sorta O/T - Colt - from the horses mouth

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And I say this is sorta off-topic, because the Colt model 1911 in 45 cal. is highly recommended for Y2K home defense by many.

Here's a letter that went out to distributors from Colt, explaining what's going on:

***** From Colt Manufacturing Company

October 5, 1999

Dear Colt Distributor:

Rumors abound in this industry, particularly with regard to our plans concerning product supply. This letter will confirm those plans. Please excuse the impersonal salutation, but we have concentrated on getting this information to you as quickly as possible.

In developing our 2000 business plans and identifying strategic needs beyond 2000, we have had to face the harsh reality of the significant impact which our litigation defense costs are having on our ability to operate competitively in the marketplace.

Accordingly, we have made the decision to consolidate our product lines as follows:

A. Effective immediately, Colt Manufacturing Co., Inc. will accept no new orders for the following products:

1. Magnum Carry.....SD2020 2. DS II 38 Special.....SD1020 3. Python Elite - I's.....I3040CS, I3060CS, I3640CS, I3660CS 4. Anaconda - MM's.....MM3040DT, MM3060DT, MM3080PDT, MM4560DT 5. 380's.....O6891, DS6891 6. Pocket 9.....CP9000 7. 1911 Family.....O1991, O4691, O9091, O1091, O4091U, O9191U

Please note: All standard model variations within the above listed products are also discontinued, effective immediately.

While these products are being discontinued, we will be reviewing orders in house and will advise each distributor as soon as possible if any of those orders for these products will be affected.

B. Colt is very pleased to advise you that we will continue to manufacture and actively promote the sale of a variety of important handguns which best support and represent the unique value of the Colt Brand. These include:

1. Single Action Army.....Model P's 2. Cowboys 3. Model O's.....New XS, Defender, Custom

Due to the continued escalation of our litigation costs, coupled with our strong desire to maintain a meaningful presence in the handgun segment of the business, the prices of these products will be increased by 6%, effective immediately. All orders currently on hand at Colt will be honored at the current, existing prices.

Our marketing bjective is to streamline our handgun product line into a smaller, but higher value collection of real Colt "Classics", which best represent our brand, with much more emphasis on providing custom features and custom appearance for serious gun enthusiasts and shooters, collectors, and those interested in owning a real Colt product of some special value.

Meanwhile, we will continue to provide Match Target Rifles, and are in the final stages of implementing the launch of our new Colt Light Rifle.

We are committed to taking a "Classic" rather than "me too" approach to the future development of our product lines and plan to focus more on what we have been best known for and done best for the past 164 years!

We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation. If you have any questions, please direct them to your regional Colt Sales Manager, Dave Ridley, or David Horn.

Sincerely, Thomas H. Kilby Vice President - Marketing and Sales

*****

No model 1911's to be found here. The suppliers in Denver say that as soon as the word went out, people were buying them 5 and 6 at a time. Notice the 6% price jump - effective immediately.

-- Don Wegner (donfmwyo@earthlink.net), October 12, 1999

Answers

I Wonder who lent on Colt?

-- squash (mango@yeah.sure), October 12, 1999.

Time to bite the bullet and look at Kimber or Springfield for new in- box .45's or do the old "build your own from parts" routine.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), October 12, 1999.


rough translation : [VERY rough]

1) Colt's had been against the ropes for about 15 years; bought and sold three or four times, Chap 11, Chap 7, labor strife, reorganization, etc.

2) quality and value had suffered so much that sales were dropping

3) the big money [more margin per unit] is in "custom" stuff anyway

4) the 'campaign contributions' we were making to both parties weren't enough to buy us any 'juice' any more

5) 'smaller is better'; we always wanted to be a 'boutique' anyway

6) the gun, as an essential tool of liberty in America, is dead

7) a gun is no longer a tool, but is just a 'toy'; only the rich can afford to own guns [toys] any more so that's who we're going to serve - with "custom' toys

8) the days when John Browning could get on a train in Ogden, Utah with a prototype of a new gun wrapped in a newspaper, and ride that train all the way to Hartford, CT are gone...

9) "God made man; Sam Colt made them equal!" NOT

10) long live the gun...

[or something like that...]

Perry

-- Perry Arnett (pjarnett@pdqnet.net), October 12, 1999.


Hey folks, pick up either a Kimber or Springfield Armory 1911. You'll get a better gun than Colt's 1911 and the price will be better. People buying Colt 1911's at five or six at a time? Please, what a waste.

-- Jim the Window Washer (Rational@man.com), October 12, 1999.

The fact of the matter is that other manufactures were offering better examples of the 1911, AR-15, Peacemaker, and double action revolvers than Colt for less money. BTW who would want to have a breakage prone Colt revolver, or a 1991 Colt pistol that might go click instead of bang with Y2K coming anyway?

-- Ocotillo (peeling@out.===), October 12, 1999.


I think maybe some of ya miss the point of my posting this info...

1) when this was initially reported a few days back, it was said that Colt would "no longer sell handguns to the public"...only to military and law enforcement types. This is not entirely true. They will continue to sell SOME of their more successful pieces.

2) the specific reason given for this action was the ever-increasing cost of LITIGATION, as well as streamlining their product line. The relentless badgering of gun manufacturers will affect all of them in time. Sure, you can go buy something else. Right now you can. For how long? If you don't believe fascism is alive and well in the U.S. of A. look again!!

I'm no big fan of Colt or the model 1911...don't own a single Colt myself. Just passing along the info.

-- Don Wegner (donfmwyo@earthlink.net), October 13, 1999.


"Due to the continued escalation of our litigation costs..."

Shakespeare had a simple solution for this over 400 years ago: "The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers." HENRY VI

-- profit_of_doom (doom@helltopay.ca), October 13, 1999.


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