Published On:February 10, 2019Updated:February 10, 2019BYSteve Gaspar
Colt Combat Unit Concealed Pistol the CCO
Colt Combat Unit pistols were initially developed with the first responder in mind. They featured internals that were essentially Colt Competition and externals that were tactical. Colt is now introducing a concealed carry version of this same Colt Combat Unit lineage, the CCO.
The CCO has a wide notch rear sight and a Tritium front sight
Like its larger family members, the CCO is competition on the inside and tactical on the outside. It features checkered side plates and 25 lpi checkering on the front of the grip. The front sight is Tritium and the rear is a black metal slot sight. The slide has serrations front and rear, and the action is very smooth. Dry firing the gun was a treat as the trigger break is clean and crisp. The trigger reset is very short as well. The hammer is skeletonized. The single stack CCO will be available in 9+1 capacity for 9mm and 8+1 for .45.
The extended magazine well is beveled for quicker reloads
The stainless steel barrel is 4.25 inches long and the stainless slide is finished in black PVD. The frame is black anodized aluminum. While small enough to easily conceal, the gun still feels good to the hand. There is no dangling pinky for this writer with average sized hands. The mag well is beveled just like the other Colt Combat Unit pistols, allowing users to compete in IDPA CCP division if desired. The safety is ambidextrous. The Colt representative noted that the model available for SHOT Show did not have the final finished safeties as the production version will have. The final model will have safeties that are rounded and smoothed just as the larger Colt Combat pistols have.
The production CCO models will have the same smoothed and rounded safeties as its larger relatives as shown here
The 9mm version of the CCO will ship in March 2019 and has an MSRP of $1499. The .45 model will ship shortly thereafter.
Steve has been creating articles, photographs, and videos on a freelance basis for gun and hunting publications for 25 years. His topics have included bird dog training, predator hunting, defensive training, 3-gun competitions, and more. He is an avid hunter, chasing upland birds behind pointing dogs by day, and calling predators at night with thermal and night vision. A staunch 2A supporter, Steve has written about topics challenging the gun community.
In addition, Steve tests and evaluates guns, scopes, thermals, night vision, and all types of hunting and tactical gear. His favorite outdoor activities are upland bird hunting, calling predators, and shooting suppressed firearms. Whether creating content about hunts or doing product reviews, Steve’s goal is to take the reader as close to actual experience as possible.
— Writer, photographer, videographer — all content is experiential, meaning personally tested or used on a regular basis
— Advanced training — concealed carry, weapon retention, long range precision, Brazilian jiu jitsu
— Competitive Shooter — reigning champion of the media division of the Crimson Trace Midnight 3-Gun Invitational
— Tax Stamp Collector — possessor of over 25 NFA tax stamps and associated pieces of metal
— Math geek — Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, Master of Science in mathematics
— 2A advocate — plain language interpreter of the Second Amendment
If it is truly -hand fitted- with ALL forged parts… as Jeff pointed out in his earlier post, then its absolutely worth as much as a Dan Wesson CCO. The Dan wesson claims no MIM, and are well fit and very smooth, same price exactly as the Colt. I built a lovely 70’s Combat Commander back in the early 80’s, 30 lpi front strap, Novac’s before S&W added them! When the xtra cut on the slide to fit them was $150! Kings match grade trigger and hand fitted barrel, bushing etc. Full house carry steel Commander! I sure as hell can’t reproduce that gun for $1500! And it isn’t CCO with the mag well! I already have a Range officer compact….but the Springfield has a lot of MIM parts…..all in all Im going to have to check one out. JD Reno NV
EdApril 5, 2019, 8:30 am
Realizing that grip safety bumps have become the standard, I hate them. Never had a problem with the original, tapering design ny Browning. Other than that looks like a good pistol to have. Seems like a lot of comments crabbing and bitching about this ‘n that with Colt. Fact is the sons of bitches have been building guns you can stake your life on, longer than you and I have walked the planet. That makes them more than good enough for me. They are as American as apple pie and baseball. Edward out.
