2017: Colt's re-entry into the revolver market

shawn mccarver · #1 12-24-2016, 09:45 PM

I see that the M&P M2.0 is just around the corner.

I will go out on a limb and predict a Colt re-entry into the DA revolver market with a 2 inch, 6 shot, Cobra 38 Special +P (D Frame) in a combination alloy/stainless model.

If you are one who believes Colt will never re-enter the revolver market, then you probably thought Mr. Trump wouldn't win either. . . .

I hope the SHOT Show provides answers.

xb40 · #2 12-24-2016, 10:28 PM

Colt sold all of the parts, no longer want anything to do with repairing revolvers, no blueing. Yea, I think you must have a family member who is on the board of directors, or the Army is going back to revolvers. Without a government contract they are lost.

moosedog · #3 12-24-2016, 10:34 PM

I believe that there are enough revolver shooters out there to warrant a new DA revolver from Colt.

Peak53 · #4 12-24-2016, 10:47 PM

They may want to see the reaction to the new Kimber revolver. I can't believe Colt could produce one for any less.

les.b · #5 12-24-2016, 10:57 PM

Well, I would certainly be in the market for one, but if they insisted on putting in something like the Smith IL, I would never buy one, just as I will buy no new Smith with an IL. I have three modern Smiths, a 640-1 Pro Series .357, a M&P 340, and a 340 PD...all recent production, and all sans IL. I would buy more modern Smiths if they would drop the IL. I won't buy other brands with similar gadgets either, and that would extend to Colt.

I have a bunch of Colt revolvers, and next to my Smiths, they are my favorites....but No Locks!!!

Best Regards, Les

Laketime · #6 12-24-2016, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peak53

They may want to see the reaction to the new Kimber revolver. I can't believe Colt could produce one for any less.

That may not be so crazy.Kimber did get them off their duff forcing them to improve quality on their 1911.

Mike, SC Hunter · #7 12-25-2016, 12:08 AM

If they put that loose as a goose mk v action in it.......It will rate right up there with taurus......

jimmyj · #8 12-25-2016, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by les.b

Well, I would certainly be in the market for one, but if they insisted on putting in something like the Smith IL, I would never buy one, just as I will buy no new Smith with an IL. I have three modern Smiths, a 640-1 Pro Series .357, a M&P 340, and a 340 PD...all recent production, and all sans IL. I would buy more modern Smiths if they would drop the IL. I won't buy other brands with similar gadgets either, and that would extend to

I have a bunch of Colt revolvers, and next to my Smiths, they are my favorites....but No Locks!!!

Best Regards, Les

WHY is the "IL" still with us ?

DWalt · #9 12-25-2016, 08:16 AM

I'm in the "Highly Doubtful" camp concerning new production Colt DA revolvers. I just don't see the market being there.

NYlakesider · #10 12-25-2016, 11:29 AM

It would be nice, but not about to start clearing out a shelf in the safe for NEW Colt revolvers.

Of course to appeal to me, it cannot have a lock device.

gregintenn · #11 12-25-2016, 11:31 AM

Ain't happening.

Texas Star · #12 12-25-2016, 02:47 PM

Why does the OP think this might happen? I think he needs to change astrologers.

shawn mccarver · #13 12-25-2016, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Why does the OP think this might happen? I think he needs to change astrologers.

Now that's funny!

Merry Christmas!

StakeOut · #14 12-25-2016, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Why does the OP think this might happen? I think he needs to change astrologers.

Nah,I think his Ouija Board needs a firmware update.

HOUSTON RICK · #15 12-25-2016, 03:08 PM

If Colt does reenter the revolver market. I am not taking out a mortgage one.

CATI1835 · #16 12-25-2016, 03:16 PM

I don't see it happening. I believe Colt has ceded (lost) the revolver market to S&W, Ruger, Charter Arms, Taurus, Rossi, Chiappa, North American Arms, Uberti and probably a dozen more that escape me right now. I see no money in it for Colt.

