Colt AR Policies

[Valkman]

I keep seeing rants by people about Colt not selling pre-ban congfiguration AR's to the public. Since they are being sold to the public (I have one), I'm wondering where people got this idea? It's a great tool for sellers who jack up the price to $1400 because "you're not gonna be able to get these" but I don't believe Colt ever said it.

So where'd it come from, and is it just rumor? On WarRifles.com another moderator is a Colt armorer, and he spoke to a Colt VP about this. She said Colt has not addressed this issue yet but they will in the first few months of the year.

Someone please show me where this came from.

 

[RRTX]

It is true, as of a week or so ago Colt will not accept orders for "evil" AR's or standard cap mags without LE letterhead. I'll try and find a link

 

[PMDW]

Colt is owned by the state of connecticut (If I understand correctly). They went bankrupt some years back, and the state bailed them out. In return, they had to sign a contract promising not to sell any more evil rifles to commoners. They've threatened to cut off dealers that sell them to anyone other than police/military.

 

[Valkman]

Dang, doesn't sound good. Keep it coming!

 

[JNewell]

Put this in perspective. Colt stopped selling commercial rifles with bayonet lugs sometime around 1989, IIRC. Did/does that bother me? Sure. It bothers me a lot less than ruger deciding something like a decade before that to stop selling >5 round magazines for the Mini 14 to non-LE users.

You can find any number of examples of PC in gunmaking. "All have sinned..."

 

[Gewehr98]

It came from here, Valkman.

 

[Valkman]

I guess I don't get it - that document doesn't say anything about not selling certain guns to the public, only that the main supply will go to LEO/Military. All Colts are harder to find because of the war, it's true.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Right, you believe that story if you want. Why come out and just say "No, we won't sell to civlians" It's just easier to say " Gee, I am fresh out right now, call me in a week or 2 and I'll see if I have some then, I am selling them all to the military."

That's a pretty weak story, especially since most of the other military contractors that have civilian sales are able to keep up with demands
from both markets.

I won't be spending another dime with Colt.

And in truth, there are a lot better AR makers out there now anyway for the money.

 

[spacemanspiff]

well as i understand it, its a directive from colt to the distributors/dealers to only sell to military/leo, and if they choose not to, colt can threaten them with pulling their products off their shelves.

then again, how is colt going to know? and once colt sees their products moving, are they really gonna say "no! stop ordering more of our products and sending us money!"

 

[BlackCat]

Gee, is Colt and Sturm, Ruger & Co. owned by the same company? I hope nobody yapping 'bout how they'll never buy a Ruger because of their politics won't buy a Colt either!