The Curious Case of Colt

[Hawkeyesas]

Here's a link to an interesting article in The American Rifleman about Colt that sheds some light on what is going on at Colt

www.americanrifleman.org/Colt_TheCuriousCaseofColt.html

Just something that I thought would be interesting to members.

HawkeyeSAS

[Hunter]

This was posted a while back.

[Hawkmoon]

This was posted a while back.
And written a long while further back.

That article doesn't shed any light on what's going on at Colt. It's grossly out-of-date, and it was inaccurate the day it was written.

[cwo4uscgret]

I am amazed how (due to the modern miracle called the internet) quickly someone can condemn a manufacturer as soon as a problem occurs - such as the slide to frame fit of the new Combat Elites.

I'm old-fashioned I guess; if I have a problem with a product I will give the manufacturer the chance to make it right first. When I was the Supply Officer at my last 5 Coast Guard units I used to tell the other department heads if you got a problem, let me know - so I can try to fix it. If you don't say anything, how will I know there is a problem? I can be pretty convincing - years ago a motorcycle manufacturer and I got into it over application of the lemon law and one of their bikes. I prevailed, got a new motorcycle from them, and continue to ride that one today (10 years later). Not once did I go on line and condemn or even post negative comments about them. I encouraged them to comply with the law(s); they did; and I support their product.

Don't get me wrong - if you have a problem that can have an effect on all of us - please, please, tell me (us) about it; but please, contact Colt (Kimber, or whoever) and let them know what the problem is and give them the chance to fix it first...most of you already do this - but is seems that with the advent of the internet and discussion forums there are some people who would rather vent and complain then trying to address the issues with the maker.

Rant off...

[Hawkmoon]

I am amazed how (due to the modern miracle called the internet) quickly someone can condemn a manufacturer as soon as a problem occurs - such as the slide to frame fit of the new Combat Elites.

...

Don't get me wrong - if you have a problem that can have an effect on all of us - please, please, tell me (us) about it; but please, contact Colt (Kimber, or whoever) and let them know what the problem is and give them the chance to fix it first...most of you already do this - but is seems that with the advent of the internet and discussion forums there are some people who would rather vent and complain then trying to address the issues with the maker.
What I find more amazing is that people don't hesitate to complain about any perceived problem with a Colt, even before they have tried to contact Colt ... yet if I point out that (for example) Taurus 1911s have generally horrendous quality control and that it's virtually impossible to even contact customer "service," let alone be able to talk to a real person on a first name basis, I am instantly denounced as a Taurus basher.

There appears to be a pervasive mindset at large on the Internet that Colt's Manufacturing, LLC, can do nothing right regardless of how good their product is; and that makers of 1911 clones can do nothing wrong, regardless of how poor their product is.

[cwo4uscgret]

Taurus? :rolleyes: :scared: :rolleyes: Blasphemer. On the good side, I own 3 Taurus Handguns including a PT1911. I have not had an iota of problems with it; the one time I ever called Taurus (5 or 6 years ago) I got someone on the phone right away... :dead_hors

[wetidlerjr]

Taurus? :rolleyes: :scared: :rolleyes: Blasphemer. On the good side, I own 3 Taurus Handguns including a PT1911. I have not had an iota of problems with it; the one time I ever called Taurus (5 or 6 years ago) I got someone on the phone right away... :dead_hors

That's good for you but the horror stories about present day CS at Taurus make Colt look like an industry leader and I have read enough to stop me from buying any Taurus product, new or used. YMMV

[cwo4uscgret]

WETIDLERJR I could tell you how a major gun company accepted a gun of mine to work on it and after 6-7 weeks sent it back to me, without doing any work. They didn't even bother to call me; I called them to ask how the project was going on. They said we sent your gun back to you yesterday and we don't do that kind of work...when I called them on the lack of customer support I was told they have excellent CS.

Customer Service has been going downhill ever since companies started using automated phone answering systems. I just hate the "If you want...dial 3...then dial 1...then dial 5...all Customer Service Reps are busy, please leave a message and someone will return your call...sorry mailbox is full, ending call now..."

Many businesses have lost touch with what Customer Service is supposed to be; because they seem to have forgotten the customer once they deposit the customers money into their bank account.......

[paul45]

but is seems that with the advent of the internet and discussion forums there are some people who would rather vent and complain then trying to address the issues with the maker.

Perhaps they are not "venting and complaining"? It might be they have legitimate issues with their 900 dollar product and are trying to gain knowledge and understanding in getting the issues resolved, from a forum that is full of folks who have that knowledge and understanding, willing to offer help and suggestions.


I am amazed how (due to the modern miracle called the internet) quickly someone can condemn a manufacturer as soon as a problem occurs - such as the slide to frame fit of the new Combat Elites.

I don't see it as a condemnation. It is a problem with the new Combat Elite that has become apparent solely based upon shared information in the 2 largest "1911" forums.

If those persons would suffer in silence.....that would be preferable?

Not for me.

[cwo4uscgret]

Paul - I agree that the issue of the slide to frame fit of the Combat Elite is a good example of how people can get together and talk about a common problem.

What I'm alluding to is different; people who complain about a product and condemn the manufacturer - and don't even own the product.

What hacks me though are people who don't give the maker the opportunity to make something right; they just go online to the first forum available and dump...when asked did they call the manufacturer or send it back for warranty work they say no...and just keep complaining.