What is the current status of Colt manufacturing activity? I had thought that no more Colt guns were being made at all. I know I had read that the Custom Shop was making SAAs at one time even though the main factory was closed. This question was brought to mind again recently because I was in a Scheels(Large sporting goods store) in Omaha last weekend and they had several brand spanking new SAAs and I believe the date of manufacture as listed by the store was 2006. Please clue me in someone. Thanks in advance.
Question status of Colt Company
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wad
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I thought I had read somewhere that Colt is still producing the SAA and 1911.
Colt's handgun division is in sad shape, but still kicking. At the present time they are producing a line of pistols based on the 1911 platform, and some custom shop Single Action Army's. However all other pistols have been discontinued, as have double-action revolvers.
dfariswheel
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Like Mark Twain, reports of Colt's death are somewhat premature.
Colt is producing what just might be the best 1911 pistols ever made.
While everyone else is using as much MIM for parts as possible, Colt is going the other way with as many forged or cast parts as possible.
They still make the Colt Single Actions, and the commercial-type AR-15 rifles.
They've announced that they are working on a new double action revolver design.
They're selling everything they can produce, and still can't keep up with demand.
So, slowly, they seem to be making a come-back.
Colt is producing what just might be the best 1911 pistols ever made.
While everyone else is using as much MIM for parts as possible, Colt is going the other way with as many forged or cast parts as possible.
They still make the Colt Single Actions, and the commercial-type AR-15 rifles.
They've announced that they are working on a new double action revolver design.
They're selling everything they can produce, and still can't keep up with demand.
So, slowly, they seem to be making a come-back.
Lone_Gunman
Member
They have never had a problem selling everything they produce. The problem is that they usually lose money every time they sell a gun. So the more they sell, the more they lose.
At least, that has been how the company has been run in the past. I have heard people say for 20 yrs now that Colt is "making a comeback".
I like their products, and agree they make a fine 1911, but from a business standpoint, chimpanzees could do a better job running the company.
dfariswheel
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"The problem is that they usually lose money every time they sell a gun"
As a Master salesman once told me, "You can't loose money on every sale, and make it up in volume".
If Colt constantly lost money on every gun, or even on MANY guns they would have sunk without a ripple LONG ago.
The company is in delicate condition, but is not "loosing money" on every gun.
You hear a lot about Colt and the story's usually run:
Colt is out of business.
Colt only sells to the military and police.
Colt only sells to rich collectors.
Colt is loosing money on every gun.
Colt is made overseas.
Colt is being bought out by (name a company).
Colt is BUYING (name a company).
Colt's guns are all made from cast steel.
Colt's are actually made on Mars from cast steel, by Mexican workers and they're going out of business next week to sell Single Actions only to the military Police.
(OK, so I made up the last one).
As a Master salesman once told me, "You can't loose money on every sale, and make it up in volume".
If Colt constantly lost money on every gun, or even on MANY guns they would have sunk without a ripple LONG ago.
The company is in delicate condition, but is not "loosing money" on every gun.
You hear a lot about Colt and the story's usually run:
Colt is out of business.
Colt only sells to the military and police.
Colt only sells to rich collectors.
Colt is loosing money on every gun.
Colt is made overseas.
Colt is being bought out by (name a company).
Colt is BUYING (name a company).
Colt's guns are all made from cast steel.
Colt's are actually made on Mars from cast steel, by Mexican workers and they're going out of business next week to sell Single Actions only to the military Police.
(OK, so I made up the last one).
Colt's Handgun Division outsources a lot of parts, and for some time has been on a "cash in advance" position with most of their suppliers. This has substantially hurt their ability to get ahead. What they produce is generally good, but there isn't enough of it. Meanwhile other companies are producing clones of their two remaining lines - the 1911 automatics and the Single Action Army revolver. Thus they no longer dominate in their own market. So far they've lacked the financial means to break out of this shell. This is sad, but it's the way it is.
Lone_Gunman
Member
If Colt was independent that would be true. But from what I have read they are propped up to some degree by the state of Connecticut.
