Colt is stopping civilian production of their rifles

[Podmonkey]

If they are going bankrupt why are they cutting product?
Why aren't they suspending sales of other weapons to civilians?

if you need to cut costs because the product isn't moving , then say so . Don't say, we are cutting the product to civilians . Those have two different meanings.

They have been scaling back AR15 production since they lost their military contract. I imagine the have stopped civilian sales because this is the point where they have liquidated their existing inventory.

Colt has gone through this process countless times and always for the same reason. Since its Founding By Samuel Colt the company has considered military arms contracts to be its primary focus, civilian sales has always been a side thing. It is their continual neglect of their civilian product lines that has sent them into bankruptcy over and over and over again, but the company has always found a way to reorganize and come back. Almost always due to landing the next big military contract. Military procurement has a nostalgic soft spot for Colt I guess. Colts big problem now is their military product lines are outdated and they would have to come up with something new, and wait for a call for something new, to sell. Maybe the military throws Colt a bone and gives them a contract for new block of M16/M4 production.
Colt hasn't learned its lesson before and it probably isn't going to learn it this time either.

 

[holdover]

And yet your pissing and moaning that a company decided to halt production of a product

Its not "'THAT" they halted production, its ""WHY"" they halted production .

Gotta work .

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Will and ABG at it again

 

[Edwardteach72]

Its not "'THAT" they halted production, its ""WHY"" they halted production .

Gotta work .

Because financial reasons.... but you instantly decided no it's because colt hates guns..



Speaking of colt long guns, when was the last time you personally purchased a colt for yourself?

 

[Edwardteach72]

You know whats really weird? you assume it was for one thing when they stated another , then you blindly side with them .

Show me their statement that says we stopped selling to civilians because they dont need these guns and we want gun control?

 

[Podmonkey]

While I certainly enjoy the era of 15" free float Mlok handguards and the endless variety of parts, I also miss the days when ensuring quality was checking to see if it said Colt on the side, when plastic clamshells were just fine and ammo could be bought by the pickup full at a price the regular working man could afford.
Back in the days when if you balked at AR15 prices you bought an AK. When a good Bulgarian parts kit rifle was cheap and when 7n6 was plentiful and the cheapest ammo outside of .22LR. Back when your buddy thought he'd be all clever and open the spam can with a dremel only to cut into a few ammo packs as well and it didn't matter anyway since it was damn near as cheap as filling a glass with tap water. Those were the days. Before every handgun in the world was a poly/striker gun.

 

[Edwardteach72]

It would really help if maybe Colt would put out an official statement regarding the issue..... ooooh wait... they did..

I guess holdover was right, it had nothing to do with the market and sales, but everything to do with colt being Anti 2A and not wanting civilians to have AR15s because the Antis got to them

 

[kev74]

Maybe its because cops don't mind spending $2500 on a patrol rifle, while us cheap-ass civilians like our $600 range toys.

I haven't seen anything that makes me question Colt's motives here.

 

[Podmonkey]

Maybe its because cops don't mind spending $2500 on a patrol rifle, while us cheap-ass civilians like our $600 range toys.

I haven't seen anything that makes me question Colt's motives here.

The thing about that is that Colt AR15 prices are, were, competitive. The problems was they were late to add models with free float KeyMod or Mlok handguards and other now standard features like mid length gas systems. Inthink Colt was one of the last AR manufacturers to offer mid lengths on 16" barrels. They were late to the pin & weld 14.5" game too. As a result they lost relevance and prospective buyers forgot about them. Back in the day Colts were the definitive AR15, whether it was actually true nor not that was the perception. And Colt pissed that reputation away. Now there are countless quality manufacturers at every price level and I think it would be very hard to break back in.
I think an interesting model was the OEM-1/2 stripped down models:

I thought it was a good option for those not wanting to assemble their own AR but still customize it with the trimmings of their choice.
Again note the carbine length gas system.

