Heaven Has Smiled . . .

[Nemo]

and all is right with the world.  For the Rampant Colt will be on wheels again soon.

Nemo

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/3/7/the-keefe-report-hey-chicken-little-colt-isnt-falling

The Keefe Report: Hey, Chicken Little, Colt Isn't Falling
by Mark Keefe - Tuesday, March 7, 2017

The first half of this article has been removed due to its referring the the AR frame rifle production.  Its worth a read-- go click above for it.
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The other welcome wildcard is the Cobra revolver. It is slated to be the next cover gun for American Rifleman. The gun shot very, very well and has an excellent double-action trigger. At $700, it is not inexpensive, but it is a gun that consumers seem to really be interested in buying. And that's the key in tough times—make guns people want to buy at a price that is a good value. Innovate. And be smart.

Colt recently restructured its debt, making its creditors investors. So it's not like a John Cougar Mellencamp song waiting to happen.

Remember, Colt is a business trying stay in business and make a profit for its owners and investors. It is not Peoples’ Collective Tractor Factory No. 27 making tractors no one wants only to put them out in a Siberian tractor park to rust. Unfortunately, no company can guarantee its employees that there will always be work for them. That includes gunmakers with great names. It's terrible when anyone loses their job, but sometimes company leaders need make changes and tighten belts to ensure the survivability of the company itself. I have been on the factory floor at Colt, and I know how much President Veilleux values his workers. This could not have been easy for him.

It came out last week that the director of the custom shop had been part of the “rightsizing” and consolidation, but I have been told the overall number of polishers or gunsmiths has not been reduced—just a few months ago, they added an engraver. The guys in the custom shop have played a big role in improving the M1911s you see in the Colt catalog.

A little while ago, customer service and the custom shop were separated, and company officials say the custom shop will try to improve the customer service experience and reduce the backlog and wait times that have become almost legendary. A look at the site today says, “Due to overwhelming demand the Colt Custom Shop is currently and temporarily not taking new orders at this time while we address our considerable backlog. Please check back soon for updates.” That’s not good. I am told Mark Redl, who already wears a number of hats in West Hartford (including professional shooter and product marketing manager), will be taking over the supervisory responsibilities for the custom shop.

Realize that the Colt Custom Shop has been one of the most profitable areas of Colt. It always has been. Just like the Performance Center at Smith & Wesson. Even when other areas of the plant have faltered, the custom shop has succeeded. And it is the aspiration of most Colt workers to get drafted into the major league, to go through a battered metal door and put on a Colt Custom Shop apron. Again, making guns consumers want to buy is a good way to keep your workers at their machines. It appears some resources should be shifted.

As a guy who's given up on Colt quite a few times over the decades, I'm not ready to throw in the towel. They have good management, the employees make good products, and it is my hope that they come out of this fighting and more competitive. And taking orders.

Wheel Guns Rule