Cosaint Arms: The Emerging Name in 1911/2011 Manufacturing
Eve Flanigan 10.18.22
The Blue August/Outdoor News America annual writers’ conference happened at Texas Gun Experience near Dallas this year in mid-October. The event has become a draw for manufacturers and writers alike as it offers the chance for in-depth interaction and hands-on product testing at a level that’s not available at larger gatherings. Among new companies participating this year was Cosaint Arms of North Carolina. The company is owned by founders Greg and Kim Mooney. Greg has a long history in several roles with some of the biggest names in the gun industry; Kim has a background in business and is now pulling double duty as a business manager and custom grip stippler with Cosaint Arms. Together, they presented to the attending writers their company history and information on how Cosaint Arms are made, not to mention allowing us to blast away on their wares on the elegant indoor ranges of Texas Gun Experience.
Cosaint is focused on producing 1911- and 2011-style guns. Of the two, 2011s, AKA the double stack version of the 1911 profile, are a favorite and company specialty, with new models constantly under development. Taking experience from competition gun manufacturing, Greg designed a 2011 that is modular, mostly with the related goals of taming recoil, attaining quicker follow-up shots, and shooting winning rounds, whether for matches or personal protection. The name “Cosaint” is inspired by the defensive priority and the couple’s Irish heritage. It’s Gaelic for defend and protect.
Modular design is what makes Cosaint different and more controllable, especially in the 2011 category. Greg gained substantial knowledge of the internal dynamics of pistol recoil during his time working for STI. That knowledge is brought to bear, with no copyright infringements, in Cosaint’s construction of using polymer grips and metal frames on 2011 pistols. Testing them, even in 10mm and 45 ACP chamberings, proved his theory correct to this writer.
The name “Cosaint” is Gaelic for defend and protect. Greg and Kim adopted it as their company name, representing the defensive aspect of the product and their Irish heritage. Cosaint Arms is focused on producing 1911- and 2011-style guns. Of the two, 2011s, AKA the double stack version of the 1911 profile, are a favorite and company specialty, with new models constantly under development. Taking experience from competition gun manufacturing, Greg designed a 2011 that is modular, mostly with the related goals of taming recoil, attaining quicker follow-up shots, and shooting winning rounds, whether for matches or personal protection.
For competition and upscale carry guns, Staccato is Cosaint’s closest comparable brand. But the Mooneys point out that their guns are made-to-order and not an off-the-shelf product, though their 1911s conveniently take standard magazines. Buyers can choose from 10 different grip designs in the single stack category, or two on the 2011 side, with more on the way. There are also multiple finish choices. Most of their buyers, 80% in the last year to be exact, want an optics-ready pistol, and they use the best here, with a precision in-house cross-cut on slides and top-of-the-line C&H Precision mounting plates for a secure mount. Paired with their stock match-style iron sights, optics users retain the advantage of a lower-third co-witness without replacing the factory sights.
Cosaint Arms full pistols are currently grouped into three categories. They are as follows:
COS11 is the familiar single-stack 1911 profile, offered in 5.0-inch Government or 4.75-inch Commander in 45 ACP, 10mm or 9mm. The 3.5-inch Officer is available as 45 ACP or 9mm. Each of these models has multiple options including a steel or aluminum frame, thumb safety type, trigger guard shape, mag well attachment, sights/optic receptivity and Cerakote treatment.
COS21 is the 2011 style, which may bear the shape of a 1911 on the outside but, as Greg points out, is quite its own design in terms of function. Models and barrel lengths are the same as the CO11 line, with the addition of distinct Commander 4.25-inch models with a steel or aluminum frame. 40SW is also added to chambering options in the Government model. Flat, skeletonized triggers, aggressive custom stippling, and cocking serrations fore and aft on the slide give the COS21s a look that’s unlike other 2011s on the market.
Competition (IDPA/USPSA) This product line includes two very different guns for the most popular competition types. Cosaint’s IDPA is a compact 1911 design with a 4.25-inch bull barrel. Choose 45 ACP or 9mm. Two flat-bottom Wilson Combat mags are included. The USPSA is a big gun ready for the Limited division with its 5.0-inch bull barrel, removable mag well, and two MBX magazines. Chambering choices are 45 ACP, 40SW, 10mm, and 9mm. Notably, the USPSA weighs 38.4 ounces unloaded.
This is just a glimpse into the many options this growing luxury gun start-up has to offer. They also offer a selection of magazines, grips, and safeties to do your own customizing for 1911/2011 guns. Greg Mooney is passionate when he says, “we don’t want people to just have a gun, we want them to have their gun.” Prices for a Cosaint full gun start at $1,600, or make that Staccato more “yours” by replacing the grips with a custom Cosaint polymer one for $130. This company may be small, but it’s backed by a wealth of industry experience and passion, and there’s already talk of needing more employees. I expect to see a lot more of Cosaint Arms in the future.
