{"id":2393,"date":"2024-07-24T11:22:58","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T11:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2393"},"modified":"2024-07-24T11:22:58","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T11:22:58","slug":"review-coyote-brown-1911-ds-prodigy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2393","title":{"rendered":"Review: Coyote Brown 1911 DS Prodigy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Joe Woolley<\/a><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s article, Joe Woolley takes a look at the new Coyote Brown 1911 DS Prodigy 9mm pistols. These guns were loaned to him by Springfield Armory for the purposes of this evaluation. Additionally, Vortex provided loaner optics used in this article.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The new Coyote Brown-finished Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy pistols are likely to turn heads at the range.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I<\/span> am going to venture that, while many of the readers of\u00a0The Armory Life<\/em>\u00a0may be truly \u201ctactical\u201d in training and experience, the vast majority of us could be better described as \u201cpractical\u201d in our lives and our gear.\u00a0[Don\u2019t miss our article What Does Tactical Mean?<\/a>]<\/em>\u00a0Whether the intended purpose is competition, hunting or self-defense, firearms are an important part of that gear.<\/p>\n

That \u201cpractical\u201d thing kicks in as we choose which firearm to use or carry. I teach my students that a good gun must meet four conditions: It must go bang every time, it must hit what I point it at, it must be chambered in a reasonably large cartridge, and it must fit my hand. Let\u2019s go ahead and add a fifth requirement \u2014 it must last. This is a sufficiently large investment that I don\u2019t need to rust solid overnight.<\/p>\n

\"Springfield\n<\/picture>
The Coyote Brown color is a Cerakote process used by Springfield Armory to protect the guns from corrosion and wear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are quite a few finish treatments that can help my firearms survive the Gulf Coast humidity in which I live. Black Oxide (bluing) and Parkerizing are a couple of finishes most of us are familiar with. Some, like \u201cTenifer\u201d, \u201cMelonite\u201d and \u201cArmornite\u201d, use methods that bond a finish to the metal. NiB (nickel boron) and DLC (Diamond Like Coating) actually penetrate the surface of the metal to bring reduced friction and corrosion resistance.<\/p>\n

[Make sure to read our article on gun finishes<\/a> for more information on these coatings and treatments.]<\/em><\/p>\n

The Right Choice?<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the most user-friendly coating goes by the name of Cerakote. It is a polymer-ceramic compound that can be applied to wood, polymers, plastics and metal. According to those who are in the know, it can also reduce wear and tear over time. It provides abrasion, corrosion and chemical resistance. It\u2019s water-resistant and stands up well to impact-created scratches and dings, and it is available in a myriad of colors.<\/p>\n

\"Springfield\n<\/picture>
Like the original 1911 DS Prodigy pistols, the new Coyote Brown models allow for the addition of a red dot sight and accessories like lights and lasers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Springfield Armory has been using a variety of corrosion-resistant finishes for years, and Cerakote has certainly been a favorite of late. They announced earlier this year that the Springfield Echelon<\/a> pistol would be available in Coyote Brown and OD Green<\/a>, and today the Coyote Brown coloring is being made available on their Prodigy DS 1911 pistol as well! It is available in both the 5\u201d and 4.25\u201d models.<\/p>\n

Kudos to Springfield, and very cool for us as we now have a new color option on a great multi-use pistol. The Prodigy that I use for home defense and concealed carry is their black Cerakote model. For those jobs, I like colors that hide in the shadows. For use out in the open, Coyote Brown may be a much more versatile choice. We use color all the time outdoors.<\/p>\n

\"shooting\n<\/picture>
Excellent accuracy is a standard feature that each Prodigy is equipped with. This Remington FMJ load shot sub-inch five-shot groups.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas (where a lack of water is not an issue), scenery tends to be pretty green. The last time I drove to the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (S.H.O.T.) Show, the Texas countryside turned brown around Dallas and stayed that way all the way to Las Vegas. Face it, for a lot of this nation, especially the mountains and the West, a brown ceramic finish on your firearm is an imminently practical choice.<\/p>\n

