Springfield Prodigy Compact Review

By Forge

Posted in
#Guns

In today’s article, the author reviews the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 9mm pistol. The pistol was loaned to the author for evaluation by the company.

We waited in anticipation for the Prodigy Compact with 4.25” length barrel from Springfield Armory to arrive for testing and evaluation. It’s the compact version of the full-size Prodigy, with the major differences being a shorter grip, a short barrel length of 4.25” or 3.5”, and a lighter aluminum frame as opposed to the steel frame of the full-size model.

This would be the first Double Stack (DS) 1911 that we had reviewed and put to the test. We weren’t sure we would like the feel of this pistol, primarily because I grew up with the original single-stack 1911. An acquaintance of roughly the same age (read: old, or Baby-boomer) recently shared that the younger generations somewhat, unaffectionately call us older gun nuts “1911 guys (similar to “Fudds”), because we are beholden to the original 1911 design and aren’t necessarily as thrilled as they are by the each new polymer, double-stack handgun to come down the line.

The author stands at a shooting range testing the Springfield Prodigy Compact 9mm pistol. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review required extensive range evaluation. This double-stack 1911 fires 9mm ammunition reliably. The compact pistol features a 4.25-inch bull barrel. Testers ran practical drills with the handgun. The Prodigy Compact proved accurate during live-fire sessions. Springfield's 1911 DS design offers modern magazine capacity. The firearm functioned flawlessly throughout testing. This compact 9mm serves well for everyday carry.

They aren’t entirely wrong in that assumption. The truth is, though, there would not be any 1911 DS pistols if John Moses Browning hadn’t developed the original single-stack 1911, by which all other pistols are now measured and judged. So, when the package arrived from Springfield, we were thrilled and anxious as we opened it and held it for the first time (of course, after removing the mag and ensuring it was empty).

First Impressions of the Prodigy Compact

As it turns out, we didn’t need to be anxious at all. It felt great in the hand; weighty and solid, our hands loved the grip size. It came naturally to point of aim as it was raised. The black DLC-treated bull barrel looked like it was built for accuracy. The grip stippling was fantastic, giving us confidence we could maintain a firm grip under any conditions, without wearing the skin off our hands during extended range sessions. We should also mention the ambidextrous safety. They were positive, but not too stiff.

The reviewer inspects the Springfield Prodigy Compact during the firearm evaluation process. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review required thorough examination. This 1911 DS pistol features quality construction throughout. The compact 9mm offers excellent fit and finish. Handling reveals the firearm's balanced weight distribution. The Prodigy Compact's controls operate smoothly. Springfield built this handgun for serious shooters. The double-stack magazine well feels natural. This compact pistol earned the author's approval.

While the Prodigy Compact 4.25” comes with great metal sights that include a tritium front sight, our test specimen also sported a Vortex Defender-ST red dot, which was already installed and co-witnessed nicely with the high iron sights.

Well, it is one thing to like the feel of a pistol and quite another to see how it does when you shoot it and run through practical drills. But before we get to the range sessions, let’s talk about why we think Springfield tweaked the design of the original Prodigy and why that makes it a great fit for the needs of many gun enthusiasts.

The Goldilocks Gun?

It isn’t the smallest compact on the market, but it isn’t the largest either. It is, I think, Springfield Armory’s successful attempt at providing a “Goldilocks gun.” For those not familiar with this often-overused term, it is an attempt to provide a pistol that is “just right,” meeting every handgun need in one optimally sized firearm.

The Springfield Prodigy Compact pistol sits secured in a Crossbreed Rogue holster configured for outside-the-waistband carry. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review tested everyday carry performance. This kydex holster provides excellent firearm retention. The compact 1911 DS conceals well in this setup. Springfield recommends the Rogue holster for this pistol. The OWB configuration allows quick draw access. This carry system keeps the handgun secure. The Prodigy Compact works well as an EDC firearm. The holster and pistol combination performed reliably.

