How about the CCOs?

by
posted on February 3, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
2011239488-ccos_ms.jpg

Several friends have asked me to find out why Colt no longer makes the CCO, which stands for Concealed Carry Officer's Model. I have to wonder if any readers are also interested. This little 1911 variant is one of the slickest 1911 iterations I have ever seen. Colt made a number of them in the 90s, then followed up with a short run of Gunsite CCOs. They were very popular and are approaching cult favorite status. Basically, this gun was an Officer's ACP frame with a Commander slide fitted thereto. This gave the gun the length of a Commander and the height of a Defender.

The resulting pistol had a 4 1/4-inch barrel for performance and sight radius advantages, but a receiver that took a short 6-round magazine. The shorter butt was much easier to hide than a long one and the top end had all of the advantages of a Commander, particularly in the reliability sense. The Gunsite pistols were much preferred by concealed carry handgunners and bring top dollar in the secondary market.

Making one of these pistols is simply choosing the right parts. Colt currently makes everything required to assemble a CCO, so I am puzzled that they have not done so. If you want to write with your concerns about the availability of such a gun, write to me care of this blog. I will get your feelings to the right folks at Colt.

Latest

Balikli BLK bolt-action rifle
Balikli BLK bolt-action rifle

Review: EAA Balikli BLK

EAA’s new Balikli BLK bolt-action rifle is a Model 700-inspired rifle that’s feature-laden and affordable.

Big Iron: The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 Classic & Model 22 Classic

Smith & Wesson is resurrecting and updating two of its classic .45 caliber revolvers, with the Model 1917 Classic and Model 22 Classic.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 2, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

2nd Amendment Freedom is on the Ballot

This midterm election on November 3 will soon be behind us. We could see, come January 2027, a Congress that respects our Second Amendment freedom, or the American electorate could vote in the opposite.

Suppressor Demand Outpaces Production

The demand for suppressors is setting new records. National Firearm Act (NFA) item purchases in September—primarily suppressors—more than doubled compared to the same month in 2025.

Book Review | Five Decades of a Fabulous Firearm: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beretta 92 Pistol Series

In this wide-ranging book, you’ll find a history of Beretta, discussion of developments leading to the Model 1951/951 Brigadier, its evolution into the Model 92 and the U.S. military’s adoption of the platform (as the M9) in 1985.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.