KaneFebruary 12, 2019, 5:20 pm
They should put an EGA somewhere on the pistol and ask $1000 ($2500) more for it.
aleonFebruary 11, 2019, 8:09 pm
i think the gun industries are on drug everything is over priced is the same junk over and over people stop buying it may be the price will go down
MikeFebruary 11, 2019, 5:02 pm
In looking at where the slide meets the fame on the left hand side, there seems to be quite a gap. I bought a 80 series Gold Cup Trophy , sight unseen, with the same gap. It rattles worse than my shot out Gold Cup series 70 National match. Sent the 80 back due to a terrible trigger, returned the same. Looks like their quality hasn’t improved, especially at this new gun’s price point. I’ll pass
Jeff RaganMay 13, 2019, 3:16 pm
Shot or owned many 1911’s?. I owned LES BAERS and currently own an SPRINGFIELD TRP and have owned over 10 different 1911’s and customized and custom built dozens and just bought one of these new COLTS and it is FREAKING OUTSTANDING!!!. Superb accuracy nearly hitting an clay at 50 yards with first round ever fired from it. ZERO malfunctions is most important thing by far and most 1911’s are far more accurate than the shooter holding it. This new COLT measures .020 max lateral play and .022 max in vertical, TOTALLY INSIGNIFICANT as the JMB design needed loose tolerance to function in the field and feed a wide variety of military grade, ( sometimes low grade ) ammo and stopping power and reliability where paramount. Aircraft grade Aluminum frame w/ 25 line per inch checkering, Stainless Colt National Match barrel w/ hand fitted bushing and link, Genuine NOVAK sights front / rear w/ TRITIUM amp ghost ring front sight and far and away BEST SIGHT COMBO I have ever owned and will be changing out my SPRINGFIELD TRP fake NOVAKS for exactly the same genuine NOVAKS. Flared mag well and slim grips w/ ambi safety and superb and tough non reflective tactical coating and with genuine COLT Forged internal parts and COLT Forged slide with super tight barrel to slide fit and lock up. The hand fit interaction between the barrel link and the barrel locking lugs and the bushing and the chamber to breach face fit are where superb accuracy come from. My LES BAER was one of the 1/2 inch 50 yard group guaranteed pistols at $2,899.00 total that I bought from local Sheriff deputy that had it build for duty carry. Because it said ” LES BAER CUSTOM ” on the slide the dep’t lawyers said he couldn’t carry it and I got it for $2,200 a year later but he had BOMAR adjustable sights and I have used / carried 1911’s with NOVAK’s exclusively for 25 plus years now. You will find the LES BAERS, and WILSON COMBATS and ED BROWNS with the hand fit slide frame need MASSIVE MASSAGING all over the gun to get them to feed reliably because all the tolerances allow ZERO DIMENSIONAL ERRORS in ammo and everything else. MOST feed problems are mag related and I personally use only WILSON #47D, and their 10 round too. Nearly forgot my new COLT also has their new dual spring recoil system as on the MARINES 1911 and it works outstanding taming recoil way better than on my last ALL TIME FAVE 1911 the COLT LIGHWEIGHT COMMANDER I customized with 25 LPI front strap checkering and 20 LPI serrations on the flat top slide and added WILSON NITE EYES sites and did an BROWNELLS flat black bake on Ceramic finish but had to sell that one to my cousin Mitch when I promoted a big PRO SUPERCROSS event locally but needed cash but he gladly paid $1,500 for the pistol he was with me in Seattle when I bought it for $800 about ten years earlier. SUPERB ACCURECY!, SUPERB RELIABILITY and light weight nearly 12 ounces total less than I have been carrying in my TRP with the best day and NIGHT sight combo I have ever owned and with nearly 500 rounds ad ZERO malfuncs this baby is EASILY MY ALLTIME FAVORITE!. Needed one thing and that was combination spring tuning and grinding a little off the leaf that contacts the trigger bow because it rubbed slightly on inside of frame cutout for grip safety and combination spring. Have trigger now at crisp 4.5 lbs and with all stock COLT parts. And this particular COLT I got has an under 1000 serial #, being one of first thousand made. LOVE this more every time I pick it up, draw it and dry fire it and especially the superb accuracy. Max lateral spread of 8 inches at 20 yards, max lateral spread of 18 inches at 50 yards in slow fire, 30 inch spread in rapid fire. Next will be groups from bench for true accuracy check and 100 yards fire. LOVE THIS COLT and saving to buy ANOTHER!.
