As long as it's a Model 1911 variant.All I know is, there has never been a point where I could not find a new Colt handgun on the shelf, or at least order one if I wanted to.
I think very highly of my Colt 1911s. But there is no doubt that they've been riding the same few models for a very long time. Perhaps the AllAmerican2000 and DoubleEagle soured them on new design efforts.For Colt to really be "alive" they'd have to be doing more than rehashing their old military guns from 1873 and 1911.
In general I don't see it as unreasonable for Colt to have abandoned their hand-fitted models, but this is an excellent point - why discontinue the TrooperMKIII and other models that require little/no hand fitting?Where's the Cobras, Anacondas, Detective Specials, Diamondbacks, and so on?
Where's the Cobras, Anacondas, Detective Specials, Diamondbacks, and so on?
Colt's handgun division is a small part of a larger corporation that isn't (at least so far) interested in putting any money into new handguns. Without some considerable investment there will be no new handguns, just variants of the 1911 platform or the even older 1873 Single Action Army.
an AMERICAN gun made to the original quality specifications. If you've ever handled an original Colt percussion gun in good shape, you know what I'm talking about.
Then design a New Python that didn't need hand fitting (or needed a minimal amount). Hand fitting was partly a compensation for machining tolerances...tighten the tolerances, and you can get away with less fitting. At a minimum, be able to measure parts so the hand-fitters could pick parts that will work together properly.
in the ar15 platform, colt isnt dead.
if I were running Colt, I'd put money into a good set of CNC milling machines. VERY good milling machines.
Then design a New Python that didn't need hand fitting (or needed a minimal amount). Hand fitting was partly a compensation for machining tolerances...tighten the tolerances, and you can get away with less fitting. At a minimum, be able to measure parts so the hand-fitters could pick parts that will work together properly.
After that, I'd be tempted to cut against the grain...to exploit the Civil War Sesquicentennial with a new production 1851 Navy and 1860 Army revolver. No, not an Italian repro made to a price point, an AMERICAN gun made to the original quality specifications. If you've ever handled an original Colt percussion gun in good shape, you know what I'm talking about. The originals were built as if a man's life would depend on them, while the repros are made for plinking. BIG difference.
Beyond that? I'd look at a service pistol with an electronic trigger. And maybe a squeeze-cocker...an HK P7 with the bugs worked out, and in .45ACP.
Who better to come out with a new production of 1908s?
Woody
ArmedBear, I never said anything was wrong with the new S&W's. To me, they just don't feel as slick as the older ones do. YMMV.
Don't count Colt out just yet. Can't say more than "stay tuned"...no pun intended.