Colt Says Its Decision to Stop Making AR-15 Rifles for Civilians Is Driven by Custome

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/colt-says-decision-stop-making-132936389.html

Business
Colt Says Its Decision to Stop Making AR-15 Rifles for Civilians Is Driven by Customers. Experts Aren't So Sure
Time Abby Vesoulis,Time Fri, Sep 20 8:29 AM CDT

Colt will stop producing AR-15 rifles for consumers, the Connecticut-based gunmaker announced Thursday.

In a statement, Colt’s CEO Dennis Veilleux said the decision to suspend production was entirely market-driven. The statement made no mention of the mass shootings that involved the style of semi-automatic weapon, which include the Sandy Hook and Parkland tragedies. And though neither of the firearms in those two shootings were manufactured by Colt, the gunmaker did own the patent for the design of the widely popular AR-15 until it expired in the 1970s, when other companies could begin making and selling similar types of weapon.

“The fact of the matter is that over the last few years, the market for modern sporting rifles has experienced significant excess manufacturing capacity,” he said, while also emphasizing that the company “is committed to the Second Amendment.”

The gunmaker also cited a need to focus its manufacturing capabilities on outstanding contracts with military and law enforcement groups.

“Currently, these high-volume contracts are absorbing all of Colt’s manufacturing capacity for rifles,” Veilleux wrote.

Despite their statement, experts wonder whether the company made the decision with other factors in mind.

“The public is getting very alarmed about what’s happening with assault rifles in the hands of potential mass shooters,” John Donohue, a Stanford Law professor with expertise in gun policy, tells TIME. “Colt may just be feeling better to get out of that particular market, and they’re offering this purely economic manufacturing argument rather than addressing the political realities right now as the justification for this decision.”

AR-15-style rifles were used in the mass shootings that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, an Aurora, Colo., movie theater in 2012, the Vegas Harvest music festival in 2017 and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. The Las Vegas gunman had several Colt rifles among the 24 guns found in his hotel rooms. The guns used in the other shootings were made by other manufacturers.

Timothy Lytton, author of Suing the Gun Industry and a law professor at Georgia State University, has a similar view to Donohue.

“They don’t want to be associated with a gun that’s becoming increasingly viewed as a shabby crime gun, when their brand is supposed to be bigger,” he says. “The danger for them in this—and this is something that they’re well aware of in their messaging, is that when gun companies tend to respond to this sort of pressure, there’s a huge backlash from the gun rights community.”

Following pressure from gun control advocates, some retailers have risked losing gun rights proponents as customers while they take steps to enhance their safety policies. National chains including Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Publix and Kroger all asked customers to stop openly carrying firearms inside their stores after gunmen killed more than 30 people at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart and in a Dayton, Ohio, entertainment district less than 24 hours apart last month. Dick’s Sporting Goods also announced it would remove firearms from 125 of its retail locations. (The company had already banned the sale of assault-style weapons after the Parkland shooting.)

Public opinion shows widespread support for stronger gun safety measures too: 81% of Americans now favor requiring background checks for gun buyers in order to curtail mass shootings, and nearly 60% of respondents said they favored banning “assault weapons,” according to a recent HuffPost/YouGov poll.

But those percentages are likely much, much lower among Colt’s customer base. And the last time Colt tried to make the industry a little safer by designing a firearm that could only be unlocked and fired by a user wearing a radio-frequency wristband, the plan backfired. Consumers began to worry whether the innovation would affect what kind of firearms they could purchase in the future. “There was a lot of pressure in the gun rights community against these sorts of weapons,” Lytton said.

Now Colt, like other gun makers, has to balance pressures from both gun control advocates and its customers. Though the gunmaker says it 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,” its full reasoning for ending the production of AR-15 rifles for civilians might be a tad more complicated than that.

“This is a sort of delicate dance,” says Lytton, “to sort of walk that thin line between pressure on both sides of this debate.”


This is how the dem party, anti-gun liberals/progressives, socialists are chipping away at our 2nd Amendment right.
One chip at a time, and eventually the accumulated effects, gets what they want.
I feel sorry for any on our side that can not see this socialistic political party for the anti-american (globalist) traitors that they so obviously are..-Tyr

[Noir]

How dare they.
Don’t they know they’re not allowed to stop making them?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

How dare they.
Don’t they know they’re not allowed to stop making them?

Sure they can stop making them-- just as I can with righteous justification decide to never buy another Colt gun from the bunch of cowardly appeasing assholes.. See how that works?
They yield to political correctness and the dem socialists and I get to take personal action against them.
They act like cowards, by joining the dem/lib/progressive political correctness crowd and I get to boycott their sorry asses.
How dare me, eh??
How dare me, even post such foolishness, right Noir??--Tyr

[jimnyc]

Who cares, fuck 'em.

