What Cabot Gun does

Cabot Guns is a privately held, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of premium custom 1911 pistols founded by Rob Bianchin around 2010. The company produces firearms from 100% American-sourced billet steel using a proprietary process called Clone Technology, in which 31 individual components are machined to tolerances finer than a human hair — tolerances that exceed what competing custom shops achieve through hand-fitting of standard forgings. Cabot's manufacturing is split between corporate headquarters in Cabot, PA and a production facility in Fort Wayne, IN, with a small workforce of 11–50 employees. The portfolio spans single-stack (National Standard, Vintage Classic, ICON, Gentleman's Carry), doublestack (Insurrection, Rebellion MAX, Serenity MAX, Apocalypse MAX), Damascus steel (Apocalypse 2.0, Serenity, Bedside 1911), a true left-handed National Standard Southpaw, and ultra-exclusive bespoke commissions through the OAK (One of A Kind) program, including the Big Bang meteorite pistol set.

The business model is fundamentally a made-to-order luxury firearms operation. Pistols retail between $5,295 for entry single-stack models and $90,000+ for full-Damascus builds, with a 25% non-refundable deposit required at order and final payment on completion. Production runs are deliberately constrained to 20–100 units per SKU per year to maintain exclusivity, and sales flow through a hybrid channel: direct-to-consumer via cabotguns.com with FFL shipping, plus a network of approximately 20 authorized dealers across 14+ US states and international locations in Thailand and Italy. Recurring revenue comes from the Gun of the Month Club, limited to 25 members who receive six custom pistols annually, and from accessories and an exclusive US distribution partnership for Sandrin tungsten carbide knives.

Cabot serves three primary customer segments: luxury firearms collectors and HNW individuals seeking investment-grade or museum-quality pieces, competition shooters who have used Cabot pistols to win NRA National Pistol Championships (Brian Zins in 2012–2013, Jon Shue in 2017–2018), and concealed carry enthusiasts purchasing premium EDC pistols. The company does not sell in California or Massachusetts due to state regulatory restrictions, but otherwise distributes globally through its dealer network and direct channel. The business is founder-owned with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or institutional funding.

Name

Cabot Gun

Legal name

Cabot Gun Company, LLC

Website

https://cabotguns.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cabot Guns is a Pennsylvania-based private manufacturer of premium made-to-order custom 1911 pistols, serving luxury collectors, competition shooters, and concealed carry buyers through direct sales and a ~20-dealer network, with limited production runs of 20–100 units per SKU priced from $5,295 to $90,000+.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cabot

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom 1911 Pistol Sales: One-time purchase of made-to-order custom 1911 pistols with 25% non-refundable deposit required at order, balance due upon completion. Prices range from approximately $5,295 to $8,595 for standard models, $7,500-$90,000+ for Damascus steel variants, and $14,776 for limited editions like the America 250.
2. Accessories and Parts: Sales of magazines, holsters, grips, cases, bushings, and other 1911 parts and accessories through the online shop
3. Sandrin Knife Distribution: Exclusive distribution partnership for Sandrin tungsten carbide knives including Monza, Torino, Lanzo, Dellatorre, and TCK 2.0 models
4. Gun of the Month Club Membership: Ultra-exclusive membership delivering 6 limited-edition custom 1911 pistols annually to 25 members worldwide, with unique member-assigned serial numbers across the collection

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cabot Guns designs and manufactures premium custom 1911-style pistols built entirely in-house from solid 416 stainless steel billet using aerospace-grade precision CNC machining and proprietary processes such as Clone Technology. Its portfolio spans single-stack, double-stack, true left-handed, Damascus steel, and limited-edition 1911 configurations, alongside the ultra-exclusive Gun of the Month Club membership program, the OAK bespoke commission program, Sandrin tungsten carbide knives, and 1911 accessories. The company emphasizes 100% American-sourced materials, master engraver and blacksmith collaborations, and boutique production quantities.

