Looks like Colt is struggling to stay afloat, rumored is massive layoffs. Colt lost its contract with the US military for M4 rifles in 2013 and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 15, 2015. According to analysts, Colt's problems were due to the loss of the contract and low demand for its civilian handguns. It restructured and emerged from bankruptcy in January 2016.

And now this: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/03/03/breaking-colt-lays-off-custom-shop-director-employees-company-rumored-gutted/

Looks like Colt is struggling to stay afloat, rumored is massive layoffs. Colt lost its contract with the US military for M4 rifles in 2013 and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on June 15, 2015. According to analysts, Colt's problems were due to the loss of the contract and low demand for its civilian handguns. It restructured and emerged from bankruptcy in January 2016.

And now this: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/03/03/breaking-colt-lays-off-custom-shop-director-employees-company-rumored-gutted/

Its owned by the State of Conn. A super unfriendly gun State.

Colt's been through lots of turmoil and bankruptcies before.

Sometimes, when a gun company like Colt is suffering this sort of problem their quality control and the quality of their products goes south as well. I am not saying this is the case here, what I am saying is for those who have long standing orders in for guns should make sure they are up to the quality standards they are expecting when the gun arrives.

I have two Colt ARs and would live to own a classic Colt revolver one day.  I've always been interested in their 1911s as well, especially the newer ones geared for competition.

I am not sure what the truth the of the matter is, but Colt has been long criticized for not keeping current with the trends in the firearms market.  Smaller companies started producing excellent quality ARs and available in a variety of options that were the demand.  I was happy when Colt started producing the OEM models and I've since purchased one (have yet to shoot it thought).  So for ARs, I believe their ARs are excellent, but it's not like there aren't dozens of other options available.  They seemed to have missed the boat on that regard.

As for handguns, it seems like they have made a move to try to take a bite into the competition market.  However, seems like a similar situation with their ARs in that too little, too late.  So many other companies available to get as good or probably even better equipment without the sense of overpricing for the Colt name. 

I believe Colt will always be associated with good guns and I think they will get through this.  If nothing more than another company picking them up for the name.  That said, I too would be wary of quality of products as the company moves forward as it sounds like they will be going through drastic changes. 

I have two Colt ARs and would live to own a classic Colt revolver one day.  I've always been interested in their 1911s as well, especially the newer ones geared for competition.

I am not sure what the truth the of the matter is, but Colt has been long criticized for not keeping current with the trends in the firearms market.  Smaller companies started producing excellent quality ARs and available in a variety of options that were the demand.  I was happy when Colt started producing the OEM models and I've since purchased one (have yet to shoot it thought).  So for ARs, I believe their ARs are excellent, but it's not like there aren't dozens of other options available.  They seemed to have missed the boat on that regard.

As for handguns, it seems like they have made a move to try to take a bite into the competition market.  However, seems like a similar situation with their ARs in that too little, too late.  So many other companies available to get as good or probably even better equipment without the sense of overpricing for the Colt name. 

I believe Colt will always be associated with good guns and I think they will get through this.  If nothing more than another company picking them up for the name.  That said, I too would be wary of quality of products as the company moves forward as it sounds like they will be going through drastic changes.

While I am a fan of Colt, I no longer own one. Unfortunately, I sold the one I had.     I like 1911's but I like revolvers more. I would like to own a Colt SAA but they are expensive. There is a very nice one priced right in the classifieds. But even at that price it is high for me. If this news about Colt means it is going to eventually close or be bought out then any Colt you own will go up in value. If I decide to pull the trigger on one I would buy one on the secondary market (like the one in the classifieds) and not order one from the factory until the custom shop comes back and it is well known that Colt is still providing quality arms. Since most of the revolvers Colt makes go through the custom shop I am a little dubious that their quality is going to continue for the products that have to go through the custom shop. Also, the new revolver they announced was supposed to be built by the custom shop as well. I wonder what will happen to that product?

Not sure if their new National Match Gold Cups go through the custom shop for fitting? But if they do I would look out for the high end 1911 from Colt as well coming out of the factory.

Read about this a couple of days ago on Farcebook. Needless to say I didn't believe it considering the source. Hope it's not true though....... 

Read about this a couple of days ago on Farcebook. Needless to say I didn't believe it considering the source. Hope it's not true though....... 

Only reason I don't doubt it is because Colt has gone through bankruptcy within the last couple of years. Based on previous history of bankruptcies and similar problems I am not surprised if true. But you are right, without some verification from a more reliable source it is still only speculation.

This is from a contact at Colt who I have been corresponding with for the last year.

"We had several people let go and I am trying to keep my staff upbeat. No, we are not going anywhere. Your orders are fine."


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This is from a contact at Colt who I have been corresponding with for the last year.

"We had several people let go and I am trying to keep my staff upbeat. No, we are not going anywhere. Your orders are fine."


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That is good news. Did he say anything about the custom shop going away?

Sorry to hear this about a iconic American brand like Colt.   One of the Colt ARs is the Blue Label pre-ban with the large pin and sear block, but still a keeper along with a plain jane 1911 Govt. model.  Hope they don't become another Marlin which has taken years to recover quality from the new Remlin lever rifles.   
Maybe better deals on Colt complete AR uppers to be had.

That is good news. Did he say anything about the custom shop going away?

Great news!

Crap!  I was envisioning my Colts' values skyrocketing in the future, especially the Python!

Always looking for that silver lining!  Or gold, platinum, legal tender ....

That is good news. Did he say anything about the custom shop going away?

The reply to me mentioning the story above and inquiring about the custom shop.

"Gotta love the internet. I find it amusing that people can worry about "fake news" then spread it themselves. No gloom and doom here. At least the NRA had a decent write up."


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NRA editor-in-chief says in a March 7 post,  it's not as grim as  feared:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/3/7/the-keefe-report-hey-chicken-little-colt-isnt-falling/

I am very happy about the custom shop not being closed. So much for internet rumors. 

NRA editor-in-chief says in a March 7 post,  it's not as grim as  feared:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/3/7/the-keefe-report-hey-chicken-little-colt-isnt-falling/

Thanks for the link!


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Some of our fellow American's aren't so fortunate:   

http://www.uticaod.com/news/20170309/remington-arms-lays-off-122

http://www.startribune.com/federal-cartridge-lays-off-110-workers-in-anoka/415518844/

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/03/09/howell-munitions-technology-layoffs/

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2017/02/foghorn/layoffs-reported-silencerco-citing-lagging-sales-due-hearing-protection-act/