I Carry: Colt Combat Unit CCO in a Galco Ironhide Holster

For those who don’t know, the Colt CCO (Concealed Carry Officers) configuration of the M1911 pairs a Commander-size slide—4.25-inch barrel—with an officer’s-length grip, hitting a sweet spot in terms of dimensions, especially for discreet carry. 

Colt’s Combat Unit package of features adds further utility: A white-dot front sight with tritium insert is paired with an all-black rear sight, resulting in a clean, effective sight arrangement with low-light capability.

In addition to the concealed-carry friendly size and low-light-capable sights, the Combat Unit CCO also offers front and rear cocking serrations, G10 stocks and full-diameter 25 l.p.i. checking on the magazine well.

It is a Series 80 gun, so there is the additional safety feature, but we want to assure you guys that Colt’s current crop of Series 80 guns have excellent triggers, free from the snags and grit some reported feeling on early Series 80s triggers. 

The Combat Unit CCO is available in 9 mm and .45. This particular model is chambered in 9 mm, and we think this configuration is a great combination of size, features, and chambering for a concealed carry 1911.
Moving on to the holster, we have the Galco Gunleather Ironhide, a versatile outside-the-waistband design. We know we just talked about the merits of the Colt for concealed carry, but a lot of these guns pull double duty. With that in mind, we wanted to highlight a rig that works well for outdoor use, such as a hunting companion or worn working around the property. The Ironhide also holds up well to range use—we’ve taken a Gunsite 250 course with this rig with no problems.

The Ironhide has several features worth pointing out. There's a security strap for sure retention, providing peace of mind out in the woods. It offers easy on-off capability, with the front strap locking the holster pocket into the belt loops. It can also be configured for left- or right-handed shooters, and strongside or crossdraw carry, by reconfiguring the snaps and straps.

Speaking of working outside, we’ve seen a growing trend in the outdoor industry for eyewear, including sunglasses, that are functional, fashionable, and still offer ballistic protection appropriate for the shooting sports. One of the latest companies to enter that arena is Leupold, and that makes a lot of sense. It’s an American company with a lot of experience designing lenses and coatings to optimize clarity when hunting, shooting, or otherwise living an outdoor lifestyle.

The model we have today is the Switchback, which offers gray frames and blue mirrored lenses. They are comfortable, stylish, rated for ballistic protection and shaded to protect your eyes from the sun—a great combination, especially with the weather warming up and everyone eager to get outside and soak up that vitamin D.