John Moses Browning and his 1911 are timeless examples of both.
His1911 set the bar of quality, innovation and accuracy.
That desire is John Brownings sweet, crisp single-action trigger.
With its polymer grip module, double-stack magazine and AOS system, the 1911 DS Prodigy is a robust and capable update to the proven 1911.
The Best of Both Worlds?
You may be asking what seems like the obvious question.
Why cant I have a 1911 with the same capacity of all these fancy polymer-framed guns?
With a shorter slide length than the 5″ model (top), the 1911 DS Prodigy 4.25″ (bottom) offers shooters a pistol that handles well and still packs indouble-stack capacity.
Well, Springfield Armory has answered that question in the form of the 1911 DS Prodigy pistol.
But more on that latter point in a moment.
An optional 26-round magazine is also offered.
Why can’t you have a 1911 with the same capacity of all these fancy polymer-framed guns? Actually, you can.
You may be wondering how a 1911 can accept a double-stack magazine in such a slim pistol.
If you know how to run a 1911, youll be right at home with the 1911 DS Prodigy.
Want to fit it out with a weaponlight?
Perfect for duty or competition, the Springfield Prodigy is an amazing pistol that offers the great features of the original 1911, but in ahigher-capacity form.
Then check out the strip of Picatinny rail on the steel receiver.
A truly cutting-edge enhancement to the Prodigy is optics-ready nature of the forged steel slide.
All the plates, including the included cover plate, feature an integral rear sight.
The Prodigy line is designed for use with optics, such as the HEX Dragonfly shown above.
A Touch Point
One of the most sought-after features on the 1911 design is the trigger.
Truly, the 1911 trigger has been the gold standard for more than a century.
So, that is a standard to which the Prodigy had to adhere.
A specially designed mounting system allows you to quickly and easily add a red dot sight to your new Prodigy pistol. Cover plate shown at right. Note integrated rear sights.
To my mind, the Prodigy trigger is the definition of precision.
This ensures not only accurate initial shots, but also quick and accurate follow-up shots.
While the barrel is stainless steel, the slide and receiver feature a rugged and attractiveblack Cerakote finish.
Providing exceptional accuracy and long life to the Prodigy is the match-grade bushingless bull barrel.
After your first shot, you will feel like shooting the Prodigy is just plain cheating.
The Prodigy gets some added style points for the skeletonized hammer and forward slide serrations.
The first time you shoot the Prodigy, you might be surprised at how far you can land accurate hits. In testing, shooters have reported hits at ranges up to 200 yards.
The Prodigy just looks like its ready for action.
Once outfitted with and optic and weaponlight, you just cant help but stare at the beautiful pistol.
But even my imagination couldnt prepare me for how these pistols felt in my hands.
Springfield Armory equipped the Prodigy with a wide range of features that customers ask for, such as a bull barrel and a mounting rail for accessories.
Everything feels extremely tight and smooth, and racking the slide feels like water running over glass.
The trigger is everything you would expect from a high-end 1911; it is tactile, tight and satisfying.
I immediately installed red dots optics,weaponlightsand the 20-round extended magazines into the pistols.
Understated elegance and knockout performance are two of the Prodigy pistol’s defining features.
Yea, definitely smitten with these Prodigy pistols.
For the holsters, I used Tier 1 Concealed OWB Optio and Centurion holsters.
I attached them via QLS to a True North Concepts drop leg modular mount.
The author found the Prodigy’s trigger to equal that of a high-end 1911 pistol: crisp and satisfying.
I felt like this was a perfect setup to accompany the Prodigy.
On the range, I was like a kid on his 16thbirthday getting keys to a new car.
The Prodigy just feels exceptional in your hands, and it begs to go fast.
Equipped with the EOTech EFLX reflex sight, the Prodigy is a modern marvel capable of delivering for the most demanding of shooters.
If youre not smiling after your first shots, you may not have a pulse.
After a full day and hundreds of rounds, I couldnt tell which pistol I preferred.
I loved the 20-round magazines and preferred them for these pistols.
The Prodigy’s reliability is impeccable and its accuracy proved exceptional. Springfield Armory delivered a thoroughly enjoyable shooting experience with this one.
They also just make the gun look fantastic.
Throughout the day I didnt experience any malfunctions with the magazines or the pistols.
Actuating the ambidextrous frame-mounted safety was intuitive and easy to remember.
The Prodigy feeds from (from left to right) 17-, 20- and26-round magazines.
I have medium-sized hands, so using my thumb for the slide lock was a bit of a reach.
Oh, and you might be surprised at the price, as well.
The polymer grip module offers a cavernous mouth for rapid reloads of thedouble-stack magazines.
