I was lucky enough to get the 5 inch Prodigy when it came out. I read the owners manual, I also read an online 2011 guide. Then I went and so far put almost 500 rounds of mixed ammo. I shot trash ammo like tulammo, wolf , steel, aluminum and brass ammo and some Defiant Munitions tcx's and Gorilla Ammo Silverbacks defensive ammo and not one single issue. I thought the whole point to the Prodigy was to have a sub 2000 double stack 1911(2011) I'm going guess if you buy a Prodigy and strip it and put aftermarket parts why not just buy an STI. I'm sure your about in the price range.
I had the chance to try one of Skipz Prodigy's and it had a way better trigger than a Stacatto XC, not to mention several other outstanding upgrades. All in, that Prodigy was around $2500 with better aftermarket internal parts than the XC. To setup an XC to compare to that Prodigy, you would probably be in at least the $5300 price range. So as long as you do not care about the bragging rights, then a Skipz Prodigy makes a lot of sense. Also, the fact that Skip already has the services listed with prices on his website and his vast experience with the Prodigy, makes the entire process easy. FYI, if all that you wanted was to have a "better than Stacatto XC" trigger and improved reliability, Skip has a package that is around $500. So for around $2,000 (gun included), you have a dream trigger 1911 double stack...
@SkipsGunz your prodigy vids are the reason I'm leaning towards getting one. Why not get a 2011 at 1.4k. Then upgrade the internals first, then grip, tri top, cerakote, or whatever floats your boat and still be around stacatto pricing. With a way better product that's a 1 of 1 at the end.
Learned some things here especially trigger length - I have never heard anyone even mention out here in NC I got ahold of the atlas follower and spring upgrade kits for the prodigy mags and will try those out
@@erikmortenson73 follower seems to slide right in and - well I was expecting to see, and thought I did see the tube it was meant for - seems to be for the 140 and it’s very smooth with noticeable more spring power but not overly so - will do a full load tonight after I make sure it’s in the correct tube and give it a god shake and drop test etc see what happens
@@erikmortenson73 ok I missed reading it when I bought them but the order says 126 or 140 mm tubes - they are the 18% stronger kits (spring and follower) and well I just realized I sent in my 126s to Skip just in case he wanted to check magazine seating - totally not worth it as I picked up a handful of atlas mags from him doah!! But in the prodigy 140s there is a noticeable difference between stock and the kit - nosediving or tilting of the nose/front? of the follower is hard to accomplish with the Atlas kit just wants to stay parallel as opposed to a noticeable lag/dip on the stock mags until I push the very nose of the follower below the mag body at the front and in mine at that point there’s is almost a pop as friction or something is overcome - the atlas stays parallel as soon as I push - I bet if you can get the lips tuned up per skip/or using Altas mag tune kit or just de-burred, polish and in spec as can be (calipers on the tube etc) they would be pretty to very good. Drop test didn’t spit a single round - absolutely noticed a difference - worth it will be replacing all prodigy mags with this kit if they can stay in stock - I have no idea how 17 will fit in the 126 as the atlas is longer in the spring then even the stock 140 by a noticeable margin - I am a FNG and perhaps geometry, metal, thickness of spring let’s it happen or it’s just magic …
i keep seeing people upgrading and breaking in prodigys to make them more reliable why not just get a Bul for a couple hundo more they have better triggers and are reliable out the box
I’m running the egw kit now in my 4.25 prodigy. It came with a 19lb main spring but someone told me would it be better to run a 17lb. I just wanted to see what the masters opinion is
I bought the 4.25 prodigy and I'm almost certain it came from Springfield with a 12lbs recoil spring. Almost positive that's how all the 4.25 ones from springfield
@@mr2scroll538 yup I have two headed to him even with all the guys out here around Bragg that are 1911 guys - after working with him and getting his feed back I’m sending everyone his way!
U guntuber guys go too far... did u really measure your finger to decide the trigger of a friggin pistol ? I have the prodigy, first shots out of a 50rd box I had about 30 malfunctions. Took the gun home cleaned it and cycled the action quite a few times . That gun runs like a scolded dog now, 750rds now with 0 issues. Accuracy is unbelievable, I cant miss with it. The Prodigy went from a disappointment out the box to probably my favorite in my collection easy. Springfield hit a homerun with this gun. To anyone who owns a prodigy, A good cleaning and break-in is key, save your money before buy a bunch of stuff u dont need for an absolutely awesome gun.
I’d personally promise you would be retracting this if I did the prodigy package I offer. Sizing trigger is for guys with small hands and or long fingers. Sounds like a gimmick but it really works
Great video! Thanks for the advice. I just looked at one on special in my area. Comes with 5 magines, Red Dot and Range bag for 1299.00. I really want one to do what you did. Great Work!!!! Semper Fi
For the mainspring, how many pounds do you recommend. I have heard stock is 20, with recommendations all over the place. Also, is there a difference in spring weight recommendations between the 4.25 vs 5 inch slides? Thanks, your videos have been very helpful.