 

[Podmonkey]

Does anyone here have the new King Cobra? Is it a good revolver? Any reason to get it over an S&W?

 

[kev74]

The thing about that is that Colt AR15 prices are, were, competitive. The problems was they were late to add models with free float KeyMod or Mlok handguards and other now standard features like mid length gas systems. Inthink Colt was one of the last AR manufacturers to offer mid lengths on 16" barrels. They were late to the pin & weld 14.5" game too. As a result they lost relevance and prospective buyers forgot about them. Back in the day Colts were the definitive AR15, whether it was actually true nor not that was the perception. And Colt pissed that reputation away. Now there are countless quality manufacturers at every price level and I think it would be very hard to break back in.
I think an interesting model was the OEM-1/2 stripped down models:
View attachment 53308
I thought it was a good option for those not wanting to assemble their own AR but still customize it with the trimmings of their choice.
Again note the carbine length gas system.

Colt prices always seemed like there was a premium tacked on for the name. Regardless of the retail price, Colt was plagued by high manufacturing costs due in part to location, but I think also because they relied so heavily on .gov contracts. They were getting paid so much for rifles there was no need to be efficient.

 

[kev74]

Does anyone here have the new King Cobra? Is it a good revolver? Any reason to get it over an S&W?

I've handled both the King and the Cobra and shot the Cobra. Both seem like quality guns.

 

[Edwardteach72]

I've handled both the King and the Cobra and shot the Cobra. Both seem like quality guns.

I really do like the cobra line and the K line

I've always (in my limited handling of the following 3 types) felt that the cylinder release on colts was the nicest and made the most sense,

Followed by rugers pushed button (oh wait a gun company that at one point out right said civilians should not own specific things and refused to sell or make for the civilian market) and

then lastly S&W (oh hey enjoy your Hillary hole from a company that legit changed their revolver designs to cave specifically to political pressure and against everything their customers wanted instead of just tossing in a $4 bike lock like everyone else) forward latch

 

[Podmonkey]

Colt prices always seemed like there was a premium tacked on for the name. Regardless of the retail price, Colt was plagued by high manufacturing costs due in part to location, but I think also because they relied so heavily on .gov contracts. They were getting paid so much for rifles there was no need to be efficient.

Go check out Colt's website and peep the rifle models. Everything is still listed with prices, just out of stock. Then check out companies like BCM, Seekins, Daniel Defense or FN. Colt is asking around $1,100 for there free float models which is less than any of the above company's rifles. For most part.

I've handled both the King and the Cobra and shot the Cobra. Both seem like quality guns.

I really do like the cobra line and the K line

I've always (in my limited handling of the following 3 types) felt that the cylinder release on colts was the nicest and made the most sense,

Followed by rugers pushed button (oh wait a gun company that at one point out right said civilians should not own specific things and refused to sell or make for the civilian market) and

then lastly S&W (oh hey enjoy your Hillary hole from a company that legit changed their revolver designs to cave specifically to political pressure and against everything their customers wanted instead of just tossing in a $4 bike lock like everyone else) forward latch

So when I go shopping for a .357 revolver I should give the Colts a hard look?

 

[Twogunwilly]

My Colt light rifle just got a little rarer.

 

[kev74]

So when I go shopping for a .357 revolver I should give the Colts a hard look?

You could definitely do worse.

I like the older Smith & Wessons though. They have a little more character.

 

[Podmonkey]

My Colt light rifle just got a little rarer.

Yeah, them values are going to start rising dramatically now.

 

[Shadow2]

So an over priced AR maker is not selling enough to warrant production ... CHECK!

 

[HEX]

I just saw a post on facebook from an anti-gun person I knew years ago that reads, "Someone is taking a stand! THANK YOU COLT!"
::facepalm::

 

[Podmonkey]

So an over priced AR maker is not selling enough to warrant production ... CHECK!

What's a good price then? Anything more than $600 is too much?

 

[Edwardteach72]

What's a good price then? Anything more than $600 is too much?

