What are the choices in CCO format 1911's?

baddarryl · January 29, 2014, 12:59 PM

I think I have decided to find a CCO format for carry (Officers length grip frame under Commander length slide)? Can you guys tell me which manufacturers make that? I am assuming Colt, but who else? Thank you.

scottl · January 29, 2014, 01:24 PM

Colt(new Wiley Clapp model coming out)
Dan Wesson I think
Sig
Ed Brown
Wilson??
Nighthawk??

TBT · January 29, 2014, 02:02 PM

Kimber makes one last time I checked but good luck getting your hands on one.

Of the choices the only affordable one is really the SIG. The C3 and RCS are really great guns. I have the C3.

Really wish more makers would put these out. It's kind of the perfect carry for a 1911 fan.

bossman · January 29, 2014, 02:10 PM

I'm in the market for a good CCO sized gun too. I really like the Sig C-3,now just got to find one in my price range. I've got a Colt, Star PD and a Glock 36 all CCO sized 45 acp. Good luck with the hunt.

Officer's Match · January 29, 2014, 02:29 PM

I've had several, and for me the best is the Les Baer Stinger because I prefer a steel frame. Most others are alloy.

SAWBONES · January 29, 2014, 09:20 PM

The Colt CCO and Les Baer Stinger are both good guns.

If you intend it to use it for CCW, the alloy-framed CCO is probably the better choice for sake of weight, since a loaded Stinger is 43 oz, not much lighter than a full size 1911, while the fully loaded CCO is 34 oz.

It can make a difference with all-day carry.

dakota1911 · January 30, 2014, 11:52 AM

If a shooting buddy has one or a range you go to rents one, then you might also try a Commander size gun with a bobbed or rounded grip.

Officer's Match · January 30, 2014, 09:26 PM

I've owned and carried for extended periods of time two alloy framed CCO's (a Kimber CDP Compact and a Wilson Protector) and one steel framed (Les Baer Stinger). For me, the carry weight was a non factor in a good Brommeland MaxCon-V, but the shooting difference was noticeable. I also mentally was bothered by beating on an alloy framed pistol. Yeah, I know I'd likely never shoot one out in my life, but it was still a bug of a thought that ate at me. Plus, that Stinger was a bad dude - one I shoulda' kept.

KyJim · January 30, 2014, 09:41 PM

Ed Brown does not make a CCO; he does make different versions of his Bobtail Commander.

I have three CCO sized pistols -- Dan Wesson CCO, Les Baer Stinger, and the Sig C3. The Sig is okay and I carried it for awhile (bought when CCOs were more difficult to find). The Baer and DW are both excellent pistols. I tend to carry the DW because it has an aluminum alloy frame and the Baer is all steel. That 10 to 12 ounces does make a difference when carrying very long (the Sig also has an aluminum frame).

I know Colt is coming out with a limited run of Wiley Clapp CCOs. Wilson makes a couple of different models close to CCO sized (4 in. barrel instead of 4.25 in) in aluminum and all steel frames. STI makes the Guardian which has a 3.96 inch barrel.

Below are my three CCO sized pistols:

Fleabag · January 30, 2014, 09:42 PM

And the S&W.

Nathan · January 30, 2014, 09:57 PM

Really liking the DW option:

claydoctor · January 30, 2014, 11:15 PM

You can't go wrong with the Dan Wesson. Great trigger. Remakable fit and finish. Several on Gunbroker right now.

WVsig · January 31, 2014, 11:18 AM

Hard to beat the Dan Wesson for a production gun without modifications. If you want to step to the semi custom Les Baer as others have mentioned is a way to go.

I went the custom route because I was able to get a Colt at a bargain basement price. I sent it to Wild West Guns for some work. Ken & Jim hooked me up. I love the lightweight frame for carry and the sight radius is similar to my other 1911 commanders and Govts.

January 29, 2014, 12:59 PM	#1
baddarryl Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Location: Cape Fear! Posts: 1,700	What are the choices in CCO format 1911's? I think I have decided to find a CCO format for carry (Officers length grip frame under Commander length slide)? Can you guys tell me which manufacturers make that? I am assuming Colt, but who else? Thank you.

