Colt is a part of America. It has meaning and value to individuals, militaries, and national histories. It’s also lagging. Last year the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, following a series of losses that don’t reflect the quality of their products.
If anything, from a production standpoint, Colt is at the top of their game. Their 1911s are well-built and gorgeous and so are their rifles. But there’s more to it than just making a good product because there is no shortage of other companies who know how to make a good product in the American small arms market.
Colt is losing because they’re stagnating. If Colt was a person, that person stopped going to the gym a long time ago. It’s a new year and it’s time for Colt to make some resolutions and get back in shape. Six resolutions. They are, in no particular order:
1. Continue the Hunt for Government Contracts
This should be a pretty obvious goal for Colt; military contracts were for years the backbone of Colt’s business and the foundation for their entire reputation–to the point where some gun owners criticized Colt as not having a serious interest in catering to consumers.
Arguably Colt had its “bad years” where it seemed like the company’s interest in serving the consumer market had flagged but today that’s just not the case. Their 1911s are some of the best values on the market in terms of fit and finish and anyone looking to spend a little more to get a very well-made 1911 doesn’t have to look much further than Colt.
On top of that, they’ve got a small but solid set of concealed-carry pistols designed specifically for men and women looking for a pocketable handgun for everyday carry. Colt is doing a good job of making quality firearms for sale to the general public. Which is why they shouldn’t be faulted for pursuing new government contracts, large and small.
While companies like Glock and Smith & Wesson do fight for large military and national police contracts, it’s the thousands and thousands of local government contracts that provide consistent income alongside commercial sales.
There is one problem with this. Colt’s catalog is…outdated.
2. Update the AR-15 Lineup
The Colt LE6900 series has made such an impact on the AR world that today the Colt LE6920 remains one of the most recommended, go-to AR-15 carbines and it will continue to be for many years. The thing is, it shouldn’t be.
Let’s be clear: no one is saying that there’s anything short of the best that goes into the manufacturing of these guns. Colt knows how to make guns and it shows. But they’ve fallen behind when it comes to really critical details like barrel profiles, barrel finishes, gas system lengths and handguard systems.
When the last big update to the LE6920 was to upgrade from Magpul MOE furniture to Magpul MOE SL accessories it’s safe to say Colt is no longer innovating when it comes to a product they essentially invented. Even Colt Canada can see this.
Colt Canada recently announced two dead-sexy modern AR-15s with semi-monolithic upper receivers, modular free-floating handguards and M-Lok mounting slots for miles. These are the sort of rifles Colt should have as their flagships in the U.S.
It would be dumb for Colt to stop making the LE6920 because people will continue to buy them for as long as they stay in production. But the LE6900 series, in general, should take a back seat for a new brand of Colt ARs.
3. Develop (a Real) .308 AR Lineup
And that brand should include AR-10-style rifles. These big bore older brothers to the AR-15 are the new hotness, and it’s safe to say that the MARC 901 series is not one of them. Too much non-standard stuff and the price, even down from where it used to be, isn’t competitive. It had promise, but never quite made a hit.
The nice thing about this is that it means that Colt essentially doesn’t have a .308 series to hold them back; they can start with a clean slate on a standard series.
For that matter, they have the opportunity to come up with a completely new lineup that includes both modern AR-15- and AR-10-style rifles into a married Colt rifle series, with a new brand and a fresh appeal.
Basically, a reboot. Colt has the clout for this and is in a decent spot to do it right, with matching configurations and modular features regardless of cartridge. Something along the lines of LEAR-56 for 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington rifles and LEAR-76 for 7.62 NATO/.308 Winchester and so on.
There are a few companies already putting similar plans into the works; if Colt puts some effort into thinking about what tomorrow’s shooters want, they can stay ahead of the game for years to come.
4. Develop a Service Pistol Series
The name Colt is downright synonymous with the most iconic American service pistol in history, and yet today the company hardly makes service pistols at all. Sure, they make a fine Rail Gun, but for all the love of 1911s, when it comes to self-defense at home or in the line of duty, most people will choose a non-single-action double-stack pistol. That’s what it means to be a service pistol today.
There are three ways for Colt to get back into the service pistol game. The first might not make people super happy but it would be fast and straightforward: just import them from a foreign manufacturer.