Wyatt Burp · #17 12-25-2016, 04:43 PM

I wish they were making new ones again, but I'll stick with the blue worn classic oldtimers. Like this '51 Cobra and chopped 1917. They still serve their intended purposes. A retired cop actually carried that 1917 occasionally, according to the guy I bought it from.

robertrwalsh · #18 12-25-2016, 05:22 PM

I will believe it when it happens. Hope clouds reason.

Texas Star · #19 12-25-2016, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt Burp

I wish they were making new ones again, but I'll stick with the blue worn classic oldtimers. Like this '51 Cobra and chopped 1917. They still serve their intended purposes. A retired cop actually carried that 1917 occasionally, according to the guy I bought it from.

Wyatt--

In Chic Gaylord's, Handgunner's Guide, 1960, there's a pic of a very similar gun made for a Detective Gano in NYC. But I think his was for .45 Colt ammo.

Your poor Cobra reminds me of a pair of shoes that badly need polish. Which brings us to Abraham Lincoln, who was discovered to be shining his boots one day in the White House.

The man who saw this exclaimed, "Mr. Lincoln, gentlemen don't black their own boots!"

Abe replied, "Really? Whose boots do they black?"

cowboy4evr · #20 12-25-2016, 10:08 PM

Colt back in the revolver business again? Well gentlemen, this question reminds me what my departed mother would say , " Hope Springs Eternal " .

reddog81 · #21 12-26-2016, 12:23 AM

Hmmm, I thought that already happened in 2013, 2014, 2015, or maybe 2016.

I hope it happens but I'm not holding my breath. Give that Kimber has entered the market and most large manufacturers are expanding their offerings it would seem to be feasible.

senecaap · #22 12-26-2016, 02:14 AM

It would be nice, but no. Colt is struggling right now on every front. Colt ceded the DA revolver market to Smith and Ruger while the police market was still a revolver only proposition, and real money was to be made. They can't get the numbers Ruger can and their attempt to compete with the Vaquero with the economy Cowboy (the price of which you could buy two Vaqueros)was a dud....and that is a market they had a 100 year head start on. I still buy their 1911s but that hill is long lost.

Right now, at the cost of new machinery and tooling and new training and labor, their DA revolver pricing would have to pick up at current crazy collector level to be anywhere near break even. The same people who are amazed by Kimber's new revolver would snarl in revolt at a similar offering from under the blue dome. Whatever was released would immediately be compared to a Python (as opposed to current competition), be panned as inferior (and it would be), and wind out costing Colt millions or perhaps even putting the last nail in.

I could be wrong, and wish I was, but as Silly Wizard sang "the old days will ne'er come again."

John Fugate · #23 12-26-2016, 03:32 AM

2016- I couldn't believe it either, here are few new models that just rolled off the assembly line. They are making them in .22 .32 and .38, who knows whats next.

Heres one they are working on for next year,,

Even a big bore in the works,,

Who knows maybe a few small frame .22 target models might show up.

SOMEBODY WAKE ME UP IM DREAMING ,,,

retiredbadge8091 · #24 12-26-2016, 06:19 AM

I doubt it, but then again S&W is bringing back a Model 66 snubbie allegedly so anything's possible.

Faulkner · #25 12-26-2016, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonkers

I love Colt's revolvers...the cylinder rotates in the RIGHT direction, and the cylinder unlocks in the correct direction!

I also think Colt's design has always had something over the S&W...especially the Python, and Trooper models, as well as the Agent.

I'd love to see a reintroduction of COLT branded revolvers - even if they simply bring back the models they once produced, but what I and I am sure no others want to see is the reintroduction of Colt stratospheric pricing!

