Colt Working to Bring New DA Revolver(s) to Market

[Jim K]

There are two basic segments of the revolver market, the serious (defense/carry) guns and the fun guns. S&W, lock or not, has a large part of the former and a good chunk of the latter. Ruger has a large part of the latter and a piece of the former. The Traditional Single Action (fun) segment is split between Colt and foreign makers. Others divide the rest. (While it might seem to the vociferous folks who hate "the lock" that it would have a large influence against S&W, the fact is that it simply doesn't make any difference to most buyers in either market segment.)

In order to gain a profitable share of the "serious" market, Colt would have to produce a revolver that would be obviously superior to the S&W, Ruger (and yes) Taurus competition. That is a pretty tall order. It can be done, but the "serious" market is not that large; once a person buys a gun for SD/HD, he/she will usually not buy any more. The "fun" shooter and collector market is where repeat sales are, so if Colt wants to go for the long term, it will have to try to break into that market as well. True, its SAA is in that market, and not doing badly, but it seems to me that a high quality DA/SA will be needed as well to compete with the S&W target models.

Jim

 

[hemiram]

IF I was looking to buy a new revolver, and IF I was going to spend anything close to what Colt would want for one, I would just find a Dan Wesson 715 and get it instead, and probably save some money.

 

[Waveski]

From Jim K While it might seem to the vociferous folks who hate "the lock" that it would have a large influence against S&W, the fact is that it simply doesn't make any difference to most buyers in either market segment.)

I tend to disagree. Maybe I'm wrong. I would like to see a poll on that subject.

 

[HexHead]

From Jim K While it might seem to the vociferous folks who hate "the lock" that it would have a large influence against S&W, the fact is that it simply doesn't make any difference to most buyers in either market segment.)

I tend to disagree. Maybe I'm wrong. I would like to see a poll on that subject.

I doubt USA Today would run a poll about it. A poll here would only include THR members, so the anti-lock crowd would rule the day. Joe Schmoe coming into a gun store to buy a revolver generally doesn't know or care about the lock. It's a totally non-issue in the real world. I just bought a S&W N-frame a couple of weeks ago. If there was an identical NIB one sitting next to it at the same price without the lock, yeah, I would have bought that one. But there wasn't, and it didn't matter to me, even a little bit.

As for Colt, the DA revolver they need to bring out to be successful with it should be a modern version of their DS-II. Keep it within 50 bucks of a S&W J-frame, go back to their original "6 shots instead of 5" marketing, and they'll hit it out of the park. They're really missing the growing CCW boat.

 

[BigG]

As for Colt, the DA revolver they need to bring out to be successful with it should be a modern version of their DS-II. Keep it within 50 bucks of a S&W J-frame, go back to their original "6 shots instead of 5" marketing, and they'll hit it out of the park. They're really missing the growing CCW boat.

Don't know if you remember but even back when Colt produced a full line of revolvers a Colt would cost probably double what a comparable S&W model cost.

 

[C0untZer0]

I'm saving to buy the S&W 629.

I'm passing up the Charter Arms 9mm PITBULL and CZ 9231 because the Smith is true quality, its not just about getting a 9mm revolver, which I've always wanted, its about getting a masterpiece.

 

[Panzerschwein]

^ You won't go wrong with the Smith. They still are capable of making fine revolvers.

The Charter Arms gun?...

As for Colt bringing new DA revos to the market, with the rising popularity of CCW I think it would be silly to bring anything other than the Detective Special series out again, either in the Magnum version or standard .38 types, alloy and steel version both perhaps.

I'd LOVE a new Colt Cobra in .38 special +P!

 

[Old Fuff]

I'd LOVE a new Colt Cobra in .38 special +P!

I'm sure you would, and so would a lot of others...

Until they saw the price. :banghead:

It's not that the cost would be way out of sight, although it would likely be high; but rather the need to pay for the engineering, development and tooling costs - none of which Colt's main competitors (S&W, Ruger and Taurus) would have to deal with.

Until the above cited costs were paid off, Colt's profit would be... Zero!

Colt's current financial condition is better then it has been during some past years, but they are not in a position to take long-shot risks.

This not to say that they absolutely won't introduce a new upgraded D-frame line, but to point out that they will look at the proposed project very, very hard.

And if you look at the situation purely from a business perspective, the economic climate is not encouraging.

 

[Jim K]

And it is almost a certainty that any new Colt DA would have a lock of some kind; maybe not as visible as S&W's but there would be one, for fear of law suits.

Jim

 

[Panzerschwein]

Where theres a will, theres a way. I strongly believe the Detective Special WILL make a comeback. It's only a matter of time. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[Old Fuff]

And if you look at the situation purely from a business perspective, the economic climate is not encouraging.

I strongly believe the Detective Special WILL make a comeback. It's only a matter of time. Don't ask me how I know this.

I won't ask.... But I strongly suggest that you start saving your pennies 'cuz if you turn out to be wrong the collected money can always be spent on one of the older guns.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I think some of us are assuming that new Colt revolvers *must* be hand fitted replicas of the older units. I don't see Colt having a chance of reviving/selling that.

I'd rather see a new Colt Detective Special in .38 that has perhaps the same 6 round capacity and overall size but maybe a polymer frame or even a less costly type of manufacture. It doesn't have to be a hand fitted/hand finished high polish masterpiece to get my money. Bring back the Colt 1903/1908 with an update but similar feel and ergonomics?

