What's wrong with Colt?

[FP1201]

Well this thread has shifted from AR's to SAA's.
Point: Colt originated the SAA, so all others are copys.
High or low price doesn't always equate quality anymore than it does junk, it's all subjective. Even a worn out POS with the "Colt" name will command big bucks. (Maby it's a status or phalic thing)
Many highly sought items carry a hefty price, and "collectors" want pristime specimens, afterall its condition, condition, condition.
Maby Colt has to make overpriced antique firearms to stay in buisness, especially if they're controlled by an anti-gun government (ironic isn't it) in a state where Union labor has forced the prices and operating costs so high, that they have no other choice.
I suppose a 100+ y/o designed revolver isn't as deadly or menacing as a modern revolver or pistol.
But, HEY this is America! If you can make a product and get big bucks for it, go right ahead. God bless you.
Could it be, most of the complaints center around the desire to own Colts, but cannot justify the necessary funds?
Nobody likes having that which they own critisized!
I own a couple Randall knives. Are they any good? I don't know because I've never used them. Could just as good or a better knife be had for less money? I'm sure they can be had, but I'll always get more money that was paid for the Randall.

 

[OpenRoad]

What dfariswheel said and:

The impressive thing about the management of Colt is that they can run a company that badly and still remain in business.

They're not really in business, they're partially state owned (had to be bailed out?) now so company decisions are not the same as for a business. Not that they ever were with Colt. The more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[NMshooter]

Colt's sole purpose at this point is to get as many lucrative government contracts as possible.

Every M-4 and M-4A1 I have ever seen had a pony on the side.

So long as the M-4 remains popular with various federal agencies, many SWAT teams, and a standard issue item for the US military they will remain in business.

Whoever thought of the trademark infringement strategy and M-4 patents was very smart.

 

[USP45usp]

I will never buy a colt anything. If I want a freakin dancing pony on the slide or receiver of my gun, I can get one lasered on.

No, colt is trying to get the military deals as well as the LEO's, and they can have it if they want it. Sell only "hi-cap" mags to LEO's and Military only even though the ban is ended, screw them.

As for fit and finish, there are other SAA's out there, if they don't "match" to colt then I just don't need one.

You know what, I'm happy that colt is losing the military and LEO business, the way they screwed us as "civilian" then they need to lose their business.

Old colts were sold to us mere peones, todays colts are trying to only sell to government and LEO's. I won't miss them.

Wayne

 

[Wakal]

I like Colt's business practices.

My $350 Anacondas are now sold as $900 Custom Shop guns...oh, wait, I can't SELL them for that? Oops...

Spent some time in Colt's booth at the SHOT Show this year, and last year, and...well, you get the idea. I spent most of the time biting my lip to keep from shouting "ARE YOU PEOPLE F&^$G HIGH?" in the middle of their spaces.

Thumbed (hah hah) every SAA they had on display. These are the "hand selected" guns FOR DISPLAY, brought to show off how great they were. Ummm...OK. Gritty, creapy, some out of time, some with enough endshake to require immediate rework right out of the box... The best actions were no better than the $500 knock offs. Finish was worse than the $900 knock-offs. You are paying for the logo and the box, and that is all.

The only reason Colt is backordered is...they can't put out products in a timely fashion, due no doubt to the antiquated machinery and unionized workers. I'm on good terms with the folks at a very high-end 1911 manufacturer, and know that they have been spending a half-mil on new machinery every six to eight months, in an attempt to keep up with demand. With all the new machines going, their production is an easy four times was it was a year ago, and they are still six weeks behind. Colt, meanwhile, is just as slow as they ever were...and their products are not getting any better.

Hmmm...which is union, and which isn't? Which is a socialized, and which is a private company? Amazing.




AlexIownasafefullofColtsandrunashoptooWakal

 

[Wildalaska]

Thumbed (hah hah) every SAA they had on display.These are the "hand selected" guns FOR DISPLAY, brought to show off how great they were. Ummm...OK. Gritty, creapy, some out of time, some with enough endshake to require immediate rework right out of the box.

Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha........

WildguesswejudgerevolversdifferentlyAlaska

PS...but then again I dont have an axe to grind in this great debate...we can sell ANYHTING we want, Ubertis or Bushies or Kimbers or Rock Rivers or whatever......however the bulk of our customers want Colts....if they wanted Kimbers, o well would just go out and buy a slew of them.....

