Author Topic: Colt Handguns (Read 728 times)

brasskeeper · « **on:** August 28, 2005, 12:08:05 PM »

Have you seen any new Colt Handguns at your local dealer?

I havent seen any in a long time

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2005, 01:28:39 AM »

They're practically out of business. They couldn't keep up with changing times.

williamlayton · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2005, 01:38:51 AM »

I see a bunch of em in the places I frequent.
Blessings

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2005, 02:36:40 AM »

Although Colt has dropped a number of their revolvers and some of their semi-autos, and have 'enhanced or improved' their basic GI 1911A1, they have encountered quite a bit of very heavy sales competition from other manufacturers and are facing serious quality control issues.

Colt has been in and out of business about 4 times over the past 15 years or so. Politics played its part with Colt the same way politics nearly killed off S&W, but politics and the M-16 rifle are what basically keeps Colt viable these days. Colt is pretty nearly a 'state run' facility and they have suffered serious quality control concerns over the years.

Some folks love their 'enhanced' GI 45s but I'm thinking many others prefer higher end pistols (sights, etc) of demonstrated quality and workmanship at better comparative prices. JMT. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2005, 04:03:46 AM »

I lost interest in them when I realized that they were more in the business of developing ostensible safety geegaws than making good guns. Who can forget the extra junk in a series 80 or the now infamous one-shooter electric cop gun.

1911crazy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2005, 12:45:45 AM »

Well back when the S&W 44mag revolver was black marketed and priced thru the roof after the dirty harry movie. I wrote Colt and ruger two letters about making a 44mag revolver. I asked Ruger to make a larger frame like their security six and Ruger said they have every intention of making the 44mag and would have one soon. They did!!!! I asked colt to make a bigger frame python in 44mag and Colt wrote back to me and said they had "NO" intention of making a revolver in 44mag. Well Colt lied and lost my business for sure. You have to keep up with the market demands its what the customer wants that matters.

It seems to me that S&W continues to be a leader in the market. Their R&D department seems to be working not sleeping at the controls. Lets wait and see who makes the 500 S&W mag handgun next it didn't take BFR long to jump on the bandwagon and do it. Ruger in the past has come out with new calibers too. My point is where's Colt?? Sleeping...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz just like they did with the 44mag.....

All a gun manufacturer has to do is to put a decent quality, affordable gun out there. I think a customer oriented service department is as important as quality is too.

Years ago I had a new colt 1911 series 80 goverment 45acp in nickle that was just an awesome gun but the sights came loose right away. I had an older new python in 357mag 6" barrel I could ping small rocks on the berm at 100yds but the gun was out of time. The cylinder didn't fully loc up till you pulled the trigger. Both were awesome looking guns but this was years ago so i figure colt started having quality problems back them.

So much for Colts.

Its funny with the internet today we never see a survey on the gun manufacturers website about what new product they could manufacture that we would be interested in? No one asks their customers?

PeterF. · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2005, 05:50:03 AM »

Quote

Its funny with the internet today we never see a survey on the gun manufacturers website about what new product they could manufacture that we would be interested in? No one asks their customers?

As it happens, Marlin is currently doing just that ... on the Marlin Centerfire Rifles site here on GB ... and they're getting a good earfull (usually with a note from our respondents saying, "bye the way, thanks for asking.").

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2005, 01:55:45 AM »

PeterF: It sure seems that Marlin is one of the smarter producers and is using a simple but effective marketting technique - ask the customers what they want (Customer Preference Surveys).

It's interesting that none of the hadgun makers do that - it seems like they listen to a chosen few - most who have their own opinions about what 'we' want - but they don't use customer preference surveys or wish lists.

A buncha years ago when I developed my bottlenecked wildcat for the 1911 I offered both Colt and S&W the opportunity to introduce the cartridge. Of course they opted out. Colt said they would never chamber a 1911 for a bottlenecked cartridge - interesting what the 1970-1980 mindset of arrogance was capable of missing out on those days. S&W said the same thing and then went out of business for the first time.

Now, Cor-Bon sells an awful lot of their 400 Cor-Bon ammo and aftermarket firms sell lots of barrels in that caliber. Of course, Sig came out with the 357 Sig but wouldn't endorse the Cor-Bon cartridge and felt they couldn't go with a bottleneck in 40 cal due to infringement concerns - but at least they listened. Mikey.

John C-S · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2005, 01:08:23 PM »

I have owned and sold them all. When I saw page 59 in October's Guns & Ammo I felt it was worth the gamble to get a Gov 45 again--based on my experiences with all the above. I encountered many problems in finding a functional 45 Auto since 1984. The most accurate and (of course reliable) was the CZ 97. But it is bulky and boxy. The Springfields were not reliable in function. The 220s are plastic. The Kimbers were not accurate (New York City? That chaps my hide!) and are all MIM CNC. Never had a problem with a Colt WORKING. Although accuracy has been a hit and miss for Utopia. That left me with the feeling that first and number ONE: the gun MUST work EVERYTIME; TWO if it works EVERYTIME accuracy is frosting on the cake. That left the CZ and the SIG and the sometime accurate Colt. I hate plastic guns with sheet metal parts (SIG) and I just can't accept the weight and size of the CZ 97. That left me with Colt.