Colt Wiley Clapp CCO

Colt WC CCO

First impression was very good.

I bought this Colt because I want wanted a carry gun. I normally carry IWB and the 4 1/4" barrel and the short lightweight frame seem to be a great combination for me.

The first time I held a CCO was the Dan Wesson and I really liked it. That was several years ago. At the time I probably should have bought it, but I am finicky and did not like the "chain link" on the front strap. I am also a Gold Bead Front Sight "kinda guy" and I knew that would be an later expense. So I waited.

Since I got my Colt Government Enhanced Model (mid 80s) I have been a huge fan of Colt Undercut Trigger Guard ... The WC CCO has the undercut trigger guard and it also sports an aggressive 20LPI traditional front strap treatment. The combination is awesome! With the short frame you are really forced to get a high grip, the undercut trigger guard and upswept Beavertail support that; and the 20 LPI locks it in. I have small hands and the grip is very comfortable I could hardly tell it was the shorter Officers Model frame...some of you folks with bigger hands may not have the same experience.

At the Range. I fired 550 rounds through the Colt CCO - not one malfunction. Mostly 230 Ball, about 150 rounds of Atlanta Arms 185 HP and I put a bunch assorted ammo that I had found laying around. The pistol seems to be reliable. I used the factory mags, Wilson 47Ds (with OACP base plates) and two Colt factory OACP six round mags.

Handling - the gun is lightweight but that didn't affect me much. I could tell a difference between the CCO and my "all steel" Governments, but it was still fast and quick to get back on target. I have a lot of experience with an all steel Colt Officers Model and it is much easier to control in rapid fire then it's shorter cousin. I think the longer sight radius, longer barrel and the ability to get a higher grip (beaver and high cut trigger guard) help a lot.

If you are a guy who shoots a gun with an extended magazine release you may notice the shorter magazine release on this Talo. I know this is a carry gun and a short mag release is designed to avoid accidental mag dropping while being holstered/carry conditions, but as I got tired I started to notice the more difficult release. I do not see this as a problem. It is just a fact, one each of us must evaluate for ourselves.

The thumb safety is reduced, a welcomed enhancement for a carry gun from my PoV. It is still easy to reach and operate. You can still rest your thumb on it during firing. I do have the making of a newly shaped callus on my thumb! I don't mind.

The grip panels are thinner than most. I like that they get thinner as they move forward and the finger shaped checkering is unique and functional. My tastes are too "old school" to fall in love with these grips.

The trigger is very nice. I would say it is about 4#. Crisp and clean. I like it.

The sights are great. I am a huge fan of the Gold Bead Front Sight. This one I believe is actually brass. But it served me well at the range. The rear all black Novak style rear sight has a wide notch and for me this is a perfect combination. Even after 550 rounds the sight still drew light and made it fast to use.

I shot at Standard IPSC targets. The targets where placed at distances between 7' and about 20 yards. I am not a "caliper measuring kinda guy", but I can attest to its "Combat Accuracy". At ten yards I placed about 15 rounds into the head shot "A zone", nothing outside (my guess is about 4"). The sights where dead on for me. Shooting 500 rounds of ammo in three hours is not something I do very often ($) and I focused on Action Shooting Training. I am not as fast as I want be, but I shot most of the ammo as fast as I could from the holster engaging multiple targets, speed reloads and movement. Out to 15 yards I kept all rounds in the A&B zones minus one C. I was very happy with its accuracy. I destroyed those targets.

Reloads where easy as the magwell has been opened larger than any other production gun I have ever seen (without magwell). I had Colt put a Tactical Package on a Government Model a few years back, and it is opened identical to that custom package... I liked it.

BTW, the Talo CCO is somewhat blended. The sharp edges found on the bottom of most Colt's slides have been reduced. No sharp edges anywhere and a slightly rounded butt. Nice - I like. Perfect for carry.

If I where to be very critical of the CCO, I would have to say that I was a little disappointed that the slide's rollmarks where not as shown is on the Talo Website. I liked the pony behind the cocking serrations. I got a pony, but it is a typical Commander Slide location. I kinda thought a Talo Edition would be special and different. I know I saw it before I bought it - so I should quit crying!

My next complaint is not so subjective... the magazines have indicator holes cut like that of a standard eight round mag. The mag can only hold six rounds...so why have indicator holes lower than need be? I mean we are talking about something that you may depend on, in a life threatening situation...right? Do you want any possible confusion when glancing down to ensure you have a full mag and see two empty indicator holes? Are these holes drilled to drain water or possibly lighten the mag... I doubt it. I think it was a cost saving strategy... Not one that I think is well thought out from a consumers PoV. This is not what I expected from such a otherwise well thought combat pistol.

Otherwise I love this pistol.