DaleMay 14, 2020, 12:25 pm
The photo I see of the back of the slide /frame, the left side gap is the ejector not the slide frame fit.
FirstStateMarkFebruary 11, 2019, 2:41 pm
When I saw this I wanted one. Then the price came to view. Sorry but I’m not paying $1500 for the Colt name. There are other 1911s in that size that are cheaper and just as good.
dannyMarch 13, 2019, 3:19 am
like what exactly please
Millard HixsonFebruary 11, 2019, 11:52 am
Side plates???? You mean grip panels, right?
Beveled mag well? Where do you gun rag writers come up with this stuff? That is an extended flared magwell.
Didn’t have the finished pistol available for the biggest once-a-year trade show in the industry? Sorry, Colt, you’re not trying.
And $1500 for a lightweight commander, even a dressed-up one, will probably not fly well.
Mike in a TruckFebruary 11, 2019, 9:06 am
Got no use for that silly Continental caliber. But I’ll take one in .45 ACP please.
CyrusFebruary 11, 2019, 8:11 am
If I’m reading this correctly this gun is around $1500? I was actually interested until I saw the price. Thanks but I will stick with my HK45ct
Brad DoyleFebruary 11, 2019, 7:50 am
Looks a lot like my XSE Commander. I look forward to its release.
If it is truly -hand fitted- with ALL forged parts… as Jeff pointed out in his earlier post, then its absolutely worth as much as a Dan Wesson CCO. The Dan wesson claims no MIM, and are well fit and very smooth, same price exactly as the Colt. I built a lovely 70’s Combat Commander back in the early 80’s, 30 lpi front strap, Novac’s before S&W added them! When the xtra cut on the slide to fit them was $150! Kings match grade trigger and hand fitted barrel, bushing etc. Full house carry steel Commander! I sure as hell can’t reproduce that gun for $1500! And it isn’t CCO with the mag well! I already have a Range officer compact….but the Springfield has a lot of MIM parts…..all in all Im going to have to check one out.
JD Reno NV
Realizing that grip safety bumps have become the standard, I hate them. Never had a problem with the original, tapering design ny Browning. Other than that looks like a good pistol to have. Seems like a lot of comments crabbing and bitching about this ‘n that with Colt. Fact is the sons of bitches have been building guns you can stake your life on, longer than you and I have walked the planet. That makes them more than good enough for me. They are as American as apple pie and baseball. Edward out.
They should put an EGA somewhere on the pistol and ask $1000 ($2500) more for it.
i think the gun industries are on drug everything is over priced is the same junk over and over people stop buying it may be the price will go down
In looking at where the slide meets the fame on the left hand side, there seems to be quite a gap. I bought a 80 series Gold Cup Trophy , sight unseen, with the same gap. It rattles worse than my shot out Gold Cup series 70 National match. Sent the 80 back due to a terrible trigger, returned the same. Looks like their quality hasn’t improved, especially at this new gun’s price point.
