Why is it so hard to find a Colt around here?

[turdbocharged]

I'm in the market for a Series 70 reproduction and a few of the gun stores that I have gone to tell me that you can't get Colt's anymore.

One told me that they don't make the series 70 anymore.

Another won't try to order directly from Colt he just keeps looking for it through distributors.

And my favorite is the guy who told me that Colt's just simply aren't as accurate as Kimbers. He told me this because I was selling my Mimber out of frustration.

This is frustrating, am I asking for something that just simply isn't available?

Also does anybody here frequent the North East Ohio gun shows, like Medina, and Berea?

I've been to a few recently and it's really slim pickings on the Colt's. Usually I've only found a few and they're 1991 models and cost $1,000!

I'm beginning to think that all NE Ohio gun owners are cheapskates who want nothing but Hi Point garbage, and the FFL's aren't helping.

Sorry for the length of this post but I had to get this out to people who might understand.

-Turdbocharged

[M203Sniper]

you are asking the wrong questions (in my opinion)

You just go to the counter and ask the sales guy if they have an account on the internet sites, GunsAmerica or Gunbroker or Auctionarms, and tell him what you want, how much you are going to pay and find out what the transfer fees are.

This is the information age. If it's out there you can get it, why rely on some guy at the local FFL to do anything but the minimum legally required stuff. I do my own leg work and have never been dissapointed about the prices I choose to pay.

here's what you are looking for in Texas;
http://www.gunsamerica.com/917160473/Guns/Pistols/Colt-Automatic-Pistols/COLT_MODEL_O1070AICS_THE_NEW_SERIES_70_GOVERNMENT_MODE.htm#

[NyteOwl]

Colts tend to be scarce here too. Not becasue they'd not popular but because it sems they're hard to get (3 months minimum wait) and most dealers say they have to take what's available to them when they get something to ship so if one wants a particular model you just have to wait till it shows up. At the moment the onlt Commanders I've found retail here in Canada are the XSE stainless and what I consider a pretty stiff price (though that dealer seems to be higher priced across the board). Finding a nice 1991 Blued carbon steel commander is basically impossible. I've been watching for about 9 months and not so much as a glimmer.

[turdbocharged]

Yeah, I guess I'll just have to be more resourceful in my search.

-turdbocharged

[VFRpilotJim]

Ugh, it never ends... This nonsense about Colt not selling to the public or going out of business has been circulating for ten to fifteen years. It's amazing that it still circulates in the internet age, given the fact that anyone can go online to Colt's website to see all the current products.

Anyway, a couple of shops near me keep their counters well stocked with Colt's. I'll send you a private message.

Jim

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
I understand the frustration of not being able to find a Colt and more so having dealers that have no clue.
Finding one and having it shipped to a friendly FFL that will do the paperwork for you is perhaps your best bet.
Budsgunshop may have one but you have to watch their site ofr one to show up.
AJC sports is another that might have one show up.
There's one on GunsAmerica for $949.95 in North Carolina.

[turdbocharged]

Thanks everyone for your help.

jim- I didn't think it was legal for out of state residents to purchase handguns from Michigan. I remember the guy at Cabelas in Dundee telling me this when I was there on my way up to go hunting.

[Hunter]

You can purchase a firearme from out of state but it has to ship to your dealer.
There are a lot of dealers that are ignorant about Colt and it's well being. I would take VFRpilotJim's advice or you could show the dealer Colt's web page and there would be proof in what you want.

[daveohno]

http://www.ozarkguns.com/
sometimes has some Colt pistols also. I've bought from Buds http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_141
and have been happy with my purchases.
You could also try Pro Load, http://www.proload.com/

[John]

I know for a fact that Colt produced Series 70 pistols (both stainless and blue) during January and February.

[paul45]

I'm in the market for a Series 70 reproduction and a few of the gun stores that I have gone to tell me that you can't get Colt's anymore.

Truly concerning how many ignorant gunshops there are. I have said before, it's amazing how many persons are so ignorant of their CHOSEN profession and don't care to lose sales.

One told me that they don't make the series 70 anymore.

Don't even go back to a shop that is so amazingly stupid!

