February 2nd, 2023
28:47 runtime
Itypically dont get too excited about new handguns these days.
Maybe Ive tested too many.
Maybe Im just getting a bit jaded.
Paul Carlson decided to put the new 1911 DS Prodigy through a grueling 10,000-round torture test. How did it do?
In fact, the Prodigy had my attention as soon as I found out it was in development.
Needless to say, I asked if I could get one for testing as soon as it was available.
(Be sure to see thefirst look here.)
True Shot supplied the author with the ammunition for the test. The PMC Bronze 115-gr. 9mm was flawless, as was True Shot’s service.
Lets back up a little bit, first.
In case you are not familiar with it, the 1911 DS Prodigy is a double-stack 9mm 1911.
In fact, the DS in the name stands for double-stack.
The smooth-shooting Prodigy ships with one flush-fitting 17-round and one 20-round extended magazine. Optional 26-round magazines (shown) are also available.
But while looking good is one thing, the real question is, does it run?
In my mind, there was only one way to find out.
The gun needed to be shot.
A True Prodigy
The 1911 DS Prodigy is first and foremost a 1911.
If you know how to spin up the 1911, youll be right at home with the Prodigy.
The slide is forged carbon steel with a rich and durable black Cerakote finish for protection.
The author found that the Prodigy is a real shooter, and easily held 1.5″ groups at 15 yards offhand with a variety of ammunition.
The slide features both rear and forward cocking serrations.
The barrel is a hammer-forged, stainless steel bushingless bull barrel that looks great and shoots even better.
The barrel is supported by a full-length, two-piece guide rod.
If a single-action is your pistol of choice, the Prodigy is as good as they come. Springfield’s 1911 DS Prodigy is equally at home on the range, in competition or on duty.
The sight system of the pistol consists of a u-shaped rear notch and a high-visibility fiber optic front.
With these, the rear sight is an integral part of the mounting plate.
There is no need for taller sights to sight through the optic.
The Prodigy’s double-stack magazines are very reliable, and give the pistol capacity above and beyond the traditional 1911.
A selection of additional plates for a wide range of optics is available from the Springfield Armory Storehere.
When it comes to the frame, this is where the Prodigy departs most obviously from its 1911 heritage.
The pistols come with one flush-fit 17-round mag and one extended 20-rounder.
Optional 26-round magazines are also available.
At the forward portion of the steel receiver is an extended dustcover with a strip of Picatinny rail.
But the original question still stands: Does it run?
The ammunition for the test was generously supplied byTrue Shot Gun Club.
All the ammo was PMC Bronze, 115-gr.
Over the course of several weeks, I shot the test in 250-round segments.
I also checked to see to it the gun was adequately lubricated.
In most instances, the gun was still well-lubed.
Occasionally, I added a drop or two of oil to the barrel and the rails.
At every 500-round mark, the pistol was cleaned.
To be honest, I wasnt super consistent on the cleaning procedure.
Every 1,500 rounds, the gun was fieldstripped and received a more thorough cleaning.
After each cleaning, the gun was lubed, making sure all important parts had appropriate lubrication.
I paid particular attention to the barrel locking lugs and the rails.
At no time was the gun detail-stripped for cleaning or inspection.
I like to shoot guns much more than I like maintaining them!
The high rate of fire I maintained during the test created a significant amount of heat.
I was typically firing each 250-round segment in four to six minutes.
The result was a gun that was literally too hot to handle at points.
Over time, the heat melted a portion of the fiber optic tube.
Howd It Do?
This is the real question regarding this pistol as far as Im concerned.
Reliability is the foundation for any serious handgun.
The fact of the matter is the gun just ran.
Although this test was made up of very long shooting sessions, it was always a pleasure to run.
It was an absolute pleasure to shoot from start to finish.
I would be confident in using this gun after the test without any concern.
In addition to its impressive reliability, the Prodigy performed extremely well as a shooter.
The gun weighs in at 33 oz.
This made for an extremely pleasant recoil impulse.
More importantly, this gun tracked extremely well and returned to the point of aim quickly after recoil.
Also, the bright fiber optic front sight made it easy to track the front sight during recoil.
Rapid follow-up shots were a breeze again and again with this gun.
While shooting strong-hand-only, I had one round fail to chamber at roughly the 2,750 round mark.
I cant blame the gun for this malfunction.
I am very confident that shooter-error induced this malfunction.
In fact, I tap/racked it to clear it and the gun immediately ran again.
This is especially true when you consider the fact my daily shooting sessions were typically 1,500 rapid-fire rounds.
But all of this is secondary to the guns reliability.
This gun was comfortable in my hand while shooting with both hands, strong-hand-only, or off-hand.
The Prodigy is much more accurate than I am, and rapid follow-up shots were easy.
The recoil of this double-stack is a breeze to handle.
I never tired of firing 9mm in this full-size pistol all 10,000 rounds.
This one is a proven performer!
