Posted: 1/2/2008 1:24:37 PM EDT
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I’m not sure GD is the right forum for this, so if there’s a better place, mods, feel free to move it. Colt – What Happened to Them? I first got into guns back in the very early ‘70s, getting my first handgun in 1972. My Dad had to actually get it for me, as I was only 18 at the time. It was a S&W Model 14 .38 Masterpiece. I pretty much concentrated on handguns, for whatever reason, not even owning a centerfire rifle until 2005, but that’s not the point of this piece. Rather it is the sad state of affairs with Colt. You see, I was a diehard Smith guy. I had that Model 14, a Model 19, a Model 28, and finally a 686. My best friend was a diehard Colt guy. He had lots more discretionary income than I did (I was married with kids, he was single), and consequently he had a much more extensive Colt collection than I did of Smiths. His collection included (at a minimum): (3) Colt Pythons A Cold Gold Cup A Trooper Mk. III A Detective Special A Mustang. I always lusted after his Colts, but never could bring myself to buying one. The Pythons, in particular, held a fascination over me. He had a 4” blue, a 6” blue, and a 6” stainless if IIRC. The 4” blue was the star of his collection in my opinion. Regardless, after many years out of buying handguns, and getting more interested in the EBRs, I thought I’d take a few minutes today to peruse the Colt website, in order to see what the new Pythons looked like. Pythons? What Pythons? Unless I’m sadly mistaken the only handguns that Colt makes anymore are Government Models in various guise and Single Action Army revolvers? No Pythons? No Dick Specials? No Troopers or Diamondbacks or Woodsmans, or Anacondas? Holy Shit, Batman!!! What is going on? I remember the old days when a quality revolver meant either a Smith & Wesson or a Colt! Ruger made single actions, and Dan Wesson was a sidestream small manufacturer. I remember when the Ruger Security Six was first made and offered a heavy-duty, ultra reliable more economical alternative to the Smiths and Colts. Now I know that times change, but just what happened here? Colt management make bad business decisions and force them into bankruptcy? I know I couple probably Google this and get some information on it, but Arfcommers know all. I’m looking for the inside scoop here. What say you all? How could a major firearms manufacturer like Colt have come to the point where unless you want a 1911 or a SAA you absolutely must look elsewhere???? 
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