Rare Cobray M-11/NINE 9mm Pistol 5.25” MAC11 MAC10, Cobray Marked Sten Mag
SOLD FOR: $1,325
WOA#: WY240222AS010
Make: Cobray, S.W.D Incorporated
Model: M-11/NINE
Serial Number: 83-0000265 (#265)
Year of Manufacture: 1983
Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Blowback
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “SEMI” .The right side of the receiver is stamped “83-0000265”, “SAFE” and “FIRE” on each side of the safety selector, “M-11/NINE mm / S.W.D INCORPORATED / ATLANTA, GA. U.S.A.”, and “COBRAY” below the Cobray logo at the back side of the receiver. The magazine is marked with the Cobray logo on the front.
Barrel Length: 5.25” threaded barrel
Sights / Optics: Iron sights. The front sight is a fixed post between two protective ears. The rear sight is a fixed pinhole sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This pistol has a plastic backstrap on the magwell screwed in to make the magwell a pistol grip. The frame and upper are parkerized steel. The barrel is threaded. The charging handle has a factory cutout to prevent obstructing the sights. The grip shows light handling wear with a few small compression lines.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: One Original Cobray 32 round 9mm magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is minor fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light scratches and faint drag lines throughout but nothing out of the ordinary for a parkerized finish. There is finish loss around the magwell from insertion wear. There is light operation wear around the charging handle slide, around the ejection port, and on the safety. There is minor corrosion on the barrel exterior as well as finish loss concentrated on the muzzle. The markings are crisp.The threads on the barrel are undamaged and sharp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with its original and exceptionally rare Cobray stamped STEN magazine, Cobray Patch, and a Husky case with pressure purge.
Our Assessment: The Cobray M-11 was designed after the Mac 11 (Military Armament Corporation) by Gordon Ingram who designed the machine pistol for Special Ops use. The gun was to be light, compact, and able to deliver extreme amounts of firepower with a custom suppressor. The MAC11 however had too much firepower and delivered a fire-rate of 1200 rpm – easily unloading a 32 round clip in less than 2 seconds. The weapon researcher for the International Association of Police Chiefs, David Steele, famously dubbed the MAC 11 as “fit only for combat in a phone booth”.
The Cobray S.W.D. Incorporated M-11/NINE is an iconic semi-automatic pistol known for its distinctive appearance and historical significance in the landscape of American firearms. Produced in the 1980s and early 1990s, the M-11/NINE is often associated with the surge of “subcompact” firearms designed to offer high firepower in a compact form. This model gained notoriety for its affordability and its widespread popularity among civilian gun owners as well as its notorious adoption by various criminal elements during that period, which led to a controversial reputation.
Chambered in the 9mm cartridge, the Cobray M-11/NINE features a simple blowback operation, which contributes to its relatively low manufacturing cost and ease of use. The standard model includes a 32-round magazine, which is quite substantial for its size, giving the M-11/NINE considerable firepower. The gun’s overall design is minimalist and utilitarian, with a steel upper receiver and a polymer lower frame.
In summary, the Cobray S.W.D. Incorporated M-11/NINE is a firearm that embodies a specific era of gun manufacture, marked by the rise of compact, high-capacity weapons. Its historical context, combined with its distinctive design and capabilities, continues to fascinate collectors and firearms enthusiasts, making it a notable example of late 20th-century American gun culture. The Cobray M-11/9 is one of those pistols that begs to be put through its paces at the gun range as it displays that iconic MAC 11 aesthetic.
This particular pistol is quite unique in the fact that it is of the first 300 M-11/NINEs ever made which were configured to take STEN magazines. This one even comes with a COBRAY stamped Sten Mag which are nearly impossible to find. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