Find a company that makes a solid product, pay for some new tooling to re-brand the guns, and work hard with the American aftermarket, and invent a “Colt.” It will sell. It would have to be the right foreign company, and the CZ ship has probably sailed, but it’s a guaranteed profit and shouldn’t be dismissed.
The second method is a half measure between importing and manufacturing, and that’s to find a smaller American firm, work out a deal, and have them build Colt pistols. This is something Colt already does with Colt Competition and the U.S. Armament Corp. It wouldn’t be super controversial and by re-investing in the smaller company it could be scaled up to match the demand for a 21st century Colt service pistol.
That leaves in-house manufacturing as the third option. It may not be the best or most viable idea, it probably has the highest initial cost and Colt probably doesn’t have a lot of money to throw at new products, but the profits would all stay at home and they could do whatever they wanted in terms of design.
As far as what sort of service pistol they need to make, that’s probably the least important. Polymer-framed and striker-fired? People will say it’s about time. Metal-framed and DA/SA? Good for Colt for making something different.
All that matters is that they’re available in 9mm Luger and .40 S&W—Colt already makes great .45s—in three configurations, a full-size longslide for open-carry and competition, a mid-size compact for general use and occasional concealed-carry, and a single-stack or subcompact for backup and everyday-carry.
5. Bring Back DA Revolvers
The world wants snake guns. Buyers are willing to spend money to get them.
People say that the gunsmiths who know how to make Pythons and Cobras are all retired or dead, or that there is no financially-viable way to hand-make these revolvers…neither of these things can possibly be true.
Chiefly, with 3D CNC milling machines and wire EDM and laser cutters there’s no way we lack the technology to make pretty wheelguns anymore. And people have proven, again and again, they will pay well over sane market prices to get double-action Colt revolvers, so if Colt has to charge more to deliver that’s fine. The market is willing.
No excuses here, Colt should be making new snake guns. And here’s the deal: Colt just needs to make revolvers that look like their old classics. They don’t have to be the same on the inside.
There are three good reasons for Colt not to copy the original designs. First are today’s manufacturing techniques–if it’s possible to fabricate the components inexpensively, as long as they look and function as well as the originals, they should be used. Old drawings can be thrown out.
Even if a new Python is better in every way down to the quality of the finish and function of the trigger compared to an original, some people will never accept any new Colt Pythons. It’s not necessary to court the old guard—the real market is with new gun owners and buyers who never had the chance to buy a snake gun when they last were in production. That perfect profile is what matters.
Finally, if Colt changes the design people won’t get new-production revolvers mixed with older guns, which will help collectors and prevent potential buyers from getting duped. It’s a safe way to protect the value of the original revolvers.
But it is critical that any new-production double-action Colt revolvers have the same external appearance of their archetypal predecessors, and that they have good factory triggers. Any internal changes are irrelevant–just make them.
6. Push the Colt Custom Shop
To wrap things up here’s something fast and easy for Colt. Coming up with new brands, making new products, that adds up, but there is one thing that Colt can do right now that will barely touch their bottom line, and that’s to put the Colt Custom Shop in the spotlight.
Colt has a great custom shop and with a little website work, Colt could start selling factory-custom guns to-order with little to no overhead costs to a potentially huge buyer’s market. The only hurdle will be to keep up with demand.
People know that Colt means quality. Colt needs to make their quality shine. If Colt can commit to some or all of these resolutions, with a real multi-year goal, not just a “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” approach, they’ll be relevant for many years to come.
I see this article’s a year old now. Any update?
Great article. I hope the heads at Colt read this and smell the roses. I am a Connecticut resident and hope they stay in this state and continue making guns here.
The Python patten must have run out ,, maybe ruger can make it ,, far better quality, less money , best customer service ever ,and made in the USA by them , no outside vendors
I think a new Python would end up like the post 1964 Model 70 Winchester. More complaints than acceptance.
I would like a new mid size 357 and a new snubby. New names , high quality and sanely priced.
These items would get their foot back in the door.
I purchased a Colt Python long barrel .357, in 1963 ,, It was awesome.I owned a Colt Buntline special.long barrel .22 great, I now have a Colt 45 Auto combat special Govt. model. All great guns. Bring back the Python and others.
