Springfield Prodigy Compact: Tested and Reviewed

The Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is the newest of their line of fashionable 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 acquired full-sized controls, comes optic prepared, and is probably the most doubtlessly versatile Prodigy pistol but. When you’re in search of an entry-level 2011-style pistol that may double as an EDC carry gun, then the Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is price 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, stainless-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, superb 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 a wide range 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

• Easy 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 acquired 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 check 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 giant to be good concealed-carry guns. The brand new 3.5-inch-barreled Prodigy Compact gives a lot of the perks of the full-sized variations, however in a measurement that’s rather more versatile. Its total size is decreased 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, try my review of the original 1911 DS Prodigy. Like different fashions, the Springfield Prodigy Compact is often 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 characteristic a polymer grip module that attaches to a shortened body. Conventional 1911s often have a stable body that extends right down to the underside of the grip, to which grip scales are connected.

Learn Subsequent: Best 2011 Pistols

The Prodigy typically resembles the Staccato P. It sports activities comparable options corresponding to ambidextrous security levers, a beavertail grip security, skeletonized hammer, and optic mounting methods, however it’s not as refined and prices a few thousand {dollars} much less. As an entry-level 2011-style pistol, the Prodigy is an efficient 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 ends in an total size extra much like normal compact handguns just like the Glock G19. It’s the identical total size, however the grip is about half an inch longer than the G19. 

The shortened grip module makes use of the identical superb stipple texturing as the unique prodigy, however this one accepts shorter 15-round magazines. It’s acquired 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 feel these dimensions will work higher for shooters with bigger palms. These with smaller mitts may discover the grip a contact bigger than very best.

The pistol comes with two mags, made by Duramag, however it’s additionally suitable with the usual 17-round and bigger Duramag magazines, in addition to Staccato brand 2011 magazines. Magazines are are bottlenecked on the high 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 publish.. 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 a wide range 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 slightly than Cerakoted carbon metal, which is a typical method 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 remains 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 contains 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 total size, and the hammer is a little more compact than on earlier prodigy fashions. It nonetheless offers loads of floor space on the spur for manipulation, however the decreased measurement is probably going mandatory 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 may be numerous actual property on the thumb pads of the protection levers, and it’s simple to govern 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, however it by no means bothered my proper. It wasn’t a problem 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 inside 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 may 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 consumer pleasant. This information rod is difficult 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 may well rotate into place. It features nicely although, and the Prodigy Compact has a fast, easy recoil cycle.

Taking pictures 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 acquired 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 tender, which means the set off doesn’t snap again robustly with a definite click on while you launch it, and it’s arduous to shoot with the blistering pace of a finely-tuned 1911 like a Nighthawk Custom Firehawk. I shot the pistol rapidly and with good accuracy, however repeatedly acquired tripped up by the set off when attempting to go actually quick in a Bill Drill.

Via 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 all the things 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 position. 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 a wide range of purple dot optics
• Compact and appropriate for hid carry
• Works for competitors
• Correct and simple to shoot nicely

Cons

• Grip is a little bit giant for shooters with small palms, although it’s a compact pistol
• Not as refined as some dearer 2011-style weapons.

Remaining Ideas

The Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is an efficient addition to the lineup. For the shooter who’s excited about 2011-style pistols, however desires one thing that’s lifelike to hold, that is the very best one presently available on the market. 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 efficient worth and an awesome entry level to the world of excessive efficiency double-stack 1911s.