Review: Springfield Prodigy Full-Size and Commander

The full-size version is ready to rumble through stages at match competitions, but the more compact 4.25-inch Prodigy takes concealed carry to a whole new level of 1911 performance. Not only is the full-size version ready to rumble through stages at match competitions, but the more compact 4.25-inch Prodigy takes concealed carry to a whole new level of 1911 performance.Springfield Armory’s DS Prodigy is a 2011-style pistol (double-stack 1911) that is not only fast shooting and accurate but affordable. The author reviews the full-size 5 inch with open sights, and the Commander-sized 4 25-inch model with a RED-DOT sight. A 1911-style platform, minus the grip, is what an authentic 2011 is. A polymer grip module is bolted onto the steel frame in order to accommodate the thicker double-stack magazines. By comparison, the standard 1911 platform uses a single-stack mag, and the grip is integral to the frame.This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest 2024, 78th Edition, available now at GunDigestStore.com.The sole purpose of double-stack 2011s was and still is to shoot fast and accurately at steel or cardboard targets. These are high-performance race guns that cost so much you may have to sell your organ. Springfield Armory’s new Prodigy line allows shooters to buy a 9mm Double-Stack for a lot cheaper, so they can keep their kidney. Each 1911 DS (DS is for Double Stack), pistol uses a steel frame and slide, which includes the slide rails and the recoilspring inside the dustcover. The polymer module is bolted to this. The polymer grip module is integrated seamlessly with the steel components. The grip is thicker than a standard 1911, but it feels thinner than some double-stack grips that are fired by a striker. The texture of the grip is similar to fine sandpaper. The pistol felt good in my hand. The pistols have a bushingless bull barrel with a flared muzzle that mates with the slide. The integral feed ramp ensures that 9mm cartridges are fed smoothly and reliably. The case is fully supported. It requires a hex key to disassemble, just like other Springfield Armory barrel models (Springfield provides the tool). The slide is shaped in a dome and has coarse slide serrations on both sides. This provides plenty of grip to rack the slide for a press check. The slide fits tightly to the frame with no wiggle. When I racked the slide or did a press-check, I found out how smooth and slick this was to manipulate. The Prodigy comes with a two-piece rod that functions like a full length rod. The second piece is threaded at the end of the back half, which is similar to a GI length rod. It allows for a smoother recoil. The sights are another feature that brings the pistol into the 21st Century. The front sight post has a green fiber tube and is dovetailed into the slide. This makes the front sight stand out when aiming. The rear sight is flush against the rear of slide and serrated for glare reduction. It has a U notch groove. It may not seem very innovative, but Springfield partnered up with Agency Arms to create an interchangeable system of optics plates. The rear sight is a part of the optical plate. The plate is half-dovetailed to the slide. This means that it takes the recoil force rather than the screws that hold the optic to gun. The pistols have a Trijicon RMR-footprint optics adapter plate, popular with several other red-dot sight manufacturers.Springfield partnered with Agency Arms to develop an interchangeable optics plate system on the DS pistols, and the rear sight is part of the optics plate.Controls consist of an extended ambidextrous thumb safety that crisply clicks on and off. The slide stop is recessed into the dustcover and can be used as a thumb rest for your support hand. The magazine release button has been serrated and extended slightly to make reloading a little faster. The aluminum trigger has three holes and a serrated, curved face. It is adjustable for overtravel. The polymer grip module guides and smooths the trigger to make the rearward press. The grip safety is equipped with a speed bump that’s not too steep and an upswept beavertail to protect hands from getting bitten by the hammer or slide. DuraMag is used by Springfield to manufacture the 17-round and 20-round extended magazines. Springfield also offers 26-rounders. The magazine tube and floor plate are made of steel. The flush fit magazine has three witness holes at 5, 10 and 17 rounds. The 20-round extended mag has an Springfield Prodigy magazines work in Staccato p guns and vice versa. Notice how the magazine This taper allows for a fast and smooth reload. My function testing included both the Springfield Prodig Both guns can be ordered with iron sights, optics or a red dot factory mounted by Springfield Hex On the 5-inch Prodigy, I used iron sights; on the 4.25 inch model, I mounted the I started by speed shooting Failure to Stop or the Mozambique drills on plain cardboard IPSC/US The recoil in the 4.25-inch version was soft and the weight of the pistol allows you to stay The recoil on the 5-inch gun wasn’t as soft, but was still easy for me to control These handguns are forgiving and make you a better shooter. I’ve shot many compact and full-size pistols with striker-fire, so the grip of the The trigger was different, but in a positive way. The trigger broke at an average of 5.3 pounds. Both models had a slight takeup until I hit the Could the pull-weight be improved? Sure. I’m a bit hypercritical, but I do want a clean 3.5- 4 pound trigger The trigger reset is quick, allowing for quicker follow-up shots. The 4.25-inch barreled The Crimson Trace red dot optic allows for precision shots. I shouldn’t complain about trigger pull A red-dot optical provides a distinct edge in accuracy. My best groups were 1.1 inches and.97 inch, respectively, according to the data from Remington H It was a rest that I used, but when shooting offhand, the holes were easily clustered in It liked the Federal American Eagle ammunition, which was inexpensive. My best group was.7 inches. I could easily see myself carrying the Springfield Prodigy 4,25-inch in an EDC. The Springfield Prodigy 4.25-inch is a bit heavier, but it’s manageable with The sights make it easy to find the target, and soft recoil allows for faster shots. The big version liked the inexpensive 115 grain training ammo by Winchester and Federal. I got a The 5-inch model made me feel like I was cheating when I shot the Mozambique Drill. The heavy pistol chugged along, begging me to hit the go switch quicker. Both pistols ran extremely No issues were encountered. The Prodigy is an extremely fast-shooting gun with a great trigger These pistols are made to be fired fast and hard. Springfield has a couple of winners here that offer superb value and performance for the price.Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy 5” Specs:Caliber: 9mmAction Type: Semi-auto, short-recoil-operated, SAO triggerOverall Length: 8.5 inchesOverall Height: 5.5 inchesMaximum Width: 1.2 inchesWeight Unloaded: 33 ouncesBarrel: 5 inches, forged stainless steel, match grade, bullFrame Finish/Material: Matte black Cerakote/steelSlide Finish/Material: Matte black Cerakote/steelGrip: Textured polymerMagazine: 17+1 and 20+1Sights: Green fiber-optic front, black serrated U-notch rearMSRP: $1,499Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy 4.25” Specs:Caliber: 9mmAction Type: Semi-auto, short-recoil-operated, SAO triggerOverall Length: 7.8 inchesOverall Height: 5.5 inchesMaximum Width: 1.2 inchesWeight Unloaded: 32.5 ouncesBarrel: 4.25 inches, forged stainless steel, match grade, bullFrame Finish/Material: Matte black Cerakote/steelSlide Finish/Material: Matte black Cerakote/steelGrip: Textured polymerMagazine: 17+1 and 20+1Sights: Green fiber-optic front, black serrated U-notch rearMSRP: $1,499Website: springfield-armory.comEditor’s Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest 2024, 78th edition.More Handgun Reviews:Enhance your shooting precision with our 62 MOA Targets, perfect for rifles and handguns. Crafted in collaboration with Storm Tactical for accuracy and versatility.Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and get your downloadable target pack sent straight to your inbox. Stay up to date with the latest information on firearms.