TFB Review: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm
In our pursuit as shooters for the flattest, most stable, lowest recoiling, most accurate, and best handgun possible, we try anything and everything to achieve our goal. This can present itself through different metal alloy firearms, extendo magazines, weapon-mounted lights, red dots, and all manner of tweaks so we can get on a podium or simply kick our range buddy’s butt. One of my favorite pistols to shoot in the last couple years as I’ve joined the 2011 cult has been the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy. The Prodigy (a 1911 double-stack) affords you a lot of good features like all 2011-style handguns. They are beefy (fill your grip completely), heavy (the weight mitigates recoil), and are modern enough for all of your favorite add-ons (red dot, flashlight, extendos, etc). Moreover, being an all metal frame and slide, you can craft these pistols to tighter tolerances than their polymer counterparts for a smoother operation. In sum, there is a reason why someone “spiked the punch” at the gun range with a dash of 2011, and everyone is drinking the Kool-Aid now.
So, already being a fan of the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy… completely drinking the Kool-Aid… yet being a part of the “poors”… (that’s a weird Venn diagram I fall into), I was intrigued to hear that Springfield has produced a Prodigy Comp version. Will a compensator make that big of a difference when I already think so highly of the Prodigy? Follow along as I regale the tale of my experiences with the new Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm. Let’s dive in!
Springfield Armory @ TFB:
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Specifications – Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm
What started out as a singular handgun offering in the original 1911 DS Prodigy has now grown to 14 unique models of the Prodigy currently being retailed by Springfield Armory. The specific variant we are going to be blasting our way through this review with is their 5” Comp model with standard capacity magazines (none of that “low cap” business for restrictive states).
Cartridge: 9mmBarrel: 5″ Forged Stainless Steel, Match Grade, Bull, 1:16Slide: Forged Carbon Steel, Black Cerakote®, Optics-Ready, Integral CompensatorFrame: Forged Carbon Steel, Black Cerakote®Sights: Tritium Front, Black Serrated RearRecoil System: 2 Piece Full Length Guide RodGrips: PolymerMagazines: (1) 17-Round, (1) 20-RoundWeight: 33 ozLength: 8.5″Height: 5.5″MSRP: $1,599
While we are looking at the 5” Comp model today, Springfield Armory added 4 new offerings to their portfolio with the announcement of the integrally compensated barrel. Again, for clarity, we are playing with the 5″ Black (PH9119AOS-COMP).
1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm | 5″ Black (PH9119AOS-COMP) | MSRP $1,599 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm | 4.25″ Black (PH9117AOS-COMP) | MSRP $1,599 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm | 5″ Black (PH9119AOSLC-COMP) | MSRP $1,599 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm | 4.25″ Black (PH9117AOSLC-COMP) | MSRP $1,599
As always, in the rare event that you should ever need service for your firearm, Springfield Armory has a Lifetime Warranty that stands behind all of their firearms. While I have never experienced an issue with my original Prodigy, it is nice to know that you have that safety net and support from Springfield.
A Word from Springfield Armory on the 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm
A snapshot into what the new Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm pistol is all about can be read below in Springfield Armory’s Press Release statement:
“Geneseo, Illinois – July 2024 – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the launch of the 1911 DS Prodigy™ Comp AOS 9mm in 5” and 4.25” variants. Both of these pistols are integrally compensated to reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise, and combine the most beloved characteristics of the 1911 with modern capacity for unrivaled performance.The Prodigy pistol has proven to be very popular with shooters looking for the appeal of the classic 1911, but with enhanced double-stack magazine capacity and modern features,” said Steve Kramer, Springfield Armory’s Vice President of Marketing. “The flat-shooting Prodigy Comp adds the benefit of reduced muzzle flip and faster follow-up shots to an already highly capable design.”
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What’s in the Box? – Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm
The Prodigy Comp ships with a HEX Dragonfly compatible plate as well as a cover plate, while additional optic-specific plates are available for purchase. Their full compatibility chart can be found HERE. Each pistol comes with two magazines — one 17-round flush fit and one 20-round extended, with optional 26-rounders available for purchase.
A double-zipper case is included with each Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp handgun as well. The soft-sided shell ensures the firearm and mounted accessories are protected during transportation, while an interior pouch can hold an additional magazine.
What’s the Upsell to the 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm?