First off, SO many others with nearly the exact thing, and then tons and tons and tons and tons of other great guns to choose from. So many other rifles and shotguns and tactical weapons. They don't care about facts, only ignorance and emotion, and knee jerk reactions.

SO many other great rifles out there to take the place of one manufacturer. And someone will have a 'home version AR' within a few weeks that you can "print" out at home. LOL

Seriously though, SO many other great weapons and so many others that are BETTER weapons. From sport to self defense to hunting... rifles, shotguns, handguns.... People have been looking for "alternatives" for a long time anyway, and there are many others. And just as scary looking!! So what will the leftist nitwits do when A) the criminals still use AR-15's anyway and/or B) Alternative weapons simply move to the forefront and suddenly scary department?

That's why they want to start slow, and implement ways of making it look like small attempts, and then they slowly cook you like a dumb frog and then tell you they have the right to take everything from all legal gun owners. Not gonna happen.

These ignorant idiots can't even figure out what guns actually kill more than others, and want to ban based on scariness factor. :rolleyes:

[Elessar]

What still makes me laugh is the AR-15 constantly being referred to as an assault or assault style weapon.
It is a semi automatic sporting rifle that looks 'scary' to some people.
Semi's can fire rapidly, but need a squeeze on the trigger for each round unlike lever or bolt action
rifles that require cocking for each round.

Too many anti-gun freaks just do not understand the operation of these things at all.

[FakeNewsSux]

324 manufacturers produce some variant and/or parts for the AR-15. Colt was a high cost producer of this rifle and was unable to compete in the marketplace. Rather than admit to this market reality, Colt appears to have made lemonade out of these lemons via some creative virtue signaling. It has the double benefit of calling off the anti-gun nuts (however temporary) while softening the blow to their stock value by creatively explaining away a market failure.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

324 manufacturers produce some variant and/or parts for the AR-15. Colt was a high cost producer of this rifle and was unable to compete in the marketplace. Rather than admit to this market reality, Colt appears to have made lemonade out of these lemons via some creative virtue signaling. It has the double benefit of calling off the anti-gun nuts (however temporary) while softening the blow to their stock value by creatively explaining away a market failure.
Well, that to me makes this even a worse offense.
As they acting as even greater cowards angle to appease the worthless libs/dems while also,
hoping to ever increase their profits by lying too. Why would I continue to buy from such
cowardly assholes??? Answer is, that I shouldn't since they view the 2nd Amendment as not
worth the effort to defend, IMHO.---Tyr

[FakeNewsSux]

Well, that to me makes this even a worse offense.
As they acting as even greater cowards angle to appease the worthless libs/dems while also,
hoping to ever increase their profits by lying too. Why would I continue to buy from such
cowardly assholes??? Answer is, that I shouldn't since they view the 2nd Amendment as not
worth the effort to defend, IMHO.---Tyr

Yeah, it does leave a bad taste in my mouth as well but I believe the statement that the 2nd Amendment is of no concern to Colt may be a bit overwrought. After all, except for military contracts,the company relies on the 2nd Amendment for its' livelihood. I think they are infected by the same 'industrial disease' that seems to be infecting the upper management of Fortune 500 companies throughout the country. The egghead pencil pushers and hyper risk adverse legal staffs lay down to any radical group that could give them some bad PR.

[FakeNewsSux]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3X3rKtruSg

[Noir]

Sure they can stop making them-- just as I can with righteous justification decide to never buy another Colt gun from the bunch of cowardly appeasing assholes.. See how that works?
They yield to political correctness and the dem socialists and I get to take personal action against them.
They act like cowards, by joining the dem/lib/progressive political correctness crowd and I get to boycott their sorry asses.
How dare me, eh??
How dare me, even post such foolishness, right Noir??--Tyr

Spot on. Please boycott them.

[jimnyc]

Sure they can stop making them-- just as I can with righteous justification decide to never buy another Colt gun from the bunch of cowardly appeasing assholes.. See how that works?
They yield to political correctness and the dem socialists and I get to take personal action against them.
They act like cowards, by joining the dem/lib/progressive political correctness crowd and I get to boycott their sorry asses.
How dare me, eh??
How dare me, even post such foolishness, right Noir??--Tyr

And they stop, or folks boycott them - it will embolden the tons of others that manufacture the same thing and MORE. It will have folks start stocking up AGAIN and see the gun folks and ammo folks profit, which I have no issue with. More and more and more guns being bought, more being made.

