Springfield Prodigy Compact: Examined and Reviewed

The Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is the newest of their line of common 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 provides the options that give the platform its mass enchantment. It’s received full-sized controls, comes optic prepared, and is probably the most probably versatile Prodigy pistol but. If you happen to’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 value contemplating.

Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5-inch Compact Specs

• 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: Lower 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, effective 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 pink dot optics
• Iron sights will co-witness by most optics
• Accuracy: 1.55 inches (common of six five-shot teams from 15 yards)

Overview Highlights

• Easy and dependable
• Correct
• Stable possibility for hid carry
• Thumb security match is tighter with much less play than early era 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 received 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 had been all full-sized pistols that had 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 provides a lot of the perks of the full-sized variations, however in a measurement that’s far more versatile. Its general size is diminished by almost an inch, and the grip is half an inch shorter.

1911 DS Prodigy Primer

The entire of the Springfield Prodigy collection shares most 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 characteristic a polymer grip module that attaches to a shortened body. Conventional 1911s normally have a stable body that extends all the way down to the underside of the grip, to which grip scales are hooked up.

Learn Subsequent: Greatest 2011 Pistols

The Prodigy usually resembles the Staccato P. It sports activities comparable options reminiscent of ambidextrous security levers, a beavertail grip security, skeletonized hammer, and optic mounting programs, but it surely’s not as refined and prices a couple of 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 are extra refined. 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 commonplace 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 effective stipple texturing as the unique prodigy, however this one accepts shorter 15-round magazines. It’s received 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 high to transition from double to single stack, identical 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 pink 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 pink 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 somewhat than Cerakoted carbon metal, which is a typical strategy 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 incorporates 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 offers loads of floor space on the spur for manipulation, however the diminished measurement is probably going vital 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 unfastened and mushy within the hearth place, they’re tight, inflexible, and well-fit. There’s numerous 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 once I disengaged it if I used to be holding it with a unfastened 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 interior 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 might 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 will probably rotate into place. It features properly although, and the Prodigy Compact has a fast, easy recoil cycle.

Taking pictures the Springfield Prodigy Compact

The Springfield Prodigy Compact is a nice and enjoyable pistol to shoot — remarkably totally different out of your common striker-fired pistol. It’s received 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, that 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 Customized Firehawk. I shot the pistol shortly and with good accuracy, however usually received tripped up by the set off when making an attempt to go actually quick in a Invoice Drill.

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

I topped the Prodigy Compact with a Trijicon RMR and alternated taking pictures with my Staccato CS, utilizing it as some extent of reference. The CS is a costlier 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 internet 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 taking pictures 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 outfitted for quite a lot of pink dot optics
• Compact and appropriate for hid carry
• Works for competitors
• Correct and simple to shoot properly

Cons

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

Remaining Ideas

The Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Compact is an efficient addition to the lineup. For the shooter who’s serious about 2011-style pistols, however needs one thing that’s practical to hold, that is the very best one presently available on the market. It’s easy, dependable, and correct sufficient for sensible taking pictures 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 excellent entry level to the world of excessive efficiency double-stack 1911s.