Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy Comp Review: Shoot Flatter And Faster

I had the pleasure of reviewing the original Springfield 1911 DS Prodigy when it was released in 2022 and have enjoyed it ever since. So, when I had the opportunity to get my hands on the newly compensated Prodigy, to say I was excited would be an understatement. 

I’m far from a competition shooter, so anytime I can potentially receive a little help in the accuracy department, I’m all for it. With the ported slide and barrel reducing muzzle rise, that is exactly what I was hoping to experience.

Before we go any further, I’d like to give a huge shout-out to Springfield Armory for sending this pistol out. I always appreciate the ability to review these guns without stipulations about how to test them, what types of ammo to use, or points to touch on. I get to test them how I want, focus on what I want, and write what I want. Big ups to Springfield.

With that out of the way, let’s check out the new and improved 1911 DS Prodigy Comp. 

Reliability and Accuracy

For many, the main draw to this fancy double-stack 1911 is its accuracy and reliability. So before we dive into the features that, on paper, should make it both, I’ll share my personal experience with it so far.

I haven’t had the gun long, but I’ve managed to put 210 rounds through it. Those 210 rounds consisted of a nice mixture of 115-grain Magtech FMJs, 124-grain Blazer Brass FMJs, and 115-grain Hornady Critical Defense FTXs.  Each one of those rounds zoomed down range and punctured those paper targets like they were supposed to. Reliability so far: check.

 

With the Prodigy weighing 33 ounces and the addition of the ported slide and barrel, it’s an absolute pleasure to shoot. The felt recoil and muzzle rise were both minimal, and it was one of the smoothest guns I’ve shot recently. It’s evident that the ports help to keep the muzzle down, and it felt flatter when shooting than the prior model. 

I wasted no time starting rapid firing through my first few magazines, pushing the target back every magazine or two. I had no issue maintaining tight groupings, even without an optic. Although I only shot the gun within 20 yards, I’m confident that doubling or tripling that distance would be no issue with the appropriate-sized targets. 

The trigger is very crisp and feels a bit heavier than I expected, but it’s extremely consistent, and you get used to it very quickly. I don’t have any complaints about it and wouldn’t waste my time tinkering with it at all.

Fancy Features

Integral Compensator

Obviously, this is the feature to “feature,” as it’s the reason for the new model. As opposed to adding a compensator via a threaded barrel, Springfield went the integral route.

Both the slide and barrel received machined 0.43”x0.33” ports, which allows the shooter to realize the benefits of a compensator without changing the specs. This means you should be able to use your current holsters!

The ports direct the gas upwards, mitigating muzzle rise and helping to keep your follow-up shots quick and accurate. Attention was paid to the front sight as well, as Springfield positioned it behind the compensator and went with a tritium sight as opposed to fiber optic. 

Agency Optic System (AOS)

These days, everyone and their neighbor seem to use a red dot, so of course, the Prodigy Comp is ready to accept your favorite optic. 

However, you’ll need to make sure you have the correct optic plate for your specific sight. While several plates are available, the two you’ll probably want to check out first are the A12B and A14B, as they cover most of the popular Trijicon and Holosun offerings.

Each plate features an integral rear sight and comes with the appropriate screws, but they aren’t cheap. Each plate will run you around $130. So choose wisely. 

Match-grade Bull Barrel

Under the hood, you’ll find a forged stainless steel 5-inch (or 4.25-inch) match-grade bull barrel with an 11-degree crown. A barrel like this provides more than enough accuracy for those who want to compete or take their skills to the next level. I’ll be the first to say that the gun can outshoot my skills.

20+1 Capacity

This may not sound like a “fancy feature” without any context, but for a 1911, having a 20+1 capacity is great. With the double-stack magazines feeding the Prodigy, you get a standard 17+1 capacity and can bump those numbers up to 20+1 with the extended magazine.

There is even a 26-round magazine available if you’re looking for the ultimate range experience. 

Other Features To Note

The features don’t stop there. Other appreciated features are the forward slide serrations, ambidextrous safety, accessory rail, and skeletonized hammer. The grip is also extremely comfortable as it uses the Adaptive Grip Texture that you’ll find across a few other Springfield firearms.

Specifications

You can also find the Prodigy Comp with a 4.25-inch barrel. 

Caliber	9mm
Capacity	20+1, 17+1
Barrel Length	5 Inches
Barrel Material	Forged Stainless Steel
Slide & Frame Material	Forged Carbon Steel
Overall Length	8.5 Inches
Height	5.5 Inches
Weight	33 Ounces

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

• Integral compensator
• Very accurate and reliable
• Double stack design offering 20+1 capacity
• Forged match-grade bull barrel
• Optics-ready slide with forward serrations and front tritium sight
• Accessory rail

Cons: 

• Spare optic plates are sold separately and are pricey

Final Thoughts

Not being a huge 1911 guy in general, it’s ones like this that make me rethink it. A double-stack option like the Prodigy is exactly what I would go for if I were in the market for another (and didn’t already have this one). And given the choice between the standard Prodigy or the Prodigy Comp, I would go for the Prodigy Comp every time. Especially for the small $100 increase in MSRP, I would suggest it even if it wasn’t something on your original wishlist of features. 

Now that the review is over, I’m going to head back to the range and shoot this some more. 

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.