Sidearms & Scatterguns Well, think I’ve hit my peak for sidearms...

[91Eunozs]

After almost a year of waiting, my Cabot is finished. The unboxing is an event unto itself...

Fit and finish are as expected...and then some! I cannot describe how smooth the action and slide movement feels. Like oiled glass.

And the trigger...I’ve never felt anything like it. I honestly can’t feel the break. Just an almost imperceptible bit of take up, a bit more pressure, and ‘click’ the hammer drops!

Believe mine is the first customer gun with their new beveled mag well:

And the overall feel is unreal too. I’m not speaking hyperbolically when I say this pistol feels like an extension of my hand...it points so naturally it’s almost surreal.

Not gonna lie, this one will be a safe queen, but will post more after I put a few rounds down range.

 

[Optical1]

Congrats! That is one b-e-a-utiful sidearm. Do post your thoughts once you’ve had some range time with her. Cabot really does impress.

 

[Ravenworks]

Why would you make it a safe queen?

 

[91Eunozs]

Will do... I like the Colts I grew up with, really enjoy the Sig 1911 I basically turned into a Wilson Combat as I learned to gun smith, and love my STI...shoots even better than my Nighthawk.

but this gun...wow. A whole ‘nother world of firearms.

 

[91Eunozs]

Why would you make it a safe queen?

I’ll shoot it...but it’s not gonna be my daily carry. It needs to be shot...perfection of purpose.

 

[Ravenworks]

I get it, just jacking you.
I have so much in my safes that if it wasn't for an inventory I'd have no idea what I own.
I love my 1911's as well
BTW it is beautiful,especially the wood

 

[91Eunozs]

A couple more I forgot to post...

and now I’m off to enjoy a nice quiet night at home with my lovely bide after a pretty long week at work...and a nice beverage to celebrate the occasion!

 

[91Eunozs]

Quick update this morning... The custom holster/mag pouches I ordered several months ago from Andrews Custom Leather aren’t finished yet...perfection takes time! They’ll be ready soon though. In the interim, the Savoy “Hive” I had for another 5” 1911 fits like a champ:

...and confirmed all my other 1911 mag types fit; primarily Wilson Combat, but also several from Nighthawk, Ed Brown, and a few Chip McCormick (including a couple 10-rd Power Mags):

Will test out the petrified coral grips from Nate Challis I had made for this pistol last year too...those will only be used for display though. Also have a set of Mammoth tooth grips from him that are reinforced for shooting, but not sure how they’ll fit with the flared mag well.

Will likely get a second set of wood grips in some kind of gray ash or ebony wood as well...more to follow.

 

[TheGerman]

Only thing left to do is throwing it down the driveway to break it in.

 

[Basher]

Only thing left to do is throwing it down the driveway to break it in.

Ah, the ol’ “ARFCOM 10-second break-in,” eh?

 

[Carlos Danger]

Jesus H Christ that's some impressive craftsmanship right there. I'm not even going to imagine the $$$. Are the grips Cocobolo?

 

[91Eunozs]

Jesus H Christ that's some impressive craftsmanship right there. I'm not even going to imagine the $$$. Are the grips Cocobolo?

yeah...not cheap for sure. Grips are Sonoran Ironwood.

 

[91Eunozs]

In other #1stworldproblem news, I have to decide which grip screw to use with the petrified coral grips that will be on this pistol when displayed. Very happy to see they use Nate Challis design’s grip bushing system...by far the best out there IMHO.

Coincidentally, matches my Challis grips!

Plain, smooth stainless (stock):

...or with a whorl design (kind of evokes a wave theme that goes with the coral grips and spinal stingray holster/mag pouches):

I personally prefer the smooth finish, but believe the whorl design goes better with the “busy” details of this pistol’s finishes...

...and in a bit of inadvertant excellence, the gray/black/white theme kind of matches the temporary Savoy ‘Hive’ holster:

 

[nikonNUT]

Man those coral grips definitely key off the damascus really well and match the whorls on the back of the slide perfectly! That is a stunning side arm for sure! Congratulations!

 

[kthomas]

Hot damn that 1911 is a piece of art

 

[Zorrosdens]

Amazing weapon artistry, very.

 

[kriller134]

Is the slide Damascus? What a beautiful pistol.

