Springfield Armory’s New DS 1911 Prodigy Compact 3.5″ 9mm Review

New Feature-Packed Double Stack 1911 Sized Down For Everyday Carry

Springfield Armory has just introduced the DS 1911 Prodigy Compact. Built on the double-stack 1911 platform they introduced in 2023, the new Compact version utilizes an aluminum frame, abbreviated grip safety, and shortened grip module to provide the user with a compact 1911 that is perfect for concealed carry!

DS 1911 Prodigy History

In 2023, Springfield Armory rocked the 1911 world by introducing the Prodigy DS—the hybrid 1911 that featured a steel frame with a polymer grip frame to accommodate a double-stack magazine. In short, Springfield’s Prodigy provided shooters with a Staccato-like pistol without a hefty price tag. Action shooters and law enforcement quickly embraced the Prodigy.

Initially offered in both 5- and 4.25-inch versions, the guns possessed steel frames with incredible slide-to-frame fits and used superbly accurate forged stainless-steel match-grade barrels. Guns were outfitted with ambidextrous thumb safeties and 17- and 20-round magazines. Springfield Armory cut the slides for the Agency Optic System that accommodates most of the popular slide-mounted red dots when using the appropriate plate. But the Prodigies are bigger and heavier than most folks want to carry concealed, which brings us to the Prodigy Compact.

Prodigy Sizes Down For EDC

Realizing weight is a critical component of the concealed carry equation, Springfield decided to machine the frame of the Compact from 7075-T6 aluminum. The part is hard coat anodized and the Cerakoted black to match the gun’s slide.

To make the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Compact more carry-friendly, Springfield reduced the barrel length to 3.5 (4.25-inch models are also available). By shortening the slide and barrel, the gun becomes much more comfortable to wear in the appendix position, especially while seated. With the limited amount of space under the short barrel, Springfield’s engineers designed a dual spring recoil system to give the gun the needed spring mass for reliable cycling. I had no problem manually cycling the slide, but anyone with diminished hand strength should try one before making the plunge.

Another modification that Springfield’s engineers made was to shorten the high sweep beavertail grip safety. They also modified the skeletonized hammer to work with it. Trimming the beavertail does nothing to affect its function and makes the gun less pokey for deep concealment.

The polymer grip module that mates with the aluminum frame has been shortened by about 4/10ths of an inch and Springfield ships the gun with two 15-round flush-fit magazines. Its magazine well is funneled and that makes speed reloads with the tapered mags fast and certain.

Safeties, Trigger, Grip & Sights

The new pistol possesses ambidextrous thumb safeties that snick on and off as crisply as the trigger breaks. My test gun sported a 3.35-pound pull.

For a secure grip, even with wet hands, Springfield gives the Compact’s polymer grip module Adaptive Grip Texture (AGT) which provides an almost emery-cloth-type texture. It is not as coarse or abrasive as checkering yet provides the shooter with a secure firing grip, even with wet hands. Also, clothes don’t hang up on it as with checkering when wearing the gun concealed.

A high sweep beavertail and dramatically undercut trigger guard combine to give the shooter a very high hold grip on the gun to help attenuate recoil. The Prodigy Compact is one of those guns that feels “just right” in my hand. It has a comfortable grip and points naturally and those are great qualities for a carry gun!

Springfield also equips the Prodigy Compact gun with their Agency Optic System (AOS) that allows the user to mount the most popular micro red-dot optics on the slide by using the appropriate adapter plate. The slide cover also retains the rear sight. While I was waiting on the correct plate to mount my Trijicon RMR I decided to shoot the gun with its iron sights and really wasn’t prepared for just how accurate this gun is!

The front sight on the Prodigy Compact features a Tritium vial surrounded by a white ring, which is easy for my eyes to pick up on presentation. A deep “U” notch on the rear sight, combined with the front sight dot, makes for a very quick “ball in the bucket” sight picture.

Springfield Armory DS 1911 Prodigy Compact Accuracy Tests

To test the Prodigy Compact for accuracy I set my target stand out at 15 yards. I fired three, 5-shot groups with each ammunition with the best group recorded in the accuracy chart below. All groups were fired from a seated rest utilizing a portable DOA Tactical bench and I rested the Compact’s dust cover on a Ransom Rest Multi Cal Steady Rest. Once I had a solid sight picture, I added the 3.35 pounds of pressure needed to drop the hammer.

Performance: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5"

LOAD  ACCURACY

• Black Hills 115 JHP - 1.22
• DoubleTap 124 FMJ - 1.17
• Federal 115 TSJ Syntech Range - 1.30
• Federal 124 PUNCH - 1.13
• Federal 135 Hydra-Shok Deep - 0.78
• Hornady American Gunner 115 XTP - 0.85

Note: Bullet weight was measured in grains and accuracy in inches for the best five-shot groups at 15 yards.

My single best 5-shot group measured just 0.78 inches and was recorded with Federal’s 135-grain Hydra-Shok Deep. My group with Hornady’s American Gunner with its 115-grain XTP bullet wasn’t much bigger. In fact, the aggregate group size for the six loads tested was just slightly over an inch. I have no doubt that groups would have been even smaller if I had waited to mount a red dot but 1-inch groups for a carry gun at 15 yards is phenomenal!

Parting Prodigy Compact Shots

My session with Springfield Armory’s Prodigy Compact was uneventful. I fired over 250 rounds without a stoppage of any type. I used two common range loads and four defense ammunitions, and the gun ran without a stutter!

I love the Compact’s crisp trigger! Its pull weight is perfect for a defense gun if the user has sufficient 1911 training and practice, and its short and firm reset makes it possible to shoot this gun very quickly. I’m also a huge fan of the Compact’s iron sights. They’re quick and easy to use and Springfield made a great choice in adding them to the Compact.

Even though Springfield shortened the Prodigy’s grip module I was able to get all three fingers on the frontstrap for an uncompromised grip. With its flat mainspring housing the Compact points well and the grip is comfortable even when shooting with the thumb on top of the safety!

Springfield Armory’s new Prodigy Compact may be the perfect carry gun for the shooter who prefers the 1911 trigger but craves the capacity of a double stack gun. It’s accurate, comfortable, and boringly reliable! The Compact possesses plenty of custom gun features yet retails for a production gun price.

Specifications: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5"/4.25"

• CALIBER: 9mm
• ACTION: Single-action semi-automatic
• BARREL: 3.5 inches / 4.25 inches
• OA LENGTH: 7 inches / 7.8 inches
• WEIGHT: 25.5 ounces (empty) / 29 ounces (empty)
• GRIPS: Polymer
• SIGHTS: Tritium front, black serrated rear; optics ready
• FINISH: Black
• CAPACITY: 15+1
• MSRP: $1,549