Springfield ARmory PRodigy 600 round review (finally!)

I’ve been spending time with the Springfield Prodigy 4.25" Low Capacity model in Flat Dark Earth (officially “Coyote Brown”), and if you're looking for a modern double-stack 1911-style pistol that’s legal in restricted states without giving up performance or features, this one checks a lot of boxes. We got this one in from Brownells a few months ago, and we've been accumulating range trips with it ever since.

The Prodigy is part of Springfield's 1911 DS (Double Stack) series, and the 4.25" model hits a nice balance between full-size performance and mid-size practicality. This low-capacity version ships with two 10-round magazines, making it compliant in states with magazine restrictions while still offering the feel and function of a serious, purpose-built handgun.

Specs-wise, it features a 4.25” forged stainless steel match-grade bull barrel, a forged steel frame and slide with Cerakote H-250 Coyote Brown, and a polymer grip module in the same finish. It weighs in around 32.5 oz unloaded, has a fiber optic front sight, black serrated rear, and is optics-ready using Springfield’s AOS (Agency Optic System) plate setup. Trigger pull sits right around 4.25 lbs and feels clean with a short, tactile reset.

The Coyote Brown finish gives the pistol a distinctive, professional look without being flashy. It’s low-glare, durable, and the matching polymer grip module keeps everything looking tight and uniform.

Grip texture is decent — enough to give you some traction, especially for range or carry use, but personally I’d like a bit more bite. It's comfortable and doesn’t chew up your hands or clothing, but in slick or gloved conditions, more aggressive stippling wouldn’t hurt.

On the range, the Prodigy feels solid and balanced. The steel frame, bull barrel, and full-length guide rod help soak up recoil, and the 4.25″ barrel gives you a good balance between shootability and concealability. The trigger is one of its best features — clean break, short reset, and predictable. It’s quick to run and easy to stay on target with.

The iron sights are well set up out of the box, with a bright fiber optic front and blacked-out rear. If you prefer a red dot, the AOS system on the slide lets you mount a wide range of optics with model-specific plates. Just keep in mind that the plates are sold separately, and they’re not cheap. Depending on the optic footprint you need, some plates can be tough to find in stock, so it’s worth checking availability ahead of time if you’re planning to go the optic route.

This model is clearly aimed at shooters in magazine-restricted states who still want a full-featured double-stack 1911-style pistol. While you're limited to 10-round mags, the overall feel and handling are anything but limited. And for the price, you’re getting a lot — especially when you compare it to higher-end 2011 platforms like those from Staccato or Infinity. The Prodigy delivers many of the same modern features — optics-ready slide, quality trigger, double-stack capacity — at a much more accessible price point.

I’d like a little more grip texture, but aside from that, this gun is rock solid. It’s a sharp-looking, well-executed pistol with real versatility — something you can carry, train with, or shoot competitively, all without spending Staccato money.

If you’re in a 10-round state and want a pistol that’s modern, modular, and fun to shoot, the Prodigy 4.25” in Coyote Brown deserves a spot on your shortlist.