Dont get me wrong I will say that today's colt is a bit high for what they are vs what I can get from others

 

[Shadow2]

You can build a solid basic gun for $400 if you hunt down sales.

What's a good price then? Anything more than $600 is too much?

 

[Podmonkey]

Dont get me wrong I will say that today's colt is a bit high for what they are vs what I can get from others

I still maintain that the prices are on par with other high end manufacturers. Their basic models are cheaper actually. $900 gets you a top tier, basic AR15. $1,400 gets you the model with a Centurion Arm CMR handguard (which is one if the best you can get IMO) and a B5 stock.
Or If you can forgo the B5 stock then same rifle with the same handguard but with the standard grip and M4 stock can be had for $1,049.
I have no idea if the quality levels have remained as high as the were in they heydays but traditionally Colts were on the same level as other high end manufacturers such as Daniel Defense and the prices are less than DD.
I was actually of a mind to just get another 6920 when I bought my welcome to PA AR15 but the DD with its extended free float handguard, which Inhave come to regard as the new standard configuration, captivated me.
I can say that if SPAR Firearms had any of these Centurion rail equipped Colts in stock I very likely would have gotten one of those instead.
But I am very happy with my DDM4s too.
That old 6920 I left behind in Texas will always have a place in my heart. I only had it for a little over a year but as a barracks dwelling soldier with very few expenses I spent the vast majority of my pay on guns & ammo. The amount of ammunition I ran through that Colt you would not believe. Thousands of rounds on a weekly basis. We'd just bump fire mag after mag like idiots sometimes and it just took it, accuracy never dropped off. It was a damn fine rifle.

 

[Podmonkey]

You can build a solid basic gun for $400 if you hunt down sales.

I'm not talking about builds. I'm talking about factory rifles. Everyone knows you can roll your own cheaper. But I bet that $400 build won't have as good a barrel. It couldn't since a good Cold hammer forged, chrome lined barrel will cost you around $300 all it's own. I think an equivalent quality build would run you around $600-$700. Plus the effort of taking some the proper steps such as pinning the gas block tonthe barrel which I personally not comfortable doing myself and that's the only way I, personally, will have it.

 

[Edwardteach72]

You can build a solid basic gun for $400 if you hunt down sales.

And it would fall apart if you took it to a class

 

[Edwardteach72]

I will agree they are better quality and the price is reflective of that but with the market the way it is 900 for a basic ar15 or I could even get a sig basic gun for 100 more with better features (but no sights)

 

[Podmonkey]

I will agree they are better quality and the price is reflective of that but with the market the way it is 900 for a basic ar15 or I could even get a sig basic gun for 100 more with better features (but no sights)

Yeah, that's pretty much what I said earlier.
I think Colt is better..... was better, again mainly down to the barrel. My preference in AR15 barrels will typically be a CHF Chromed barrel for the extra life, lack of break in procedures, ease of cleaning and most of all tolerance of abuse. DD rates their barrel at a useful life of over 30k rounds. When I shoot, I shoot a lot and quickly. Not mag dumping but sustained, cadenced fire, double taps, that sort of thing.
I'd burn a cheap 4140 non lined barrel out in short order. I also find barrel such as the one on my DD to be more resistant to heat soak with groups holding tight until the barrel is smoking hot. I also don't like to have to spend a lot of time scrubbing out fouling from the bore. Chrome lining eliminates the need for much scrubbing. Some solvent, squeegee, oil, squeegee and its shiny again.
And like I said before, that Colt 6920 of mine withstood some serious abuse.
Go search TMHonfire on youtube to get an idea of the stuff my buddies and I got up to with our guns.

 

[Podmonkey]

Like bump firing full Beta C-mags level foolishness.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Like bump firing full Beta C-mags level foolishness.

Yea watching the videos now hahaha

 

[Podmonkey]

Yea watching the videos now hahaha

I'm not saying he's a likeable guy, and I'm a little ashamed to admit it, but our range sessions back in the day sometimes resembled that.