I would buy the Colt Woodsman, a Python, Diamondback, Cobra, Trooper, or Detective Special. I have owned two Gold Cups from the 80’s and 90’s- neither would run an entire magazine with ball ammo without a stoppage. Traded them away without a qualm even after losing money on both. Single Action Army? Don’t think I need a black powder capable firearm like that when I can buy something that will handle modern ammo without issues. Colt has made and continues to make their mark- it appears to be how not to run a firearm business for profit…
Would love to see the Colt snake revolvers come back, especially the .357 Python w/4″ BBL. I had one in the early ’70s and sold it to an old buddy of mine. The dumbest gun deal I’ve ever made, even though I sold it for more than I paid for it at my FFL dealer. Bought it for $365 sold it for $425. Now they can go for as high $3,000+. Makes me sick every time I think about it. Oh well. I hope Colt starts making them again. I’ll be first in line.
The author of the things that are going wrong with Colt firearms is spot on. I agreed with most of what he had to write about Colt and things they can do to make it to the top of the gun manufacturers again . The part where he said that the snake revolvers , no matter what the insides are like will still sell , is incorrect. Of course , it’s the Python, the Anaconda was a distant cousin, and the outside appearance and the interior action are both as important ! An original Python was/is as smooth as a Swiss watch, that’s why they are treasured through out the gun world. Their reputation is well known and deservedly so. I have never held a more well made double -action revolver. But that is part of the problem, semi-autos rule the world in almost every shooting sport and police/military use. Although I am still keeping my revolvers ,as most people who own them are, as far as I am aware of ? Good article, worth reading.
Well put, we’ll said and a good read.
Ironically this is exactly like another US company near and dear to my heart.
§) HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES™.
§) HARLEY DAVIDSON CUSTOM MANUFACTURING AKA. CVO™!!!
$) HARLEY DAVIDSON AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE AKA. SREAMING EAGLE™
So in my humble opinion it is a great option for Colt™ and it is tried and proven and may I go so far as saying that HARLEY doesn’t make someone with a 98 Fatboy feel like he HAS to upgrade because his bike looks outdated AND do I have to mention resale value? I ride an 08 Electraglide Ultra Classic and my son rides a 98 Fatboy. They both look factory new and are subtly outfitted with items custom to our individual taste and look very very similar to bikes you will see in the 2016 productline. I have been offered as much as I have in mine and my son has turned down the cost of that bike new in 1998.
James
Southlake, Texas
Gentlemen, this isn’t about Colt but the quality of new guns in general. Quality fire arms such as prior 2009 mfg. marlin lever action rifles, ruger security six revolvers, & ruger # 1 B are excellent firearms, if you can find them. All steel. New ruger # 1 B have lighter “alloy” barrels. Cheap!!! Buy all steel if you can find them. MUCH better quality and no “stamped” parts. Good luck!
Bring back the DA revolvers. and bring DOWN the price on the SAA’s. And while your at it how about the price of the 1911’s and DA’s too. And as for the “collectors” who are worried that it may bring down the value of ther gun(s): Don’t you really want Colt to go out of business all together. Then at the cost of another legendary American company like the original Springfield Armory, Parker Bros., Lefever Arms. L.C Smith even the likes of The Indian Motocycle Co. (spelling is correct) and Auburn Cord Duesenburg; you may profit a couple hundred bucks. It’s the Greed of people like you that destroyed those companys and is in the process of destroying the rest of this country. Chevy, AIG, Chrysler any sound familar? Maybe if more people could afford them they would be able to sell enough to stay in buiness maybe even in CT.
Colt has a empty parking lot , I live in ct , drive by it to a tool supplier . They subcontract everything out , they suck , as far as staying in ct , the liber asshole democrat legislation hates businesses,and are totally anti constitutional, so colt sucks their balls , to keep the welfare government work
I’m not in the firearms business so I don’t know if the author’s suggestions are dead-on or off point. I’m a fan of Cilt and a consumer. I hope Colt can get its collective sh&t together. They make great guns of high quality. BTW Re Nick’s off the wall rant, it wasn’t Colt but Smith & Wesson that cozier up to Bill Clinton. Also, don’t skip taking your medication.
