Colt - Future?

[Ripon83]

A friend and I were discussing Pythons' and collecting Colts this morning over coffee. It was an intriguing discussion because neither of us are serious collectors but just like Colt and several of their firearms. Namely Pythons and 1911's.

We were curious about the prospect of Colt's future. I read several topics on the Colt Forums about the demise of the company; the loss of an AR contract for the military would likely be a death nail. But wouldn't the retail side be sold off to someone and continue? Would people care if Colt items were made by Walther - I think they would. There would be a "pre Colt demise" value I think.

Then we wondered why Colt does not make a shinny new Colt Python? I would think at $1200/$1800 they could sell a boat load of them as getting one is getting hard to do. Wouldn't the retail side make some serious money doing that? Then what happens to those made before they quit - price wise?

What do you think Colt Inc will be like 5 - 25 years from now?

[keenkeen]

Regardless of what happens on the military contract side, I am sure the civilian production would continue. It may be owned by another company but the name is far to valuable for that side of the business just to fold up shop. Could actually be a good thing in the long run. You never know...

BTW...I think it is "Death Knell" not "Death Nail".

Death Nail does sound kinda cool however.

[timmyb21]

Death Nail does sound kinda cool however.

I'm gonna start a metal band. Trademarked!!! Patent pending!!

[stix213]

If Colt started making pythons again, obviously the price on existing pythons would drop as new supply became available. Though the old ones will still hold a premium price.

The problem with Colt is they seem content to just keep making what they have always made and not adapt to any changes in the market. Eventually the military will stop using M4's and move onto something else. Do you really think Colt will be there with the next big development in firearms to continue being an important player? I doubt it.

[razr]

What do you think Colt Inc will be like 5 - 25 years from now?

5 to 25 years? You couldn't even say that about the best of them.

[Chameleon Loco]

I am worried about colt!

Their m4 contract expires with the US millitary soon and they are deeply in debt. It is sad that they were once the biggest innovaters in the firearms industry: the revolver, 1911, and the first to mass prouduce the AR-15/M16. I hope they get their act togather. I am deffinelty buying a LE6940 when I save up enough money.

[Bruce]

Colt has been "going out of business any minute now" for the last 30 years.

[myk]

Their m4 contract expires with the US millitary soon and they are deeply in debt. It is sad that they were once the biggest innovaters in the firearms industry: the revolver, 1911, and the first to mass prouduce the AR-15/M16. I hope they get their act togather. I am deffinelty buying a LE6940 when I save up enough money.

I'd beg borrow and steal to buy one now. I don't know about you guys but the M4's have been a rare sight in the stores, at least for me anyway...

[Ripon83]

True

It would seem to me the retail civilian product is still strong. People still love the SAA, bring back the Python, 1911 rocks, and the m4 is great in our market.

Colt has been "going out of business any minute now" for the last 30 years.

[nicki]

Colt.

The reality is people will pay a premium to have the "Colt" brand on their guns, the problem is how Colt is run.

If the Company goes under, some group will buy the brand because it is a well known and desired brand.

Colt needs to restructure, focus on a few guns and do them well.

If I was Colt, I would stick with classics.

For pistols.

.22 colt woodsman
1911s, multiple calibers. 22, 9mm, 40 cal, 45 cal, 10mm
Revolvers, Colt diamondback .22, Python 357, Anaconda 44 mag and of course the .45 Colt Peacemaker.

For rifles.

Build on the modular AR10 that takes AR15 uppers.

Focus on customer service, offer custom tune ups with reasonable turn around times.

Actually promote Colt guns, look for new markets and be willing to be bold.

Nicki

[dougd1015]

Another great iconic company run into the ground by people that don't care.

[smle-man]

All of the American gun companies have gone bust or almost gone bust at least a couple of times. Colt is no different. Military contracts have been the savior of them all over the decades. Colt's production costs are way too high and eventually they will go under or move south to a right to work state (non union) or outsource.

[jonzer77]

It would seem to me the retail civilian product is still strong. People still love the SAA, bring back the Python, 1911 rocks, and the m4 is great in our market.

The retail side sells everything that they make, why do you think it's hard to find a Colt. They did just recently purchase property in Florida in order to expand their operations. The reason they stopped making the Pythons is because they are handfit guns and the profit margin just wasn't there with what they have to pay.......thank the unions that almost killed Colt a few times for that one.