Jason Cogswell of Seaview Glass & Mirror
Joseph Cogswell is one of those guys whose reputation precedes him. His business, Seaview Glass and Mirror, has been a beacon of quality workmanship and professionalism in the Destin area for more than a decade.
“I’m very obsessed with making people happy,” Joseph said. “There was a job we did on Old 98 that got national recognition from our suppliers. It was a custom shower, and the suppliers said it was too large and couldn’t be done, but I piecemealed it together and did it anyway. It’s a huge shower, so big we call it the car wash.”
Joseph has a thing for high-caliber workmanship. Over the past decade, in addition to growing his business, Joseph has become a connoisseur of historic and sporting guns. His first gun was a single-shot 20 gauge that his wife purchased for him as a gift. Since then, his gun collection has morphed into an obsession.
“I love big booms and big bangs, like anything I do in my life I go big or go home,” Joseph said. “I love higher-end firearms and I do prefer American made guns. I’m just a patriot through and through and I feel like that’s important.”
Joseph also noted that firearms ownership brings with it a responsibility to know and follow the cardinal rules of gun safety along with safe storage practices. This includes the basics such as handling every firearm as if it is loaded, being sure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction at all times, and never placing your finger on the trigger until the sights are on target. But there is much more to know. A firearms safety course is a great starting place and further training is important for achieving competence and proficiency to avoid mishaps.
From his large collection of guns, Joseph said his favorite by far, is his pair of 1911 Nighthawk Customs.
“Part of the reason I enjoy the Nighthawk platform is because of their craftsmanship and the accuracy that comes along with them,” he said. “I love antique guns, 1911’s are considered an old man’s gun. I just love the feel of them, how comfortable and accurate they are.”
Sitting in his gun room, Joseph could talk guns all day, but he said he wouldn’t be sitting where he is today if it hadn’t been for the people that believed in him 11 years ago.
“In my early days, so many people saw something in me that I just couldn’t see. Influential customers encouraged me to go out on my own, and after a huge amount of positive reinforcement, I finally did it,” he said. “Even though I don’t necessarily live in Destin, my heart is here, and my business is established here.”
Joseph went from subcontractor to business owner in 2012, successfully building his custom glass and mirror business from the ground up solely through customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals. From two trucks and two employees to his current eight service trucks and 15 employees, in just over 10 years, Joseph said he has the Destin community to thank for his success.
“I want Seaview Glass and Mirror to be a beacon of what it means for community to truly build your business, because we want to see other businesses grow and succeed,” Joseph said. “I want to see Destin grow and succeed and be the best it can be.”
About Seaview Glass & Mirror
Back in 2012, a business was started and a commitment was made: to serve the local community and put the customer first. What started out as 2 trucks and a few dedicated individuals slowly grew into what we are today, and all of it is due to satisfied customers spreading the word about us. One thing that sets us apart from the others: we don't advertise. Every job we get is from word of mouth, and that means everything we have is based on positive encounters and jobs well done. We don't just service the community, we're part of it, and thanks to this amazing community we have grown and, we sincerely hope, have helped you grow as well.
Model S&W500 4”
S&W500 revolvers, like all modern revolvers, are a highly refined version of Samuel Colton’s Colt Paterson revolver, patented in 1836. The original revolvers used a .28 ball and percussion caps with five chambers in its revolving cylinder. Though tricky to reload and hazardous by today’s standards, it ushered in the age of the fabled “six gun”, a centerpiece of American history.
The S&W500 4” also sports 5 chambers, but power and velocity are maximized with a massive .500 S&W Magnum cartridge that delivers 2,600 ft/lb. of muzzle energy. Its two muzzle compensators reduce recoil and accommodate both lead and jacketed bullets. The overall length of this handgun is 10.25 inches with a 4” barrel. It is the “most powerful production revolver in the world today”.
Nighthawk Custom 1911
Nighthawk Custom offers a dazzling selection of 1911 pistols. This design was adopted by the US Army on March 29, 1911, and has stood the test of time. The 1911 was a semi-automatic Colt pistol designed by John M. Browning to fire the new .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (.45 ACP) cartridge. This design stood head and shoulders above the rest for reliability and has kept that reputation for over 100 years. Some versions of the Nighthawk Custom are chambered in 9mm with a lighter profile.
These 1911’s are beautiful collector’s items that elicit nostalgia for an American history that is relatively short, yet immeasurably deep. The 1911 was in service through some of the darkest times in modern history, accompanying Americans around the globe from WWI to post-9/11 operations.
“I love big booms and big bangs, like anything I do in my life I go big or go home,” - Joseph