PSS:

How many your customers are buying new Colt SAA's for the purpose of keeping them un-turned collectibles? The only guns I have ever seen where shop owners didnt want someone to turn the cylinder was guns that were already collectable.

About 50%...the other 50% puts down their money and shoots em.

 

[spacemanspiff]

i think that deep down, in places where people dont wish to admit, you will find that everyone is a closet colt snob.

 

[USP45usp]

Wild,

I own a colt upper for my AR, in 7.62, and they refuse to make standard capicity mags for them. And you know what, the fit from the colt upper sucks compared to the one that I bought from another place. It's all hype and flash, you buy a name just to be able to tell your friends that you own a colt this or the other, I on the other hand am quite embarressed about owning a colt sporter upper for my AR.

My comments stand. As for not buying any guns, well, most of the guns that I have are from other countries but their laws are not my problem. The companies there may be socialist, communist, or part of the european nation but that isn't my problem what their country is like. My problem is with the companies that are in the US.

Wayne

 

[lbmii]

I like Colt firearms. However I simply do not understand what they are doing. They seem to be a firearm company that is run by some people who do not like firearms and are ashamed of their company’s operation..

 

[FP1201]

I like Colts, and would gladly own more NEW COLTS IF they became civilian friendly again.
As "Wakal" pointed out with the Anacondas: I bought one in 1993 and it cost $372.50 sent UPS/COD to my house. Now "dealer" is over $750. IF you can find one.
WildAlaska sounds like he's got a good buisness and clientel with the cabbage to buy fifteenhundred dollar revolvers that may never have a cartridge chambered.
I'm going to have to start buying up all the Colt firearms I can, because the value is expected to increase significantly.

 

[Justin]

Ok. This thread is back from the dead. Don't post anything that's likely to give me a headache.

 

[TheEgg]

I like Colt's, own several. That being said, I also don't understand what they are doing.

I have money to spend with Colt and can't do it. They either won't sell me the perfectly legal items I want (such as former "LE" rifles), and/or they are so far behind on producing product that I can't find them (Various 1911 models that seem to be unobtainable).

In either case, me, a Colt fan, winds up purchasing other manufacturers goods. The end result is that Colt does not get money that I WANT to spend with them. How much worse is this for those who don't really have an affinity for Colt? Does not this situation finally result in Colt's ruin?

 

[mjb]

Colt is my favorite handgun manufacturer. In their day, they made the best pistols on the market. It is really sad that the company today isn't the same as it used to be. Except for the 1990's, Colt really didn't pay much attention to the latest consumer demand on firearms since the 1970's.

 

[Old Fuff]

More bad news ...

I just got through going through the 2005 catalog/price sheet and ...

No revolvers except custom shop Single Action Armies ...

This is not the Colt Company of my youth that I remember so fondly ...

This is a company that has lost its way ...

 

[MountainPeak]

I left Colt, no, they left me many years ago. When revolver clones, at half the price or less, out shoot them, what more needs to be said? When, manufacturers can provide similar characteristics and function for less, in rifles, what more needs to be said? When they snub the civilian market, everytime they can, what more needs to be said? Nothing in my opinion!!! I quit supporting COLT, because they quit supporting me.

 

[Valkman]

I love my 2 Colt AR's, and as long I can get them at a GREAT price like I did from WA I will get more. Funny that Colts aren't overpriced when you buy from the right person! All this despite drunken rants of idiots and cheats...

 

[mcmoyer]

i think that deep down, in places where people dont wish to admit, you will find that everyone is a closet colt snob.

All right, all RIGHT...get off my back, will ya?? Sheesh!! I'll admit it!!

Hi, my name's Mike & I'm a Colt snob.

There, ya happy now??

 

[Werewolf]

i think that deep down, in places where people dont wish to admit, you will find that everyone is a closet colt snob.

ROFLMAO - A classic case of wishful thinking and projection me'thinks.

 

[ALS]

When I talked to Norm Chandler down at Iron Brigade Armory back in late August they had just delivered something like 250 (I think that was the number) Armalite's to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Does that tell you that Colt is losing business to the other AR manufactures. I have never seen any business with the type of arrogance that Colt has that has stayed in business very long. Even if Conn. does own part of it there is no way they are going to lose money over the long term to keep the Union happy.
My local Colt parts supplier has had upper receivers on back order for 6 months. He is complaining because he can't get much of a supply out of them of any Colt parts.
I'm going to have to stop up this week and see if he got any in.
I trying to put together a tack driver flat top and want all Colt parts in it since the lowers are Colt's.