The difference in pricing from a standard Prodigy to a Prodigy Comp is $100 – an MSRP comparison of $1,499 to $1,599. So, is an integrally compensated barrel and slide worth $100 to you? To me, yes. Can you pay a gunsmith to port your old Prodigy to ‘become a Prodigy Comp’ for under $100? I highly doubt it. To me, that is why the factory compensated version of the Prodigy – these new Prodigy Comp models – are such a good deal for only an additional $100. Springfield note:
“The integral compensator on the Prodigy Comp is discreetly designed, featuring a single port on the top of the hammer-forged slide and barrel. By redirecting gas upwards, it reduces muzzle rise and enhances control allowing for faster and more accurate follow-up shots. Additionally, the tritium front sight is positioned behind the compensator to ensure an uninterrupted sight picture.”
Range Experience – Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm
I have been using this handgun for roughly a month now as Springfield Armory was kind enough to allow TFB and myself some range time before this pistol was announced. Thus far, I have… I don’t know how many rounds I have through my review handgun (sorry guys). If I’m shooting from the hip for a ballpark figure, I’m slowly approaching 1K rounds (maybe 850 – 1,100 rounds or so).
My 9mm range ammo is in an ammo can, and like the fudd that I am, I simply grab a fistful of bullets, jam up mags, perforate my gun range’s berm, and have a grand ol’ time testing stuff.
All of the ammo that I have been shooting lately for 9mm has been Federal Premium’s Gold Medal Action Pistol 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ). I’ll toot their horn a minute: it’s been reliable, clean, consistent, and it has good energy knocking over plates. All good attributes you’d want and expect from your range ammo:
Federal Premium Gold Medal Action Pistol 9mm Luger 147 Grain FMJ
In the month or so of testing the Prodigy Comp, I haven’t had any classic failures whatsoever. No Failure-to-Feed (FTF), Failure-to-Fire (FTF), Failure-to-Eject (FTE), none of that silliness. I attribute that both to Federal pumping out good ammo, and Springfield crafting a good gun.
Additionally, this gun is incredibly accurate just like one would hope. My first magazine through this pistol was all in the 10-ring at 10 yards. There was a little bit of push to the left and that is because of the operator behind the Prodigy Comp (my failings as a shooter; not the gun). The longer I shot this pistol and got familiar with the recoil (or lack thereof) and the responsiveness of the handgun, I only improved in accuracy.
The porting has given me all of the expected desirable traits we’d want in a handgun that I mentioned at the beginning:
Less RecoilFaster Sight Acquisition after Shots FiredEasier to Maintain Good, Strong Dexterity through a full 20 Round MagFlatter Slide CyclingFaster Slide Cycling
When I tried to do my best John Wick impersonations at the range and burn down steel plates as fast as a Minnesota fudd can, the Prodigy Comp was incredibly smooth and responsive. The 1911 DS Prodigy was and still is a good gun without porting, but it is even better with the integrally compensated barrel and slide.
I have pretty glowing opinions of the Prodigy Comp, so far. Where’s the downside? Is there a downside? If you know anything about me as a writer, I am not Hop – our wildly entertaining, TFBTV personality with a strong helping of negativity. That is not me. I’m not a negative Nancy and I’m not here to drag handguns behind a truck down a gravel road, or give unrealistic expectations.
If you want an affordable, high-quality 2011-style handgun, you need to ask the Prodigy to the dance. The only negative I can reach for is that the Prodigy Comp is dirty – unsurprisingly – because of the compensated barrel and slide. Even with that being mentioned, this pistol is coated in a Black Cerakote and I was able to wipe it clean with my T-shirt or a gun rag whenever I felt like it was getting too dirty at the range.
Final Thoughts – Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp AOS 5” 9mm
So, what are my final thoughts on the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm pistol?… If you are in the market for a Prodigy or any kind of 2011-style pistol and you’re not looking to spend “house down payment” money (here’s looking at you, Staccato), then you should dive in on a Prodigy or this new Prodigy Comp. Being that it is of the same 2011-style frame and design as all of the other 2011 handguns out there, you can modify this thing to high heaven if you like that sort of thing.
I would personally leave the gun in its original configuration. A simple weapon-mounted light (Streamlight TLR-1 HL or Surefire X300) and a quality red dot (Trijicon RMR, Leupold DPP, or the new Vortex Defender series as pictured throughout this review) would be my only add-ons. This gun runs, it runs well, and it is a pleasure to shoot.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing TheFirearmBlog and myself the opportunity to try out their Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm pistol. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm pistol is something worth spending your money on? Would you take one with you hunting? Shoot a league or competition? Potentially deploy it for EDC (everyday carry)? As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Springfield Armory and the 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 9mm pistol in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.