Colt talks of introducing new DA revolvers

[Old Fuff]

I don't think I'd say Colt's upper people are disinterested, that's not the impression I get. Just that they don't see the market & their realistic capabilities the same way the ever-hopefuls here do.

I could have made my point better. The impression I take away from them is that they aren't interested in revolvers because they do have a more realistic view of today's market, and don't see the reintroduction of revolvers as a practical way to exploit it. I think we are saying the same thing, but in different ways.

 

[Old Fuff]

In order to buy that logic, I'd have to ignore the fact that both S&W and Ruger invested significant money designing and producing polymer-framed pocket revolvers that share few design elements, much less parts, with their traditional line.

If you look at the revolvers carefully you will find that the polymer parts are relatively minor. You can't make a revolver that will last long if the breech face and surrounding area is made of plastic. In pistols the breech face is located in the slide, and of course it isn't plastic either. The frame is far less stressed, and polymer is fine.

 

[Old Fuff]

And they would not manufacture revolvers if they could not make money off them.

Of course they wouldn't! But the point is that they make more money when they sell polymer-framed pistols then when they sell revolvers for the same approximate price.

They make revolvers because they are set up to do so, and it's better to make some money then no money through lost sales. That said, their focus is now on the development of more and better pistols because they are more profitable.

 

[NCSUPackman]

A new Detective Special in stainless steel, no lock, yes please!

I second that. I would like to see a Detective Special in Stainless with no lock. I would also like to see them bring back the Colt hammer shroud with the detective special so one didn't have to bob the hammer .

I have a 2nd generation Colt Detective Special I've been carrying for a few year. I had a third generation barrel put on it and hard chromed; the bluing was mostly off and the previous owner had already bobbed the hammer.

I'd gladly replace it for a stainless version that could handle 38 +p ammo, provided the price it not outrageous.

 

[Old Fuff]

I'd gladly replace it for a stainless version that could handle 38 +p ammo, provided the price it not outrageous.

And that's the rub. It costs a lot of money to design, develop, tool and make a new platform from the ground up. The manufacturer needs to recover these expenses before they can make a profit. About the only way to do it is to amortize part of the cost into the projected retail price of the gun, and if Colt makes what you want with the quality you expect you'll likely throw your hands up into the air and exclaim, "That price is outrageous!!! They must be kidding."

No, they wouldn't be, and that's why you don't see them moving toward what you want.

 

[Jim Watson]

Why should they bother?
They can read right here that first, the coil spring Mk III and Mk V guns are not as nice as the old V spring guns; and second, that the old V spring guns are fragile. No way to win, anything they came out with would be compared unfavorably to what they used to make, never mind the other brands.

 

[JohnBT]

All you have to do is look at the market for the old P-210 vs. the new one. Some people complain about the new ones and some people buy the new ones, but they still cost an arm and a leg. And Sig was already set up to build autoloaders.

 

[390ish]

I think that if they actually made revolvers with a nice blue finishes along the same quality and price lines as smith and Wesson they would be good sellers. Buying stainless revolvers is something I do not like doing.

 

[rklessdriver]

I have to wonder what happened to the tooling for the SFVI and the Magnum Carry.... Modern transfer bar ignition systems, stainless steel construction but still looked like the old D frame..... These 2 guns are what 90% of the posters willing to buy a new COLT DA Revolver want.

These guns were brand new in 1990 and COLT only mfgr'd them until 1997 or so.... today they command a huge premium.

I carry a 1976 DS everyday.... haveca 1959 Cobra, 1978 DS and 1976 Cobra in the safe.... I would love to have a SFVI, DS-II or Mag Carry... but they are to far and few in between.

Hope COLT will dust off that lightly used tooling in 2014 and start making them again.
Will

 

[CraigC]

I have to wonder what happened to the tooling for the SFVI and the Magnum Carry....

It was probably re-purposed or sold.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think time and patients shall win the day.

I for one would like to see a Python prices at ~1500 MSRP with NO internal locks and good fit/finish. Doesn't have to be perfect because the realities of the economy are upon us, but like others have said give us current Smith and Wesson quality with Colt designs with NO internal locks etc. etc.