Another won't try to order directly from Colt he just keeps looking for it
through distributors.

Can't order directly through Colt. That FFL needs to learn how to work with distributors. Why is this so hard for so many FFLs?

And my favorite is the guy who told me that Colt's just simply aren't as accurate as Kimbers. He told me this because I was selling my Mimber out of frustration.

I bet he has a bunch of Kimbers in the shop.

This is frustrating, am I asking for something that just simply isn't available?

Because of the ignorance of many FFL holders, you came to the right place to start learning how to find Colts!




The others give you good advice and some good online stores to find Colts.

Luckily for me, I have a shop a couple miles from my home that always has Colts. Right now, they have 9 of them, almost everything but Commanders.

Don't give up, you just have to learn how to do the FFLs job for them. Sad, but true!

[John]

Stainless Commanders were build this month, blue ones are scheduled to be build in March.

[DuckRyder]

When I want a new Colt I go down to my favorite shop and tell the owner what I want. He then calls all of his distributors and orders one. It usually doesn't take more than 3 calls. On the few occasions that no one has one it rarely takes more than a few weeks.

He only orders stainless XSE's unless someone wants something different because the stainless XSE's are what sells around here.

So my advice is to find your local favorite dealer and have them order it.

Also, Cabelas can transfer between stores, so if any store has what you want they should be able to have it transferred to your local store.

[Cleveland]

Drop me a PM. Your going to the wrong shops around Cleveland. Bottom line with one exception most shops in NE Ohio are useless when it comes to Colts.

[steve bliek]

you are asking the wrong questions (in my opinion)

You just go to the counter and ask the sales guy if they have an account on the internet sites, GunsAmerica or Gunbroker or Auctionarms, and tell him what you want, how much you are going to pay and find out what the transfer fees are.

This is the information age. If it's out there you can get it, why rely on some guy at the local FFL to do anything but the minimum legally required stuff. I do my own leg work and have never been dissapointed about the prices I choose to pay.


That's a great method, Sniper; I'll try that the next time.

However, if you are waiting for your cash to pool up and just window shopping for now; the past 18 months have been a dry spell all throughout North Central PA. I was recently at the Bloomsburg, PA gun show (a well attended; moderate to large show) and found only 3 new COLTS and a few COLT antiques in the whole place. In fact, my favorite dealer, who really aims to please, has been going out of his way to find COLTs to sell; with no luck at all.

COLT published their 2010 catalog with some really nice eye candy. I wonder where they are shipping these new models to, not around here, that's for sure. Seem's like you might need a visit to the twilight zone to actually see and examine them for real.


Many people prefer to look at the dealer's stock and fully examine the piece before they commit to buy. You don't always have this option when going through an online source and you could wind up with a defective pistol and spend months trying to get satisfaction.

[John]

Colt does not sell to shops directly (as opposed to Kimber). They work through a few large distributors. Your local shop should know who they are, and all they have to do is call those distributors and order what you want.

[M203Sniper]

http://www.durysguns.com/inventory/profile/colt_mk._iv_series_70_1911-a1_.45_acp_used_gun_inv_110096/

Does it have to be a new in the box reproduction? how about a real nice series 70? Serial number is all 7's - don't know DoB.

http://www.durysguns.com/images/site/products/2111/dsc00037__large.jpg

Used Colt Mk. IV Series 70 1911-A1

Inventory #: 110096

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Mk. IV Series 70 1911-A1

Price: $1,099.99

Quantity in Stock: 1

[tnhawk]

http://www.ozarkguns.com/
sometimes has some Colt pistols also. I've bought from Buds http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_141
and have been happy with my purchases.
You could also try Pro Load, http://www.proload.com/
My last Colt was ordered from Ozark Guns. I ordered it on Tuesday and received it on Friday. :D

[rebut]

I'm in the market for a Series 70 reproduction and a few of the gun stores that I have gone to tell me that you can't get Colt's anymore.

One told me that they don't make the series 70 anymore.

Another won't try to order directly from Colt he just keeps looking for it through distributors.

