At SHOT Show 2023’s Industry Day at the Range last month, longtime Springfield Armory pro shooter Rob Leatham spoke with American Rifleman magazine Editor-in-Chief Bryan Sheetz about the new 1911 DS Prodigy 9 mm pistol. (Watch the video above.)
With the goal of making an affordable double-stack 1911, along with all the good parts that make up the “feel” of a 1911 pistol, Springfield Armory set out to develop the 1911 DS Prodigy 9 mm. (Read John Parker’s review of the 1911 DS Prodigy pistol.)
A world-class shooter and holder of several championship titles, including the Bianchi Cup National Action Pistol Championship, Rob Leatham has been with Springfield Armory since 1989. With all that hands-on expertise, he is in a unique position to provide insight regarding the 1911 DS Prodigy pistol.
“From the very beginning, one of the first design parameters for the Prodigy was that it has to be able to take an optical sight,” Leatham said. As for the Prodigy’s grip, it is made of polymer and can be changed, and is also lightweight. “One of the advantages of this style system is the grip does not have to be thicker than is absolutely necessary.”
When asked by Sheetz what he thinks of the Prodigy, Leatham said, “As far as the ability to shoot accurately and quick, it’s the best gun we make—hands down. There was a time that I would have argued that old-school 1911s are the best. The Prodigy gives up nothing and gains capacity.”
MSRP for the new Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy 9 mm pistol is $1,699, including a HEX Dragonfly optic. Minus the optic, the Prodigy pistol has an MSRP of $1,499. Learn more at springfield-armory.com.
