Single-action 1911-format pistols with a double-stack (rather than single-stack) magazine are not a new thing. Heck, it could be argued that’s all the Browning Hi-Power is, just with a few tweaks.
Para-Ordnance back in the 1980s and 1990s made a name in the above format long before STI International’s VIP and 5.0 series race guns from 1998 became Staccato’s 2011 a couple of years ago.
Now, in no small part to John Wick and Marvel, everyone wants a 2011 of some sort.
The problem with that is price, as an older STI 5.0 or a newer Staccato is going to set you back some serious coin — like $3K starting price. This is in large part because Staccato has limited production capabilities and no rush to expand.
Enter Springfield Armory and their new (and freaking gorgeous) 1911 Double Stack Prodigy series.
Announced in four optics-ready variants– with 5-inch or 4.25-inch barrels and with and without a HEX Dragonfly red dot included– the Prodigy runs $1499-$1699 with the Dragonfly models being the more expensive types.
Using 17+1 round capacity mags and with 20- and 26-round mags available– these 9mm 1911s have a ton of nice features including stainless bull barrels, AOS (Agency Optic System) mounting plates with integral rear sights, upscale ergos, and fiber optic front sights.
By Michael Crites
Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather's shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.
During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.
His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter's Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner's Annual.
As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium "Range Notes" platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.
He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter's Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).
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