Springfield Armory has enjoyed a long-standing solid reputation in the all-metal single-stack 1911 world with various models such as the 1911 TRP and Operator. The entry into the double-stack hybrid frame arena with the 9MM 1911 DS Prodigy AOS in 2023 surprised many. It shouldn’t have. Over the last several years the company has steadily expanded into ARs, bolt actions, bullpups, classic Hi-Power variants, etc. Now, Springfield takes the DS Prodigy to the next level by adding a comp and coyote finish.
The Springfield Armory DS Prodigy Comp 1911
With each firearm category, Springfield Armory has provided a feature-packed model. The saying “a lot of gun for the money” rings true here.
The 1911 DS Prodigy AOS serves notice with its features, price point, and performance. Certain entities in Texas and Arkansas certainly took immediate note when Springfield Armory revealed the DS Prodigy.
Springfield Armory has kept the momentum surging by introducing several different variants after the initial Prodigy launch. This includes the Prodigy Comp and Prodigy Compact models.
Barrel length options with the DS Prodigy lineup span 5-inch, 4.25-inch, and 3.5-inch. Springfield Armory offers factory-installed red dot models as well. There are even Prodigy models with integral compensators nestled at the end of the slide.
This is a segue to our article’s purpose—the DS Prodigy Comp 4.25-inch AOS Coyote Brown model, one of the latest Prodigy offerings. The Prodigy lineup was originally only available in black.
Double-Stack Club
The 1911 DS Prodigy’s frame is a modular two-piece design consisting of a forged steel sub-frame and polymer grip. Correspondingly, the steel frame contains the rails that the slide runs on, the fire control group, ambidextrous thumb safeties, grip safety, slide stop, and railed dust cover.
The DS Prodigy polymer grip is contoured to maintain 1911 characteristics while accommodating high-capacity double-stack magazines. Additionally, the DS Prodigy uses the same grip texture as the Springfield Hellcat Pro. The use of polymer in the grip construction minimizes the material thickness required.
The DS Prodigy grip circumference is not that much bigger than a single-stack, steel-framed 1911. Not only is the DS Prodigy a solid representation of the hybrid frame genre, but this is sweetened by the pistol’s price being hundreds of dollars less than competitors.
It is the high-capacity nature of the Prodigy that attracts so many. Springfield uses U.S.-made DuraMags with steel bodies, polymer followers, and base pads. The standard magazine holds 17 rounds, with 20- and 26-round mags available.
For many, even for 1911 lovers, the consideration of handguns chambered in 9mm becomes more feasible as capacity increases. The Prodigy ships with one 17 and one 20-rounder. The 17-round mag sits flush, with only the small base pad extending below the frame.
With the 20-round mag in place, the extended base pad extends almost an inch below the bottom of the frame. The 26-round magazine extends a little over 2 inches below the grip. Nothing like carrying more than a box of 9MM ammunition in two magazines.
DS Prodigy in Hand
A match-grade 4.25-inch stainless bull barrel is fitted inside Prodigy’s carbon steel slide. The Prodigy uses a full-length two-piece guide rod system. The steel slide features angled front and rear slide serrations. All external metal components have a Coyote Brown Cerakote finish.
The full-length dust cover provides a resting place for lights/lasers. It also serves to reduce muzzle flip, especially if sending multiple rounds downrange quickly. The overall weight of the DS Prodigy 4.25-inch is 32.5 ounces.
My hands are average size, yet I have no issue working the trigger or other DS Prodigy controls. The trigger break measured 4.5 to 4.75 pounds. It is hard to argue that there is a more instinctive handling weapon than the 1911-pattern handgun. The grip size/angle, combined with a single action trigger, help make 1911s the most accurate handgun in most arsenals.
Stand Out Features
Two aspects of the DS Prodigy Comp 4.25 AOS Coyote Brown distinguish it from competitors—the integral compensator and the AOS optics adaptable slide cut. Besides training, what are the most efficient ways to increase handgun efficiency gear-wise? Sights that increase the ability to place rounds where desired, better control of muzzle flip/recoil, and trigger.
This is not about style but rather performance. Running your handgun more efficiently, i.e., deadlier.
The Prodigy’s compensator is not merely screwed onto a threaded barrel. A design was created that does not require a threaded barrel. This is good news for those living in jurisdictions prohibiting threaded barrels.
The single port compensator is milled into the Prodigy’s slide to interact with the ported barrel. The integral nature of the compensator and vented barrel eliminates the concern of pinching your hand, which can happen with comps affixed to the end of a barrel independently of the slide. Ask how I know.
Just like red dot sights on handguns, compensators are expanding beyond competition applications, becoming more prominent with personal defense weapons. Why? Part of the challenge of using a handgun defensively/tactically involves controlling the muzzle flip.
Muzzle flip reduces the speed at which you can fire multiple rounds where intended. Likewise, muzzle flip also causes the pistol frame to squirm in your hand—another detriment to performance.