I'd buy that as well. They have a market and can compete if they do it right - if they just try and make new Detective Specials, Diamondbacks, Pythons, or Anacondas on the old recipe? They'll get creamed....no one at Colt would be stupid enough to do that I don't think. The world is a different place since the last Colt revolvers.

They'd have to evolve and can.

VooDoo

 

[Old Fuff]

Somehow I'm not getting through. :banghead:

Colt has been out of the commercial handgun (in particular D.A. revolvers) market for so long that they are no longer a consequential factor in the overall picture. Meanwhile Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Taurus have taken it over and are well established.

Now Colt is hinting that they may introduce a new D.A./Hand Ejector revolver in the foreseeable future. This is good news but they face some formidable road bumps in a financial environment where they can't afford to make any mistakes.

Whatever they have in mind will undoubtedly be designed around the latest manufacturing technologies - and the result may or may not please they're fans who are used to something else.

In any case most of the parts that comprise the whole are going to have to be designed and then either purchased from sub-contractors or made in-house on what would likely be new tooling and machinery.

All of these additional costs must be included in the price of the final product, and they're 3 major competitors don't have to face this because they already have. Plus because of our current president they are flush with cash, which Colt isn't.

So the bottom line is that even if Colt was to use the most current manufacturing technologies (that they're competitors already are), they still might not be able to come up with a price-competitive product.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Where theres a will, theres a way. I strongly believe the Detective Special WILL make a comeback. It's only a matter of time. Don't ask me how I know this.

Even if that were true it would be a Colt Detective in name only. There would probably be nothing of the old revolver in the new revolver. It's just not cost effective.

Also, look at Old Fuff's post right above this one. It makes perfect sense.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Fuff makes perfect sense and always does. The Way for Colt to begin producing new revolvers with the Colt name on them would be difficult. There will undoubtedly be changes to "The Original" and they will undoubtedly be made via current manufacturing process using modern materials and techniques/machines. They may not be well received and may fail to capture enough market share to make them profitable - Colt might lose their shirt. 21st century competition in the firearm industry means pennies on the dollar return for investment and the competition is fierce and capable. The road is paved with challenge.

They might fail - but maybe not. They might release new revolvers - they might not. I don't believe personally it is an impossible task and that trying to compete in this market is fruitless and that they are destined to fail. I'll buy a new Colt revolver if only to see what they have accomplished and how they deal with the modern concepts and challenges. If it sucks I'll remember I was told so in advance. I concur that the chances of "new" Colt DS being identical or even remotely resembling a vintage Colt DS is virtually zero but my Ruger LCR gets a lot of range time and the first time I conceived of owning and shooting a polymer framed revolver my stomach turned. Now I love the dang thing...it's new/it's wow and way cool.

I already have the funds set aside and I'll take that plunge if it presents itself. No doubt so will thousands of others.

VooDoo

 

[Frank V]

From what I'm seeing on the market now a person could just about buy a nice older "Smith" without lock for just about what S&W are charging for their new lockable guns?
Then there's Ruger!!
That's the route I'd go!

 

[JLDS]

Reason I'm here

I just joined this forum mainly because I dig Colt revolvers. Like to see a return of them.

 

[Dframe]

Welcome JLDS. I'm also a colt guy. Any new colt revolver is most probably going to be much like the King Cobra or the Magnum Carry. Ease and cost of manufacture will be paramount in order to supply a product within a reasonable price point.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm also a Colt man -- the only S&W I've ever had was found in the wreckage of a shot-down C-130.

And despite what Ol' Fluff says, I still want a new Colt Shooting Master in .454 Colt, and I'm gonna hold my breath and kick my heels until Colt listens.

 

[Jim K]

I have an idea that will be a lot of holding and a lot of kicking.

Jim

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Don't know if you remember but even back when Colt produced a full line of revolvers a Colt would cost probably double what a comparable S&W model cost.

A King Cobra was not twice the price of a 686. A Anaconda was not double the cost of a 629.

 

[HexHead]

The last thing I'd expect to see in a new Colt DA revolver is a V-spring or the kind of workmanship in my older Colt revolvers. Look what they did bringing back the Mustang, an alloy Pocketlight and a polymer one. No reason they couldn't do that with a snubbie revolver too, and get back in the game.

 

[Old Fuff]

Look what they did bringing back the Mustang, an alloy Pocketlight and a polymer one. No reason they couldn't do that with a snubbie revolver too, and get back in the game.

But again...

Once the tooling is paid for it's far less expensive to make a striker-fired/polymer frame pistol then a revolver that is mechanically more complicated.

And I don't see that Colt's sales of their .380 line of pocket pistols is giving competitors sleepless nights.

To "get back in the game" they have to absorb the costs of bringing (whatever) to market, and offer fans a product they'll accept at a price they'll pay, while S&W, Ruger and Taurus sit on their hands. While this could happen it seems unlikely.

As it stands today most consumers (especially younger ones) think that "Colt" is a beer, not a handgun.

 

[Drail]

I still believe that even if they decided to try to produce a DA revolver lineup - they would be seriously overpriced and not all that great. Even S&W cannot seem to produce a revolver that even comes close to what they used to build. That absolutely requires a lot of handfitting and the cost would be outrageous for what you would get. If you want a finely built DA revolver - buy used. There are plenty of them still around.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I wonder how many laughs a day the white collars at Colt get reading these threads....