Is that true, or another rumor? The story I have heard was they do lose money, but the state keeps bailing them.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Yeah. Right. We have one in the case at the gun shop where I work. Springfield left Colt in the dust a long time ago.
there's a Colt company rep at m1911.org. you can find his email and contact info at the site: http://forum.m1911.org/
the rep did make a post re: availability of colt 1911s:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=9996
the rep did make a post re: availability of colt 1911s:
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=9996
Eightball
Member
They "bit the dust" years ago, when they decided they were going to sell civilian arms, then not, then sell them, then not, and provide occasional CS during the brief periods when they decided they would sell more stuff to civvies. Bad marketing=bad move.
Confederate
Member
This may make some people mad, but except for the Python, the Colt line of .357s never seemed to be inherently as accurate as Smith & Wessons. Their Troopers and other models also weren't reviewed as well, yet the prices were always greater than Smith & Wessons. To make matters worse, the extractors were too thin and on some of the early double actions just seemed to stick out. Also, who designed the grips? Even on the Pythons the grips were largest where the hands were smallest and smallest where the hands were larger.
They had beautiful finishes, but I always thought they were a bit overrated. The pawls were tiny and wore quickly, throwing the guns out of time faster than they should for guns their size. Some users would hard chrome the pawl, or hand, so it wouldn't wear as quickly and that seemed to work.
Their inflated prices and quality control did them in. I mean, United Auto Workers putting together pistols? Didn't make sense.
They had beautiful finishes, but I always thought they were a bit overrated. The pawls were tiny and wore quickly, throwing the guns out of time faster than they should for guns their size. Some users would hard chrome the pawl, or hand, so it wouldn't wear as quickly and that seemed to work.
Their inflated prices and quality control did them in. I mean, United Auto Workers putting together pistols? Didn't make sense.
JMag
Member
For the record, my King Cobra shot as well or better as my 686...and, she looked much nicer.
nero45acp
Member
My heart hopes they'll thrive and produce some great new products, but my gut says their best days are past.
nero
nero
phantomak47
Member
Some one a few months ago showed the figures of how many handguns a year that Colt was producing compared to other manufactors such as Sig.
Colt had dropped from 20,000 down to something like 12,000. Most shops that I frequent dont even carry the Colt line.
Colt had dropped from 20,000 down to something like 12,000. Most shops that I frequent dont even carry the Colt line.
dfariswheel
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DogBonz:
Colt has said pretty clearly that the Python as we knew it is dead, never to be made again.
Due to the hand built nature of the Python, Colt says they can't sell them at a price most people will pay, so any new DA revolvers from Colt will be designed for less hand work.
They say they're working on a new DA revolver design, but no word on what it'll look like, or what size.
Bottom line, If you want a Python, better buy one before the supply of ones in good condition either dry up, or get so expensive you can't afford one.
Colt has said pretty clearly that the Python as we knew it is dead, never to be made again.
Due to the hand built nature of the Python, Colt says they can't sell them at a price most people will pay, so any new DA revolvers from Colt will be designed for less hand work.
They say they're working on a new DA revolver design, but no word on what it'll look like, or what size.
Bottom line, If you want a Python, better buy one before the supply of ones in good condition either dry up, or get so expensive you can't afford one.
dfariswheel is right. The Pythons that were made during recent years were assembled from previously manufactured parts. They no longer have complete part sets, nor any inclination to make more - even if they could, which is doubtful. The Python was a unique revolver, and there will be no more of them. Those that want one would be well advised to more now... not later.
Lone_Gunman
Member
About the only guns I have owned that have really escalated in value are Pythons.
I bought a couple back in the 90's. One for $400, and one for $450. My dad berated me severely for paying $450 at the time. Turns out to have been a pretty good deal.
I bought a couple back in the 90's. One for $400, and one for $450. My dad berated me severely for paying $450 at the time. Turns out to have been a pretty good deal.
If they are going to bring back a revolver..
I think it would be a smart move to bring back the Detective Special, some steel framed, maybe some aluminum framed, 6 shots, concealable grip. The concealed handgun market is where it is at. Would it be so hard for Colt to bring back a known gun that could compete with Charter Arms and S&W 637s and 642s?
