I feel like I'm continuously seeing videos, posts in groups, etc saying to avoid the 5" model. I personally absolutely love full size pistols. So I wanted to pick up the 5". However, now I'm having second thoughts and thinking I should get the 4.25". Is there any truth to all this?

Also, I plan to send the gun out to have all the ignition parts replaced with hand fit billet. I see some people replacing the factory extractor with an upgrade from EGW as well. Seems like so many people are saying that's basically a must.

Thoughts on all this?

Look up that big thread in the 1911 sub. A wealth of info there.

I was on board early with a 4.25”.  Most of my issues were due to the thick ceracoat on the rails.  2k+ rounds in now, it just runs and runs.  Very accurate.
Gutted mine and put in the EGW lightweight ignition kit.  I got a few light primer hits on reloads with the 19# hammer spring.  Factory was fine, but I put the 21# in and 100% ignition.
Still on the factory extractor and safety.

They cut some corners to hit that price, but not many.

From what it seems, SA made a slight change with their newer 5" Prodigy's.  Seems like the newer Prodigy's have a channel cut under the slide and exposes some of the extractor shaft.

No idea why they did it, some speculated to help reduce reciprocating mass to better combat a sluggish slide.