They ain't ever getting rid of guns, period. I know, for myself, I will simply get others, and I will gladly do what I gotta do, but what I spend my hard earned dollars on is MINE and will never be willingly given "back" to anyone.

We have been telling the idiots forever that laws aren't going to stop the criminals from breaking laws. And I'll be damned if I EVER leave myself unprotected against criminals OR anyone who would want to bring any harm at all to me or my family. This is what the little idiotic leftist dolts don't understand. They're too emotional and stupid to understand. They don't comprehend such things. They think they can make a new law and snap their fingers and fix the criminal element and psychos out there.

So I just laugh at the idiots that talk about the scary guns out there, the endless "assault rifles" killing everyone, even though I'm yet to see someone yank out a fully auto assault weapon and go to town. Idiots don't know what they are talking about, ignorant and clueless, and we're supposed to listen to them somehow? :laugh:

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

And they stop, or folks boycott them - it will embolden the tons of others that manufacture the same thing and MORE. It will have folks start stocking up AGAIN and see the gun folks and ammo folks profit, which I have no issue with. More and more and more guns being bought, more being made.

They ain't ever getting rid of guns, period. I know, for myself, I will simply get others, and I will gladly do what I gotta do, but what I spend my hard earned dollars on is MINE and will never be willingly given "back" to anyone.

We have been telling the idiots forever that laws aren't going to stop the criminals from breaking laws. And I'll be damned if I EVER leave myself unprotected against criminals OR anyone who would want to bring any harm at all to me or my family. This is what the little idiotic leftist dolts don't understand. They're too emotional and stupid to understand. They don't comprehend such things. They think they can make a new law and snap their fingers and fix the criminal element and psychos out there.

So I just laugh at the idiots that talk about the scary guns out there, the endless "assault rifles" killing everyone, even though I'm yet to see someone yank out a fully auto assault weapon and go to town. Idiots don't know what they are talking about, ignorant and clueless, and we're supposed to listen to them somehow? :laugh:

Very well said my friend. That is exactly the way that I feel about it too.
Will be a cold day in hell before I give up my right to self-defense -for myself, my family and all those I care about.-Tyr

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Spot on. Please boycott them.
Will do but that does not mean I will not buy from the many other manufacturers that make and sell the exact same gun.
So your little smug celebration is in error. And I went and bought more ammunition yesterday.
A man must keep target practicing-- never know when one may have to use the weapon to save oneself or a loved one from a worthless attacker--or even a worthless liberal if one ever gets enough courage to attack another person. lol
As most are craven cowards, IMHO...lol--Tyr

[hjmick]

Well, I'm not giving up my Colt 1911, but should I decide to purchase another, it won't be Colt.


As for their rifle, meh, PSA makes an excellent AR... and I'll be supporting a Local business at the same time... I just have to decide on a caliber... leaning .308...

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Well, I'm not giving up my Colt 1911, but should I decide to purchase another, it won't be Colt.


As for their rifle, meh, PSA makes an excellent AR... and I'll be supporting a Local business at the same time... I just have to decide on a caliber... leaning .308...

For quicker stopping power the 308 caliber is the one to choose, IMHO.--Tyr

[STTAB]

Who cares, fuck 'em.

First off, SO many others with nearly the exact thing, and then tons and tons and tons and tons of other great guns to choose from. So many other rifles and shotguns and tactical weapons. They don't care about facts, only ignorance and emotion, and knee jerk reactions.

SO many other great rifles out there to take the place of one manufacturer. And someone will have a 'home version AR' within a few weeks that you can "print" out at home. LOL

Seriously though, SO many other great weapons and so many others that are BETTER weapons. From sport to self defense to hunting... rifles, shotguns, handguns.... People have been looking for "alternatives" for a long time anyway, and there are many others. And just as scary looking!! So what will the leftist nitwits do when A) the criminals still use AR-15's anyway and/or B) Alternative weapons simply move to the forefront and suddenly scary department?

That's why they want to start slow, and implement ways of making it look like small attempts, and then they slowly cook you like a dumb frog and then tell you they have the right to take everything from all legal gun owners. Not gonna happen.

These ignorant idiots can't even figure out what guns actually kill more than others, and want to ban based on scariness factor. :rolleyes:


Exactly, two companies within 20 miles of me that build custom guns. One does only pistols and shotguns, but if anyone is looking for a truly well built custom AR15.

https://www.wilsoncombat.com/

I own several of their products. They aint cheap, but they are far superior to most.