I’m not in the firearms business so I don’t know if the author’s suggestions are dead-on or off point. I’m a fan of Cilt and a consumer. I hope Colt can get its collective sh&t together. They make great guns of high quality. BTW Re Nick’s off the wall rant, it wasn’t Colt but Smith & Wesson that cozier up to Bill Clinton. Also, don’t skip taking your medication.
As far as not wanting to step on the toes of the speculators that have jacked snake guns prices in to the stratosphere, too bad, risk taking is just that. Make them just as people want them and price them in the S&W range and watch the fireworks fly. Doesn’t matter anyway as Colt seems hell bent on whatever path they’re on.
Go back to Python’s,Diamond Back,Colt SSA’s and Quality Automatics and Detective Spec.And Keep trying for government contracts. The first six will make you number one again The contracts will be extra gravy.
I feel Colt needs to NOT bring back their old models. All this does is piss off the people that own the old Colts by decreasing the value of what they have. If I was sitting on a couple of Mustangs when Colt re-introduced that model, I would have been upset. Colt reminds me of Hollywood film makers, they just remake old stuff…… BORING! Colt reminds me of Chevrolet that took the bailout, while Ford didn’t. You think I’ll buy a Chevy? Lol!!! Colt has been out of the mainstream for too long to just come back with their old designs and expect us to pay top $$ for it. If you think the American shooter is going to pay big bucks for a new (old) Python, they are sadly mistaken, not when I could buy three S&W revolvers for what a Python goes for. You can’t disappear for that long then expect to come back and take over. Too many other manufacturers have put in long hours and sweat in new designs and my money will go with them instead of some company that left it to everyone else. Don’t own a Colt now and won’t in the near future. I wish you well in your future endeavors……..
You missed the most important and most obvious way to bring down costs and improve margins, at least to me, and that is to do what other smarter companies have done and relocate to a state or states that want their business, will fight for their business and have a tax structure, cost of living and other things that can help Colt be more competitive.
Yes, they have to do more, be more modern and work for market share outside of government contracts but that alone is not enough. Insisting on staying in the North east where operating costs and taxes are higher should be an automatic four flagged no, no.
Arizona, Nevada, the Carolinas and many other states would love to have them relocate and would love to increase their manufacturing base.
I believe in loyalty, it’s one of my most demanded qualities in individuals and businesses but when you’re employees lives, your company life and all that goes with it is on the line, use that loyalty to overcome inertia and make a move that benefits everyone. Well, everyone but the state you are leaving. A fresh start in a new or reconfigured facility, with as many of the skilled position company employees moving as possible augmented by training and incorporating new blood with new ideas from a new area not ensconced in the old ways is a good thing.
Right. You can always go to a State with low paid scabs and Mexicans. Or better yet go to Mexico. It might even be cheaper to go to Vietnam. Go home and drive your foreign cars you patriots?
Have a Python, Diamondback, Gold Cup, and AR from Colt. All great products! Ordered a SAA from a signed Colt dealer, that was 20 months ago. You call Colt and they act like your bothering them and have no answer as to when you might see your gun. They want to be a great company they need to get there customer service act in order.
I recently bought a beautiful .380, Colt Mustang, XSP. The only problem is that it has an accessory rail but it is so small I can’t find anyone who makes a laser that will fit. What the F do you put a rail on that either you don’t make a laser that will fit nor anyone else? An example of Non-gun people designing?
Yep, Colt, Benelli, Kimber and a few others we know have moved all of the smaller dealers out of their game.
Small shop, 11000 population in the town, we cant meet the minimums for purchase and stocking so we sell
the hell out of what we have and what we CAN buy from the distributors. We don’t knock the other brands
we just push those we can stock who obviously want our business.
You don’t want us, selling your guns, we don’t want to sell them.
YOUR #1 WAS THEIR DOWNFALL IN THE FIRST PLACE ! THEY LEFT THE CIVILIAN MARKETPLACE,, AND HIGH AND DRY ! NO POCKET AUTOS, NO REVOLVERS AT ALL ! THEY GAVE S&W, AND ALL THE SMALLER COMPANIES A FREE SHOT AT THE CIVILIAN MARKET ON A SILVER PLATTER !
