Cobray M-11... Why should I keep it?

[ApacheCoTodd]

I got this rascal as part of a package deal from an estate sale yielding my sweet Ruger Security Six, a surprisingly reliable old Charter Arms AR-7 and a Remington 870 20 Ga.

Looking this over it has been fired but reliability is un known as it came with no magazines.

Seems to be a completely ridiculous example of a 9mm semi-auto pistol but what the hell...

So, to questions:

1. Magazines - I see conflicting info on magazines. Does anyone know of a reliable magazine that is available for these. Keep it or sell it, I gotta be able to shoot it and want at least three mags for it.

2. Re-sale - should I choose to sell it, what is a decent asking price for one of these. I won't sell it till it reliably functions with three magazines.

3. Operation - is there any kind of alternative to the factory top-knob for charging? I realize it needs to be low to clear the line-of-sight of the sights but it is one hell of a bear to charge with that little disc up there... awkward and potentially unsafe to boot.

Seems to 'bout cover it for now. Any answers to the above would be greatly appreciated.

Todd.

 

[1KPerDay]

call recon ordnance for mags. They work. They're not cheap.

http://www.reconord.com/

The cheaper cobray Zytel (plastic) ones USUALLY work at least a few times before they break.

They make uzi-type charging knobs with a U-cutout in them. They also make side-charging uppers if you like.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

call recon ordnance for mags. They work. They're not cheap.

http://www.reconord.com/

The cheaper cobray Zytel (plastic) ones USUALLY work at least a few times before they break.

They make uzi-type charging knobs with a U-cutout in them. They also make side-charging uppers if you like.

Thanks for the link. Nice resource. I certainly don't mind the price at $1.00+ per round if the quality follows.


Todd.

 

[AK103K]

The cheaper cobray Zytel (plastic) ones USUALLY work at least a few times before they break.

I had 15 or so of the original Cobray Zytel mags for my M11/9mm SMG, and they worked fine for about 30 years of constant use. Some did chip a small piece off the front of the mag right where the top round sat, but it never seemed to affect them. They all fed fine.

I did try a dozen or so of the all metal mags that first showed up in the early 90's (dont remember who's they were), and they were junk. The didnt fit the gun properly, and would not feed reliably. I stayed with the plastic mags and never regretted it.

 

[snooperman]

You could get between $400-$500 for it and buy something in 9mm that you could shoot more accurately and not so cumbersome as well. Snoop.

 

[DPris]

I've never seen the sense of one in semi-auto.
Big, clunky, awkward, and inferior to a good 9mm pistol.

I'd agree with Snoop.
Denis

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

You could get between $400-$500 for it and buy something in 9mm that you could shoot more accurately and not so cumbersome as well. Snoop.

Thanks Snoop.

It'll go down the road as soon as I confirm no interest in it, shouldn't take long. I'm at a total loss to understand the market for this anchor.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Masterpiece Arms is making M-11s now. They have mags for sale.

Not sure if the Cobray demands a higher price, but a new base model M-11 9mm from Masterpiece runs just under $400.

They've also updated the gun with a different frame and pistol grip to accept Glock mags.

Regular mags are available.
http://masterpiecearms.com/cat/accessories/magazines-mag-loaders/

I kinda like the M-11 myself, if for nothing but turning money into noise at the range. I think the new Glock mag version could make a hell of an SBR, though.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Masterpiece Arms is making M-11s now. They have mags for sale.

Not sure if the Cobray demands a higher price, but a new base model M-11 9mm from Masterpiece runs just under $400.

They've also updated the gun with a different frame and pistol grip to accept Glock mags.

Regular mags are available.
http://masterpiecearms.com/cat/accessories/magazines-mag-loaders/

I kinda like the M-11 myself, if for nothing but turning money into noise at the range. I think the new Glock mag version could make a hell of an SBR, though.

Thanks for that, I see they use the old see-through charging knob rather than the see-over one on the Cobray. I'll see if they're interchangeable Monday. Sure wish this was a side charger like they sell but just can't see putting that money into it.

SBR it with an M-4 stock and suppressor... Curiosity builds.

Todd.

 

[bannockburn]

Back when these first came my friends and I pretty much relegated it to being perfect for the Gunshop Commando crowd. Looks enough like the full auto version for showing off at the range but not much practical use for anything else.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

They are fun to burn ammo.

 

[WestKentucky]

A friend had one that jumped to full auto a lot, even with gunsmith work to prevent that. He sold it quickly, to the smith who couldn't keep it from going FA, my understanding is that it was stripped and sold in parts. My memory of it involves words with less than stellar connotations....heavy, terrible, dangerous, inaccurate, boat anchor, worthless...etc. I'm sure it has a purpose. If it didn't masterpiece wouldn't have started putting them out...their purpose beyond draining bank accounts of "spray and pray" tacticool weekend warrior wannabes eludes me.

 

[AK103K]

My memory of it involves words with less than stellar connotations....heavy, terrible, dangerous, inaccurate, boat anchor, worthless...etc. I'm sure it has a purpose.

Without a stock, they tend to be a bit unwieldy to shoot, and even more so in FA.

With a stock, they arent really all that bad, even with an open bolt and in FA.

The biggest problem to their handling, is the position of the grip on the gun. With it being amidships, and without the leverage of the stock, the gun wants to rotate about the grip, especially when its fired quickly.

With a stock and a proper hold, the gun is actually very stable, and easily shot and controlled. In the hands of someone familiar with them, the select fire versions can be quite formidable.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Get the LAGE conversion for it and it becomes an entirely different animal
http://www.max-11.com/