I think they would have a market to be sure.

 

[Old Fuff]

Don’t hold your breath. Several years ago Colt auctioned off most (if not all) of their archival collection that included the prototypes of earlier revolvers and the post 1970 ones as well. These included production examples that would be necessary to resume production. If they had any intention of returning to any of these revolvers in the future they would have retained that which would be necessary to do so. Sub-contractors, that made many of the parts, either sold or scrapped the tooling in their hands when the business disappeared. At the factory they did the same. Presumably any loss was written off their taxes. Most of the parts they still had were sold to surplus outfits such as Numrich Gunparts Corp. in West Hurley, NY.

What part of no don’t you understand? :banghead:

 

[Derry 1946]

I'd be happier if they (or anyone else) developed the capacity to return to manufacturing the spare parts needed to keep the old revolvers revolving. I agree with Fuff that the past is past.

 

[HexHead]

I think time and patients shall win the day.

I for one would like to see a Python prices at ~1500 MSRP with NO internal locks and good fit/finish. Doesn't have to be perfect because the realities of the economy are upon us, but like others have said give us current Smith and Wesson quality with Colt designs with NO internal locks etc. etc.

I think they would have a market to be sure.

Why would you want a "new" Python at that price when you can get a "real" one for that?

 

[Old Fuff]

I'd be happier if they (or anyone else) developed the capacity to return to manufacturing the spare parts needed to keep the old revolvers revolving.

Numrich Gunparts Corp. (www.gunpartscorp.com) has in the past had some aftermarket parts made, but they require a lot of hand fitting.

Colt isn't interested in investing money to keep the older guns ticking. They're in business to sell whatever new ones they make. And new parts are only half of the problem. The other part is expert help that can fit those parts.

 

[snooperman]

Colt had trouble selling their revolvers a few years ago, when I bought my last new one in 2000, which is my Magnum Carry. I do not see them producing that same type of gun today. The original Pythons and others I have are going to be a very difficult market for them. If they do decide to produce revolvers again , I doubt they will be anything like the past guns.

 

[Paul7]

Where do you get the Python for $809 shown in the link?

 

[buck460XVR]

Those folks willing to pay more for a shooter revolver just cause it has the Prancin' Pony on the grips are too few for the company to make a profit on bringin' 'em back. In order to be competitive with S&W and Ruger, they would have to do the same things they did to stay in the revolver business. MIM parts and less man hours spent on finish. Then they would not be the Pythons of old. Many would then claim they are not your grandfather's revolver much less the company they once knew named Colt. I wish Chrysler would bring back the '65 Fastback 'Cuda Formula S that sold new for under $3000 too.......

 

[Ash]

Folks seem just fine to pay more for the Pony on an AR.

 

[el Godfather]

I would like to see new products with new series and calibers. Quality must be there or its a useless effort. I still buy snake-colts at premium for their quality.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

A +P-rated Detective Special? Count me in.

 

[Old Fuff]

Guys....

You are posting to the wrong people.

Send your letters, phone calls and e-mails to:

Colt Defense LLC
P.O. Box 118
Hartford, CT, 06141
U.S.A.

Tel: (800) 241-2485 / (860) 232-4489
Fax: (860) 244-1442

www.colt.com

They will likely ignore them, but it should help you feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

[Jim K]

Sure, contact Colt. Be sure to enclose an order for 500,000 guns with $500 down payment for each. They WILL pay attention. But we all know that you wouldn't get 500 orders, let alone 500,000 and there would be 500 different opinions on what gun to make.

Jim

 

[Guns&Religion]

I seem to remember that all Colt revolvers were 6 shot. While that gave them a bit of individuality, today's revolver market has a much larger share of 5 shot wheelguns, especially since we are talking CCW. (A good niche market)

If Colt brings back DA revolvers (a BIG if), expect them to be different, for good or ill.

 

[Jaymo]

First, they need to move to a pro-gun, non-union state.