I prefer to assume I’m resistant to promoting, or no less than most promoting. I spotted that I’m not immune, as my curiosity in double-stack 1911s (DS 1911) grew. The gun trade has been hit laborious by the DS 1911 bug. These weapons have been round for fairly a while, however till not too long ago, the market was seemingly small. That’s modified, the market exploded, and now now we have double-stack 1911-style pistols at each value level. This contains Springfield’s entry into the market with the Prodigy sequence.
The Prodigy isn’t a budget-grade firearm, nevertheless it gives a mid-price level entry for individuals who are DS 1911-curious. The Prodigy retails for lower than 1,500 {dollars} on the web. Nevertheless, comps and added optics may shift that value level. Springfield has launched the usual full-sized 5-inch mannequin, a extra compact 4.25-inch mannequin, and a carryable 3.5-inch mannequin.
This isn’t my Prodigy; it’s borrowed for the assessment, however I’m unhappy to offer it again to its rightful proprietor. I assume the DS 1911 bug has not simply bitten me, I’ve dived headfirst into it.
The Springfield Prodigy sequence is a single-action-only handgun that includes a double-stack journal. The Prodigy sequence makes use of a polymer grip module with a metal body to attain that true 2011-style design. The Prodigy sequence makes use of 2011 components and parts, making upgrades and customization simple.
The gun got here with a 17 and 20-round journal and is simply obtainable in 9mm. The Prodigy is optics-ready and makes use of a plate system developed by each Company Arms and Springfield. The plate integrated a rear sight, so when you do take away the rear sight, you don’t lose it.
The Prodigy comes with large cabinets which are disguised as safeties. The Beavertail grip security has a pleasant expanded beavertail for excessive grip on the gun. The grip is closely textured, and whereas thick, I didn’t have an issue getting a hand across the gun for optimum management.
The Prodigy comes with an adjunct rail for lights, lasers, cupholders, and no matter else you wish to connect. The set off and hammer are each skeletonized. The gun makes use of a five-inch bull barrel for elevated accuracy. Out of the field, it feels and appears like an superior pistol. After placing in some devoted dry hearth reps, I used to be excited to hit the vary and see what me and the gun may do.
To The Vary With the Prodigy
Once I do these opinions, I attempt to make the ammo helpful for my coaching functions. I’ve spent numerous time with rifles and shotguns these days and have ignored my handgun abilities. I used my time with the Prodigy to apply a wide range of primary taking pictures abilities. I used the ammo and time to work lots on my draw.
The fats backside Prodigy makes it simple to get a grip and get the gun into motion. My draw drill was at seven yards with a 4-inch goal. I labored and practiced and obtained my draw all the way down to 1.29 seconds from an energetic retention holster. When taking pictures the Prodigy, I instantly seen the sunshine recoil and fast reset of the slide.
The slide snaps proper again in place, and I may watch that massive inexperienced sight all through its whole motion. It’s not snappy, and the large grip dissipates recoil into your hand nicely. I had an extended day of taking pictures deliberate, and my palms by no means obtained drained. The Adaptive Grip Texture sticks to your hand and clings to you nicely.
The gun’s prolonged beavertail permits for a excessive maintain on the gun, and the set off guard additionally options an undercut for a excessive grip on the gun. It’s snug and permits you to get good recoil management. This was a giant focus of my coaching, getting grip with each draw, and the Prodigy allowed it, so long as I didn’t screw it up.
Going Quick
Controlling the gun to longer strings of fireplace proved simple. I did Invoice Drill from the holster and was hitting round 2.5 seconds with each spherical within the A-Zone. I’m always looking for to be quicker, and whereas I’ve ever damaged the two-second mark as soon as, I feel a while with the Prodigy would enable me to do it once more.
Opening up that set off allowed me to understand the single-action design. It went quick and desires to go quick. Let’s be actual, going quick is half the enjoyable of taking pictures. Having a gun that responds nicely to going quick permits you to embrace that enjoyable with out solely turning ammo into noise. Dropping fast double-taps with the rounds almost touching is all the time satisfying to see.
Capturing Straight
The massive sights are simple to see, and the large inexperienced entrance sight is simple to trace. At 50 yards, I had no issues participating man-sized targets and holding the rounds centered principally within the chest and decrease abdomen. At 25 yards, I may land headshots at that very same goal with some managed apply.
I arrange an 8-inch shoot and shot the goal at 25 yards and landed all 5 pictures on track, with two touching. They had been somewhat low and to the left, however I’ll take it. The Prodigy undoubtedly outshoots me.
The controls are improbable. I may simply disable the security as I drew the gun and clicked it again in place after I used to be completed firing. Whereas firing, it’s an amazing shelf to relaxation your thumb and assist management recoil.
The journal launch is massive and stands proud from the body for a simple press and fast reloads. My fundamental criticism is that the slide lock is somewhat small and blends into the slide, making it robust to hit. Slingshotting tends to work somewhat simpler on the fly for me.
What About Reliability?
I noticed the studies of the Prodigy having some failures when it was first launched a number of years in the past. I used to be looking out for this and introduced out a mixture of brass and steel-cased ammo. FMJs had been primarily used, however I additionally introduced out some 115-grain Remington JHPs. All of it carried out with no downside. I had no notable failures over 500 rounds and a few change.
The one downside I had was with the 21-round journal. It will usually fail to lock the slide open when the final spherical is fired. I can press it up from the underside, and it will lock the slide, however with out that strain, it wasn’t occurring. This downside didn’t happen with the 17-round journal.
Reside Stock Worth Checker
The DS 1911 Bug
The Springfield Prodigy performs admirably. It’s a ton of enjoyable to shoot, and I’m beginning to perceive why the DS 1911 market is rising a lot. It’s snug, simple to shoot, correct, and brings you that M1911 set off with a complete lot extra ammo. You’ll be able to’t beat that.
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms fanatic, and now a daily man who likes to shoot, write, and discover methods to mix the 2. He holds an NRA certification as a Primary Pistol Teacher and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s teacher.
