CABOT at SHOT, 1st impressions

[Jim 1855]

I had an chance to visit with Brian Zins and Steve Orange at Cabot Guns. Good guys and seriously impressive guns.

Their selection of 1911 pattern pistols are smooth, clean and exceptionally well done. The machining and polishing are unlike any other production gun that I've seen.

The slide to frame fit is machined in, close tolerances negate the need to "fit" a slide to a frame. I was able to assemble multiple frames and slides and whatever the combination the fit and feel was consistent.

I don't know if their prices ($5k) are for you and honestly I'm probably not going to step up to the line but I would highly recommend that you examine one or two before you pass judgement on the "value" or price. You get what you pay for.

Jim

[Rio Vista Slim]

While I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Brian Zins, I became very acquainted with Steve Orange during my visit to Penn United Technologies and Cabot Guns back in September. Steve is indeed, one of the good guys!

As to the pistols, I believe I made my impressions quite clear in my review of the Cabot Guns CGI/Classic.

I don't know if their prices ($5k) are for you and honestly I'm probably not going to step up to the line but I would highly recommend that you examine one or two before you pass judgement on the "value" or price. You get what you pay for.

I agree whole-heartedly with Jim on this statement.

[Jason8844]

I recently had a chance to examine one of the Cabot pistols for myself. A local gunsmith and collector I have befriended had acquired one for his collection. I have not fired it, but had a chance to hold and inspect it.

The first thing you notice is the finish. It is literally perfect and looks great. The problem I had was with the pistol it is applied too. The pistol seems cold and lifeless due to its perfection. It looked and felt like a machine. The 1911 is a work of art on its own. It was a pragmatic pistol, designed for military application by arguably the most important firearms designer of all time. What J.M. Browning created was a pistol of the highest aesthetical appeal to a military looking solely for function. He was a genius and an artist. I believe the curves of the slide and frame should feel and look "organic". The Cabot pistol I held was too perfect (if there is such a thing).

The technology and precision that goes into it is obvious and very impressive. However the lack of an apparent hand of a craftsman or master gunsmith in its creation leaves something to be desired. It maybe the artistic (musician) part of me that needs to feel a connection with any artisan who creates something like this. The Cabot really is a "post-custom" pistol and too me is the biggest flaw.

I feel the Cabot pistols are like BMWs. They are very well built cars, made with cutting edge technology. However they all look the same from the 3 series to the 9 series (or whatever the top tier is). They also may a lot cost more than my Chevy. Advertisements, magazines and "enthusiasts" can tell me how amazing BMWs are with a high price point, but it does not make me desire to own one. I will still want to drive and own my Chevy.

Is the Cabot pistol worth it? Absolutely. I have no doubt the super secret, proprietary technology is worth every cent. If numbers and the endless search for perfection is what ignites an inner passion in you, then save up for one of these. I still will carry my trusty Colt and never let my eyes wander to another maker. I trust my life with it and if I would ever need to put a .45 caliber hole in something I know it is 100% reliable. What else could I ask for?

With all the money I have dumped into firearms, I could have bought a Cabot a few times over. For me, I still want a Colt M1911A1 from WWII and would enjoy its rich history and connection with the past. It would just be like if I ever became a multi millionaire; I would still drive an old Chevy.

Bottom line and my 2 cents -

Are Cabots worth the price? Probably. Maybe my expectations were too high, but there was no "magic" feeling with it like I was hoping to find.

Are they of the highest quality? Yes

Do they look nice? Finish - Yes, Overall aesthetics - They are not for me

Do I desire to own one? - Less now than I did before

[Art1]

Just curious, what is your friends impression of it ??

[Jason8844]

Just curious, what is your friends impression of it ??

He is more of a good aquataince really. We talk guns often. Really more of me asking questions and him answering.

He really likes it and is a proud owner.

We both agreed that it was a nice pistol and could not find a flaw on it. I think as a collector he is hoping to enjoy it a little and hope it holds its value. He has a fairly large collection of 1911's from many makers, so I think a Cabot was just another toy in the toy box. I am fairly certain he is the kind of buyer Cabot is marketing to.

[John]

I feel the Cabot pistols are like BMWs. They are very well built cars, made with cutting edge technology. However they all look the same from the 3 series to the 9 series (or whatever the top tier is). They also may a lot cost more than my Chevy. Advertisements, magazines and "enthusiasts" can tell me how amazing BMWs are with a high price point, but it does not make me desire to own one. I will still want to drive and own my Chevy.

If BMWs are deprived of "uniqueness", isn't your Chevy too? Actually, as far as I understand it, any car these days, is deprived of uniqueness, since they all come from a robotic assembly line, unless of course we talk about the very rare, special order cars from some very few companies.

Unless your entire argument is about the price, I fail to understand why you prefer your Chevy over a BMW.

[AOCM.RET]

Unless your entire argument is about the price, I fail to understand why you prefer your Chevy over a BMW.

I think it is as simple as, reality and practicality. No matter how one is made or dressed up, both will fit your needs the same. Therefore, why pay the higher price? Yes, the high priced example may last longer, but if you save the difference over the life time of the cheaper one, you may be able to buy two more. The same goes with the cars.

Side note: I do not consider my GCNM to be a Chevy.


Be safe

[John]

Then your needs and mine, at least as far as cars are concerned, must be very different. A Zastava Jugo will basically do the same things a Bugatti Veyron would do (just to take two extremes), but I do not think that anyone in his sane mind would compare the two when selecting a car.

[Jason8844]

I may not have been as clear as I could be in the last post. I was not commenting on price at all. I stated that after seeing one in person, I can understand why someone would fork out the 5G's to own one. I can say they same about a top of the line BMW. Both the Cabot and BMW are great products and I can appreaciate them for what they are. I can also understand why Cabots and BMWs both excite certain kinds of people.

As an individual who is both into cars and guns, I know what I like and it has nothing to do with price. It has to do with style.

I enjoy the looks I get with my 69 Camaro and if you put my Camaro side by side with a top if the line BMW, I promise you my car will turn more heads. Although the BMW costs more, has more technology and made with modern tooling, the Camaro will connect with people more for various reasons.

I did my best to approach the Cabot with an unbiased perspective. As I stated before, it truly is a fine, if not the highest quality, 1911 I have ever seen or held. It just lacked that "something". For me that does not make it desirable. Even at a normal price point, I would still buy a Colt since the Cabot does not offer anything I can not get with any other maker.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but while I was impressed, I think it lacked the "wow" factor I was hoping for. I look forward to seeing another one one day (hopefully a different model of Cabot, maybe a Mr. Jones) and see if I find that "something" I am looking for.

If I do, I promise to post my thoughts. As I said, I really tried to approach this with a unbiased eye. Who knows, maybe I will one day see a Cabot I just have to own and buy one. For now, these are just my 2 cents about my first impressions of the pistol I had the chance to hold.

[AOCM.RET]

A Zastava Jugo will basically do the same things a Bugatti Veyron would do (just to take two extremes), but I do not think that anyone in his sane mind would compare the two when selecting a car.

That's funny



Be safe