Colt site to be used as a propaganda tool

EL1227 · Dec 27, 2014

WashingtonTimes.com -
Connecticut Colt gun factory to be national park

The project’s leading advocate in Congress, U.S. Rep. John Larson, a Democrat, said in an interview that the park could provide a forum for discussions of Colt’s historical significance and issues including modern-day gun violence.

“It can become a living monument to what transpired and what went into the making and planning of the place and what the ramifications of that are,” Larson said.

The measure designating Coltsville as a national park was signed into law Friday by President Barack Obama. It is expected to bring in millions of dollars and, eventually, 200,000 visitors annually. A proposal describes possible attractions including a “Colt manufacturing multimedia experience.”

Oh look, a shiny object ... but the subliminal message will be that guns are BAD. No doubt there will be a somber 'multimedia experience' dedicated to Sandy Hook.

Colt and the company’s president, Dennis Veilleux, declined several requests to comment on whether it might become involved in the park’s development. Veilleux warned last year that the gun law was likely to erode Connecticut ties the company had built up over its 175 years because customers would not want to support the state.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a Newtown-based gun industry association, withdrew support for the Coltsville legislation last year, saying the campaign reflected hypocrisy by the state’s congressional delegation and governor. The group’s senior vice president, Lawrence Keane, said last week he did not expect it would be involved at all with the project.

Considering that Colt is on the verge of bankruptcy, the timing of this annoucement is suspect.

Colt warns of possible default, likely to miss $10.9 million payment

Skins_Brew · Dec 27, 2014

How the hell is colt nearing bankruptcy? They have so many gsa contracts, sell basically the standard AR that people compare every other AR too, and sell a ton of other stuff. With the recent buying craze of everything black rifle, how the f are they hurting?

EL1227 · Dec 27, 2014

Skins_Brew said:
How the hell is colt nearing bankruptcy? They have so many gsa contracts, sell basically the standard AR that people compare every other AR too, and sell a ton of other stuff. With the recent buying craze of everything black rifle, how the f are they hurting?

In a follow-on to the Guns.com article referenced above, Colt secures $70 million loan to avoid default

The gun maker blames its financial woes on a continued decline in demand for rifles and handguns in the commercial market, and delays in government sales.

Vile Shadow · Dec 27, 2014

That would be something if Colt up and left there.

Erick · Dec 27, 2014

Skins_Brew said:
How the hell is colt nearing bankruptcy? They have so many gsa contracts, sell basically the standard AR that people compare every other AR too, and sell a ton of other stuff. With the recent buying craze of everything black rifle, how the f are they hurting?

Since they lost the Army contract that was their main sales line .

They had neglected the civilian market for a long time offering very little in different configurations which made them unattractive to some.

Now they have all sorts of stuff out mid length, MOE editions, Camoed editions.. but I think it was just too late.

Also with that cushy contract I am sure they did not have to control their costs as closely as others did.

For example since they never offered the configurations I wanted, I dont own a single Colt even though I bought over 10 ARs in the last 3 years.

I am sure I'm not the only one.

Boom Boom · Dec 27, 2014

We discussed the bankruptcy issue back in November. Colt went from being a leader/innovator in AR, 1911, and SA revolver sales to being a distant follower, with prices too high and features/offerings too slim compared to newer competition. Colt stupidly neglected civilian sales on the assumption that govt sales would continue at breakneck speed forever. Colt guessed wrong. The new loan might give them time to get their act together. If not, oh well. History is filled with the carcasses of businesses that failed to adapt to the evolving marketplace.

5.56blaster · Dec 27, 2014

Skins_Brew said:
How the hell is colt nearing bankruptcy? They have so many gsa contracts, sell basically the standard AR that people compare every other AR too, and sell a ton of other stuff. With the recent buying craze of everything black rifle, how the f are they hurting?

Just like all the car companies. Anything can be run into the ground. S&W was down the tubes a few years ago. Is Colt a union shop? If so that could be part of the issue. Again look at the car companies, airlines and so on.

swinokur · Dec 27, 2014

They've had financial problems for 20 years plus

They always get bailed out by somebody

Boom Boom · Dec 27, 2014

5.56blaster said:
Just like all the car companies. Anything can be run into the ground. S&W was down the tubes a few years ago. Is Colt a union shop? If so that could be part of the issue. Again look at the car companies, airlines and so on.

In Colt's case, it has nothing to do with unions. Colt upper mgmt decided years ago to stop putting serious money into civilian firearms R&D. In the meantime, dozens of other companies stepped into the civilian marketplace that Colt was neglecting and, through innovation, left Colt in the dust.

Alea Jacta Est · Dec 27, 2014

swinokur said:
They've had financial problems for 20 years plus

They always get bailed out by somebody

They're not a bank or a car company... They don't have enough union to merit libtard support. Apparently their business model and value proposition were not sufficient to carry them through despite many opportunities to diversify and reduce risk. Not unlike Harley, they have had a cultish following among generations of loyal customers. Harley got support when they most needed it via tax breaks and heavy tariffs on imported scooters. Don't see Colt getting that from either the current administration or Congress.

