the gun. Like different Prodigy fashions, sights are tall sufficient to co-witness with a purple dot.

Body and Beavertail

A key distinction between this and former Prodigy fashions is that the body of the compact mannequin is billet 7075-T6 anodized aluminum moderately than Cerakoted carbon metal, which is a typical approach to take weight out of a pistol. Weapons just like the Staccato P can be found in both aluminum or metal, and the compact Staccato CS each have aluminum frames. The slide continues to be cast carbon metal, and the slide to border match is splendidly tight with hardly any perceivable play or slop.

The mud cowl on the Prodigy compact is barely shorter than different fashions, the entrance is beveled to match the machined contour of the slide meeting, and it encompasses a two-slot rail, whereas different fashions have both one- or five-slot rails. On the rear, the beavertail is barely bobbed and squared off to scale back general size, and the hammer is a little more compact than on earlier prodigy fashions. It nonetheless supplies loads of floor space on the spur for manipulation, however the lowered dimension is probably going crucial to suit into the groove on the shortened beavertail within the cocked place.

I seen that the ambidextrous security levers have been dramatically improved over the unique Prodigy. The place they was once free and mushy within the hearth place, they’re tight, inflexible, and well-fit. There’s quite a lot of actual property on the thumb pads of the protection levers, and it’s simple to control them each right- and left-handed. The security lever would pinch the net of my hand after I disengaged it if I used to be holding it with a free grip, but it surely by no means bothered my proper. It wasn’t a difficulty when holding the grip tightly.

Recoil System

The recoil system of the Springfield Prodigy Compact has been up to date too. It makes use of a twin guide-rod design with the internal information rod being full-length. The unique Prodigy employed a single full-length two-piece information rod. That one needed to be disassembled to take away it from the slide meeting. This one could be eliminated and put in with out doing that. It resembles the Dawson Precision twin recoil spring system on the Staccato CS, however is a bit much less refined and person pleasant. This information rod is hard to take away and set up the primary few instances. It requires you to tug the outer information rod sleeve to the rear, compressing the spring so it might rotate into place. It capabilities nicely although, and the Prodigy Compact has a fast, easy recoil cycle.

Capturing the Springfield Prodigy Compact

The Springfield Prodigy Compact is a pleasing and enjoyable pistol to shoot — remarkably completely different out of your common striker-fired pistol. It’s bought a superb set off — just below 5 kilos — that isn’t too heavy. It has a little bit of takeup with a crisp break and little overtravel. The reset is a bit gentle, that means the set off doesn’t snap again robustly with a definite click on once you launch it, and it’s exhausting to shoot with the blistering velocity of a finely-tuned 1911 like a Nighthawk Customized Firehawk. I shot the pistol rapidly and with good accuracy, however often bought tripped up by the set off when attempting to go actually quick in a Invoice Drill.

By means of testing, I put greater than 500 rounds by means of the Prodigy Compact whereas testing, and didn’t have a single malfunction. I used each ball and jacketed hole level defensive ammo, and every little thing cycled, fired, and ejected completely.

I topped the Prodigy Compact with a Trijicon RMR and alternated capturing with my Staccato CS, utilizing it as a degree of reference. The CS is a dearer 2011 pistol with a extra fashionable journal design that holds 15 rounds too. The Prodigy was understandably not fairly as nimble and refined because the CS and, like earlier Prodigy fashions, the again edges of the protection levers are a bit sharp on the net of the hand. In comparison with the lower-priced 2011-style pistols just like the Turkish MAC 9 DS, The compact Prodigy is a step up.

For accuracy, I examined the 1911 DS Prodigy Compact by capturing five-shot teams from 15 yards from a bag-supported standing place. I additionally fired supplementary teams at 25 yards, utilizing 136-grain Staccato Match ammo for all accuracy testing.

15-Yard Accuracy Common: 1.55 inches (six teams)

25-Yard Accuracy Common: 2.21 inches (4 teams)

Professionals and Cons

Professionals

• Inexpensive for a 2011-style pistol
• Comes geared up for quite a lot of purple dot optics
• Compact and appropriate for hid carry
• Works for competitors
• Correct and straightforward to shoot nicely

Cons

• Grip is just a little massive for shooters with small arms, despite the fact that it’s a compact pistol
• Not as refined as some dearer 2011-style weapons.

Ultimate Ideas

The Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is an effective addition to the lineup. For the shooter who’s concerned about 2011-style pistols, however desires one thing that’s lifelike to hold, that is one of the best one at present in the marketplace. It’s easy, dependable, and correct sufficient for sensible capturing competitors, however versatile sufficient to be your all-around basic use pistol. At round $1,500, the Prodigy Compact is an effective worth and an ideal entry level to the world of excessive efficiency double-stack 1911s.