I’VE BEEN A DEALER FOR 46 YEARS , AND WATCHED THE SLOW DEMISE OF A GREAT CONNECTICUT COMPANY !
JIM
100% Bring back the DA revolvers. Snake guns will sell! Go full spectrum in product choices a get Colt back available to any ffl dealer. Get rid of the Forced “Dealer Stocking Program” more Colts available to the public = more $$.. No brainer.
Colt has been the victim of it’s incompetent management for decades. There was a time when colt made the only quality and accepted single action revolver. Instead of playing to their strength in modernizing and offering variations they did nothing. Ruger stepped into the gap and the rest is history. They had the .45 auto market exclusively for years. Again they did no innovations or sought to exploit their advantage. After all “a colt .45” was immediately recognized by every gun owner as the real item. Kimber stepped into the gap and the rest is history. Had colt been savy the augment that there would be no Ruger and Kimber companies today has some merit. Need I go on and speak of the colt exclusive advantage on the AR 15 they enjoyed in the early years after it’s introduction as well. They did nothing to market to the gun buying citizens and again the rest is history. Stupidity of management has been Colts problem as long as this 67 year old has been old enough to to buy a handgun.
OK, Max, you got it all figured out for the big corporate honchos at the Colt Firearms Company. Maybe all they need to do now after also reading your in-depth analysis and its corresponding strategic plan is to send a blank application form for you to fill out as their new Chairman of the Board, CEO, COO, CFO and Chief Product Designer. Let’s not forget Chief of Human Resource just to make sure the would-be displaced Colt artisan workers could talk to someone when they start wondering howcome their jobs just got “outsourced”, if the importation route was adopted. Not in Colt management’s defense, I somehow think they got all these figured out already, they’re just incapable of executing all of it, that’s all. Just my humble opinion…
Their downward slide may not be reflective of their quality, but it is likely reflective of their management.
FUCK Colt! They DIED on March 15th 1989. THAT’S the day they SPIT in the FACE of EVERY Righteous, Law-Abiding AMERICAN. THAT’S the day they rolled over and GOT IN BED with the SCUM BAGS that, to THIS Day, we are STILL fighting with on the issue of our GOD-GIVEN RIGHT to own WHATEVER weapon we CHOOSE to own to PROTECT ourselves and our families and our loved one and our neighbors AND our FELLOW AMERICANS AND THE CONSTITUTION AND AMERICA ITSELF from ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN or DOMESTIC!!! NO Compromise! NEVER Forgive OR Forget them OR Hanoi JANE!!
It’s alway comforting to hear from the lunatic fringe
Nick, WTF are you talking about?
That’s the day Colt made the decision to stop selling the AR platform to civilians. I guess no other arms manufacturers have Military and civilian law enforcement specific items not available to the general public. Kind of like an M&P I own where you need to be a law enforcement agency to purchase. Guess he couldn’t buy one from another manufacturer.
He is absolutely correct. It was about that time President Bush was working on banning foreign made guns by executive order at the advice of William Bennett when Colt announced they would comply with government wishes and suspend sales to American citizens and focus on government contracts exclusively. Around that time there were mass shootings and the House rejected an assault weapons ban. Colt definitely sold out just as S&W did later. Both cases have been largely forgotten by now, apparently.
In addition to other reasons stated here, my understanding is that Colt guns are union made which may explain the high price tags, at least in part. The boxes used to be marked with a union seal.
your pills!
I fully agree , that’s why I bought a Wilson combat
I heard Colt it not run by any actual gun people, just businessmen who don’t mess with, or have any personal interest in guns themselves at all. If that’s the case then I don’t see their situation improving at all, at least not in a long term way. All the most successful companies right now seem to be owned by actual shooters. If they have kept most of the same leadership that they had when they got themselves in financial trouble then they have no chance long term. How do you even go bankrupt in this thriving market with one of the most recognizable and respected names in firearms in the world? It’s like having a Pepsi salesmen running Apple, or having investment bankers or accountants running a car company. I wish Colt the best but some heads need to roll at the top leadership of that company, like pretty much all of them.