Product overview

Cabot Guns manufactures premium custom 1911 pistols positioned as 'better than custom' alternatives to standard custom builds. The portfolio spans three tiers: (1) Core Standard Models including single-stack variants (National Standard, Rebellion, Vintage Classic, Gran Torino SS, ICON, Gentleman's Carry) and double-stack variants (Insurrection, Rebellion MAX, Serenity MAX, Midnight Serenity MAX, Apocalypse MAX), plus specialized models featuring Damascus steel (Apocalypse 2.0, Serenity, Damascus Bedside 1911) and a dedicated left-handed option (National Standard Southpaw); (2) Exclusive Programs including the Gun of the Month Club membership delivering six custom 1911s annually to 25 collectors, the OAK (One of A Kind) bespoke commission program, and Limited Edition thematic releases; (3) Accessories including Sandrin tungsten carbide knives and standard firearm accessories (magazines, holsters, grips, cases). The company is headquartered in Cabot, PA with manufacturing in Fort Wayne, IN, and emphasizes 100% American sourcing and aerospace-grade precision tolerances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The National Standard Cabot's flagship single-stack 1911 pistol available in Government (5") or Commander (4.25") sizes, chambered in .45 ACP or 9mm, built from precision-machined 416 stainless steel billet with the trademark Tristar trigger and an accuracy guarantee better than 1.5 inches at 25 yards.
• The Rebellion Carry-optimized 1911 featuring a re-imagined internal extractor, new rail design with lower friction coefficient, novel single lug bull barrel, lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum frame, and chambering in 9mm.
• The Vintage Classic Classic-styled single-stack 1911 with proprietary distressing finish evoking a well-carried sidearm, featuring Trinity Stripes, 416 stainless steel billet construction, and available in Government or Commander sizing with Full-Cycle technology.
• The Gran Torino SS Retro-themed 1911 inspired by classic American muscle cars, featuring chatoyant carbon fiber grips with luminescent silver flakes and vector-style racing stripe slide serrations in a full-size 5" .45 ACP or 9x19mm configuration.
• The ICON Artfully minimalist 1911 transformed entirely from block stainless steel with monolithic modern design, available in full size and carry size, chambered in .45 ACP or 9mm with aerospace-standard tolerance construction.
• The Gentleman's Carry Elegant carry pistol featuring bobtail cut frame, ebony grips with Cabot Medallion, and Full-Cycle technology in a 4.25" package, with stainless steel finish and satin polished flats available in .45 ACP or 9mm.
• The Damascus Bedside 1911 Tactical bedside defense pistol featuring a ladder-patterned stainless Damascus slide on 416 stainless steel frame with black DLC finish, frame-integrated accessory rail for weapon light, radiused aluminum TriStar trigger, and Fibonacci Ebony grips.
• Apocalypse 2.0 Premium Damascus steel 1911 with all-stainless Damascus upper, signature thumbprint serrations, flowing radial cuts, proprietary Advantage Extractor, optional top window cut, and low-mount optic mount, available in full-size and Commander configurations in .45 ACP or 9mm.
• Serenity Elegant 1911 featuring deeply-etched Damascus stainless steel slide balanced by vapor-smooth steel grip panels, with high cut frame, billet steel grips adding weight for soft shooting, available in .45 ACP or 9x19mm in full-size or Commander.
• Insurrection First doublestack 1911 featuring proprietary stainless steel doublestack frame and grip, optional barrel porting for recoil reduction, and proprietary internal Advantage extractor, chambered in 9mm and available in 5" Government and 4.25" Commander lengths.
• Rebellion MAX Ultra-light doublestack 1911 for everyday carry weighing 28oz unloaded, with 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum frame and grip, revolutionary single-lug bull barrel, 17+1 rounds capacity, and slim single-stack-like grip width.
• Serenity MAX Double-stack version combining Serenity Damascus steel aesthetics with proprietary doublestack frame, featuring a harshly sculpted Damascus slide with acid bath treatment, precision doublestack grip for enhanced ergonomics, and integrated rail.
• Midnight Serenity MAX Dark tactical variant of Serenity MAX featuring blackened Damascus steel slide revealing subtle wave patterns, frame finished in Vintage Classic finish with integrated accessory rail, chambered in 9mm on double-stack architecture.
• Apocalypse MAX First 5-inch double-stack 1911 with full-length rail frame featuring stainless Damascus steel slide with DLC finish, sculpted 416 stainless steel grip and frame, and enhanced control with forward-shifted center of gravity.
• National Standard Southpaw True left-handed 1911 with fully inverted design including left-side ejection port, left-hand thumb safety, left-hand slide stop, and inverted magazine release, re-engineered from the ground up for lefties and available in .45 ACP in Government and Commander lengths.
• America 250 Limited edition commemorating the US Semiquincentennial featuring Revolutionary War 4-pound cannonball forged into Damascus steel for the trigger by Ray Rybar and Robert Eggerling, copper front sight from colonial British Half Pennies, and Great Seal of US engraved slide; limited to 50 units at $14,776.
• The Big Bang Set Matched pair of meteorite 1911 pistols crafted entirely from Gibeon meteorite from Namibia, featuring electron beam bimetal support technology, matched left and right pistols with geographic coordinates as serial numbers, priced upon request.
• Gun of the Month Club Ultra-exclusive membership delivering six extraordinary custom 1911 pistols annually to 25 members worldwide, with each six-piece collection featuring unique member-assigned serial numbers spanning the entire set, crafted from the finest materials.
• OAK Collection (One of A Kind) Cabot's most exclusive bespoke 1911 offerings including investment-grade pistols, limited edition offerings, and unprecedented pistol sets, accepting commissioned work such as mirror image pistols, rare material builds, and custom artisan collaborations.
• Limited Edition 1911s Annual and themed limited edition 1911s including commemorative pieces, artisan collaborations, and unique material combinations; past editions include Trump 45, Jones 2.0, Zebra Damascus, and specialty-themed releases.
• Sandrin Knives Tungsten Carbide knives distributed exclusively through Cabot Guns, featuring Sandrin's patented blend of powders achieving HRC 71 hardness precision-ground to lightband tolerances, including Monza, Torino, Lanzo, Dellatorre, and TCK 2.0 models.
• Accessories (Magazines, Holsters, Grips, Cases) Aftermarket and OEM accessories including 1911 magazines (.45 ACP, 9mm, double-stack), holsters (IWB Kydex, Bianchi), grips (walnut, G-10, ebony), and protective cases (Nanuk hard cases) sold through the Cabot Guns e-commerce shop.

