We’ve all heard about child prodigies, especially in my field when I taught – I was a band and choir director. We know how Mozart put those musicians around him to shame when he was so small he had to sit on books to reach the clavier (keyboard). There are many stories about those individuals – not only in music, but any field – who are well-advanced, talented, touched by genius, etc. But can that apply to an inanimate object? In this case, a modernized 1911 pistol? Let’s see.
I typically get guns for review and either keep or send them back. Not so, with this one. My son, a seasoned shooter/reloader/competitor, had been looking for a 9mm suitable for competition. He had criteria… it had to have at least a 5-inch barrel, plus some other items. Long story short, he settled on the Prodigy. He bought one and graciously let me review it.
Springfield Armory Prodigy 1911 DS AOS Pistol
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Springfield Armory Firstline 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm Luger 5in Black Pistol - 20+1 Rounds | Bereli | $ 1175.00 |
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Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm Luger 4.25in Black Cerakote Pistol - 20+1 Rounds | Bereli | $ 1235.00 |
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Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm Luger 4.25in Black Cerakote Pistol - 20+1 Rounds - Black | Sportsman's Warehouse | $ 1349.99 |
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Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy AOS 9mm Pistol 4.25" 17/20rd w/ Hex Dragonfly | Palmetto State Armory | $ 1699.99 $ 1499.99 |
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What is the Prodigy? In a nutshell, it’s a full-size, competition 9mm 1911 re-engineered to reflect current trends. In other words, a 2011. It uses a 17- or 20-round magazine (there’s even a 26-rounder available). It has an ambi safety and it adds a Picatinny rail on the dustcover. It’s also got the required optics cut – my son’s gun came with the Dragonfly red dot that Springfield Armory (SA) supplies. (I am truly impressed with the SA red dots – I have an SA Hellcat RDP with its smaller optic, the Hex Wasp. It works exceedingly well). Speaking of optics, here’s a quote from the Prodigy website: “Developed in collaboration with Agency Arms, the Prodigy employs AOS (Agency Optic System) plates designed exclusively for the 1911 DS.” But, as I mentioned, his came with an optic installed.
Specifications
Here’s what I could glean from SA’s website, plus my observations.
There are fourteen… yup, fourteen… different Prodigy variations available from SA. Here are the specs of the one we are reviewing, the DS AOS model without the built-in compensator.
- Caliber 9mm
- Color Black
- Barrel 5″ Forged Stainless Steel, Match Grade, Bull, 1:16, no bushing
- Slide Forged Carbon Steel, Black Cerakote®, Optics-Ready
- Frame Forged Carbon Steel, Black Cerakote®
- Sights Fiber Optic Front, Black Serrated “U” Rear
- Recoil System 2-Piece Full-Length Guide Rod
- Grips Polymer
- Magazines (1) 17-Round, (1) 20-Round. 26-Round Available
- Weight 33 Oz
- Length 8.5″
- Height 5.5″
- MSRP $1,499
If you want one in FDE, you’re covered. Do you need a Commander-length barrel? No problem. You need to check the Prodigy link above for all the variations available. My son did not want the comp’d model, as that puts you in a different class for competition. It’s there, though, if you want it.
Shooting the AOS Prodigy
Having a very nice, 1911-esque trigger, the Prodigy behaved as expected. We put some targets up at 25 yards, gathered some 9mm ammo I had on hand, and let fly. Here is a representative 25-yard target. I won’t waste your time posting several targets… suffice it to say the gun liked whatever we put through it. Accuracy is not an issue with the Prodigy. This target was one we shot with Fiocchi Range Dynamics 115-grain FMJ ammo. We spent some time zeroing the Dragonfly red dot in, and we finally got it close.
Mods To This Particular Prodigy
My son has changed a couple of things about his Prodigy. For one, he added a mag well he got online. He wasn’t sure about the brand, but it works fine. Another thing he did (except for grip tape, but that doesn’t count) is add an EGW ignition kit. These replacement parts help to ensure that the gun will go bang each and every time the trigger is pulled. He installed it himself and is sticking with the stock Dragonfly optic. He is also considering having the barrel ported and some slide machining work done, but he wants to be sure that a ported barrel won’t put him into a more exotic competition class.
Why Buy The Prodigy?
If you are looking for a 9mm pistol to compete with, the Prodigy makes a lot of sense. The AOS system allows seamless mounting of optics. The iron sights are well done and are useful even under a red dot. Typical SA build quality is evident throughout. There are other 9mm competition pistols out there, made by some heavy hitters in the industry – this we all know. But, for a full-blown MSRP of $1499, it includes almost everything a base-level competitor would need. As I mentioned above, my son changed a few things but these were items that he just wanted – he didn’t feel compelled to have to change them. The gun comes pretty much ready to run out of the box.
Conclusion
Are you a fan of the 1911? Want more in terms of capacity and a dustcover rail? How about a red dot? Want to get into competition with a 9mm? Check out the Prodigy.
Springfield Armory has made some very impressive, quality 1911s over the years, and now they have taken that to a new level. With up to 26-round capacity, a red dot on top, and a light below, you can’t beat this pistol for home defense. Take off the light, go with a shorter mag, and have a perfect carry gun. Add in the ability to compete with it and you have that winner-winner-chicken-dinner. The build quality is typical of Springfield Armory, where 1911s are concerned. If you want a decent hi-cap competition steel-framed 9mm 1911 at a nice price, you must give the Prodigy line a hard look. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
About Mike Hardesty
With experience spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has long enjoyed shooting and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a diverse array of firearms, each handled with long-practiced precision. Living in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a personal 100-yard range where he shares his love for guns to his four sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a recognized author, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Country, Bear Creek Arsenal Blog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing passion for firearms at the age of 72.
