Springfield Armory has just released a new 1911 DS Prodigy model with a 3.5″ barrel upper on a full-size lower.
Springfield Armory has come a long way since the first Prodigy hit the market, and Springfield is still finding new ways to give the people what they want. This time, a 3.5” barrel upper on a full-size lower. Basically, a Prodigy G45. But instead of 17+1, this new Prodigy has an extra bullet up its sleeve using MecGar 18-round magazines.
While maybe not the most interesting release of the year, more options in the 2011-style pistol space are always nice to see. The Springfield Prodigy is without question one of the best dollar-for-value double-stack 1911s on the market. While they had a rough start, every Prodigy we’ve reviewed in the last few years has been rock solid on reliability and durable through thousands of rounds. This little 3.5” is no exception, having worked right out of the box with zero problems.
Featuring the same ambi-safety and Agency Arms optics cut as the other Prodigy models, this compact crossover version will feel very familiar if you’ve ever shot a Prodigy before. The shorter slide makes for a faster return and snappy recoil impulse, but not so much as to make the pistol difficult to shoot or unpleasant. If you want a shorter barrel and a shorter slide, it being faster and with some more snap is just how physics works.
The Springfield Prodigy is a great entry into the 2011 world. Durable, easy to shoot, easy to upgrade and customize, and doesn’t break the bank. If you’re looking for a carry version, this 3.5” model has a lot going for it. During everyday carry, the grip doesn’t get too in the way, and the pistol doesn’t feel too heavy. While definitely more noticeable than a G43x, shrinking the slide cuts a lot of weight from the gun while making for an easier and more comfortable carry setup. Concealing the grip will depend a little on your body and what you wear, but if you plan for it, concealing a full-size grip really isn’t hard.
We kept it pretty simple during the shooting portion of this review and opted not to add a red dot for once. The stock iron sights were zeroed out of the box and easy to use with a large dot front sight and a U-shaped rear sight. Optics are still the preferred method of carry, but sometimes it just feels like an irons day.
Shorter sight radius are technically less precise than longer ones, but the compact slide didn’t hinder us in getting A-zone hits out to 35 yards. Ideal for long range pistol shooting or bullseye shooting? No, but that’s also not what it’s designed for either.
The Agency Arms optic system is one of the best available and has plates for every optic you can name. Select the right one, and mount a red dot to get the most out of the Prodigy.
Overall, this gun didn’t surprise us. It’s exactly what you might expect from a 5th or 6th version entry of an existing and well-proven line. It’s a Prodigy with a compact slide and full-size grip. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does the job it is built for well and at a good price. What did surprise us was the move away from Springfield-branded 2011 magazines to using MecGar 18-round magazines. We asked Springfield why the change, but they didn’t shed any light and simply said that the MecGar mags would be the standard going forward.
We’ve only tried the two that came with this Prodigy, but both have worked great so far. MecGar is known for making mags for just about everyone and every platform, and for them being some of the best available. Time will tell if that extends to the 2011 platform.
For more information, visit springfield-armory.com.
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