About Hayes Custom Guns

At Hayes Custom Guns, our roots run deep. We are a proudly family-owned business driven by a legacy of competitive shooting and world-class gunsmithing. As the third generation of custom gun builders, brothers Aaron and Ben Hayes understand that true greatness isn’t achieved in a vacuum. We approach our craft with profound humility, recognizing that we have built our business on the backs of giants. By blending modern refinement with the soul of traditional gunsmithing, we honor the legendary trailblazers who paved the way while continuously pushing the boundaries of what a performance firearm can be.

Our Heritage & History

1950: The Legend is Born Our family’s tradition of excellence began in Shreveport, Louisiana, when James E. Clark Sr.—widely considered one of the founding fathers of 1911 gunsmithing—opened Clark Custom Guns. Built on the core philosophy of creating “guns that win, built by shooters that win,” the shop quickly established a reputation as the real deal. James Clark Sr. revolutionized the industry, developing iconic 1911 innovations that are still heavily utilized today, including the ramped 1911 barrel, the six-inch long slide, threaded cone compensators, and machine checkering on the front strap.

2000-2010: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants In 2004, at the age of 18, Ben Hayes began his formal training at Clark Custom Guns. Under the expert leadership of his uncle, Jim Clark Jr., Ben quickly mastered the trade, eventually becoming the head 1911 builder for Clark. Immersed in the family tradition of crafting some of the finest 1911 pistols available, Ben was shaped by the masters around him. Standing on the shoulders of some of the most respected gunsmiths in the world, Ben continues to refine his unique style and hone his craft to this day, seamlessly blending modern innovation with the time-honored soul of traditional gunsmithing.

2012: HCG is Created — The Third Generation of Gun Building In 2012, Aaron and Ben Hayes stepped out to create Hayes Custom Guns (HCG). They started by building and modifying rifles, shotguns, and pistols under their own name. A deep love for 3-gun competition played a major role in shaping the company’s direction. Staying true to their family’s competitive shooting tradition and the old adage that “iron sharpens iron,” the brothers drew directly from their real-world competitive experience. The result was a brand that quickly became synonymous with true craftsmanship and top-tier performance at the highest level of shooting sports.

2023: Enter the Cobra Era Always looking to innovate without sacrificing their roots, Hayes Custom Guns set a new benchmark in 2023. The brothers decided to create a new pistol with a straightforward goal: design one of the best all-around firearms available. They wanted to maintain the exact same custom build quality, reliability, and performance their pistols have always been known for, all while producing a larger quantity to reach more shooters. Unwilling to compromise on their heritage of quality and craftsmanship, they achieved their vision. And thus, the Cobra was born.