Braxton Taylor
Firearm: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 4.25” AOS (MSRP: $1,599)
Handguns with built-in compensators seem to be all the rage these days, and Springfield Armory is adding another one to the mix with its 1911 DS Prodigy Comp 4.25-inch AOS pistol. Breaking down the name, the 1911 DS Prodigy refers of course to the double-stack 1911 pistol first released by Springfield Armory in 2022. The comp obviously refers to the single port compensator on the top of the barrel designed to direct gases upward to mitigate muzzle flip and felt recoil. Clearly the 4.25-inch portion relates to barrel length, and the AOS refers to the Agency Optics System series of plates for adding electro-optics to the Prodigy.
Double-stack 1911s have really increased in popularity as shooters rediscover the excellent single-action trigger of the 1911 in pistols with capacities similar to standard striker-fired offerings. The Prodigy is no exception, with a standard capacity of 17 rounds and a slightly extended magazine holding 20 rounds. All this results in a somewhat larger pistol, with an overall length of 7.8 inches, height of 5.5 inches and 32.5-ounce weight. While this puts the Prodigy more in line, size-wise, with the Glock G17 than the G19, it’s still an excellent choice for concealed carry.
The Agency Optics System for mounting red-dot sights is intricate, but solid. Various plates, representing different optic footprints, can be added to the 1911 DS Prodigy’s slide. There’s a dovetail at the very rear of the slide to capture the trailing edge of the plate, and a longitudinal projection milled into the top of the slide that fits into a corresponding opening in the bottom of the plate. In this way, the optics plate is locked in place both front-to-back and side-by-side. It does require two sets of screws, similar to the Glock MOS system, where one set attaches the plate to the slide and the second set anchors the optic to the plate. It’s complicated, but extremely solid.
Lastly, there’s the single-port compensator at the end of the pistol. Now, a 32½-ounce pistol in 9 mm isn’t going to have a lot of felt recoil to begin with, but why not take every advantage you can get? By sending the muzzle blast upward, at least some of the muzzle rise will be mitigated, in addition to less felt recoil. If it helps you get back on target even a fraction of a second faster, isn’t that an advantage you’re going to want? Especially considering that the port is integrated into the standard configuration barrel and slide, so you don’t need to worry about finding a different holster or tightening an external compensator periodically. It’s an advantage with no disadvantages – what’s not to like?
Holster: Mission First Tactical Hybrid OWB (MSRP: $79.99)
To carry the 1911 DS Prodigy AOS Comp, we’ve opted for the Outside/Inside Waistband Hybrid holster from Mission First Tactical. This sandwich-style holster features two pieces of leather-bound Boltaron pressed together and expertly finished to result in a holster that can, through judicious application of different belt-attachment options, be worn either outside- or inside-the-waistband. Polymer clips attached to the front of the holster for IWB applications, while belt loops on the back are for OWB.
We’ve got the Mission First Hybrid holster set up for OWB today for a simple reason: it’s easier to see in the video. However, we’ve used a number of Mission First Tactical holsters in the IWB configuration as well, and every model we’ve tried has been trouble-free and easy to conceal. Models are available for left- and right-handed shooters, and in both brown and black leather outer coverings. Holsters are also available for pistols both with and without slide-mounted optics.
Optic: Riton 3 Tactix PRD 3 red dot (MSRP: $329.99)
Rounding out today’s kit, and in keeping with both the AOS system of the Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy and the Mission First Tactical optics-ready holster, we’ve added a Riton Optics 3 Tactix PRD 3 red-dot sight. Three different reticle modes are available with the 3 Tactix PRD 3: there’s a 2-MOA red dot, a 50-MOA circle and a circle-dot combination. Power comes from a single CR1632 battery located in a tray on the side of the device for easy changing, and has a projected run time of 50,000 hours.
The 3 Tactix PRD 3 uses the Trijicon RMR footprint to attach to pistol slides and weighs 1.3 ounces. The dot has a proprietary coating on the lenses for low-light enhancement and scratch resistance as well as featuring HD glass. The PRD also features motion-sensing technology that turns the dot on when motion is detected to ensure long battery life. Rounding out this kit is a Picatinny rail adaptor should the intended use be on a carbine or other rail-equipped firearm, and a number of different screw types are included to help fit the 3 Tactix PRD 3 to a variety of firearms.
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