No one is saying a 9MM needs a brake. However, controlling muzzle rise is a valid goal, keeping sights aligned on target. A compensator purposely channels ignition gasses upward when exiting the barrel, counteracting muzzle rise forces.
Getting the DS Prodigy on Target
Typical of Springfield Armory, their path to red dot usage was well-studied and meticulously applied. Developed in collaboration with Agency Arms, the AOS (Agency Optic System) starts with a slide cut that mates with red dot mounting plates designed exclusively for the 1911 DS Prodigy lineup.
Mounting plates are designed to accommodate a user’s particular choice of red dot. Machined from billet steel, each plate is designed specifically to deliver proper optic height for intuitive sight picture and instant target acquisition and features an integral rear sight.
For a tactical/personal defense weapon, the ability to co-witness iron sights with a red dot is a must. Don’t want to join the red dot revolution? No problem. Just leave the cover plate on the slide containing the iron rear sight, which mates nicely with the tritium front sight.
I mounted multiple red dots on the Prodigy Comp to explore the versatility of the AOS mount system. The EOTech EFLX served as the primary optic. It uses a top-mounted CR2032 battery, offering 20,000 hours of run time. The EFLX mounted on the Prodigy Comp featured a 3MOA dot. However, a 6MOA model is also available.
Featuring an aluminum housing, the EFLX offers durability while still only weighing 1.4 ounces. The Prodigy Comp provided a very stable sight picture no matter how many or how rapid rounds were fired. The low mounting position of the AOS system made locating the EFLX’s dot seamless.
I also mounted a ZeroTech Trace Heavy-duty Aspherical Lens Optic (H.A.L.O.) to confirm that the AOS plate system was as easy to use as described. It is.
A 1911 with Purpose
The Springfield Armory DS Prodigy Comp 4.25 9MM represents portability, capacity, reliability, controllability, and lethality. These are poster child traits for a duty, tactical, personal defense handgun.
The commander-length slide with a 4.25-inch barrel provides the optimum mix of sight radius, concealment, weapon balance, and reliability in a 1911-pattern handgun. Mounting a red dot only reinforces this.
Drills with the DS Prodigy Comp 4.25 consisted of various scenarios engaging targets from behind cover or on the move. Magazine changes were also included. In terms of ammunition diet, the DS Prodigy handled all brands, bullet types, and weights with equal aplomb.
I used Black Hills, Federal, and Hornady ammunition. Loads fired spanned 115-grain to 147-grain with hollow points and FMJ bullet types. The DS Prodigy Comp 4.25 generated 2-2.5-inch groups at 25 yards.
I experienced no malfunctions while test-firing over 350 rounds during multiple range visits. The overall balance of the 32-ounce DS Prodigy Comp with the added benefit of integral comp made recoil negligible.
During the courses of fire, I engaged plate racks and dueling trees. Thanks to the minimal recoil/muzzle flip, the DS Prodigy Comp could seamlessly orientate to the next target.
For other scenarios, the big question on my mind with the Prodigy Comp was how the compensator affected muzzle flip. The pistol stayed on target, red dot fluttering around the IPSC “A” zone, but never out, even during multiple-round drills.
The Prodigy Comp’s instinctual and simplicity of operation, consistent trigger pull, and compensator allowed for rapid target engagement. This is further accentuated with well-laid-out ergonomics ensuring that the hand is in a near optimum grip position as soon as the Prodigy Comp clears the holster.
The DS Prodigy Stacks Rounds in a Hurry
You cannot default into thinking it is only about the gear—no matter how nice the equipment is in the form of the Springfield Armory DS Prodigy Comp. Mindset and sound instruction are crucial.
However, red dots are not going anywhere, and it seems the same can be said for compensators. The DS Prodigy Comp is a handgun that stacks rounds on top of each other in a hurry.
Springfield Armory DS Prodigy Comp Specs
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 17-round and 20-round magazines arrive with pistol |
| Barrel Length | 4.25 inches |
| Overall Length | 7.8 inches |
| Height | 5.5 inches |
| Width | 1.15 inches |
| Weight Empty | 32.5 ounces |
| MSRP | $1,649 |
Performance
| Federal 124gr HST | |
| Velocity Avg. | 1122 fps |
| Accuracy@25yds | 2 inches |
| Hornady 147gr XTP | |
| Velocity Avg. | 978 fps |
| Accuracy@25yds | 2.25 inches |
| Black Hills 115gr FMJ | |
| Velocity Avg. | 1175 fps |
| Accuracy@25yds | 2.5 inches |
| Black Hills 124gr JHP | |
| Velocity Avg. | 1117 fps |
| Accuracy@25yds | 2.33 inches |
Accuracy test consisted of three five-shot groups with each ammunition type; group sizes were averaged. Velocity figures were obtained by averaging five rounds fired over a Caldwell Precision Shooting chronograph.