Colt Firearms is a small part of Colt industries. I grew up with Colt’s,.22 scouts and .22 peacemakers Colt SAA and government models.Bring back those .22 peacemakers the way they where made in the 1970’s ,I’d buy 2 one for each hand. No Union’s and keep them all made in the USA
How about parts purchases and a user friendly website? I mean REAL parts. Spring kits, barrells, BCG’s and related parts…. not just COLT branded and franchised Chinese cup holders and cozies.
Lower/upper rcvr’s, triggers…the list goes on.
Recently I heard that their SS Delta Elite is really a nickle wash over a steel frame? Those kinds of cost cutting processes detract from a reputation of quality. MIM? Keep it!
Yes, I agree that chasing the military contracts is vital to PART of their operation, but refining their retail market is also necessary.
They have there recievers made by stag
Colt makes proven classics with a real heritage that work. Their Custom Shop realy is. The worst thing for their reputation would be to degrade the Custom Shop, create another glock clone, rebrand an import, or start turning out trendy stuff. I’ve always been impressed with their well thought out integration of others custom improvements once they’ve been thoroughly proven.
Something Colt might do is focus & invest in developing a revolutionary new product, such as a handgun only operable by designated individuals. Another suggestion is to do a slick nostalgic marketing of the Peacemaker with old western movie clips.
Go Colt!
Selling to the public took an odd turn with the Colt stocking dealer program.
Why a company facing bankruptcy would force smaller retailers like myself( a brick and mortar store, not an internet ffl) out of carrying their products that do sell by forcing us to carry tens of thousands of dollars in products that don’t sell is beyond me.
Essentially, Colt has made a choice that only the largest stores are going to carry Colt brand firearms… Not a slick move for a company desperately needing every sale it can get.
Admittedly, were a small shop… We only sold 700 guns last year, but not a single one of them AFTER their reorganization was a Colt.
We project sales of 1000 units this year and accompanying factory accessories. Not a single one will be a Colt.
Author just gave consulting advice to Colt that is probably better than any they have paid for.
As far as the idea about the custom shop, you can forget it. I have a Colt Light Weight Commando .38 Super from the 60’s I want refinished and fitted with a extra frame and bbl (Modern sights) in 9mm. Three phone calls and all I get is to leave vmail to the guy in charge. Guess they are busy trying to find payroll. A real shame as I am a fan of Colt’s older guns and that is all I carry. I can send it to Turnbull and they would do a great job, but then it won’t letter from the factory.
Good idea about the custom shop. Someone needs to answer the phone and service the customer or NO SALE AND NO CASH FLOW. If you are in Chap. 11 cash flow is what it is all about.
If COLT would reduce the price across the board for their weapons, people would step up. I would love to buy COLT handguns and rifles all the way from .22″s up to the AR’s. For the average working person who likes to shoot and collect guns of all calibers, COLT’s Prices are out of reach for me. We want shooters not high priced weapons that we keep in the vault. I have a COLT DIAMONDBACK that I absolutely love to shoot but it lives in the safe because of resale value. Sad, huh ?
Amen, bring back the snake’s. Theses are the most sought after revolvers on the market. Thank you.
Colt could have a rapid infusion of cash without having to retool or develop anything new. There are easily over a million owners of older and antique Colts that would love a production letter for their firearm. Currently, the pricing is prohibitive. Why not offer this service for $50 per gun. How labor intensive is it to go through old files? If this promo proves successful, temporarily hire some extra help. The result could be in the neighborhood of $50,000,000.
to quote the author “No excuses here, Colt should be making new snake guns. And here’s the deal: Colt just needs to make revolvers that look like their old classics. They don’t have to be the same on the inside.”…..just make them LOOK like the old classics and forget about the inside? what kind of of stupid arse statement is that? You want to buy a high quality, hand fitted, high carbon steel frame wheel gun today that MAYBE rivals the classic Python, shell out $8000 for a Korth. Please…send me ALL your unwanted Pythons for under $2000…..I love Colt, but they have no one to blame but themselves…they lost the “eye of the Tiger” long ago….
