Ruger/TALO 9mm SR1911 CCO review.
We all like to be a little different, don’t we? To be part of the crowd but also distinct enough, folks will recognize your good taste.
I believe that to be true in many aspects of life, including and for many, especially their choice of carry gun. We all want something that is foremost reliable and accurate, but also easy to conceal and of a respectable caliber. That is the jumping off point, if you will. However, if we were to adhere to those criteria, we would all be carrying about the same gun. That is not in itself awful……well, yes, it is.
We, as firearm aficionados, pride ourselves on not only having all those bases covered, but also that the gun needs to be worth showing off. I believe I have been reviewing an example of such a pistol. The TALO edition Ruger SR1911 CCO. Suppose you are unfamiliar with TALO distributors. In short, they will design a special edition firearm, such as this Ruger SR 1911 CCO, and tailor it to meet the specific needs they identify. Using, for example, Ruger, they will commission a specific number of guns to be built to said specs. Noting that Ruger does not offer a CCO-style pistol, TALO rectified that while including some upgrades along the way, and it is marketed as a TALO special edition.
This CCO, standing for Concealed Carry Officers, consists of a lightweight aluminium OACP or Officers for short receiver with a Commander length slide and barrel being four and a quarter instead of the standard five-inch. Keeping the black anodized aluminum receiver reduces the weight and size of the pistol, making it easier to carry and conceal than a full-size. In going with the Commander length barrel, you gain about three-quarters of an inch of barrel and slide based on the Ruger Officers and Commander specs. The longer barrel and slide give you a bit more sight radius and bullet velocity. This CCO-style pistol is a solid choice for a carry gun as outlined above.
Other important features
Novak rear sight adjustable for windage, and fiber optic front Tritium night sight. This is an excellent setup for defensive carry in varying environments.
Extended thumb safety and beavertail with palm swell ensure sound safety manipulation even in less than ideal conditions. Checkered mainspring housing and speed hammer round out the rear of the pistol. G10 stocks with good but not overly aggressive texture aid in a solid purchase of the handgun, though I am not a fan of hex head stock screws.
Forward and rear cocking serrations allow for options on getting that slide racked when need be.
The pistol is built snug but not overly tight. I was able to get the barrel bushing out without a wrench, which is precisely as it should be. Accuracy at twenty-five yards rested averaged about three and a half to four inches.
Flat trigger breaking about four and a half pounds with enough take-up to prep it and overtravel for good follow-through. This trigger is right at the edge of being a good carry gun trigger. I prefer my carry pistols to have triggers between four and a half and five and a half pounds. A very handsome hideout, which many, including me, consider also important.
Conclusions
Twenty or thirty years ago, the 9mm Luger was not the defensive cartridge it is today. The 9mm 1911 has become a favorite for many, as it offers the near-perfect ergonomics of the 1911, but with a softer shooting experience than Ole Big Mouth, with a bump in capacity. We have already gone over the benefits of this TALO edition Ruger SR 1911 CCO and illustrated many of them in the photos and the above video. We ran approximately 400 rounds through the pistol using various ball and defensive ammunition with zero issues. Although a special edition by TALO, this pistol is still manufactured by Ruger, and as a result, having that stellar reputation. If you are in the market for a genuinely nice and somewhat different concealed carry pistol, this one is for sure worth a look-see.
Specfications
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity 7+1
Barrel Length: 4.25″
Overall Length: 7.75″
Width: 1.34″
Height: 5″
Weight: 28 ounces
Trigger Pull: 4 1/2 pounds
MSRP: $1239.99
Acknowledgments
Solice.