Springfield’s 1911 DS Prodigy Comp Is A Double Stack Winner

This Single Action, High-Capacity 9mm Exterminates Muzzle Rise

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When Springfield Armory launched its 1911 DS Prodigy pistol a couple of years ago, it was a huge success. The double-stack 9mm, which came with either a 5- or 4 1/4-inch barrel, was optics-ready out of the gate with an impressive 17- and 20-round magazine capacity. In July, a new member joined the family: the DS Prodigy Comp AOS 9mm with an integrally compensated barrel and slide designed to reduce muzzle rise for faster, more precise follow-up shots. 

The Prodigy Comp takes Springfield's proven 1911 platform and enhances it with double-stack capacity and a performance-driven feature set. Reconfigured around that double-stack 9mm mag, the polymer grip module mounts to a forged steel frame, offering a 17-round capacity with flush-fit mags, and a 20-round capacity with extended mags. Like the regular Prodigy, the new Prodigy Comp comes with either a 4 1/4 bull barrel on the compact model or a 5-inch bull barrel on the full-size model.  

The AOS-compatible slide (Agency Optic System) employs plates that will fit the most popular red-dot pistol sights on the market, while a Picatinny rail is ready to accept today's most popular accessories. The Prodigy Comp combines the most beloved characteristics of the 1911, like a crisp single-action trigger, with a modern capacity for unrivaled performance.

The gun is built around solid components: the bull barrels are crafted from forged stainless steel for match-grade accuracy. The integral compensator cut into the barrel and the slide is what makes this model different, and it's a welcome addition, for sure.

The integral compensator on the Prodigy Comp is discreetly designed: it consists of a single large port on the top of the hammer-forged slide and barrel. By redirecting gas upwards when firing a round, the port reduces muzzle rise and enhances control allowing for faster and more accurate follow-up shots. Additionally, the tritium front sight is positioned behind the compensator to ensure an uninterrupted sight picture. 

Springfield 1911 Prodigy Comp Field Test

I received the more compact 1911 DS Prodigy Comp model with the 4.25-inch barrel for review and testing. In short, it’s a winner. 

The large, beveled magwell allows for quick reloading, and I found the molded-in stippling to be comfortable while still providing a solid grip. 

The trigger on this pistol is very nice and has almost zero play. The black, three-hole skeletonized trigger has a curved, serrated face and broke at about 4 pounds, and that break was firm with little overtravel and a clean reset. 

The ambidextrous thumb safety is well-placed and works in concert with an extended grip safety that features a memory pad. The fit and finish were good, and the pistol presented a very high-end custom feel. 

While I knew the original Prodigy well, this new version needed some range time. The gun arrived complete with a Vortex Defender ST micro red-dot optic, of which I am a big fan. The glass is crystal clear, and it features 10 brightness settings with a 3- or 6-MOA daylight bright dot. The Defender makes it easy to identify and acquire targets regardless of lighting conditions or background. 

When it came to operating the pistol, the flared magwell was robust and worked well to usher those high-capacity mags into the grip, and the solid serrations in the rear of the slide made racking the slide a breeze. 

The gun sat well in my hands and at speed, the gun performed very well. It was fast and very flat shooting. While I would not classify the Prodigy as heavy, with its steel frame it’s a breath heavier than other guns in its class. This bit of additional heft contributes to recoil management and reduces muzzle rise along with the integral compensator, which pretty much eliminates muzzle rise completely.  

There are a number of integrally compensated pistols on the market these days, but Springfield has found the magic sauce with this design. It made shooting fast and easy. While I used the Vortex for my range test, Springfield's U-Dot sights would serve you quite well with no optic installed. In my experience, these sights work exceptionally well for fast acquisition and precision aiming. 

After Range Report

While it is difficult to quantify, the gun simply felt good in my hands. It has a somber, all-about-business feel to it. As I mentioned, it feels like a very high-end pistol, yet Springfield has it priced very competitively at $1,599.  

At the end of the day, the pile of brass said it was time to wrap up. While not a durability test by any stretch, the 500 rounds I put through the gun all ran without issue and had zero malfunctions. 

I would be hard-pressed to say which ammo performed best, but 115-grain Hornady seemed to have the best feel. Short of running junk, I don't think this gun will ever be ammo-sensitive.

Springfield has indeed improved on the Prodigy with the new 1911 Prodigy Comp: I was a fan of the original and now I have a new love affair with the comp model. 

If you want to get into the double-stack 1911 world but don't want to break the bank, look long and hard at the new Prodigy Comp. It is a lot of gun for the money.

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp Specifications:

Caliber: 9mm
Color: Black Cerakote
Barrel: 4.25-inch bull barrel or 5-inch bull barrel
Slide: Forged Carbon Steel
Frame: Forged Carbon Steel
Recoil: 2 Piece Full-Length Guide Rod
Grips: Polymer
Height: 5.5-inches
Overall Length: 7.8 inches
MSRP: $1,599