What number bankruptcy is this? And no one mentions all of their small suppliers they literally put out of business every time they file Chapter 11. THEY are the ones that take the big hit! Think of all the little guys who supplied products to them in good faith and then never got paid, forcing many of them out of business because they are little guys with no financial backup. Yep, they built the 1911 first, but they didn’t invent it. John Browning did. The revolvers were beautiful but were expensive and required more maintenance to keep the cylinders timed properly. Many things look better in retrospect. All I see is a company trying to stay alive by using a legal loophole to not pay their bills. Shame on “Colt.” Old Sam would be turning over in his grave!
Everyone I know tells a sad story of the day they sold their Python being a landmark in stupidity.
Colt could tell the same story about not getting that message.
I have never seen a smoother, more beautifully finished, or more classic hand gun than the python. They are well above my income level. It would be great to see colt make these classics again.
“……. It’s also lagging.”
This is nothing new. Colt wouldn’t bring back the single action until 10 years after the war ended; that gave Bill Ruger his big break. Colt never came back out with the New Service after the war. Then, AFTER everyone bought themselves a S&W .44 Magnum, Colt came out with the Anaconda – 45 years too late. Colt quality was hit and miss from 1980 – 2000. The advertising slogan: “Quality makes it a Colt”, to a large extent, had an ironic, reverse meaning in the public’s eye…..
I still have night sweats over selling my 6″, Trooper MK-III. Had a very light trigger for competition and was in 98% condition. Best DA I ever owned.
I agree with everything the author said. They are all great ideas!
I have loved colts for more than 40 years now. I slimmed down my collection over the last ten years or so, but I stil retain my gold cup, trophy, and my everyday carry piece, my officers model .45 it shoots almost as good as my newest gold cup!
Regrettably I sold my Python 2″ for a stupid amount of money I just could not refuse. I never shot it much, and I had planned to send it to colt and have a 5″ tube screwed on it so I could hit something with it. As it was it would have had to be a really big barn to have anything to worry about with me shooting at it. While my 2″ lawman will shoot as good as my 8″ Python! So it was not the bbl length, it would just not shoot. (Yes I informed the new buyer of this, but he didn’t care as he had no intention of ever firing it again.)
But if they came out with a new snake in .357 with a 5 or 6″ tube on it that has as good a trigger and action as smooth as my 2″ had, I would be first in line to buy a new one!
I own a few S&W performance center guns that I love. Especially my stainless .41 mag 8″ with the unfluted cylinder. Next to my Python it has the best action/trigger job I ever felt. And it’s a better shooter too. Some guns you just never sell. Those I listed above my wife will have to peddle when I’m gone. If even then, as she loves them as well.
Colt left a bad taste in people’s mouthes after the settlement, and the refusal to sell to non LEOs after Columbine. It was a big mistake on their part for a while. But I think as long as they keep their product American made they can come back from this BK and continue to grow again.
Colt, follow the authors advice and I can’t see how you can miss! And put me down for a new Python and a Diamond Back as well. 😉
As far as a service pistol goes, Why not buy the rights to the Bren Ten and actually produce them and variations? unlike other companies.I won’t mention.
On the Revolvers, They should for sure before someone else does.
#6 (or #1 IMO),
Get rid of the Forced “Stocking Dealer Program”,this program has required dealer to be “stocking dealers “(buy at first 8-now reduced to 4 slow moving guns that Colt can’t move- and does not allow them to sell to other dealers or Colt will not sell to them.
No other gun manufacture does this.As a dealer I can order any gun the distributor has in stock,expect Colt ! Why put any barrier to sales in the supply chain.I have a few Colts in the counter and would add more-but at my choice,now I just show the customer a Kimber,or S&W or Springfield and Colt loses another sale !
This sales destruction plan is a loser-the distributors will tell you how Colts has lost 75% of dealers that bought them before !
Excellent point. Why handicap yourself?
I agree. I too am a dealer that has quit selling Colts due to their stupidity. I’m not going to sell a product that “requires” me to purchase items whether I want them or not. What marketing strategists thought up this requirement? They need to be fired. An open market and a great product and they wouldn’t be having financial problems. President Obama should be given an honorary lifetime membership in the NRA for outstanding promotion in the sales and arming of America. If Colt is still in trouble after Obama, there is more wrong than is being told.
Why isn’t the author a market salesman for colt? These are all great ideas.
Amen! to #5. Bring Back Da Revolvers. America is ready. Should be their bread ‘n’ butter. 1911’s are the desert.