And my favorite is the guy who told me that Colt's just simply aren't as accurate as Kimbers. He told me this because I was selling my Mimber out of frustration.

This is frustrating, am I asking for something that just simply isn't available?

Also does anybody here frequent the North East Ohio gun shows, like Medina, and Berea?

I've been to a few recently and it's really slim pickings on the Colt's. Usually I've only found a few and they're 1991 models and cost $1,000!

I'm beginning to think that all NE Ohio gun owners are cheapskates who want nothing but Hi Point garbage, and the FFL's aren't helping.

Sorry for the length of this post but I had to get this out to people who might understand.

-Turdbocharged

I don't know if this would interest you, it being a pre series 70 repro but the buy it now price looks okay, if it's the pistol you want, and the seller has a good rep.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=158400072
I know GB auctions aren't the preferred purchase method for some but take a look and decide.
I am not tied to this seller or site in any way. Good luck.

[daveohno]

I usually check out Buds to see what they have just out of curiosity and they have several Colt pistols all the time. Quite a few are SAA, but they always have at least a few 1911 pistols. They even have Colt AR15's in stock and it's not just 1 or 2 models, it's several right now.

[EchoBravoKilo]

Gee, maybe "they" are right, and Colt went out of business.....;)

[nosreme]

Fortunately, the gunshops in northern VA, collectively, have a decent selection of Colt 1911s; I bought two of the new Series 70s off the shelf. What I don't think was addressed above are gunshows. I've seen lots of Colt 1911s, including series 70s (admittedly they are outnumbered by the Series 80s) at just about all the shows I've been to. If you haven't tried that route, do so. It's interesting just to see what's for sale and to watch the people if nothing else!

[Nanif]

Vance's in Columbus usually has a few on the shelf. I just bought a WWI(01918) repro there last month.

[Red Neckerson]

I held a new commander friday in a shop 3 miles down the road. It was a stainless for $1099.00 w/colts new grips,and it was SWEET! Funny how these 1911s can talk ain't it? Take me home,take me home. I handed it back and can't stop thinking about how light and balanced it was.

[ashmesajim]

Lipseys (lipseys.com) shows a series 70 with 25 in stock. And you can find a dealer that buys from them on their website.

[javichin1991]

I know for a fact that Colt produced Series 70 pistols (both stainless and blue) during January and February.

That is true, I have just got one of these (PERFECT INSIDE AND OUT) at my local Cabelas, for $929,00 plus local taxes.

Regards,

Javi

[clughog]

Lipseys (lipseys.com) shows a series 70 with 25 in stock. And you can find a dealer that buys from them on their website.
That's the Talo version, SER 70 1911A1 45ACP BL WWII STYLE 1911A1. And I can beat that price at other distributors, by the way, who also have them in stock. They have the Talo Dragon special edition in stock too, as do other distributors. No regular Series 70 in Blue or Stainless. And just about everything they have shows "Allocated" so there's not much chance of a small FFL getting one...but they don't have any in stock anyway!

And for those of you fortunate enough to have dealers who have Colts, it's not universal. Even the large dealers here in my area have difficulty finding them. There is a huge demand for the relatively limited number that Colt produces, and they just aren't that easy to get. It's not merely a matter of placing an order--there is a tremendous number of dealers who would like to order one, but unless you are a volume dealer and get special "allocated" preferential treatment, it's a hit or miss proposition as to availability. Plus, there's a lot of "good 'ol boy" arrangements between distributors who, even though he might be small, have developed associations with some dealers over a period of time or that were established back before demand overtook production.

[NordicRX8]

Vance's in Columbus usually has a few on the shelf. I just bought a WWI(01918) repro there last month.

Although I love Vance's, they're not a stocking Colt Dealer... just whatever inventory they buy out or people have traded in.

Olde English Outfitters in Vandalia (Dayton suburb) is a stocking Colt dealer... went in to look for primers and cast lead bullets, and kinda lingered when I saw a display case full of NEW Colts.

Now instead of driving 92 miles (one way) to Columbus, I drive 89 miles to Vandalia... Olde English is my new favorite gunshop. Too bad all the local shops around here are "hi-point" distributors :confused: