Gun Culture Radio #80 Hickok45

Published on March 9, 2017
Duration: 73:55

This discussion delves into the ongoing challenges and potential future of Colt Firearms. The speakers express frustration over the company's financial instability despite producing desirable firearms like the Single Action Army and AR-15 variants. They highlight the potential closure of the Custom Shop, the importance of quality control, and the enduring strength of the Colt brand name in retaining value. The conversation also touches on the potential return of the Colt Python and the company's past reliance on military contracts.

Quick Summary

Colt Firearms faces ongoing financial instability despite producing desirable models like the Single Action Army and AR-15. The Colt brand name, however, remains strong, with its firearms expected to retain value better than many competitors. Concerns exist about the potential closure of the Colt Custom Shop, which produces highly sought-after firearms.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction & Podcast Setup
  2. 01:58Sponsorship: SDI & Federal Ammo
  3. 02:19Discussion on Gunsmithing Demand
  4. 05:09Highlighting Top Gunsmiths (Jeff Wally)
  5. 06:36Growth of Gun Industry vs. Gunsmithing
  6. 07:58Royal Range Gunsmithing Example
  7. 09:06Mundane vs. Custom Gunsmithing Tasks
  8. 09:41Decline in Hands-On Trades?
  9. 10:20College vs. Trade School Debate
  10. 11:13Generational Shifts in Career Choices
  11. 13:19Value of College Degrees vs. Passion
  12. 14:31Career Paths Outside of Major
  13. 15:16Open-Mindedness to Non-Traditional Paths
  14. 15:38Choosing SDI for Technical Skills
  15. 15:52Federal Ammo Sponsorship
  16. 16:03Success in Life: Luck vs. Skill
  17. 16:35Choosing Your First Firearm Analogy
  18. 17:12Disappointments in Education Careers
  19. 17:54Researching Career Paths
  20. 18:14Learning from Past Generations
  21. 18:30Post-WWII Economic Landscape
  22. 19:06Education System Lagging Behind
  23. 19:19Visualizing Future Lifestyles
  24. 20:46Personal Experience with Career Choice (Vet)
  25. 22:31Criminal Justice & Security Experience
  26. 23:38Challenges of Law Enforcement Career
  27. 24:31Soldier vs. Police Officer Mental Strain
  28. 25:05Career Changes and Disillusionment
  29. 25:08English Major's Unexpected Career Path
  30. 26:46Communication Skills in Business
  31. 27:43Knife Showcase (Monument Valley)
  32. 28:24Colt Firearms: Business Drama
  33. 29:11Colt Custom Shop & Single Actions
  34. 29:29Colt's Recent Bankruptcy & Recovery
  35. 29:55Colt Python Revival Discussion
  36. 30:36Colt's Labor Costs & Military Contracts
  37. 31:14Colt AR-15 Competitiveness
  38. 32:07Streamlining Production & Consultants
  39. 32:30Colt's Relevant Designs (ARs, Mustang)
  40. 33:03Shot Show Impressions & Colt's Future
  41. 33:22Brent Turkey's Departure from Colt
  42. 34:02Colt's Brand Power & Value Retention
  43. 34:43Colt's Ownership History & Manufacturing
  44. 35:24Worst Case Scenario: Brand Sale (Winchester)
  45. 35:41Fear of Colt Acquisition by Freedom Group
  46. 36:15Mossberg Shockwave Excitement
  47. 36:31Shockwave: Civilian Sawed-Off Alternative
  48. 37:26Shockwave Technical Details (Pump, Barrel)
  49. 38:12Shockwave Legality & Design
  50. 39:15Firearms Industry Innovation
  51. 40:41Legal Loopholes in ATF Regulations
  52. 41:00Sig Brace Controversy & Interpretation
  53. 41:42ATF Interaction at SHOT Show
  54. 42:44Shouldering Pistols: Legal vs. Practical
  55. 43:03Pushing ATF Boundaries
  56. 43:31Clarification of ATF Regulations
  57. 43:55AR Pistol Ownership & Novelty
  58. 44:39The Cycle of Firearm Acquisition & Trade
  59. 45:33Managing Firearm Acquisition Impulses
  60. 45:49Mini Uzi Experience & SBR Decision
  61. 46:48Gaining Experience & Foresight
  62. 47:18Guns with Lasting Appeal (Model 70)
  63. 48:22Uzi vs. Modern Pistol Caliber Carbines
  64. 49:12CX4 Storm & AR PCC Comparison
  65. 49:51Uzi Barrel Length & Sight Radius
  66. 50:22PS90: Nifty Carbine with Extended Barrel
  67. 50:58The Appeal of Owning a Classic Uzi
  68. 51:17Saturating Yourself in a Firearm's Novelty
  69. 51:35Firearm Acquisition as a 'Binge'
  70. 52:03Impact of Working in a Gun Shop
  71. 53:32Preference for Older Firearms
  72. 53:51Semi-Automatic BAR: Cost vs. Value
  73. 54:56Scar 17: Under-Utilized Firearm
  74. 55:39LWRC 6.8 SPC vs. Scar 17 Ergonomics
  75. 56:35Scar 17 Recoil & Stock Issues
  76. 57:12Financial Losses in Firearm Trading
  77. 57:49Firearm Resale Value Dynamics
  78. 58:30Wholesale vs. Retail Value in Trades
  79. 58:48Gun Show Dealer Interactions
  80. 60:18Obnoxious Gun Dealer Attitudes
  81. 61:11Double Star 9mm AR Pistol Experience
  82. 62:10Polite vs. Rude Dealer Appraisals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current financial situation of Colt Firearms?

Colt Firearms has been experiencing significant financial instability, leading to rumors of closure and business challenges. Despite producing desirable firearms, the company has faced difficulties in maintaining profitability and market share.

Why is the Colt brand name still considered valuable?

The Colt brand name retains significant value due to its historical legacy and reputation for quality. Even in today's market, Colt firearms, such as their AR-15s and Single Action Army revolvers, are expected to hold their value better than many competitors over time.

What are the concerns regarding the Colt Custom Shop?

There are concerns that Colt may close its Custom Shop, which is responsible for producing highly sought-after firearms like the Colt Single Action Army. This is despite these firearms being made to a high standard and having substantial waitlists.

What is the Mossberg Shockwave and why is it notable?

The Mossberg Shockwave is a compact, pistol-grip firearm that offers a similar experience to a sawed-off shotgun but is legally classified differently, avoiding NFA paperwork. Its overall length and design allow it to be sold without special registration.

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