Will not be surprised to see them wither and perhaps go away. Damn shame that...if it happens. Didn't need to occur (if indeed it does) but it's the vicious circle of life in capitalism. Loyalty and agility are two pretty important virtues for brick and mortar businesses in this day and age...neither of those is stagnant.

swinokur · Dec 27, 2014

Didn't Harley also get purchased by their employees?

not a bad idea if you can find the money and management expertise.

lsw · Dec 27, 2014

Wonder if Freedom Group might end up wtih some or all of Colt too?

EL1227 · Dec 27, 2014

Boom Boom said:
In Colt's case, it has nothing to do with unions. Colt upper mgmt decided years ago to stop putting serious money into civilian firearms R&D. In the meantime, dozens of other companies stepped into the civilian marketplace that Colt was neglecting and, through innovation, left Colt in the dust.

And the antis' will point to Colt's demise as a result of America turning away from guns and 2A, thus my reason for calling the national park a propaganda move. Bad business decisions coupled with an over-reliance on government largess (both local and national) did them in.

Beretta finally saw the light and got out of Dodge, err ... The PRofMD. The only gov'mnt contract they have left is the aging M9 design which probably doesn't have much of a chance at the Modular Handgun System or MHS contact award, even though they have offered up the new M9A3.

U.S. military looks for new sidearm – Colt, Glock and Beretta expected to be among contenders

(the Colt M1911 was the main sidearm for the U.S. until Beretta snatched that away in the 1980s, sparking much controversy at the time).

Analysis: Firearms Maker Colt a Cautionary Tale for Defense Contractors

Reminiscent of the fallout from the defense downturn in the {Clinton-era} 1990s, consolidation with another firearms manufacturer is another option for maintaining Colt’s storied place in the industry. Given the growing need to increase market share, one interesting subset of potential suitors could include companies that cater to U.S. and foreign militaries and police, but do not have a strong position in manufacturing assault rifles and machine guns. Within that subset, companies such as Glock, Beretta and SIG Sauer are possibilities. Each of these companies has strong domestic and international distribution channels for handguns that could benefit from the integration of Colt’s line of assault rifles and machine guns, as well as Colt’s own handguns.

Boom Boom · Dec 27, 2014

EL1227 said:
And the antis' will point to Colt's demise as a result of America turning away from guns and 2A

And any of us can point to Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, etc. to very easily prove otherwise. Those companies are successful because of innovation, plain-old good marketing, and strong consumer demand. They are more successful in the civilian marketplace than Colt ever was. They are the reason the AR platform is the most popular rifle sold in the US by a wide margin.

Vile Shadow · Dec 27, 2014

If Colt is no longer making the military's rifles, who is?

swinokur · Dec 27, 2014

FN USA IIRC

Boom Boom · Dec 27, 2014

swinokur said:
FN USA IIRC

yep, http://kitup.military.com/2013/02/army-awards-m4m4a1-contract-fn.html

iH8DemLibz · Dec 27, 2014

When a company like Colt's started putting plastic triggers in their 1911/1991, there was a problem.

Never gave them a second look after they did that.

newq · Dec 27, 2014

Everybody has long touted Colt as a premier brand. Companies like Bad Company, DD, Vltor had to offer something different because there were too many players in the standard "mil-spec" AR department. Companies like Del-ton and DPMS were also playing in the arena and stopped being an "also ran" when security companies and consumers alike started buying on the low end of these markets. Colt is finding themselves in a precarious position where they are neither top end nor bottom dollar. Which see sales sag.

You don't get to play all the hands so when its your turn you had better make the most of it. Cutting costs with plastic goods as opposed to metal counter-parts is never a good compromise. Customers come to expect a level of service from your product and even if the perception is what holds you back, perception is key. Look how hard glock had to work to beat back the plastic gun shrills.

Furious George · Dec 27, 2014

Colt did more than neglect the civilian market, they actively disrespected it.

Some of us still remember Colt's reaction to a highly publicized mass shooting: They voluntarily and proactively pulled the AR15 from the civilian market.

Once they realized that other companies were happy to grab the market they had abandoned, they brought it back as the Colt "Sporter."

Here are some Colt "innovations" for commercial AR15 type rifles:

Nonstandard oversize fire control group pin sizes
Lower receiver sear blocks
Half moon carriers to work with the sear blocks
Neutered front sight bases
Nonstandard take down pins using a screw arrangement
Slab side lower receivers that omitted improvements dating from the early 60's.
Rifles made from leftover, obsolete parts (now much sought after as rare "transition guns" )

The new exhibit could focus on how ruin a company by chronic mismanagement, poor labor relations, relying on your name instead of the quality of your products, pi$$ing off your gov't and civilian customers, and doing business in a state with a hostile regulatory environment.

I'm not a Colt Fanboy. F- 'em

Colt site to be used as a propaganda tool

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