CZ, DW & Colt

[Retired Squid]

Seems CZ decided not to get into Colt management and guiding it to get quality back on track. I had hoped CZ/DW would take over and finally get some quality guns.

CZ had DW to drop their revolver production of all things which was a very high quality and known for accuracy and let Colt do revolvers.

What will probably happen is Colt will stay in the red and either CZ will gut the plant of most employees/staff or sell. If that happens it could end up owned by another foreign manufacture like the ARMSCO or the Turks. But who knows, it will be interesting to see what happens.

My guess in 3 to 5 years Colt will be gone.

[The_Shadow]

Colt has overpriced their guns in my opinion!

[Markwell]

   If the CZ/DW folks would apply their QC and detailing to Colt branded products Colt could once again be a major player. The DW 1911 pistols are very high quality and well featured right out of the box.

[sqlbullet]

I agree that Colt guns are overpriced, and I agree that they should be gone in 3-5 years.

But I have been hearing pretty much my entire adult life that Colt is over-priced and will be gone in 3-5 years.  Somehow it is still perceived as a premium brand by enough of the market that they can sell the name over the quality and features the price should represent.  And that makes for good margins.

[Rojo27]

With respect to other points of view.  If the betting line is 3-5 years for Colt to disappear; I'll take the over. 
Anything but a legacy Colt fanboy here.  However, I bought first one of my life 3 months ago.

With Covid pricing, Colt premium is WAY closer than I ever remember seeing it.  Example; a new 4" S&W 686 going for between $900 & $1k right now on the low end.  I own a 2-year-old S&W 686+ and there is very little comparison in build quality (finish, fit, refinement, rubber grips, etc.) of it to 3 month old 4.2" Python.  I've admired S&W revolvers for years and pains me to say that between these two competitive specimens it's not even close.  The Colt is superior in almost every way.   
Since Colt re-introduced the Python in 2020 (after a much-publicized bumpy start); demand for them has skyrocketed.  2 years later they're selling faster than they can be made.  So much so, it's very difficult to find them for actual MSRP ($1,499); with most merchants selling them for $1700, $1,800 up to $2,100 regularly (and getting it). 
Same exact situation exists now with the new Anaconda (released in 2021).  They can't make them fast enough and demand way outstrips supply and merchants can't keep them in stock.  They too are being sold for $300 to $700 OVER MSRP all over the place. 
I'm very aware of these two models supply and demand dynamic right now as I was so impressed with the new Python; I've had eye open for an Anaconda for 3 months.  Earnestly looking almost every day for past six weeks (I refused to pay over MSRP).  Just snagged an Anaconda last week (got lucky and turned an inventory restock notice quick enough to land it).  Haven't had opportunity to shoot it yet.  Again, notable superior fit, finish, trigger, action vs. my late model Rugar Super Redhawk (smoothness of the double aciton is off the chart).  If it actually shoots close to as well as the Python, I'll be very satisfied indeed.  If not, won't be problem getting rid of it in current market. 
 
Didn't mean to gush on, just super impressed so far with these two new Colt (post CZ acquisition) revolvers.  If these two models offer any indication of Colt's long-term prospects, it appears pretty solid to me at the moment. 
Colt premium has always kept me away from their products in the past.  Try as I might, just couldn't see or get past how disconnected their prices vs actual value proposition.  However, if these two new models aren't just a flash in the pan, Colt might actually be building some momentum.  One guy's opinion; guess time will tell.   

[Reddog81]

FWIW CZ brought the DW revolvers back...   They were over priced and sales were poor so they discontinued making them.   

Colts revolver sales have been through the roof and are generally hard to find because they sell as quickly as they make them. 

Yeah, Colts are expensive but have you seen the price for a S&W or Ruger lately?   A GP100 is $800+, a Kimber DASA runs $875+ and a 686 is $850+.  The King Cobra starts at $900.  Not much of a premium...

I'd also definitely take the over on that 3-5 year guess.   

[gnappi]

Colt has been much like Beretta... staying with what is known, no advancement in their core product line. As an example, Colt 1911's still do not have ramped barrels while the majority of the 1911 makers (except the cheaper imports) do, and things standard on other brands like modern controls still are absent on many Colt 1911's.

Add to that, fit and finish from other makers has been excellent while fit has been rather poor from Colt in the last 20+ years.

[sqlbullet]

I feel like Beretta has some interesting diversity in their pistol line.  APX, PX4, Nano, Pico just to name a few.  And the PX4 is a cool departure from the "norm" with it's rotary locking system.  I will also say as Benelli M4 owner that I would suggest anyone in the market for a tactical shotgun look really hard at the Beretta 1301.  Were I buying today it would probably be my pick, though I do like the Benelli.

But, I think they are so overwhelmingly known for the 92FS, G, M9 pistols that their other work gets overlooked.

Colts only real attempt at anything modern in the last 40 years is the All American 2000 which was an epic embarrassment to them. 

[rich56]

Colt has overpriced their guns in my opinion!

I have to disagree about Colt pricing. I think if you can find one at retail they are priced fairly compared to equivalent Smiths and Springfields. There is no lack of quality or features in the 2022 1911 Competition  I bought. It is a much better gun than the 2 1970s MKIV Series 70s I bought