Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: Angry Perch on September 19, 2019, 02:53:47 PM

Title: Colt to stop manufacturing civilian rifles
Post by: Angry Perch on September 19, 2019, 02:53:47 PM: https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/business/colt-ar15/index.html
Title: Re: Colt to stop manufacturing civilian rifles
Post by: Bango skank on September 19, 2019, 02:55:32 PM: My understanding is that theyre stopping temporarily due to having an overstock already made, so no need to make more at this time. Supposedly.
Title: Re: Colt to stop manufacturing civilian rifles
Post by: Alchase on September 19, 2019, 03:04:17 PM: Quote from: Angry Perch on September 19, 2019, 02:53:47 PM
https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/business/colt-ar15/index.html

From the Colt Press release

"Company Response to Questions about Colt Participation in Consumer Markets

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (September 19th, 2019) – 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.

Very respectfully,

Dennis Veilleux, President and Chief Executive Officer"
Title: Re: Colt to stop manufacturing civilian rifles
Post by: Angry Perch on September 19, 2019, 03:35:20 PM: It reads to me that they are out of the consumer AR market, and likely for good. They didn't say there is an overstock of guns, they said there is more than enough manufacturing capacity. It's got to be a tough business, as everybody and there brother are selling them, or selling parts to build them.

I guess I probably should have posted this under Guns and Ammo, as it really isn't a political or "Outdoor Advocacy" topic.
Title: Re: Colt to stop manufacturing civilian rifles
Post by: Fl0und3rz on September 19, 2019, 03:43:00 PM: High volume contracts (Mil/LE) are absorbing their manufacturing capacity, and they can't make a buck when people are selling ARs for $350-500 by the truckload.

PR speak? Or real assessment of their decision-making process. Probably both.
Title: Re: Colt to stop manufacturing civilian rifles
Post by: Alchase on September 19, 2019, 04:59:51 PM: 10 years ago Colt was the standard, now they have caught up to, and surpass by some "bargain" AR's in reliability and especially in quality.