Been browsing around for my first DS 1911/2011 for a while now and figured the smart folks here would be good to ask. No real purpose other than to just have one, not looking to replace my edc or shoot competitively (yet?).

Springfield prodigy has caught my eye a few times, but they seem to have had some reliability issues early on. I really liked the Staccato P I shot a few months ago. I don't really want to sell a kidney for one, but it looks like there's a lot of options across a range of price points. I'd say max budget of roughly 25-2800.

Curious what everyone's thoughts are or what your experiences other brands has been like.

Is a CZ Shadow 2 considered a 2011?

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-shadow-2-black-blue/

redaszag99 said:

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Is a CZ Shadow 2 considered a 2011?

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-shadow-2-black-blue/

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No. It has a Glock trigger. Aside from that I liked my Shadow 2.

I had a Prodigy 4.25" and loved it. Never had any hiccups. Ended up selling it not because I didn't like but that's just what I do lol. I now have a Staccato P and it's a good shooter. Minimal recoil when combined with my x300 gas pedal.

The Shadow 2 DA/SA is next on my list.

Still love my Prodigy in 4.25 and 5" but I just got to demo the Kimber 2k11 and I might be switching out my 5" for one.

Have you noticed a big difference between the two? Other than about a thousand bucks, the 4.25 prodigy looks to be pretty similar to the P.

I have a Stacatto P and had a 4.25" prodigy, sold the prodigy but it was still a great pistol. It seems the prodigy was a bit snappier and a bit rougher/not as refined and polished as the Stacatto. But that is to be expected with a 1k difference in price, I would not hesitate to pick up another prodigy if I came across one for a good price.

Go with a blemished Staccato. I have a P and it's a heck of a gun, well worth the money.

https://staccato2011.com/shop/cosmetic-blems

I liked the grip better on the Prodigy but the Staccato P shoots and overall feels to be better quality. Here is one FS with a good price.

https://texasguntrader.com/category/900/Handguns-for-Sale-Pistols-for-Sale/listings/3066455/STACCATO-P.html

Mr. Dubi said:

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redaszag99 said:

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Is a CZ Shadow 2 considered a 2011?

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-shadow-2-black-blue/

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No. It has a Glock trigger. Aside from that I liked my Shadow 2.

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Really? A factory Shadow 2 trigger is miles ahead of any Glock trigger, factory or aftermarket. A tuned Shadow 2 trigger is as close as you can get to a 2011 trigger without being a 1911/2011 platform. That's why Shadow 2s are easily the most used platform outside of the 2011 in competition circles. Here is the latest data from the 2023 USPSA National matches - https://uspsa.org/magazine/display//2024-00

From the Production Division -




Carry Optics Division -

Dlove23 said:

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Been browsing around for my first DS 1911/2011 for a while now and figured the smart folks here would be good to ask. No real purpose other than to just have one, not looking to replace my edc or shoot competitively (yet?).

Springfield prodigy has caught my eye a few times, but they seem to have had some reliability issues early on. I really liked the Staccato P I shot a few months ago. I don't really want to sell a kidney for one, but it looks like there's a lot of options across a range of price points. I'd say max budget of roughly 25-2800.

Curious what everyone's thoughts are or what your experiences other brands has been like.

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I've owned several, shot even more, and have most recently built my own 2011 from scratch (Shameless Build Thread Plug). I've owned 2 STIs (before they trasnistioned to Staccato) a 9mm DVC and a 9mm Eagle, and a Staccato P. I loved the STIs, but wasn't a fan of the balance of the Staccato. I've shot several others from Infinity to Atlas to Springfield, the whole gamut. I shoot competitively, so the pistol I use matters a lot.

If the Prodigy is something that you think fits your needs the best right now, it will probably serve you well, but I'd buy one in person. I wouldn't order it, I would handle it before putting down money for it. If you can swing it, order one from Briley, they will work it over to ensure it runs the way it should; several guys I compete with have them and love them - Briley Prodigy

My opinion would be to look for a used Staccato, there are plenty to be found if you check sites like ARFCOM, there are several for sale there as of this post.

If you ever plan to compete with it, the Staccato gives you a little more aftermarket support, as it fits most standard 1911 parts, the Prodigy has some specific parts that aren't exactly interchangeable, but there are some manufacturers making parts for it now.

The Kimber 2K11 is new to the market, and has some good reviews, but with everything Kimber, I hesitate until someone has A LOT of rounds through it before I'd spend my money on it.

Rally-cap covered it well. I totally agree on looking for a used Staccato. There are plenty out there, and I suspect in the long run, you would be much happier with a Staccato versus a Prodigy. That said, I prefer a 5" gun vs the 4.4" P. I've also picked up a few things off Texasguntrader. If you buy a used one though, make sure that it's optics ready.

I'd compare the Prodigy to when I bought a Para Ordinance many years ago… The Para largely met the need at the time, but overall was lacking in what I wanted in a (competition) gun. Every time I'd shoot somebody's STI the differences were glaringly obvious. I finally sold the Para and bought my first (of many) STI/2011.

Sheepdog said:

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That said, I prefer a 5" gun vs the 4.4" P

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This. That's why I didn't like the P - but some people love it, I just personally couldn't shoot it well. If you can find a used XL, that's what I would buy. But I think a first-time 2011 owner can get good mileage out of a used P.

Edit to add - if you get a Staccato, I suggest getting the STEEL framed versions, not the aluminum frame. You can feel the weight difference, and to me, it made a difference.

Totally agree on steel versus aluminum. I broke an aluminum framed STI years ago. The front screw attachment of the trigger guard sheared off.

Since others have covered the DS 1911/2011 options: One other interesting option is the Dan Wesson DWX.

CZ frame, optics ready, 1911 trigger, cheap magazines.

I picked up a DWX Compact as a potential carry gun a while back and mixing CZ ergos with a 1911 trigger is pretty dang awesome.

If you plan to EDC it give the aluminum frame a look. I carried steel and aluminum and went with the aluminum for my EDC.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Was kind of leaning the staccato route initially, but this confirms my thinking. If anybody is looking to offload one of theirs, I'm all ears!

May not be exactly what you are looking for but I am looking to sell my very lightly used Wilson Combat edc x9 4 inch barrel if you are interested.