Quantifiable outcome

• All Cabot pistols guarantee accuracy better than 1.5 inches at 25 yards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Sandrin KnivescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCabot Guns is the exclusive US collaborative distribution partner for Sandrin tungsten carbide knives. Sandrin produces knives from a patented blend of Sandvik powders achieving HRC 71 hardness, combining hardness and strength in a unique material neither steel nor ceramic. Products include Monza, Torino, Lanzo, Dellatorre, and TCK 2.0 models.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Springfield Armory: Broad incumbent producing 1911 pistols (e.g., TRP, Range Officer, Operator) alongside other firearms; competes with Cabot in the mid-to-premium 1911 market and has a much larger dealer footprint.
• Colt's Manufacturing: Original manufacturer of the 1911 platform and a broad incumbent in firearms; overlaps with Cabot through its premium 1911 offerings and competes for collector and enthusiast dollars.
• Kimber: Broader incumbent producing 1911 pistols at scale across multiple price tiers; while not at Cabot's bespoke level, Kimber overlaps in the premium 1911 segment and competes for the same dealer and consumer attention.

Direct peers

• Nighthawk Custom: Direct peer manufacturing semi-custom and custom 1911/2011 pistols at premium price points, competing in the same high-end 1911 niche with similar direct-to-dealer and bespoke distribution models.
• Les Baer Custom: Direct peer producing precision custom 1911 pistols, particularly National Match and IPSC configurations; competes with Cabot in the precision/competition 1911 segment.
• Staccato (formerly STI International): Direct peer manufacturing premium 2011-style double-stack pistols (similar to Cabot's Insurrection and Rebellion MAX) targeted at competition shooters and law enforcement, with overlapping dealer and customer base.
• Dan Wesson Firearms: Direct peer producing premium and custom 1911 pistols with heritage brand positioning; competes with Cabot for the same premium and competition shooter customer base.
• Ed Brown Products: Direct peer manufacturing high-end custom 1911 pistols from billet steel with hand-fitting and limited production; competes directly with Cabot for affluent collectors and competition shooters.
• Wilson Combat: Direct peer producing premium custom 1911 pistols, parts, and accessories; competes head-to-head with Cabot in the high-end custom 1911 segment with comparable price points and dealer networks.

Emerging players

• Bul Armory: Emerging player specializing in 2011/1911-style double-stack pistols for competition and carry, with growing US presence; overlaps with Cabot's Rebellion MAX and Insurrection lines in the high-capacity 1911 niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Cabot1911
• Facebookfacebook.com/CabotGuns
• Instagraminstagram.com/cabotguns
• Xx.com/cabotguns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cabot Gun