Firearm: Cosaint COS21 DFTTC Officer (MSRP: $2,200)
Double-stack, 1911-style pistols are nothing new, of course; Staccato has been in the business for several decades, and there have been models offered since the early 1990s. One of the latest offerings is from Cosaint Arms, which gets its name from the Gaelic word for “defend,” in the COS21. This references a family of double-stack 1911-style handguns, with traditional single-stack models carrying the COS11 designation. The COS21 line has everything from concealed-carry ready compact models to full-size 10 mm offerings.
This particular pistol is the DFTTC Officer handgun, which is a compact version containing a 3.5-inch bull barrel, 3.5-pound single-action trigger pull and ambidextrous thumb safeties. The Officer is 7.5 inches long, 5.5 inches high, 1.375-inches wide and weighs 24.5 ounces unloaded. Magazine capacity is 17 rounds, with the magazines being, well, there’s no other way to put it, on the pricey side. Eighteen rounds onboard in a pistol with a single-action trigger and only slightly larger than a Glock G19? You’ve got our attention.
There are a number of notable features in this COS21 Officer pistol. First, obviously, is the dramatic Cerakote finish. Numerous options are available for Cosaint handguns included as part of the purchase price, with custom options incurring a slight upcharge. Equally striking are the ported slide and barrel, which noticeably reduce recoil and muzzle flip by directing muzzle blast upward. A less-visible feature is the optics-ready slide, which can be set up to accept C&H Precision Weapons Crosscut plates.
While I don’t think we’ll ever get a resolution to the age-old argument of “Glock vs. 1911,” pistols like the COS21 Officer certainly blur the line between the two. Offering the crisp trigger for which the 1911 is prized, but marrying it to a capacious double-stack magazine, the COS21 brings the best of both worlds to the table. Adding in optics-ready capability, comfortable ergonomics, a solid grip and excellent shootability, the Officer model COS21 is a great option for a concealed-carry handgun.
Holster: PHLster Floodlight 2 (MSRP: $138)
PHLster’s Floodlight got a revamp in early 2023, with some serious upgrades to an already awesome holster. The material itself changed to the same injection-molded, reinforced-polymer blend found in pistol frames, rifle stocks and magazines, making it more durable than traditional polymer holsters. More precise molding allows greater retention on the weaponlight, while PHLster’s proprietary ComfortScape technology better fits the holster to the wearer’s body for greater all-day comfort. Lastly, DCC monoblock clips now come standard, and the Floodlight 2 is available as an Enigma Express selection, giving a multi-handgun fit.
As with the original Floodlight, the Floodlight 2 indexes on the attached weaponlight, either a Streamlight TLR-1 or the SureFire X300 we have here. This means that any handgun you have with enough accessory rail space to attach the light can use the Floodlight 2—I cannot stress how important it is to have something like the Floodlight 2 in your holster inventory. There are a large number of pistols out there that just don’t have a lot of fit options available, and the PHLster Floodlight 2 gives a comfortable, concealable option that will work perfectly every time. 10/10, highly recommended.
Knife: CRKT Taco Viper (MSRP: $99.99)
Rounding out today’s kit is the Columbia River Knife & Tool Taco Viper assisted-opening pocketknife. The Taco Viper has a 4.22-inch, partially serrated X50CrMoV steel blade with a drop point and stonewash finish. It’s 9.84 inches long when open and 5.62 inches long closed, with a weight of 5.2 ounces.
The Taco Viper is assisted-opening using a flipper mechanism and closes via a liner lock. Scales are glass-filled nylon, there’s a low-profile pocket clip for tip-up carry, and even though the Taco Viper is on the larger side, it fits easily in a pocket. A woven nylon sheath is available separately if desired. Sturdy, sharp and easy to use with one hand – excellent traits in an EDC knife.