This is a natural evolution undertaken by gun manufacturers who are responding to consumer input. In other words, consumers want a really small pistol for concealed carry, but then they want more capacity, a longer sight radius and a larger frame so they can shoot it more comfortably and hit their intended target easier, etc.

A shooter loads a fresh magazine into the Springfield Prodigy Compact pistol during range testing. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review evaluated magazine reliability. This compact 1911 DS accepts double-stack 15-round magazines. The pistol comes with two flush-fitting mags included. Springfield offers extended 26-round magazines as well. The Prodigy Compact's magazine well allows smooth insertion. Magazines dropped free consistently during reload drills. This 9mm compact handles reloads quickly and efficiently. The double-stack design increases ammunition capacity significantly.

Those buying large service and competition guns begin to want a smaller, lighter, easier to carry pistol without any loss of capacity, accuracy or reliability. So the small guns get larger, while the large guns get smaller, and finally you have the optimal.

I am not saying that the Prodigy Compact with 4.25” length barrel will fit everyone perfectly and perform every task that every shooter needs without having to buy another firearm. There really is no perfectly sized or perfectly designed pistol capable of meeting everyone’s needs. What I am saying is that it will meet most handgun needs and fit a large percentage of shooters reasonably or very well. And if it does not, Springfield has other options for you like the 3.5” barreled version.

The Right Role

The Prodigy Compact’s primary role is as an Everyday Carry (EDC) pistol, but it is also designed to serve well as a service arm, in competition, or for home defense and plinking. And as you will see, it performed admirably in all these roles!

The Springfield Prodigy Compact pistol displayed with a Crossbreed holster and various 9mm ammunition boxes. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review tested multiple ammunition types. This compact 1911 DS functioned reliably with all loads. The Crossbreed Rogue holster provided secure carry options. Federal Premium and Black Hills ammo performed excellently. The Prodigy Compact feeds hollow points without issue. Springfield built this 9mm for ammunition versatility. The pistol cycled over 500 rounds flawlessly. This everyday carry setup proves practical and dependable.

First, let’s cover its EDC role. Springfield Armory provided me with an excellent Rouge IWB/OWB kydex holster from Crossbreed. It was left-handed since I am a southpaw and also fit one of our left-handed testers! We wore it in both configurations and practiced drawing as part of several drills and ringing steel and it did an excellent job of retention with the ability to draw the Prodigy Compact swiftly and seamlessly. It also felt great, concealed well and held the gun tight against our bodies. It is important to be able to draw a pistol quickly and consistently when needed and this combo just worked.

Performance of the Springfield Prodigy Compact

Once you draw a pistol it, has to function and it has to be able to hit its intended target. The Prodigy Compact 4.25” was both reliable and accurate. To test its reliability, our team shot it as it came right from the factory. No lubing before we tested it and we did not clean or lube the Prodigy Compact at any time throughout our testing. After putting in excess of 500 rounds through it there was not one failure of any kind.

The Springfield Prodigy Compact is secured in a Ransom Masters Series mechanical rest for precision accuracy testing. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review required eliminating human error. This bench rest testing measures inherent firearm accuracy. The compact 1911 DS fired five-shot groups at 15 yards. Testers evaluated four different 9mm ammunition types. The Prodigy Compact achieved sub-inch groupings consistently. Springfield's double-stack pistol demonstrated excellent precision. The mechanical rest uses a remote cable pull system. This accuracy testing confirms the handgun's capability.

At this point we should also talk very briefly about the take-down method for the Prodigy Compact so you can clean and lube it after running more than 500 rounds through it like we needed to do! It is very similar to taking down a 1911 with one exception being that you need a tool to loosen and remove the guide rod and recoil assembly. So, make sure you bring a 5/32” hex tool or Allen wrench (one is provided from Springfield with the pistol) with you to the range.