 

[acudaowner]

and then a new model come along and steals you heart you dirty dirty whore . It is a very pretty gun may you be happy with it for many years to come .

 

[nikonNUT]

and then a new model come along and steals you heart you dirty dirty whore.

Ain't that the truth!

 

[Alabusa]

Not a 1911 fan but that is a beautiful pistol!

 

[CaptBrian]

Wow! That piece looks good enough to eat bro! Congrats...

 

[Lapuapalooza]

I’m not a 1911 fan, but damn!

 

[sharpshot50]

Absolutely stunning!

 

[DOA]

Its a beauty! Bet you can't wait for its first idiot scratch on reassembly.

 

[uffduh]

and then a new model come along and steals you heart you dirty dirty whore . It is a very pretty gun may you be happy with it for many years to come .

I'm personally hoping he hates it after the first range trip so I can buy it a deep SH PX discount and save on the wait time!

Amazing pistol!

 

[Zorrosdens]

Time for a re-up into “beyond the common man’s” articles.....rare craftsmanship at the highest levels. Been too long....glad he reignited that flame.

 

[91Eunozs]

Is the slide Damascus? What a beautiful pistol.

yes... Cabot Damascus Ladder Deluxe (with quite a few mods): https://cabotguns.com/damascus-steel-1911/

This pistol is actually on the lower end of their Damascus steel offerings...even with my modifications (ambi safety, flared mag well, etc.). They are true artisans there at Cabot, and I can’t speak highly enough of their work. Fit and finish are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and the way it feels is something that has to be experienced.

For comparison, I own several Colts, an STI, and a Nighthawk...this pistol is in an entirely different league.

Believe it or not, the pistol I own that feels the closest is actually a Sig 1911 I built for my son. Cheap(ish) $1K pistol that I proceeded to essentially turn into a Wilson Combat (replaced almost all internals with Wilson Combat parts) after hand fitting the slide and frame...I found one that was super tight from the factory and hand lapped in the frame/slide over several hours before starting to work on the internals.

and re: the price...yeah, this thing isn’t cheap.

I couldn’t dream of owning something like this until a couple years ago. Grew up poor (at least by American standards), enlisted after high school and somehow got an appointment to a service academy. Spent 32 years in the military counting my time at the academy, then finally retired and through good timing and preparation fell into a good job in the “real world” where I’ve had some luck (timing again) and success as well.

Still, this pistol is a stretch even for me... I like to tell myself it’s an investment (and it is), but the reality it’s just an incredibly functional piece of art. And art...well, the value of art is purely subjective.

This particular piece of art in my collection is worth every penny to me!

 

[kriller134]

yes... Cabot Damascus Ladder Deluxe (with quite a few mods): https://cabotguns.com/damascus-steel-1911/

This pistol is actually on the lower end of their Damascus steel offerings...even with my modifications (ambi safety, flared mag well, etc.). They are true artisans there at Cabot, and I can’t speak highly enough of their work. Fit and finish are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and the way it feels is something that has to be experienced.

For comparison, I own several Colts, an STI, and a Nighthawk...this pistol is in an entirely different league.

Believe it or not, the pistol I own that feels the closest is actually a Sig 1911 I built for my son. Cheap(ish) $1K pistol that I proceeded to essentially turn into a Wilson Combat (replaced almost all internals with Wilson Combat parts) after hand fitting the slide and frame...I found one that was super tight from the factory and hand lapped in the frame/slide over several hours before starting to work on the internals.

and re: the price...yeah, this thing isn’t cheap.

I couldn’t dream of owning something like this until a couple years ago. Grew up poor (at least by American standards), enlisted after high school and somehow got an appointment to a service academy. Spent 32 years in the military counting my time at the academy, then finally retired and through good timing and preparation fell into a good job in the “real world” where I’ve had some luck (timing again) and success as well.

Still, this pistol is a stretch even for me... I like to tell myself it’s an investment (and it is), but the reality it’s just an incredibly functional piece of art. And art...well, the value of art is purely subjective.

This particular piece of art in my collection is worth every penny to me!

That’s awesome it’s a beautiful pistol that I can’t stop looking at. Have you compared it to a Yost or any of the heirloom offerings?

 

[91Eunozs]

No experience with that brand... My Nighthawk and STI, as well as a buddy’s Wilson Combat are the closest I’ve come to a high end 1911 before this one.