I think it would be a smart move to bring back the Detective Special, some steel framed, maybe some aluminum framed, 6 shots, concealable grip. The concealed handgun market is where it is at. Would it be so hard for Colt to bring back a known gun that could compete with Charter Arms and S&W 637s and 642s?
PotatoJudge
Member
The DS takes quite a bit of hand fitting, but it wouldn't be the first time Colt kept a name and changed the lockwork. I think they could fill the six shot 38+p CCW gap very well.
I'd vote for bringing back the original DS- more D frame parts and people able to work on them.
I'd vote for bringing back the original DS- more D frame parts and people able to work on them.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I don't own a Colt or Smith & Wesson revolver with the original factory stocks. Colt's stocks have always been slightly worse than Smith & Wesson's, but both, in my opinion, are completely unusable.
http://www.herrett-stocks.com
http://www.nill-griffe.com
Colt wrote off the state of Maryland when it 1) didn't come up with a lock system and 2) refused to supply fired cartridge cases.
The first excuse is gone, as some external locks have been approved, but Colt still refuses to provide the cartridge case in MD (and, I presume, NY as well). Sure, it would cost money, but the cost would be passed on to the customer, as usual.
So, in at least two states, Colt simply bows out and lets the market to others. That is not a good way to do business, and there seems no valid reason for it.
(Yes, I agree the ballistic fingerprint business is silly and the law is about worthless, but it is the law. Colt's refusal to comply will not result in repeal of the law; people will just buy something else. FWIW, I don't think Colt's position is any matter of principle; it is just blind stupidity.)
Jim
The first excuse is gone, as some external locks have been approved, but Colt still refuses to provide the cartridge case in MD (and, I presume, NY as well). Sure, it would cost money, but the cost would be passed on to the customer, as usual.
So, in at least two states, Colt simply bows out and lets the market to others. That is not a good way to do business, and there seems no valid reason for it.
(Yes, I agree the ballistic fingerprint business is silly and the law is about worthless, but it is the law. Colt's refusal to comply will not result in repeal of the law; people will just buy something else. FWIW, I don't think Colt's position is any matter of principle; it is just blind stupidity.)
Jim
runninmike
Member
Positive advertising and marketing to the shooter enthusiast mentality would have and still could go a long way for Colts, if only they would put their best foot forward. They should take some advertising lessons from S&W, Ruger, Remington, Springfield Armoury and others to gain our interest. They're not going to increase sales just on their old name without advertising and marketing-which they do not do, I mean people are buying from companies that are visible. Colt stopped advertising much after the failed Model 2000 and the Double Eagle pistols which were also a failure-nice, but failures. They need to push forward and come out with some different double action autos in .40 s&w, 9mm & .45, and they also need to get serious about their double action revolver world and put forth some values in hunting handguns and maybe even build some large guns around some of the heavy revolver calibers that Ruger and S&W have been selling. And sell them at a competitive price, stop acting snobbish about their product lines like their stuff is what all others are judged by because those days are 30 years gone, because anymore, nobody gives a real damn that it is an actual Colt when they can get a beautiful repro for a fraction the cost. The Colt Cowboy could've been a heck of alot more for them if they had marketed it properly and delivered what SASS shooters were asking for-different finishes and bbl lengths at real world cost. Ruger killed them with the Vaquero. Colt should also look at the Beretta Stampede and make several options similar to compete in that arena, I mean people would love a Colt, they just don't want to pay for less when they can get more. I don't wish them ill will, I like some of their stuff from the past, but I'll not buy a 1911a1 or $1000 revolver from them when I can get same quality or better from Kimber or Springfield or S&W for less. Heck S&W has had trouble, but they never stop marketing and advertising and they finally are too producing a fine 1911a1 for a reasonable cost and people are buying them like crazy. People are also buying the new M&P like crazy. Go figure.
Didn't mean to sound like such a rantor, and wasn't trying to offend anyone with my post here. Sorry gang.
Best-MC
Didn't mean to sound like such a rantor, and wasn't trying to offend anyone with my post here. Sorry gang.
Best-MC
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