[Surf Fishing Guru]

This is how the dem party, anti-gun liberals/progressives, socialists are chipping away at our 2nd Amendment right.
One chip at a time, and eventually the accumulated effects, gets what they want.
I feel sorry for any on our side that can not see this socialistic political party for the anti-american (globalist) traitors that they so obviously are..-Tyr

Take a couple steps back from the ledge there . . .

Colt isn't doing any leftie bidding, it is a purely business decision made by a business that has long had a dead ear to the civilian marketplace, (across multiple product lines), to the point of ignoring it.

Some facts first:

1) Colt's AR's are in the upperlevel price point for a nothing special AR and they have lost significant market share. They owned the M-16 Armalite patent but farmed out manufacturing of some parts to outside corporations, (CMMG and Quality Machine / Bushmaster) when the patent ran out and Colt lost the military contract to FN, these and other manufacturers began production of their own AR pattern models -- of better quality and at a lower price point -- and never looked back.

2) They are focusing their rifle manufacturing on their new LE6940 design featuring a "monolithic" upper receiver which has some advantages for military / LE use but only marginal interest for civilian recreational shooters, not to mention pushing civilian demand downward for their product with the even higher price point of the monolithic upper. Recreational shooters have been fed up since forever with Colt's large pin lower reciever, adding a proprietary upper receiver and integrated rail that one can't customize, seals the deal for the civilian market.

3) Their manufacturing and assembly is 'all in' for fulfilling M4 government contracts with the monolithic upper. Announced on the same day as their withdrawal from the civilian marketplace:



"Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $41,924,594 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Federated States of Micronesia, Hungary, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macedonia, Marshall Islands, Palau, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Tunisia) contract for production for the M4 and M4A1 carbines. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 18, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-19-D-0116)."

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1966024/



4) Diverting contract manufacturing, assembly and QC capability to make "typical" upper receiver guns or monolithic upper guns for civilians, is not a good business decision, given the marginal market share / returns in the civilian marketplace and strict production / delivery demands for the contracts.

5) Colt isn't foreclosing returning to the civilian AR market with either monolithic uppers or old style components; it's not like they are going to scrap the tooling and capability, they are just taking it off-line.

[Surf Fishing Guru]

For quicker stopping power the 308 caliber is the one to choose, IMHO.--Tyr

And it should be much more acceptable to the anti-gunners; since the .308 is built on the AR-10 pattern, it is 5 whole AR's less than the AR-15!

[STTAB]

and it should be much more acceptable to the anti-gunners; since the .308 is built on the ar-10 pattern, it is 5 whole ar's less than the ar-15!


lol

[STTAB]

Take a couple steps back from the ledge there . . .

Colt isn't doing any leftie bidding, it is a purely business decision made by a business that has long had a dead ear to the civilian marketplace, (across multiple product lines), to the point of ignoring it.

Some facts first:

1) Colt's AR's are in the upperlevel price point for a nothing special AR and they have lost significant market share. They owned the M-16 Armalite patent but farmed out manufacturing of some parts to outside corporations, (CMMG and Quality Machine / Bushmaster) when the patent ran out and Colt lost the military contract to FN, these and other manufacturers began production of their own AR pattern models -- of better quality and at a lower price point -- and never looked back.

2) They are focusing their rifle manufacturing on their new LE6940 design featuring a "monolithic" upper receiver which has some advantages for military / LE use but only marginal interest for civilian recreational shooters, not to mention pushing civilian demand downward for their product with the even higher price point of the monolithic upper. Recreational shooters have been fed up since forever with Colt's large pin lower reciever, adding a proprietary upper receiver and integrated rail that one can't customize, seals the deal for the civilian market.

3) Their manufacturing and assembly is 'all in' for fulfilling M4 government contracts with the monolithic upper. Announced on the same day as their withdrawal from the civilian marketplace:


"Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $41,924,594 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Federated States of Micronesia, Hungary, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macedonia, Marshall Islands, Palau, St. Vincent and Grenadines, and Tunisia) contract for production for the M4 and M4A1 carbines. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 18, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-19-D-0116)."

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1966024/



4) Diverting contract manufacturing, assembly and QC capability to make "typical" upper receiver guns or monolithic upper guns for civilians, is not a good business decision, given the marginal market share / returns in the civilian marketplace and strict production / delivery demands for the contracts.

5) Colt isn't foreclosing returning to the civilian AR market with either monolithic uppers or old style components; it's not like they are going to scrap the tooling and capability, they are just taking it off-line.


Tyr is ALMOST as hysterical as many on the left. Not quite but dude definitely walks a tightrope.