Okay, the Prodigy Compact is portable, and reliable, but how about capable? The best way to test the accuracy of a firearm is to take the element of human error out of the equation. So, we used a Ransom Masters Series mechanical rest with remote cable pull to test four different cartridges of differing weights, bullet shapes and manufacturers. We used The Armory Life protocol of three, five shot groups for each type of ammunition from 15 yards. The accompanying chart details the results, which showed just how inherently accurate the Prodigy Compact is.

The best single group was .66” from Federal’s Premium LE Tac HST with 147-gr. bullet, which also posted the best average of .93” for three groups. Black Hills 124-gr. JHP was right behind with a best group of .76” and average of 1.03”. Hornady’s 115-gr. Critical Defense had a best group of .98” and an average of 1.55” while Black Hills Honey Badger with its 100-gr. radically tipped bullet averaged 2” on the nose with a 1.93” best grouping. I would feel very adequately armed and confident using any one of these cartridges for daily carry and self-defense due to their excellent accuracy and rock-solid reliability in this firearm.

Although we wanted to test the inherent accuracy of the Prodigy Compact, we couldn’t help wanting to see how we would do with at least one of the cartridges. We chose what worked best in the mechanical rest and using a Ransom multi-cal rest, we shot three groups of five rounds each with the Federal Premium LE Tac HST 147-gr. ammo from 15 yards. Of course, the Vortex ST helped immensely.

The Springfield Prodigy Compact recoils during firing while secured in a Ransom mechanical rest. The Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact review documented accuracy through controlled testing. This bench rest method captures the pistol mid-cycle. The compact 1911 DS handles 9mm recoil effectively. Mechanical testing removes shooter influence from results. The Prodigy Compact's bull barrel enhances accuracy potential. Springfield engineered this handgun for consistent performance. The recoil impulse appears manageable in testing. This double-stack compact delivers precise shot placement.

We were not disappointed. We shot a best group of 1.19”, and our overall average was 1.35”. We’ll take that any day of the week. One of the most critical factors enabling great accuracy from any firearm is its trigger. The Prodigy Compact has one of the best we have felt in a long time. Besides being smooth, crisp and short, ten pulls on our Lyman digital trigger pull gauge gave an average 3 lbs., 11 oz.! This is a great pistol indeed!

We also ran drills on paper and rang steel from 20 yards inward to about 7 yards. Again, the Prodigy Compact just felt great in the hand and honestly, it was hard to miss our targets with that red dot. The grip circumference is large at 5.75” on top and 6” at the bottom of the grip, but it felt great to us. The stippling was perfect. It gave great purchase even with sweaty hands, but never created any hot spots or abrasion during our extended shooting sessions.

The Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact pistol displayed for a detailed review photograph. The Springfield Prodigy Compact review examines this modern double-stack handgun. This compact 9mm features a 4.25-inch bull barrel. The pistol includes an aluminum frame for reduced weight. Springfield designed the grip with aggressive stippling. The 1911 DS accepts 15-round flush-fit magazines. The Prodigy Compact serves multiple roles effectively. This handgun combines classic design with modern features. The compact frame suits everyday carry needs.

Since the Prodigy Compact comes with two 15 round magazines, but accepts longer ones, Springfield Armory sent us a 26 rounder to test. It was as reliable as the flush-fitting magazines and seated and dropped free with no issues. Given its accuracy, sweet, crisp trigger and ability to use higher capacity magazines, the Prodigy Compact would make a fine competition pistol that would work as well for you as many higher-priced double-stack 1911s. Just sayin’.

Final Thoughts

Finally, with its accessory rail that accepts most any weapon light or light/laser combination it could also serve admirably as a service firearm or bedside protection when something goes “bump in the night.” My Streamlight TLR-8 fit and functioned on it perfectly. In my humble opinion, with its portability, capability and reliability, this truly is a do-it-all “Goldilocks” gun with features and value well beyond its MSRP of $1,582.00.

I would like to thank Ransom International, Federal Ammunition, Black Hills, Hornady, Olight and Vanquest for allowing us to use and feature their products for this firearm evaluation.

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