Colt on the brink of default. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elchivito · #1 11-15-2014, 08:29 AM

I wonder if any business schools use Colt in their "how not to run a company" examples?
Turn your back on the civilian and LE markets. Put all your eggs in the military basket. Keep making 1911s and ARs that EVERYBODY else makes just as good or better and cheaper, thinking people will pay your inflated prices just because there's a particular logo on the stocks.
Offer the same, tired models year after year.

Better hang on to my SAA, old 1911, Python and Anaconda. No doubt somebody'll buy the marque at the fire sale. Anyone for a Chinese Single Action Army??

Gun Manufacturer Colt Warns of Possible Default - iMarket Reports

greazzer · #2 11-15-2014, 08:36 AM

Holy Smokes ... another American marquee down the tubes ...

engatwork · #3 11-15-2014, 08:40 AM

Unfortunate

elchivito · #4 11-15-2014, 12:07 PM

They did it to themselves. Putting a DOD guy in the CEOs chair. What could have possibly gone wrong?

SwampYankee · #5 11-15-2014, 01:34 PM

Second best thing they could do, after hiring a CEO that knows WTH they're doing, is close down all of their CT operations, move out of state and reorganize. As gun manufacturers, they're personae non gratae here among the majority. As manufacturers, it's all but impossible to make it work in this state unless you've got a niche/specialty product.

aklim · #6 11-15-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

I wonder if any business schools use Colt in their "how not to run a company" examples?
Turn your back on the civilian and LE markets. Put all your eggs in the military basket. Keep making 1911s and ARs that EVERYBODY else makes just as good or better and cheaper, thinking people will pay your inflated prices just because there's a particular logo on the stocks.
Offer the same, tired models year after year.

Better hang on to my SAA, old 1911, Python and Anaconda. No doubt somebody'll buy the marque at the fire sale. Anyone for a Chinese Single Action Army??

Gun Manufacturer Colt Warns of Possible Default - iMarket Reports

Python and Anaconda, maybe. The SSA, no thanks and same with 1911 unless I get them cheap enough for a good resale.

aklim · #7 11-15-2014, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greazzer

Holy Smokes ... another American marquee down the tubes ...

So what are you thinking? Bailout? I mean, we could get cheap guns for the military. Aren't they "Too Big To Fail"?

P.C. · #8 11-15-2014, 03:31 PM

I had a stainless Python with a 6" barrel back in the Ninetie's. I sold it many years ago, then had a delayed reaction type of seller's remorse and tried to buy a new one a few years ago. NLA from Colt, even from their custom shop. Drat.

aklim · #9 11-15-2014, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

I had a stainless Python with a 6" barrel back in the Ninetie's. I sold it many years ago, then had a delayed reaction type of seller's remorse and tried to buy a new one a few years ago. NLA from Colt, even from their custom shop. Drat.

I don't really regret most of my sales since I buy to play and when I am bored, dump them for something else. Only one I regreted is the 44 Mag Desert Eagle MkI. Oh well, got a 50AE Desert Eagle Mk19 to replace it. Pretty nice when you consider that you can switch from a home defense/plinking gun to hunting pistol with a scope without having to resight.

sloride · #10 11-15-2014, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

So what are you thinking? Bailout? I mean, we could get cheap guns for the military. Aren't they "Too Big To Fail"?

Your suggestion about bailout is right on. There will be only one difference to your statement, in that it will lead to much higher priced guns for the military so the bailout does not need another BAILOUT.

aklim · #11 11-15-2014, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloride

Your suggestion about bailout is right on. There will be only one difference to your statement, in that it will lead to much higher priced guns for the military so the bailout does not need another BAILOUT.

But if you put the right spin on it, save jobs, created industry, yada, yada, yada, someone might buy that up

elchivito · #12 11-16-2014, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

I had a stainless Python with a 6" barrel back in the Ninetie's. I sold it many years ago, then had a delayed reaction type of seller's remorse and tried to buy a new one a few years ago. NLA from Colt, even from their custom shop. Drat.

My Python is a 6in., the Anaconda is a 5in., very rare. I took both in trade from the original owner.They are barely used, as I don't much like either one. I have Redhawks, 686s, 29s and 629s that I'd pick first any day. Safe queens now, prices through the roof and in their case I don't think it's a bubble.

HuskyMan · #13 11-16-2014, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Second best thing they could do, after hiring a CEO that knows WTH they're doing, is close down all of their CT operations, move out of state and reorganize. As gun manufacturers, they're personae non gratae here among the majority. As manufacturers, it's all but impossible to make it work in this state unless you've got a niche/specialty product.

Sadly, you are correct. It seems it is getting to the point that merely saying the word "gun" in Connecticut will get a man or woman arrested. I'd recommend Colt pack it in and move to TEXAS. They could hire a marketing firm to assist with reinventing themselves as "the gun that won the WEST". Plus, I here Texas is offering some serious tax incentives to lure businesses. Plus, the hiring pool in Texas is quite large.

Hatterasguy · #14 11-16-2014, 10:56 PM

HK did the same thing, its what you get when you snub the civilian market.

Except in HK's case its really a royal screw up considering all their products are the definition of cool thanks to Tom Clancy and Hollywood. They could have sold semi auto, reasonable priced MP5's, G3's, UMP's, etc all threw the 90's and 2000's like crazy. But they chose to give the civilian market the middle finger instead.

SwampYankee · #15 11-17-2014, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

Sadly, you are correct. It seems it is getting to the point that merely saying the word "gun" in Connecticut will get a man or woman arrested. I'd recommend Colt pack it in and move to TEXAS. They could hire a marketing firm to assist with reinventing themselves as "the gun that won the WEST". Plus, I here Texas is offering some serious tax incentives to lure businesses. Plus, the hiring pool in Texas is quite large.

All of the manufacturers here got a sales pitch and visit from Perry, among others, last year.

PTR is moving to SC. Sturm, Ruger & Co. downsized its HQ here and is expanding its manufacturing out of state. Stag has been in negotiations with SC and TX.

Our own bumbling fool guv, in typical politician fashion, demonizes them and encourages them to leave in one public appearance and encourages them to keep their manufacturing facilities here in another.