I won’t support a gun company that won’t support the 2nd Amendment. Samuel Colt is rolling in his grave.
Gunmaker Colt says it is suspending its production of rifles for the civilian market, including the popular AR-15.
The company, based in West Hartford, Connecticut, has received some criticism from gun rights advocates for moving away from the civilian market.
Owen, don’t fall for the lamestream media’s happy-toned because-this-that fallacy.
“There have been numerous articles recently published about Colt’s participation in the commercial rifle market. Some of these articles have incorrectly stated or implied that Colt is not committed to the consumer market. We want to assure you that Colt is committed to the Second Amendment, highly values its customers and continues to manufacture the world’s finest quality firearms for the consumer market.
The fact of the matter is that over the last few years, the market for modern sporting rifles has experienced significant excess manufacturing capacity. Given this level of manufacturing capacity, we believe there is adequate supply for modern sporting rifles for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, our warfighters and law enforcement personnel continue to demand Colt rifles and we are fortunate enough to have been awarded significant military and law enforcement contracts. Currently, these high-volume contracts are absorbing all of Colt’s manufacturing capacity for rifles. Colt’s commitment to the consumer markets, however, is unwavering. We continue to expand our network of dealers across the country and to supply them with expanding lines of the finest quality 1911s and revolvers.
At the end of the day, we believe it is good sense to follow consumer demand and to adjust as market dynamics change. Colt has been a stout supporter of the Second Amendment for over 180 years, remains so, and will continue to provide its customers with the finest quality firearms in the world.“
IOW, completion from cheap AR-style rifle mfgs is killing them in this category. For a company that came out of bankruptcy just three years ago, I won’t hold their fiscal responsibility against them.
Prices for sporting rifles don’t exactly support Colt’s statement.
Not really much of a problem unless Colt’s six closest competitors also go goofy.
Colt is losing market share, big-time, facing both high-end and low-end competitors in the AR market. The high-end rifles out-quality Colt significantly, and the low-end ones meet Colt’s quality but beat their price.
AR-style new rifles are available for ~$600.00 and up. A few years ago, you couldn’t find one for less than $1100.00.
And of course, there are plenty of “bits and pieces” uppers/lowers available which are also less expensive, but require user assembly (with some smarts.)
They couldn’t compete.
What daddio said,.
Tho you can find ARs new from $400 up; Palmeto, DPMS, Anderson MFg., ATI . Or buy a kit for $350 and build yer own.
That’s a lot cheaper than the $900+ your father’s WWII sidearm – the Colt 1911 .45 – goes for new.
But don’t fret. Colt will be fine. A $42 million contract procured a few days ago to supply M4s an M16s to our most trusted allies will keep them busy for a while.
So Beto can buy them back at those nice low prices, or a bit lower because they’re used? You know, fair market value – like with Foxconn.