January 29, 2014, 02:29 PM	#5
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	I've had several, and for me the best is the Les Baer Stinger because I prefer a steel frame. Most others are alloy. __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES

January 29, 2014, 09:20 PM	#6
SAWBONES Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 1999 Location: The third dimension Posts: 670	The Colt CCO and Les Baer Stinger are both good guns. If you intend it to use it for CCW, the alloy-framed CCO is probably the better choice for sake of weight, since a loaded Stinger is 43 oz, not much lighter than a full size 1911, while the fully loaded CCO is 34 oz. It can make a difference with all-day carry. __________________ "Humani nihil alienum"

January 30, 2014, 09:26 PM	#8
Officer's Match Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2007 Location: LANCASTER,OHIO Posts: 3,944	I've owned and carried for extended periods of time two alloy framed CCO's (a Kimber CDP Compact and a Wilson Protector) and one steel framed (Les Baer Stinger). For me, the carry weight was a non factor in a good Brommeland MaxCon-V, but the shooting difference was noticeable. I also mentally was bothered by beating on an alloy framed pistol. Yeah, I know I'd likely never shoot one out in my life, but it was still a bug of a thought that ate at me. Plus, that Stinger was a bad dude - one I shoulda' kept. __________________ REAL EYES REALIZE REAL LIES

January 31, 2014, 11:18 AM	#13
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Hard to beat the Dan Wesson for a production gun without modifications. If you want to step to the semi custom Les Baer as others have mentioned is a way to go. I went the custom route because I was able to get a Colt at a bargain basement price. I sent it to Wild West Guns for some work. Ken & Jim hooked me up. I love the lightweight frame for carry and the sight radius is similar to my other 1911 commanders and Govts. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

January 29, 2014, 01:24 PM	#2
scottl Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2007 Location: Morehead,Ky Posts: 752	Colt(new Wiley Clapp model coming out) Dan Wesson I think Sig Ed Brown Wilson?? Nighthawk??

January 29, 2014, 02:02 PM	#3
TBT Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 971	Kimber makes one last time I checked but good luck getting your hands on one. Of the choices the only affordable one is really the SIG. The C3 and RCS are really great guns. I have the C3. Really wish more makers would put these out. It's kind of the perfect carry for a 1911 fan.

January 29, 2014, 02:10 PM	#4
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	I'm in the market for a good CCO sized gun too. I really like the Sig C-3,now just got to find one in my price range. I've got a Colt, Star PD and a Glock 36 all CCO sized 45 acp. Good luck with the hunt.

January 30, 2014, 11:52 AM	#7
dakota1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2007 Location: The Great American Desert Posts: 501	If a shooting buddy has one or a range you go to rents one, then you might also try a Commander size gun with a bobbed or rounded grip.

January 30, 2014, 09:41 PM	#9
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,149	Ed Brown does not make a CCO; he does make different versions of his Bobtail Commander. I have three CCO sized pistols -- Dan Wesson CCO, Les Baer Stinger, and the Sig C3. The Sig is okay and I carried it for awhile (bought when CCOs were more difficult to find). The Baer and DW are both excellent pistols. I tend to carry the DW because it has an aluminum alloy frame and the Baer is all steel. That 10 to 12 ounces does make a difference when carrying very long (the Sig also has an aluminum frame). I know Colt is coming out with a limited run of Wiley Clapp CCOs. Wilson makes a couple of different models close to CCO sized (4 in. barrel instead of 4.25 in) in aluminum and all steel frames. STI makes the Guardian which has a 3.96 inch barrel. Below are my three CCO sized pistols:

January 30, 2014, 09:42 PM	#10
Fleabag Member Join Date: November 1, 2011 Posts: 70	And the S&W.

January 30, 2014, 09:57 PM	#11
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,829	Really liking the DW option:

January 30, 2014, 11:15 PM	#12
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	You can't go wrong with the Dan Wesson. Great trigger. Remakable fit and finish. Several on Gunbroker right now.