I mean, in case nobody else ever noticed, I actually OWN Uberti and "genuine" modern production COLT BP revolvers that are CLEAR "litter mates" in terms of build, with the Colt branded version having received specific markings and finish to match originals from way back. I have long had my suspicion that Colt SAA revolvers are basic Uberti contract pieces that are then shipped to Colt for the proprietary final finishing, and this is exactly how Colt could LEAP right back into the DA revo market! The RIA M206 uses the Colt pattern already...crudely done, but if NICELY done, and updated with an alloy frame, maybe alloy barrel shroud with steel insert, such a gun could come in at a more modern, more "saleable" weight and IF priced right...somewhere close at least to the S&W competition, yet with "COLT" stamped on the barrel, it would indeed sell like hotcakes.

I often wonder about the greedy mindset of whatever bean-counter CEO is running any given gun company that seems oblivious to the REALITY of gun positioning and pricing! I mean, sure, you CAN Charge $2K for a "COLT" SAA, and you'll sell about 50 a year, or you can charge $600 for a "COLT" SAA and sell AS MANY AS YOU CAN MAKE per year!!!!!!!

I love Colt's design, but, being a "user" of guns, I don't love them so much that I would buy one just to look at for a premium.

Colt's always seemed to be smoother, that's for sure. But for real duty use a S&W 586/686 or even a Ruger GP100 was more robust than a Python any day of the week.

tndrfttom · #26 12-26-2016, 11:55 AM

Not to change the subject but whatever happened to the Python replica that Pietta said they were going to make? It got some discussion in 2015/16 and I thought that a prototype had been shown at the 2016 Shot Show. Just curious.

Tom K · #27 12-26-2016, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Fugate

2016- I couldn't believe it either, here are few new models that just rolled off the assembly line. They are making them in .22 .32 and .38, who knows whats next.
....

....

Colt needs to go to Sparta, TN and get some shiny brand new boxes. Some of those look decades old.

dmar · #28 12-26-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Fugate

2016- I couldn't believe it either, here are few new models that just rolled off the assembly line. They are making them in .22 .32 and .38, who knows whats next.

Heres one they are working on for next year,,

Even a big bore in the works,,

Who knows maybe a few small frame .22 target models might show up.

SOMEBODY WAKE ME UP IM DREAMING ,,,

I know that's just the tip of the iceberg, John, but that's an awesome collection!

dmar · #29 12-26-2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Fugate

2016- I couldn't believe it either, here are few new models that just rolled off the assembly line. They are making them in .22 .32 and .38, who knows whats next.

Heres one they are working on for next year,,

Even a big bore in the works,,

Who knows maybe a few small frame .22 target models might show up.

SOMEBODY WAKE ME UP IM DREAMING ,,,

I know that's just the tip of the iceberg, John, but that's an awesome collection; beautiful Colts!

les.b · #30 12-26-2016, 10:07 PM

John:

Thanks with sharing some of the finest Colts I have ever seen with us!! What a shame that the world will never see revolvers of that quality again. And I include the Smiths from that era as well. I have a lot of Colts, many from the era of your collection, but none in the pristine condition that yours exhibit.

Best Regards, Les

Harkrader · #31 12-26-2016, 10:54 PM

The question for me is: What do they have to offer?

Compact? Covered.
More than 6 shots? Covered.

Attractive? In the eye of the beholder.

Collectible? *I'M* not interested. I am not a museum.

Spectacular accuracy? Really?

Dirt cheap. Would anyone, in the U.S., at least, buy a new $200 Colt?

What would it compete against? New Model 27? 686? It would have to be, uh, spectacular - whatever THAT would mean - and competitively prices.

Ruger GP-100? SP-101? Well, I do think there's room for Colt, there.

I also think a new .44 shooter would be of interest. I have an Anaconda I used to carry backpacking, but went through a series of S&W .44s finally settling on the 329PD for all but big bear territory.

The Anaconda is close in size to the 29 and if Colt made one with the kind of killer looks of the Anaconda that wasn't extravagantly priced, I'd jump.

I already have a Det Spec and don't feel I need an alternative. Same for the Police Positive.

Commemoratives? I am not a museum.

Maybe they can do something alternative, like the Rhino or Kimber, but I can't imagine it.

