Springfield Armory dropped a surprise on us some time back, announcing their take on the “1911 DS,” a polymer-subframe 1911 with a double-stack magazine. Originally supplied in full-length (5” or “Government”) and 4 ¼” (full frame, shortened barrel and slide, “Commander-“ style), the gun was a hit.
So much so that Springfield wasted little time in making a “comp” version, with a muzzle brake cut atop the muzzle and slide front, with the front sight behind the gap. That version, likewise, took off.
Springfield Armory image.
They announced today that they have shortened the frame and magazines to a fifteen-round payload, and kept that 4.25” barrel and slide to make the Prodigy Compact. Like previous editions, the forged aluminum frame has a polymer grip frame module. The gun is optics-ready, has a bilateral manual safety lever, and includes the M1913 Picatinny rail as a dust cover.
The gun accepts the larger magazines from previous Prodigy editions – including their 20-round magazines and the optional 26-round magazine. Magazines are compatible with Staccato 2011 guns.
The Prodigy Compact features a tritium front sight – it and the rear sight on the slide cover plate are appropriately sized to co-witness through an optic.
Springfield uses the Agency Arms optics mounting system; the AOS mounting plates are made of steel. The rear sight is part of the mounting plate (and slide cover plate). The metal finish is black Cerakote.
To further reduce size, the grip safety tang and a recontoured hammer are fitted.
If that compact format still has more barrel and slide than you like, Springfield is providing a Prodigy Compact version that has a 3.5” barrel and appropriately shortened slide. More selections tend to be better.
I was only able to handle a sample for a short time. Handling it gave me a feel for the gun and I had the chance to get some photos. I compared it to the svelte lightweight Ronin AOS, 4 ¼”, that gun is also a Springfield Armory product. My hands are of a size that I have some issues with grip on the Prodigy (and, by extension, any double stack 1911). I “ride” the safety with my firing hand thumb and there’s a little discomfort there – unlike the more traditional service pistol.
The trigger on the sample was “1911” all the way. While I’ve handled some 1911s with lousy triggers, the finest of sliding pistol triggers I ever used were from properly set up 1911 pistols.
This is one of those. Whoever gets this sample will really appreciate this trigger.
The metal work, molding, fit and finish of the sample Compact 4.25” gun is very good. This model, the PH9116AOS, would be my choice. While I like “snubs,” for a range of reasons, I find the 4.25” 1911 format to be my handling favorite. The shorter gun would be slightly quicker from the holster and, with irons, quick to acquire the sights.
The difference though could be inconsequential.
I’m looking forward to shooting this one.
— Rich Grassi