The Foundation<\/h2>\n

In basic black, the original Springfield Armory Prodigy 1911 DS was already a great choice as an EDC pistol. It is chambered in 9mm which offers several advantages over 40 (+) bores. Recoil impulse is lighter, meaning the muzzle will flip less and allow for faster follow-up shots. Then there is the opportunity, in a properly designed pistol, to carry 25% to 100% more ammo in essentially the same space as a single-stack 1911. I\u2019d call that a win\/win.<\/p>\n

\"Prodigy\n<\/picture>
The author found the ambidextrous manual thumb safety was large enough to operate easily without it being so big that it dug into his hand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A\u00a01911-style pistol<\/a>\u00a0is one of the places where the \u201cproperly designed\u201d criteria comes into play. A single-stack 1911 in 9mm can carry one to two more rounds than a\u00a045 ACP<\/a>. The double-stack Prodigy from Springfield Armory can more than double that. Introduced in September of 2022, the Prodigy ships with a 17- as well as a 20-round magazine. Both lengths, as well as an available 26-rounder, are available from the\u00a0Springfield Armory Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While the Prodigy may exhibit the classical 1911 lines many of us still admire, it brings a lot of ultra-modern technology to the game. The slide and frame are machined from forged steel for durability \u2014 or at least part of the frame is. The lower part of the frame is a molded grip module that is well-covered by Springfield\u2019s adaptive grip texture. Think of it as a two-layer grip. You can feel the outer layer with a casual grip making sure the pistol doesn\u2019t slide around in your hand. I tend to grip my pistols hard when I shoot them. As I do so, I can feel that second, more aggressive layer lock in on my hand, making sure I can control the Prodigy well in full recoil.<\/p>\n

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There is a smooth surface immediately under the triggerguard. The front strap of the frame is undercut to allow a higher grip (and better recoil control). The bottom of the triggerguard, where it meets the support hand index finger, also sports the grip texture as does the forward end of the squared guard for those that like to use the support index finger in front. The magazine release is extended enough to be easily activated without inadvertently dropping mags. The mag well has been nicely beveled.<\/p>\n

[Don\u2019t miss Paul Carlson\u2019s Prodigy Torture Test and Review<\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n

The controls have been well-executed. The ambidextrous manual thumb safety is wide and long enough to operate easily without it being so big that it digs into the hand. Operation was very positive, even on the right side. The grip safety sports a memory bump that helped release the trigger smoothly and quickly as it was depressed. To us that means that the safety performs as required but still forgives a less than absolutely perfect grip. Both sides of the slide stop are countersunk into the side of the frame. Access was still easy, but we certainly weren\u2019t worried about moving the slide stop accidentally.<\/p>\n

\"Vortex\n<\/picture>
The Prodigy\u2019s Agency Optical System brings six different plates for mounting the various red dot sights.\u00a0Shown here is the Vortex Defender-ST.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And let\u2019s not forget the AOS (Agency Optic System) optics mounting system on the slide, that allows you to fit a wide range of popular red dot optics to the pistol.<\/p>\n

Hands-On<\/h2>\n

My Prodigy sample is the 4.25\u201d barrel version that is our favorite for carry and home defense. The shorter length may flip just a bit more than its 5\u201d big brother, but I like the cycling speed and the quick transitions of the shorter model. That said, the Springfield mid-length version still manages to put a little weight out front. The slide and frame are an almost slab-sided unit. When added to the bull barrel, the combo does a great job of taming recoil. Big grasping grooves fore and aft make slide manipulation easy while keeping hands away from muzzles and ejection ports.<\/p>\n

\"author\n<\/picture>
A bright Texas day causes the front fiber optic sight to glow a bright green. This made for easy accurate shooting, even without a red dot sight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sometimes new is better, and sometimes maybe not. If you haven\u2019t test-fired the trigger on a good 1911, you really need to do yourself a favor. Initial takeup is only about 1\/8 inch. Required trigger compression on our sample was about 3.7 lbs. Overtravel was almost nonexistent.<\/p>\n