Engine49guy · #32 12-26-2016, 11:16 PM

IMO Colt would be wise to reintroduce a SS Python since that model gets the most attention and price premium nowadays,
Priced under $900 without any IL or MIM with full parts interchangeability with the older ones and Im VERY interested... a .22lr Version of the SS Python would also catch my interest.

A SS copy of the Diamondback in .22lr, .32 Mag and .38 Special in various barrel lengths (especially 3" and 4") would also interest me if priced in the $700 range... otherwise not so much .

DWalt · #33 12-27-2016, 04:03 PM

If Colt ever does decide to get back into the DA revolver business (which I doubt), you can bet they will not be manufactured in the USA, but possibly assembled and finished here.

rwt1405 · #34 12-27-2016, 04:09 PM

Not going to happen.

Targets Guy · #35 12-27-2016, 11:05 PM

Nice looking revolvers. Thanks for sharing.

gman51 · #36 12-27-2016, 11:17 PM

I read that a Colt big wig said Colt would not be making revolvers again because Colt has lost about all their revolver gunsmiths and that making a quality revolver now would be to costly to be competitive.
BUT and we all know there could be a but....... and maybe tomorrow Colt could be making revolvers. All I can say is it would have to be very high quality yet competitive priced or it will be a bust for Colt. I don't see Colt investing in training people to make a quality revolver.
I have three Colt revolvers and they are all impressive guns.

According to this article The Cobra will be hitting the LGS this January.
American Rifleman | The Keefe Report: Colt Cobra—A New Factory Double-Action Colt

hkcavalier · #37 12-28-2016, 12:51 AM

Without tooling I think we may see the Colt name on guns made elsewhere, but unless they're hiding something very well I really don't see how they'd make new guns.

GoHogs · #38 12-28-2016, 02:05 AM

Colt IS making and introducing a new Colt revolver - a "Colt Cobra" .38 Spl +P - fiber optic front sight, steel frame and a new grip structure with what appear to be Colt marked Hogue grips.

John Fugate · #39 12-28-2016, 02:24 AM

I appreciate the nice comments on my old Colts , I think all we have left are memories of what once was. It's hard to imagine a company could make such great quality In the 1930's, being 80 years behind the technology that is available to us today. It's not about what we know today and what we are capable of building ,, it's what there not willing to do to make it happen. You know Colt could theoretically build a better gun than they did 80 years ago. But to accomplish that it would take another motive other than just the bottom line, it would take a company to want to build a better product or possibly the best product. The bottom line is that's not going to happen , because of the almighty bottom line. Quality has went to hell in all aspects of manufacturing. Build it cheaper, build it faster and if we're making money ,, who cares. We are in a who cares era ,, look around at all the beautiful molded plastic craftsmenship that surrounds your world. The arms on your computer chair look a lot like , your new S&W pistol which closely resembles your remote control to your Samsung TV . Yea ,,,, were there sadly enough. 2017

DWalt · #40 12-28-2016, 02:41 AM

Putting aside all other considerations, at least for me, there is a good feeling I get when picking up one of the classic Colt DAs from between the wars that is not the same as I get from picking up any DA S&W. I'm not at all sure that if Colt started manufacturing new DAs, they could capture that same feel.

Case in point, the re-introduction of the Ford (retro)Thunderbird in the early 2000s. It was a good-looking car, but by 2005 it just couldn't make the grade with the buying public, one reason (among many others) being that many buyers said that it just didn't have the same driving "feel" as the classic T-Bird little cars of the mid-1950s.

les.b · #41 12-28-2016, 08:59 AM

Well, I know it's an exception, and the cost is extrodinary, but someone recently posted a video showing the making of current Holland and Holland double rifles. It was an extrodinary and beautiful process. We could still have the kind of craftsmanship that those old Colts exhibit, but it would come at a premium cost.

Best regards, Les

Arik · #42 12-28-2016, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Fugate

that's not going to happen , because of the almighty bottom line.