 

[whatsupdoc]

From the website

"Damascus Steel Slide and Frame 1911’s Starting at $35,000 "

 

[Tokay444]

If I wasn’t so stoked for you I’d almost be jealous.
Cabot is definitely at the top of a very short list 1911s is can only hope to own some day.
Congrats and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It sounds like you’ve earned it.

 

[Tokay444]

From the website

"Damascus Steel Slide and Frame 1911’s Starting at $35,000 "

Slides start at $6000.

 

[clcustom1911]

I remember when Cabot 1911's were first introduced to the public about 10 years ago or so. Search for Penn United Technologies in Cabot, PA. That is who the parent company is for Cabot 1911's.

Penn United Defense

I handled a number of of the pistols at SHOT that year. Amazing pieces of gear. The trigger is something I have never felt. Crisp, clean. Bravo on your purchase.

 

[Sgt47]

Yes, I'd say you've hit your peak with that one. Congrats!

 

[Diablo]

Am sensing an unhealthy trend here. Safe Queens? Museum pieces?

Take it out and spank it.......run a few hundred rounds of hardball through it, then report back.

 

[texas_vet00]

Cabot does make some damn nice pistols... Congrats OP!

 

[texas_vet00]

Cabot does make some damn nice pistols... Congrats OP!

View attachment 7257963

OP, it is Friday. You know what to do with that thing. ?

 

[texas_vet00]

I’ll shoot mine if you shoot yours...

 

[texas_vet00]

Not true... I’m shooting with or without you OP.

???

 

[perttime]

I like the look of Damascus Cabots. Some of their work is way over the top for me.

The ICON model is pretty neat ... except WHY ON EARTH would I want the "Cabot Icon Racking Button" moving briskly back and forth right next to my thumb?

 

[91Eunozs]

OP, it is Friday. You know what to do with that thing. ?

I actually did take it to the range a couple weekends ago...been so busy at work, I kind of forgot to post an update!

Put a couple rounds down range at 7.5 yds to make sure it function checked OK, then a quick group (head shots) to see if it shoots better than me (well, duh!),... then mag after mag of 8-10 round mag dumps through a variety of mags at 10, 15 and 25 yards to see if it’ll run hard.

after the first 50 rounds or so:

and after 200 Rounds:

Not a single failure or stoppage... ran like a top. And yes, I need to get more of my finger pad on the trigger to stop pushing my rounds to the left on speed drills!

Pretty straightforward strip, clean, and reassembly:

Highly polished internals made cleaning a breeze, but I forgot what a pain in the ass full-length guide rods can be! LOL

Regardless, all back together and safely sleeping in the safe until next time!

 

[Doctorwho1138]

That’s a sweet 1911. A true work is art and it’s so nice to see these being shot. And I thought my Nighthawk custom and Guncrafter were nice. The slide is just so beautiful. Love the folded steel pattern.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Wow!

I have been thinking about getting a Damascus slide from my neighbors at Caspian. They want about $1000 for a Damascus slide and can Put together a nice home brew parts kit.

That gives Me some serious inspiration!

Sirhr

 

[91Eunozs]

That’s a sweet 1911. A true work is art and it’s so nice to see these being shot. And I thought my Nighthawk custom and Guncrafter were nice. The slide is just so beautiful. Love the folded steel pattern.

Love my Nighthawk too...

 

[EliMcBee]

That is bad ass.... I would be afraid to shoot it.

 

[kc7pwx]

From their website
Full Damascus Pistols Starting at $70,000

WOW.
That is a beautiful pistol, definitely a piece of art, and worth displaying.
Of course if I were to display it I would have it in a bullet proof glass case.

 

[91Eunozs]

Quick update... After waiting nearly as long as I did for the pistol, my holster and magazine holder finally came up in the rotation at Andrews’s Custom Leather:

This gun’s almost too pretty to cover up, but Sam’s work certainly compliments the build!

A nice note was included...Sam’s normal clientele is a rung or three above where I hang out!

 

[300Norma1959]

From their website
Full Damascus Pistols Starting at $70,000

WOW.
That is a beautiful pistol, definitely a piece of art, and worth displaying.
Of course if I were to display it I would have it in a bullet proof glass case.

That’s an impressive pistol! Equally impressive price. Wow on both points

 

[rusty_carbine]

Beautiful!