Why did Colt discontinue their revolvers?

maxman1

maxman1

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I've been wondering lately, why did Colt stop making its line of DA revolvers? Namely the Python, Anaconda, Trooper Mk. III, Detective Special, Diamondback, and historic ones like the Official Police.

I know the DS was dropped in the 1995 because they went bankrupt in 1992, and the Python in '99 because of changing market conditions and "cost of defending lawsuits", but what is there to stop them from reintroducing them now, especially after they've been immunized from lawsuits and demand has risen considerably?
 
They no longer have the production equipment. Plus they python was a hand built gun, and they no longer have anyone with the experience or know how to make it. They'd start at square one. Colt decided years back that their main market in the future would be government agencies and/or foreign military groups. Then FN underbid them and they lost a big part of that market. Plus production of handguns was a low revenue high expense product, so they shut it down. They could start again, but there are many manufacturers who build a better firearm then they do, for better prices, the only market they really have would be the collectors who like to see a pony on the side.
 
Let's say they started producing Pythons again. They would have to come into the market at a much higher cost and with questionable pedigree. It would be a long and difficult road to regain their market share. Probably not worth the effort.
 
On a related note, why did S&W discontinue the Model 15 and Model 19? Is there an actual reason, or, since the Model 10 and Model 13 are still in production, are adjustable sights just overrated?

And for that matter, do they still make the M1917? They had it on their webiste as still in production about two years ago, but now its page has been moved to the archive section.
 
The 19 is back in production; I doubt there is much demand for the 15 (if it doesn't say magnum on it no one really wants it). A lot of revolvers got dropped because when the police departments went to semi autos the market just wasn't there. The modern version of the M1917 was aimed at nostalgia buyers, once sales dropped off, they parked it. Keep in mind, it's a business not a religion. Well, for some people anyway. - dan
 
My axiom for handguns, generally, has always been: Colt semi-autos / S&W wheelguns.

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NAA.
 
I notice that Colt is in the business of trying to sell AR to civilians once again. A no-brainer with Afghanistan winding down and Iraq Version 2, now in our memories.This market was cornered for years by others such as Bushmaster, Stag Arms, and more recently Sig Arms and a miriade of other firearms manufacturers. Colt now makes the SAA about 50 years too late. They also "produce" the bulldog gatling gun in limited production runs.
I think someone has regrets within the Colt company!
 
Don't Colt still produce the SAA? They must still have some kind of expertise left in producing revolvers?
 
Colt must have had the dumbest management
+- 30 years without a .44 magnum,.22 semi or a DA 9mm in the line up.

We don't follow no market trends we make .45s and .357s .
 
maxman1 said:
On a related note, why did S&W discontinue the Model 15 and Model 19?
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I think the biggest thing for the 19 is that they don't stand up that well to a steady diet of full house magnum loads, so they were replaced by the 586/686 series and the .38 specials were left in the lineup for those that want to shoot light .38 loads. No idea on the 15, though.


NAA said:
My axiom for handguns, generally, has always been: Colt semi-autos / S&W wheelguns.
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You won't ever go far wrong with that philosophy.


Mark
 
Colt had some ongoing labour issues as well as poor business strategy then. They still haven't figured out the market.
 
When it comes to S&W, they rarely take something out of the catalog. That doesn't mean they produce the guns.

Some low volume items would never justify a dedicated line. S&W may let demand build for years. They will announce the model is coming in the fall. Wholesalers will place orders and retailers will pre-order from them. S&W scale production based on the wholesaler orders. The product gets shipped and the feeding frenzy begins. 75% of the guns are sold in the first 6 months, and the remainder sells to the niche market. In 5 to 10 years, the model makes a return.
 
Thanks for the answers. This clears up a lot.

mmattockx said:
I think the biggest thing for the 19 is that they don't stand up that well to a steady diet of full house magnum loads, so they were replaced by the 586/686 series and the .38 specials were left in the lineup for those that want to shoot light .38 loads. No idea on the 15, though.
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How does the 13 hold up? The same or is the K frame just not built for magnums? I know 110 and 125 gr magnums can crack the forcing cone.
 
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Same tale, it's a K frame. Having said that, the police departments only started having problems once they went to the qualify with your street load mantra. You shoot enough full power or +P loads through them, they shoot loose. I used to know a guy who used them for competition and kept three of them he would rotate on a regular basis. I think as a civilian the chances of you shooting on loose with regular weekend trips to the range are pretty slim. I know some folks will do it, but they are exceptional believe me. Most people just don't shoot that much. - dan
 
bellero said:
Don't Colt still produce the SAA? They must still have some kind of expertise left in producing revolvers?
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The SAA is a heck of a lot simpler to make than something like a Python. And even then, Colt charges $2,000 + for it, when other manufacturers sell single action revolvers for less than third of that price.
 
Owned a few Colts over the years including a new Python and couple of 1911s. They were definitely living off their reputation and still do. The quality was there at the time but by todays standards, not! Rugers and Smiths are better and stronger. My Kimber 1911 is light years better than any Colt I ever owned. So are Springfield Armorys. If you are a history buff, yea Colts have a name but not the quality today.
 
SUPER TENERE said:
Owned a few Colts over the years including a new Python and couple of 1911s. They were definitely living off their reputation and still do. The quality was there at the time but by todays standards, not! Rugers and Smiths are better and stronger. My Kimber 1911 is light years better than any Colt I ever owned. So are Springfield Armorys. If you are a history buff, yea Colts have a name but not the quality today.
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Working behind the counter at a gun store part time i sold 3 colt 1911's, of that, 2 came back to have defects corrected. Colt's are pretty, but the build quality sucks.
 
^In my own example I own a Colt 1991A1. The only problems I ever run into is older-poor quality mags or handloads. And reloads are a run that I screwed up once. I now use NIB ex-GI mags in it now.
Result; 110% reliability with good ammunition.
 
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