Sure....I'd love to a company just ignore "the almighty bottom line" for the sake of selling a few thousand revolvers. They are going to buy all new equipment, train all new people, suck up the growing pains of making a new product just so a few hundred people can buy a revolver. They will set aside salaries, payments to suppliers, payments to utility companies all just to make 0.0000001 of the gun buying public happy. Your an ffl dealer, would you ignore your bottom line to give me a gun?

How many do you plan to buy? One? Two? One a week? One a month? Personally I plan to buy ZERO. Maybe one when the right one eventually hits the used market at a cheap enough price. Not because I like S&W better but simply because I have no use for another revolver simply because it's made.

Why not just go to S&W and ask them to pay for your gun?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Arik · #43 12-28-2016, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by les.b

Well, I know it's an exception, and the cost is extrodinary, but someone recently posted a video showing the making of current Holland and Holland double rifles. It was an extrodinary and beautiful process. We could still have the kind of craftsmanship that those old Colts exhibit, but it would come at a premium cost.

Best regards, Les

Not sure if I saw the same one but I did see a show on how H&H are made. The difference is most here can't afford those and it would be the same with Colt. The show I saw the shotguns started at $40k. And they don't make a lot of them. That price is literally more than double the price of my car when it was new. $17k.

At that price range it wouldn't matter if colt made revolvers or not because very few people would afford them. Even if they were $5k. How many people here have a Wilson supergrade? How many are planning on buying one or two soon?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Collo Rosso · #44 12-28-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Fugate

But to accomplish that it would take another motive other than just the bottom line, it would take a company to want to build a better product or possibly the best product. The bottom line is that's not going to happen , because of the almighty bottom line.

The bottom line is the reason a company exists. Period.

DWalt · #45 12-28-2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Collo Rosso

The bottom line is the reason a company exists. Period.

Every company has competitors and owners/investors in addition to customers. If it cannot produce a product or service with adequate perceived value to customers, then its customers will flee to its competitors. If it cannot make profits for the owners and investors, even though the customers see value in the company's products or services, then the company perishes. There is nothing else that matters nearly as much to survival as the bottom line.

jag312 · #46 12-28-2016, 03:10 PM

I just wish Colt would make single action revolvers to the same quality as USFA.

jack the toad · #47 12-28-2016, 07:35 PM

I'm not holding my breath on a new DA revolver from Colt as all the cool snake names have already been used.

les.b · #48 12-28-2016, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arik

Not sure if I saw the same one but I did see a show on how H&H are made. The difference is most here can't afford those and it would be the same with Colt. The show I saw the shotguns started at $40k. And they don't make a lot of them. That price is literally more than double the price of my car when it was new. $17k.

At that price range it wouldn't matter if colt made revolvers or not because very few people would afford them. Even if they were $5k. How many people here have a Wilson supergrade? How many are planning on buying one or two soon?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Arik:

I know you are right. I am just day dreaming. It's true that I have basically two kinds of guns...the practical, modern ones that I carry, and the older, more interesting ones that I like to collect, just because I have fun with them, and enjoy working on them and shooting them, and studying them, and sharing them with my friends who also enjoy shooting...and I feel that they are at least a fair investment, if I ever have to sell some of them off.

Best Regards, Les

Arik · #49 12-28-2016, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by les.b

Arik:

I know you are right. I am just day dreaming. It's true that I have basically two kinds of guns...the practical, modern ones that I carry, and the older, more interesting ones that I like to collect, just because I have fun with them, and enjoy working on them and shooting them, and studying them, and sharing them with my friends who also enjoy shooting...and I feel that they are at least a fair investment, if I ever have to sell some of them off.

Best Regards, Les

I was agreeing with you. I wouldn't mind being able to afford a H&H but as it is I'll have to settle for a H&R!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

John Fugate · #50 12-28-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arik

Your an ffl dealer, would you ignore your bottom line to give me a gun?

I wouldn't give you a gun.