Colt talks of introducing new DA revolvers
- Thread starter beeenbag
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BSA1
member
Colt is way behind the curve ball with both revolvers and the concealed carry market. The original Colt revolvers have a wonderful smooth action. With today's cost cutting measures and internal locks I wonder how well they will turn out?
mdauben
Member
I have the same concerns as BSA1. It seems to me the big draw of the old "snake" guns is the high quality of the fit and finish. A modern reintroduction of Colt Rrevolvers would likely either result in a lower quality necessary to be price competative in the current market, or would be overpriced "botique" guns costing several times the price of similar S&W or Ruger offerings.
OP
OP
beeenbag
Member
I wouldn't even want snake guns, instead a whole new offering with the lines of the old stuff but the build and toughness of the rugers!
Queen_of_Thunder
member
If I was Colt I would open a factory in West Texas and produce a modern day Colt Walker. No I'm not talking blackpowder. I'm talking a nice 44mag/spec. Then a 357. For the conceal carry market a 9mm.
Ash
Member
I'm an oddball who would like to see the return of the Trooper revolvers.
Ohen Cepel
Member
Unless they get to a state which is more gun friendly with a lower cost of labor I don't see anyway they can compete in the current market place.
They made some great stuff. However, they have almost lost a generation of buyers by cutting civilian production so much.
They made some great stuff. However, they have almost lost a generation of buyers by cutting civilian production so much.
bikemutt
Member
A good customer of mine has been know to utter the words "I don't need to be perfect, just a bit better than my competition".
So, let's say this old sage is onto something.
All Colt needs to do is make revolvers to the same level of fit and finish as, well, you know, the 600 lb gorilla, and leave them LOCK-FREE.
Blammo, success.
OK, so I oversimplified, but really, the competition isn't what it was back then either.
So, let's say this old sage is onto something.
All Colt needs to do is make revolvers to the same level of fit and finish as, well, you know, the 600 lb gorilla, and leave them LOCK-FREE.
Blammo, success.
OK, so I oversimplified, but really, the competition isn't what it was back then either.
What made the old Snakes so nice was the hand fitting and finishing. Maybe Colt thinks guns made on CNC machines don't need as much hand work. I have a relative that works for a company that makes CNC machines and Colt has taken delivery on 6 and has 6 more on order.
This is just hearsay so please save your flames. Thanxs.
This is just hearsay so please save your flames. Thanxs.
Offer me a new Colt Detective Special, and I'll buy it no questions asked. I would buy an older one, but I'd be afraid to shoot it much.
Colt is doing a good job with their 1911s, I think they'd do a decent job if they decided to restart making DA revolvers, the only question is how much would it cost.
Colt is doing a good job with their 1911s, I think they'd do a decent job if they decided to restart making DA revolvers, the only question is how much would it cost.
Vodoun da Vinci
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barnbwt
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"I wouldn't even want snake guns, instead a whole new offering with the lines of the old stuff but the build and toughness of the rugers!"
You mean a Taurus?
Sorry, I couldn't resist; they totally look like a combination of a beefy Ruger and a vent-rib Colt 
What made the Pythons (not the Colt's in general, the Pythons) so fantastic was the finish. The triggers were nice, but people still felt the need to tune them up afterwards, and fantastic target triggers can be turned out from any popular design with enough work. But the factory finish was noticeably above anything the competition offered, or had offered for decades (the Registered Magnums were pretty well done, remember), and they had a rakish new look in keeping with the high powered cartridges and target-shooting image. I hate to make it sound shallow, but the Python was great because it was a solid product with an excellent wrapper. The Smiths were solid products with a "meh" wrapper (and then an ugly wrapper after design changes)
What Colt would have to do is introduce, from whole cloth at this point (since all their workers/machines/processes have completely dissolved), a noticeably superior product, free from defects and recalls that would hurt the launch, paired with a brilliant marketing campaign on the level of naming cool guns after the coolest animals
, and offered in the same "ballpark" price range if not the same side of the field (I wouldn't think it'd sell if it was more than 2X what a top line PC Smith costs; ~3000$)
Colt doesn't refuse to re-introduce the revolvers because "they can't make them anymore" or "customers aren't willing to pay enough," it's because they would basically end up competing with Korths in a tiny niche market not worth their time and energy, or getting their butts kicked by a combination of S&W and their own history. Colt let their brand slide down the mountain, and there's just no way they can climb back up to the top at this point. It was a terrible cost, but worth it to keep the company in business, even if that means they can't really move in the "fine firearms" circles anymore. If they hadn't abandoned the market to focus on contract sales, we'd probably only have collectable 6920's at this point
TCB
You mean a Taurus?