Really depends on what u are going for and updates safe space is 19lb and 9lb recoil Can just send it in to us or we gota stock 4.25 waiting for updates of your choice
So would you say the prodigy is the better lower priced 2011 to start with and make better as your income allows or would the rock island armory be a better option? Was also looking at the cz Dan Wesson combo of the cz 75 grip with the 1911 trigger and most of the slide and stuff.
It is not slide but the bull barrel in a 9mm that will cause issues. 5 in slide coupled with a bull barrel is too much weight to unlock for light PFactor 9mm loads. Plenty of 5 inch 1911s, single stacks in 9mm. You don't know what your talking about.
That’s not correct Pete. The reciprocation of the slide mass is effectively intruding on the function of a cycle, numerous companies mine included have done studies proving that 4.6” slides are the sweet spot for 9mm and getting the optimal result for a properly functioning 9mm pistol. The barrel is only serving additional weight and strength to the front end and overall performance. Look at guns like atlases Hyperion and staccatos P and XC you’ll find the study to be true. Not saying the 5” isn’t gona work it’s just not gona be the best choice for optimal tuning of the firearm. Faster reciprocation easier lockup resulting in less dip and overall better performance.
Can you explain why you keep saying a lighter recoil spring is better? The rule of thumb most competition guys and team gunsmiths (AMU & All Guard) have said is you go with a heavy enough spring for the gun to cycle and be efficient. Having a gun tuned to take all the recoil is better than your grip, hands, and arms doing it. Just because a 4.25" with a 7lb spring that is super easy to rack or cycle doesn't mean it's good for the gun and or shooter (which is good then that you have the recoil buffer in the gun with a lighter spring). Good video across the board on the comparison. 👍 I just bought a 4.25 Prodigy yesterday so I'll be adding better components to it.
I’d like to see a chart of recoil and main spring recommendations (matrix or something) based on say loads - like which you should use I bet light for the competition gun loads but how about my 147gr HST etc - bet a google search would do it maybe - oh wait I see a squirrel
@@sidanx7887 I do know Altas states they use a 17lb mainspring for all of their guns. Yes heavier competition loads ie 147s could benefit from a lighter recoil when you're under the clock. Lighter loads like 115s tend to kick more so a heavier one would be better. Yep....that squirrel ran off. Lol
I do like my 5in prodigy. Does it compare to my chiraq? Not at all but for 1200 bux its a great beater to carry around and shoots great. Ive swapped out several parts (no real reason) because i cant leave well enough alone. Lol
Ironically, I have found most truly reliable 9x19 chambered 1911's to have 5 inch barrels. Regardless of slide geometries being round, tri-topped or isolated from spring weights and bullet weights or shapes. They were however, bushing guns with FLGR's.
I picked up a 5" Prodigy DS last week. I put 100 rounds through it and it malfunctioned several times. Terrible! I'll reach out via email to see what you can do. Thanks!
I’m definitely going to have to send you my prodigy if it still have the failure to battery issue once I get it back from Springfield…it’s been an absolute headache…I’ve put about 360 round through it and let’s just say I never knew Springfield made bolt action pistols……had to slap it after almost every shot…..
I love this! I hope to get one of these in a 5”. I know it is less reliable but i want to make it work and this channel shows that it is possible. Tank you!
Learned a lot! Waiting for my 4.25 to arrive...... My 1st 1911 platform so im gonna super focused on your videos to figure how to do all of these upgrades.
Great video! Was curious if you changed any of the guide rods out for a tooless one? Also curious where you found the 8lb recoil spring? I’ve looked around and have only seen a 14lb made for the prodigy but not much luck on going lower
I couldn't find much information on 4.25' custom work. Glad I found this video. When you mention recoil springs going to 8lb or 9lb pounds, im assuming you mean for the 4.25, but some forums say don't get that loose of a spring. Do you run 8lb on the 4.25? Even on egw website, the lowest they go is 11lbs.
@@SkipsGunzGreat, that's the answer I was looking for. Thanks Skip. Although, my 'gunsmith' that's been building 1911's and 2011's for about 20yrs, says I should use a 10# recoil spring. He doesn't like to go 'too' modern with his thinking.
I’m looking at getting into my first 2011 and wanting to stay under the 1500 mark because after looking at EVERY ONE of ur videos and ur website I want a cheaper option and want to have you do some customization for me.. what would u recommend me starting with.. the 4.25 or 5 inch prodigy or the Mac 9 or ria ds.. what is the best for me to start with and customize with you
