Why?

Recently, I have been obsessed with the 1911 platform and its relevance to defensive and duty applications. I have been field testing another well-known 2011 duty pistol during training in order to gauge real-world reliability. When Springfield Armory released their “Comp” version of the 1911 DS Prodigy pistol, I had to pick one up to see how it would fare in the same role.

I reached out to Springfield Armory last year when I began evaluating these guns with no response. This time around, I didn’t waste the time and simply ordered one from my friendly neighborhood gun dealer. Thankfully they were in-stock and it was in my hands in a couple of days.

I chose the 5” Comp version for several reasons. My “other” gun is a 5” non-compensated pistol. This allows me to shoot the same ammo side-by-side in a very similar platform to assess the effectiveness of the compensator. I intended to attach a SUREFIRE X300T-B to this gun and the light is longer than the 5” barrel, so there would be no overall length difference with the 4.25” 1911 DS. The “Comp” version pulls the front sight closer to the rear, thus reducing the usability of the iron sights (if that is a concern). Finally, I just prefer the look of the 5” slide.

Ported or Compensated?

First, we need to clear something up. Springfield Armory calls this a “compensated” pistol. Compensators are usually bulky attachments that have expansion chambers and one or more ports to vent the muzzle blast upwards in order to counteract muzzle-rise. Production pistols usually are only ported. Ports are just holed cut through the barrel to accomplish the same task, but less efficiently. I have already had Prodigy enthusiasts comment that the 1911 DS Prodigy Comp is only ported. This is false.

Continue reading Springfield Armory 5” 1911 DS Prodigy Comp First Impressions →