Colts problems started more than 50 years ago. As a boy in junior high, I hung out with a bunch of LEOs and I remember their complaints:
-In the early 1960s, Colt started production of the AR15/M16 line and assumed that those government contracts would last forever. They gradually let their handgun quality slide. They assumed that the Colt name alone would sell handguns.
-Colt turned out 1911s, but they had indifferent workmanship. Their top of the line (Expensive!) national match had to be sent to a 'smith right out of the box just to shoot competitively. When I became a LEO, I carried a Colt 1911 that I had to tune and tighten myself.
-Their basic revolver design was not designed for double action combat shooting. I had a Python, 2 detective specials, and a Trooper Mark III. I sold them all and I wish that I still had them. Instead of catering to their revolver following, they tried an action redesign and then abandoned the DA revolver entirely.
-Colt's management failed to correctly analyze the 1911 market. When the Norinco 1911s came in the 80s, Colt management thought they were a fad. When Kimber started 1911 production in the early 90s, Colt did almost nothing to stay competitive. I guess they thought the 1911 platform was dated and would die out.
-When Colt did innovate it was usually with disastrous consequences (Colt 2000, Double Eagle, 22 pistol, finger barrel bushing). I think that the Delta Elite 10mm in still in production, But it has a high wear and parts breakage rate.
Colt has been pretty much coasting for 50 years, Banking on name recognition alone. That name recognition is what has attracted corporate rapists over the years.
Maybe if Colt reorganizes and stops the blood letting, goes back to basics like good workmanship, they might survive.
I am not optimistic.
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I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.