While factory iron sights have improved dramatically over early models, many now prefer reflex red (or green) sights mounted directly to the slide. The large variety of mounting patterns can create an issue, but Springfield Armory solved many of your potential problems with their AOS shipping as standard equipment on the Prodigy. The slide comes milled for adapter plates that will match most of the red dot optic footprints necessary today. Six different plates are available with an integral rear sight, one of which should work for you. So, enjoy your Prodigy as is with a great rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. Or order the plate of your choice and mount your optic on that plate which should still allow you to use the iron sights for back up if needed. The pistol also has a standard cover plate with rear iron sight.<\/p>\n

\"author\n<\/picture>
The author used the Vortex Defender-ST reflex sight for these tests. The front of the optic\u2019s body is reinforced and textured to allow the shooter to quickly cycle the slide using the sight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I tested this Prodigy with one of the latest red dots from Vortex. Known for their warranty \u2014 if you break it, they fix it or replace it for free \u2014 they are also well known for their product. Their Gen2 and, more recently, their Gen 3 Razor long-range scopes have done a great job for me for years.<\/p>\n

For this test, I used their Defender-ST model reflex sight with the 3 MOA dot. It provides a large 23 x 20 mm lens in a very small package. The window brings more vertical room than what I normally see. It leaves a lot of open glass to help you find the dot. The AOS system also allows for the inclusion of a rear sight that can still view the front sight over the rear deck of the Vortex Defender.<\/p>\n

\"Hornady\n<\/picture>
This Prodigy averaged under 1.25\u2033 for 5-shot groups at 15 yards with the Hornady Critical Defense ammunition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Size and construction parameters are impressive. The whole unit is 1.83\u201d long and weighs less than 1.5 oz. The dot is motion activated and will turn off after 10 minutes with no movement. This Defender-ST allows 10 brightness setting \u2014 eight for daylight and the two lowest are night vision compatible. The 7075-aluminum body also contains a polymer shell to help protect it from all those recoil G\u2019s.<\/p>\n

[Be sure to follow our guide on How to Clean the Springfield Prodigy<\/a>.]<\/em><\/p>\n

The CR2032 battery loads from the top so zero is not affected by a battery change. The front face of the shell is cross-hatched with \u201cFast Rack Texturing\u201d to allow the shooter to rack the slide using the red dot and still protect the glass. BTW, this Vortex dot is built on the Leupold Delta Point Pro footprint and requires the AOS 15-B plate.<\/p>\n

Range Time<\/h2>\n

Over the course of a very hot July morning and several hundred rounds, this Prodigy ran like a champ. I oiled it lightly once and then let it run. It did extremely well with all three loads, with the overall average group coming in at just under 1.25\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"ammo\n<\/picture>
The author tested the Springfield Armory pistols using (l. to r.) Hornady 115-grain Critical Defense<\/a>, Remington 115-grain FMJ and Federal 147-grain FMJ.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Performance \u2014 15 yards<\/h3>\n

The single shot drills were fired at a 3\u201dx5\u201d label, and most of the shots were on the paper with a 1.32 second average from the draw. Note that the splits on the multiple shot drills were pretty stable at about .2 seconds. That\u2019s not a limitation of the pistol, that\u2019s as fast as this former Master Class shooter can move his finger anymore.<\/p>\n

Speed Drills<\/h3>\n

That said, the vast majority of the shots were solid A Zone hits with occasional C\u2019s. Muzzle flip was minimal on this Commander length gun and the times reflect that.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The new Coyote Brown 1911 DS Prodigy is a great addition to the Prodigy line. Combining impressive performance with eye-catching good looks, the 4.25\u201d and 5\u201d pistols come in at an MSRP of $1,549. Be sure to check them out.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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1911 DS Prodigy\u2122 4.25″ AOS<\/span><\/h3>\n


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1911 DS Prodigy\u2122 4.25″ AOS, Low Capacity<\/span><\/h3>\n


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1911 DS Prodigy\u2122 AOS<\/span><\/h3>\n


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1911 DS Prodigy\u2122 AOS, Low Capacity<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Joe Woolley In today\u2019s article, Joe Woolley takes a look at the new Coyote Brown 1911 DS Prodigy 9mm pistols. These guns were loaned to him by Springfield Armory for the purposes of this evaluation. Additionally, Vortex provided loaner optics used in this article. The new Coyote Brown-finished Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy pistols […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2393"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}