UPDATE: COLT Customer Service is garbage...

[StephenWhoDat]

Has anyone else been greatly disappointed by Colt's (lack of) customer service? I've always been more of a S&W guy so this was my first time ever attempting to contact Colt, and they have been nothing short of useless. Here's the rundown:

I acquired an older Colt rifle from an acquaintance a few months back and simply wanted to know the year it was manufactured. I don't need it's exact birthdate, just the year would suffice. Called Colt CS and after a short hold was greeted by a nice sounding lady. Gave her the serial number and she paused and said that serial number didn't exist in their system. I figured maybe I said it wrong or she typed it in wrong, so I gave it to her again. And again she claimed nothing came up in the system. How could this be? How could such an iconic manufacturer not have any info on a serial number stamped into one of their firearms? Then I thought maybe she was just making a mistake so I thanked her and went about my day. Called back a few days later and spoke to a different CS Rep. Same result.

But this guy gave me two different websites to try. First one was Colt serial number lookup. I typed the serial number into that website and nothing. Not in system. The second website he gave me was the Colt Archives website. No option to put a serial number in there, but did have an option to email the Colt Archives. I have now emailed them THREE TIMES with no response at all...

So over the course of about 3 months, I have called them twice, emailed them three times, and even tried emailing another address I found through the regular Colt website. NOTHING. NADA. The only explanation I have been given at all is that the rifle was likely manufactured during a "transition year." Whatever that means. But shouldn't Colt still have record of this serial number, regardless of if it was a "transition year?!" Very frustrating. Thanks for listening to my rant. Have a wonderful weekend.

 

[swagmeister]

They are probably too busy trying to deal with all the new Pythons returned for numerous complaints, defects, and problems!!!

 

[wetdog]

Try Proofhouse , they have Colt long guns listed.

 

[mchom]

Never checked a rifle serial at colt but have checked dozens of handguns and the site has always worked well. There is a historical foundation and I have gotten a letter similar to S&W. and in pretty short time.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Is it possible the rifle isn’t what you think it is? I mean they told you twice the serial # doesn’t exist so it’s not like they ignored you, at least the actual CS didn’t. Could it be a cloned or aftermarket receiver?

I’d be more inclined to agree with you if this involved repair and or a warranty request but an arbitrary ballpark on when a gun was made seems like a none issue in the big picture.

 

[Ameshawki]

Not finding a serial number doesn't strike me as garbage customer service. Some data bases are better than others. If it's pre-78 proofhouse should have it.

And both of my Pythons are excellent.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

Not finding a serial number doesn't strike me as garbage customer service. Some data bases are better than others. If it's pre-78 proofhouse should have it.

And both of my Pythons are excellent.

I think the lack of a response to four emails is the garbage I was talking about. The CS reps I spoke to at least tried to help.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

Is it possible the rifle isn’t what you think it is? I mean they told you twice the serial # doesn’t exist so it’s not like they ignored you, at least the actual CS didn’t. Could it be a cloned or aftermarket receiver?

I’d be more inclined to agree with you if this involved repair and or a warranty request but an arbitrary ballpark on when a gun was made seems like a none issue in the big picture.

Not the case. It's all original Colt. I even have the original box it came in with matching serial number. They claim that the Colt Archives would have the info I'm seeking, but they have yet to respond to four emails and there is no phone number to reach them. The two CS reps did at least try to help. But the lack of a response to my emails is very frustrating. A request to know the year of manufacture should be an easy one to answer, in my opinion. Every other firearm manufacturer I've asked this question to provided me an answer in just one phone call or email.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

I've also left multiple voicemails with no return call. I just find that so odd. Especially from such a legendary company.

 

[Wyo]

Colt has an online serial number lookup that usually has the information you want but not always. The database isn't perfect and it isn't uncommon to get a response that simply says they have no information on a given number. That seems to be especially true on newer guns. I don't think it's a customer service problem at all. Having said that, though, I have had a couple of really miserable experiences with Colt's CS. By the way, I have three of the new Pythons and have absolutely no problems with any of them.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

UPDATE:

I was just now FINALLY able to reach someone at Colt Archives (not a part of Colt Firearms I just learned) and he was able to tell me that the rifle in question was manufactured in May of 1993. So after months of trying to get an answer, I finally have it. Shouldn't have been so difficult. But at least I now know. Phew.

 

[Camster]

Not finding a serial number doesn't strike me as garbage customer service. Some data bases are better than others. If it's pre-78 proofhouse should have it.

And both of my Pythons are excellent.

I agree. Making a mountain out of a molehill.
Colt is a business, dealing in the here and now, not a research facility for a product sold long ago, with time to worry about answering a question for free, one demanded simply out of curiosity.
Now, if you want to hear a story about poor customer service with a current product, I have one with Nill grips. ...I won't recount my long tale as it's still in play after several months, but suffice to say-Deal only with American grip makers. Fortunately, we have some great ones.

 

[moosedog]

Could it be that you probably sent your emails to the wrong department maybe?
Seems like you're making a big deal out of nothing.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

Could it be that you probably sent your emails to the wrong department maybe?
Seems like you're making a big deal out of nothing.

Nope. All my calls, voicemails, and emails went to the correct places. I'm not "making a big deal out of nothing." It was just a rant. I also don't view taking months for a simple answer to be "nothing." But that's just my opinion. I would be fired from my job if I took months to answer a question...

 

[LVSteve]

So Colt don't seem to know what guns they made as little as 30 years ago. Given their well known incompetent management, I'm hardly shocked.

 

[dmar]

I’d ask them for your money back…. .

 

[StephenWhoDat]

I’d ask them for your money back…. .

HAHA! Not a bad idea!

 

[Nomadmax]

Don't get angry at Colt Customer Service, you aren't their customer. You bought it used and functions just as it did the day it left the factory. They did you a kindness for no $ in return. Be happy you got what you did.

 

[Trooper224]

How upset do you get over genuinely important things?

Slow your roll.

 

[robvious]

you don't need Colt to answer the question... and I am just guessing... you were looking to find out ban or preban on an AR... that information is out there with a little google-fu...
glad you found your answer...