Sorry, I couldn't resist; they totally look like a combination of a beefy Ruger and a vent-rib Colt What made the Pythons (not the Colt's in general, the Pythons) so fantastic was the finish. The triggers were nice, but people still felt the need to tune them up afterwards, and fantastic target triggers can be turned out from any popular design with enough work. But the factory finish was noticeably above anything the competition offered, or had offered for decades (the Registered Magnums were pretty well done, remember), and they had a rakish new look in keeping with the high powered cartridges and target-shooting image. I hate to make it sound shallow, but the Python was great because it was a solid product with an excellent wrapper. The Smiths were solid products with a "meh" wrapper (and then an ugly wrapper after design changes)
What Colt would have to do is introduce, from whole cloth at this point (since all their workers/machines/processes have completely dissolved), a noticeably superior product, free from defects and recalls that would hurt the launch, paired with a brilliant marketing campaign on the level of naming cool guns after the coolest animals
, and offered in the same "ballpark" price range if not the same side of the field (I wouldn't think it'd sell if it was more than 2X what a top line PC Smith costs; ~3000$)Colt doesn't refuse to re-introduce the revolvers because "they can't make them anymore" or "customers aren't willing to pay enough," it's because they would basically end up competing with Korths in a tiny niche market not worth their time and energy, or getting their butts kicked by a combination of S&W and their own history. Colt let their brand slide down the mountain, and there's just no way they can climb back up to the top at this point. It was a terrible cost, but worth it to keep the company in business, even if that means they can't really move in the "fine firearms" circles anymore. If they hadn't abandoned the market to focus on contract sales, we'd probably only have collectable 6920's at this point
TCB
GP100man
Member
I for 1 WON`T be holding my breath !
It was already said above but Colt could more or less copy S&W while leaving out the internal lock and that would put them over the tipping point for me. They may only stand to sell me a few over my lifetime but that's a few more than S&W will sell as long as they keep that abomination.
If Colt does reintroduce revolvers I would hope the public does not expect the same type of quality of their finely tuned revolvers of times past.
That kind of work is expensive and cannot be manufactured at a price most people are willing to pay (people refused to buy them for more money in the past.)
If they made decent revolvers without those terrible prone to failure built in safety locks that can get someone killed in a SD situation it would put Colt revolvers on the list of viable options.
If new Colt revolvers are decent I think people should buy them. People should not however be unreasonable and demand the same top quality of the Old Classic Colt revolvers.
What would affect my buying is deciscion is whether or not they are made in USA and although I will not expect old school Colt revolver quality I will refuse to buy cheap garbage. Gimmicky frills will turn me off also.
That kind of work is expensive and cannot be manufactured at a price most people are willing to pay (people refused to buy them for more money in the past.)
If they made decent revolvers without those terrible prone to failure built in safety locks that can get someone killed in a SD situation it would put Colt revolvers on the list of viable options.
If new Colt revolvers are decent I think people should buy them. People should not however be unreasonable and demand the same top quality of the Old Classic Colt revolvers.
What would affect my buying is deciscion is whether or not they are made in USA and although I will not expect old school Colt revolver quality I will refuse to buy cheap garbage. Gimmicky frills will turn me off also.
ColtPythonElite
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- Jan 8, 2011
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- 10,477
I will gladly take a MKV action with a Python barrel screwed on it in each barrel length and finish.
bluetopper
Member
They have realized they have missed the tremendous gun buying market of the Obama years.
mrdeltoid
Member
That's right, for us its the draw. For some other slice of the public, quality and fit/finish won't matter as long as its a Colt. There are people out there who will buy anything.
Texan Scott
Member
A new Detective Special in stainless steel, no lock, yes please!
Radagast
Member
There is probably a market for the Colt Magnum Carry, if they were to reintroduce it.
From what I know, I agree with DPris. What started rumors about possible reintroduction of D.A. revolvers into Colt’s line of handguns came about when they’re Marketing V.P. was ask about the possibility, and he answered in so many words, “I would certainly hope so.”
If you read that carefully he didn’t say anything about what the company would actually do, but rather what he hoped they would. Unquestionably the sales and marketing departments would be delighted to have just about any addition to what is now a very abbreviated list of offerings. They must be very frustrated when they look at competitors such as Smith & Wesson, Sturm Ruger, and yes – even Taurus. But this doesn’t mean that the top-end management has any such intentions. In the past to the present they have shown little interest, and even hostility toward their own handgun business. Until this changes don’t expect anything radical to happen, and in particular do not expect any of the models that dated from the early 20th century to return.
If you read that carefully he didn’t say anything about what the company would actually do, but rather what he hoped they would. Unquestionably the sales and marketing departments would be delighted to have just about any addition to what is now a very abbreviated list of offerings. They must be very frustrated when they look at competitors such as Smith & Wesson, Sturm Ruger, and yes – even Taurus. But this doesn’t mean that the top-end management has any such intentions. In the past to the present they have shown little interest, and even hostility toward their own handgun business. Until this changes don’t expect anything radical to happen, and in particular do not expect any of the models that dated from the early 20th century to return.
Queen_of_Thunder
member
Then there is no reason to make them. We have more than enough mediocre offerings. I want quality.
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