Why did Colt get out of the Revolver Game?

[GunTech]

Colt, like many companies also suffered from the 'MBA' effect. To many companies get taken over by management professionals who think all products are the same, and that growth is nore imporatant that sales, profit and reputations. It's all about stock value.

Right now, this same transition is happening at Leupold. I've seen it in several firearms related companies. The people who founded the company, or who really understood the business get replaced by 'suits' with no understanding of their product or market, but have MBA degrees. They show great returns to the stockholders while they run the company into the ground.

I'm not sure what has been going on with Colt for the last 30 years, but they haven't produced anything new and innovative since the AA2000, and that was a disaster. Other designs seem to have come from the marketing department. How many good guns have been designed by commmitees based on focus groups?

BTW, according to at least one distributor I worked with, the Python was in high demand at the time they finally ended production, and was backordered by the distributor.

Colt cancelled the Mustang and other miniguns as part of a gentleman's agreement with CT not to sell 'Saturday Night Specials'. IIRC, there was also an issue with Kahr over a patent.

Finally, one of the things that is killing the big gun manufacturer is the NIH syndrone. There are hundred of talented gun designers out there, but the big gun companies only want to build what they have always built, or go with in house and often terrible committe designed guns.

Remingyon 770 anyone?

 

[ironvic]

I can only look at Colt from a consumer's point of view. Their guns, especially revolvers, were too expensive and they never seemed to have their marketing act together. Smith and Wesson offered more choices, offering constantly evolving revolvers built on state of the art machinery and they seemed to have an uncanny abiltiy to gauge revolver shooter's wants and needs; and I still think they built better wheelguns than Colt (with that said, I do have a Trooper Mk-111 6" .357 that's drop-dead gorgeous and accurate in the extreme-it's one of my favorites!). When people were clamoring for more single action Colts, they curtailed production--then along came the Ruger Vaquero to fill the vacuum...

Of course, Colt really scored with the 1911 and there's still a certain cache to the name over other 1911s in a crowded market, ditto for the AR-15/M-16. In that respect, it's interesting that Smith & Wesson chose to copy those weapons as it sought to expand its LE and military offerings.

When it's all said and done, I hope Colt remains in the race for a long time to come-after Winchester's demise, we need all the gun manufacturers we can get!

 

[Logan5]

In my opinion, they are getting killed on the few products they still produce by virtually every distributor's decision to tack two or three zeros onto the MSRP of every Colt product.

 

[hemiram]

My Python was a really nice gun, but I wasn't going to carry it, due to fear it would get scratched up, and my Dan Wesson Model 15's shot as well, or better, so when I was offered a lot more than I paid for it, off it went.

My Combat Commander was a total disaster, there was nothing good about that gun other than looks when I bought it new. After a trip back to Colt, it didn't even have that going for it. They scratched the slide all up. I took the loss and dumped it ASAP.

The Anaconda looks interesting, but if I want a 44 mag, it will be a DW or S&W.

 

[HammerBite]

Finally, one of the things that is killing the big gun manufacturer is the NIH syndrone.

Yes, the good old "not invented here" syndrome. I understand that Colt had the opportunity to buy rights to Seecamp's excellent double-action conversion, and declined.

 

[Powderman]

They still haven't caught up with the AR market.

Respectfully, I beg to differ.

Look at the hottest selling AR variant on the market, from ANY manufacturer--the 16" stepped barrel, with detachable carry handle. When did that first hit the market? With Colt's M4.

You will pay good money for any of the AR's, usually below one thousand bucks.

You will also pay good money for the M4 clone, the LE6920. They go for around $1300, brand new. You will usually find Armalites, Bushmasters and even Rock Rivers on the shelves, along with some not so well known brands. Yet, you almost never see 6920's languishing on the dealer's rack. Why? They're purchased in advance, or sold right after they hit the store.

Finally, even with so many choices and variants on the market, the Colt rifle is the one that is spec'd for the Armed Forces, even well after 2010.

You will also notice this: Why aren't other variants called AR's in their brand name? Because "AR15" is a registered Colt trade mark.

Colt doesn't need to catch up with the AR market.

Colt IS the AR market.