Cabot and Alchemy Explain Why the 1911 Won't Die

Colion Noir sits down with the team from Cabot Guns and its sister shop Alchemy Custom Weaponry on a recent episode of his podcast, and the whole conversation is basically a love letter to the 1911. Nick Morrow hosts, with guests from both brands breaking down why John Moses Browning's design refuses to go away.

Key points

• Combat history: the guests point out the platform saw use from World War One through the Gulf Wars, which they argue no other American automatic handgun can claim.
• Two brands, one roof: Cabot Guns builds high-tolerance, CNC-machined pieces, including Damascus steel models, while Alchemy hand-fits parts the old-school way, similar to how Rolex and Tudor split their lineups.
• Carry conversion: one guest says he shifted from 2011-style double stacks to carrying a single-stack .45 appendix with iron sights, using an Alchemy as his everyday gun.
• Barreling over compensators: the team explains that a properly fit and timed barrel, not ports or comps, is what makes a 1911 shoot soft, even with full-power 230-grain loads.

Quick take

This one is less a review and more a hangout session for people who already carry a 1911 or wish they did. The gunsmithing detail on barreling and timing is worth the watch on its own.

Watch the full video: Colion Noir