The double-stack 1911 market has absolutely exploded recently, with some of the most “drool-worthy” pistols appearing on the market lately. I for one can say that I am obsessed with all of them. But my wallet definitely is not up to the challenge for some of them. Some of these high-end pistols can reach prices that could buy your teenager a nice, reliable vehicle or pay for a semester of college at a state school.
That is not the case with the 1911 DS Prodigy from Springfield Armory. With an MSRP of $1,499, this is a double-stack 1911 (that’s what the “DS” stands for, by the way) that is about a $1,000 less than comparable models in the same category.
The Prodigy is an absolutely amazing gun right out of the box, and a remarkable deal for the money. What Springfield has accomplished at this price point is truly impressive. But, I love to customize my guns, so I thought it might be interesting to see what could be done to it for a price coming in around $2,000.
[Be sure to read Paul Carlson’s Springfield Prodigy review for more information about this semi-automatic pistol.]The Base
I reached out to my friends over at Continuous Precision in Milford, Michigan, and tasked them with the challenge. Continuous Precision is a small custom machine shop that specializes in custom machining slides primarily for law enforcement officers, but they also machine parts for the civilian world as well. Continuous Precision also manufactures sights, triggers, magazine extensions and basepads.
They have been making a major name for themselves with their 2011-pattern basepads and magazine extensions, so I thought I should give them a shot to see what Jeff, the owner, could come up with for this Prodigy. I got him the pistol and the basic parameters and let him go to work. What Jeff did to the pistol completely blew my mind.
Let’s start with the frame and then move up. Continuous Precision broke the pistol down and sent the grip module off to Brad Adcock, owner and operator at Great Lakes Custom Works. Great Lakes has been doing custom hand-stippling and grip modifications for more than 10 years. They do work for many law enforcement agencies, competitive shooters and trainers all over the country. I have had a few jobs done by Brad and always love his work, so I couldn’t wait to see what he did with a Prodigy.
He went to work with a slight grip reduction off the backstrap and adaptation of the Springfield grip texturing. Brad then laid down his signature embossed border that follows and matches the contours of the pistol to ensure a factory look. After the border had been laid, he went in and filled it with a texture I chose. For this project, I selected a medium texture that would enhance the grip in all conditions without being so aggressive that it would tear your hands apart when shooting. Brad did an amazing job, and I absolutely love how he left the factory Crossed-Cannons Springfield logo on the grips.
Topping It Off
While the grip was being customized, Jeff over at Continuous Precision was in the shop dreaming up a slide package for the pistol. Continuous Precision is all about enhancing your survivability, which is one reason I am such a big fan of their work. Their stuff is highly practical and usable, and it looks great — like it should.
Continuous Precision came up with a slide package that really enhanced and highlighted the existing slide cuts of the Prodigy, while also lightening the slide a bit at the same time. All the existing serrations on the rear of the slide got deepened a little bit, while the front serrations took on a completely new transformation. In fact, the entire front of the slide got reworked for a much more “aggressive” look.
Jeff took the rounded edges off and gave the slide a tri-cut angle with a flat top. This simple modification is really more for looks, but does offer functionality because of the serrations that they took over all the new angles. This gives the shooter a very aggressive texture up front for performing press checks and manipulating the slide from the forward area.
In this process, Continuous Precision utilized the factory front serrations, but added a few more while deepening them and then continuing them over the top of the slide. Then, the slide got some lightening windows cut strategically in the front of the slide on the new angled edge on either side of the front sight. These windows look awesome, matching the serrations perfectly while cutting a bit more weight out of the slide.
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To top the slide off, a Continuous Precision logo was machined into the top of the slide. Then, the slide and frame were sent off for a silver DLC coating for maximum protection of the metal and to ensure a long life no matter how much abuse the pistol might see.
Continuous Precision also makes magazine extensions, basepads and gap fillers for all 2011-pattern magazines, including those of the Prodigy. Naturally, I added them to each magazine to really enhance the overall look and functionality. These magazine extensions and basepads feature a small lip on the front for easy one-handed manipulation, as well as serrations on the sides for a sure grip.
Hands-On
On the range, the new Prodigy (that I am calling the “Prodigy 2.0”) ran incredibly well. I shot the gun when it was stock before all the work was done, and then got to shoot it when it was completely customized. Stock, the gun is incredible, but the custom Prodigy 2.0 from Continuous Precision adds a whole new twist.
The hand-stippled grip offers an amazing feel in the hands and perfect purchase on the pistol in any shooting condition. The deepened rear serrations are easy to grab to rack the slide, and the reshaped and heavily serrated front area of the slide makes it completely natural to utilize for press checks and quick slide manipulation during drills. The fit of the slide to the frame felt like it was running on ball bearings. The trigger is crazy smooth and allows for quick follow-up shots, and the lighter slide made for a great balance to the pistol.
Conclusion
All the work done cost just under $700 (with a big chunk of it going to the DLC coating). With an MSRP of $1,499 on the stock Prodigy and adding the $700 worth of work in, I had a double-stack 1911 that came in around $2,200 total. This is an amazing adaptation of the base pistol at a price that still comes in under the competition. I personally would put this “Prodigy 2.0” up against those competitors any day.
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