I’ll pass
Shot or owned many 1911’s?. I owned LES BAERS and currently own an SPRINGFIELD TRP and have owned over 10 different 1911’s and customized and custom built dozens and just bought one of these new COLTS and it is FREAKING OUTSTANDING!!!. Superb accuracy nearly hitting an clay at 50 yards with first round ever fired from it. ZERO malfunctions is most important thing by far and most 1911’s are far more accurate than the shooter holding it. This new COLT measures .020 max lateral play and .022 max in vertical, TOTALLY INSIGNIFICANT as the JMB design needed loose tolerance to function in the field and feed a wide variety of military grade, ( sometimes low grade ) ammo and stopping power and reliability where paramount. Aircraft grade Aluminum frame w/ 25 line per inch checkering, Stainless Colt National Match barrel w/ hand fitted bushing and link, Genuine NOVAK sights front / rear w/ TRITIUM amp ghost ring front sight and far and away BEST SIGHT COMBO I have ever owned and will be changing out my SPRINGFIELD TRP fake NOVAKS for exactly the same genuine NOVAKS. Flared mag well and slim grips w/ ambi safety and superb and tough non reflective tactical coating and with genuine COLT Forged internal parts and COLT Forged slide with super tight barrel to slide fit and lock up. The hand fit interaction between the barrel link and the barrel locking lugs and the bushing and the chamber to breach face fit are where superb accuracy come from. My LES BAER was one of the 1/2 inch 50 yard group guaranteed pistols at $2,899.00 total that I bought from local Sheriff deputy that had it build for duty carry. Because it said ” LES BAER CUSTOM ” on the slide the dep’t lawyers said he couldn’t carry it and I got it for $2,200 a year later but he had BOMAR adjustable sights and I have used / carried 1911’s with NOVAK’s exclusively for 25 plus years now. You will find the LES BAERS, and WILSON COMBATS and ED BROWNS with the hand fit slide frame need MASSIVE MASSAGING all over the gun to get them to feed reliably because all the tolerances allow ZERO DIMENSIONAL ERRORS in ammo and everything else. MOST feed problems are mag related and I personally use only WILSON #47D, and their 10 round too. Nearly forgot my new COLT also has their new dual spring recoil system as on the MARINES 1911 and it works outstanding taming recoil way better than on my last ALL TIME FAVE 1911 the COLT LIGHWEIGHT COMMANDER I customized with 25 LPI front strap checkering and 20 LPI serrations on the flat top slide and added WILSON NITE EYES sites and did an BROWNELLS flat black bake on Ceramic finish but had to sell that one to my cousin Mitch when I promoted a big PRO SUPERCROSS event locally but needed cash but he gladly paid $1,500 for the pistol he was with me in Seattle when I bought it for $800 about ten years earlier. SUPERB ACCURECY!, SUPERB RELIABILITY and light weight nearly 12 ounces total less than I have been carrying in my TRP with the best day and NIGHT sight combo I have ever owned and with nearly 500 rounds ad ZERO malfuncs this baby is EASILY MY ALLTIME FAVORITE!. Needed one thing and that was combination spring tuning and grinding a little off the leaf that contacts the trigger bow because it rubbed slightly on inside of frame cutout for grip safety and combination spring. Have trigger now at crisp 4.5 lbs and with all stock COLT parts. And this particular COLT I got has an under 1000 serial #, being one of first thousand made. LOVE this more every time I pick it up, draw it and dry fire it and especially the superb accuracy. Max lateral spread of 8 inches at 20 yards, max lateral spread of 18 inches at 50 yards in slow fire, 30 inch spread in rapid fire. Next will be groups from bench for true accuracy check and 100 yards fire. LOVE THIS COLT and saving to buy ANOTHER!.
The photo I see of the back of the slide /frame, the left side gap is the ejector not the slide frame fit.
When I saw this I wanted one. Then the price came to view. Sorry but I’m not paying $1500 for the Colt name. There are other 1911s in that size that are cheaper and just as good.
like what exactly please
Side plates???? You mean grip panels, right?
Beveled mag well? Where do you gun rag writers come up with this stuff? That is an extended flared magwell.
Didn’t have the finished pistol available for the biggest once-a-year trade show in the industry? Sorry, Colt, you’re not trying.
And $1500 for a lightweight commander, even a dressed-up one, will probably not fly well.
Got no use for that silly Continental caliber. But I’ll take one in .45 ACP please.
If I’m reading this correctly this gun is around $1500? I was actually interested until I saw the price. Thanks but I will stick with my HK45ct
Looks a lot like my XSE Commander. I look forward to its release.