Fear & Loading: Colt on the Rebound

by
posted on March 29, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
colt_hiring.jpg

Colt’s Manufacturing is purchasing its property and adding 100 employees over the next five years.

On March 24 it was announced that Colt’s Manufacturing is making investments to expand operations and purchase its West Hartford headquarters and factory. Total cost of the project is estimated at $23 million, and the company not only intends on retaining its current work force of 600, it anticipates adding another 100 jobs in the next five years.

The firearm legend has been manufacturing firearms in the state since 1847. “Colt is a proud part of Connecticut history and we are committed to our employees and the company,” said Colt CEO Dennis Veilleux in a press release. “We are working hard to transform our business to better serve our customers and carry on Colt’s tradition of quality and excellence. Acquiring our headquarters and facility is a key part of this strategy.”

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development is providing a $10 million loan to help underwrite the effort, with as much as $2 million “forgiven” if the company reaches its employment goals. Value of the land and manufacturing plant are estimated to be $13 million.

The company has been working hard since its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and brought back an old favorite at the 2017 SHOT Show—the Cobra. Others in the firm’s refreshed lineup quickly gaining favor with shooters include the Delta Elite 10 mm and the Gold Cup 1911 pistols.

Latest

Woman covering rifle target
Woman covering rifle target

Why This DOJ Opinion on Handgun Ownership Matters

The DOJ Office of Legal Counsel recently released an opinion concluding that the federal ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to 18-20-year-old U.S. citizens is unconstitutional.

I Have This Old Gun: Czech vz.27

Following World War I, Czechoslovakia needed to equip its new army, and one of its priorities was to select a service sidearm, which ultimately became the vz.27.

Rimfire M1 Refined: The Chiappa Bushranger

Italian manufacturer Chiappa is not afraid to take an original design and give it a modern twist. New for 2026, the company is taking its rimfire M1 carbine design one step further with the Bushranger.

TriStar Arms Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Established in 1996 by the father-and-son team of Gus and Ryan Bader, TriStar Arms has grown into one of the firearm industry’s most respected names in value-driven products.

Optic on an Optic: Why You Should Add a Red-Dot to Your LPVO

Why is it that, suddenly, it seems like everyone is running around with little red-dot sights mounted on top of low-power, variable optics? Well, it turns out there are reasons for that.

How Accurate are Today’s Rifles?

In just the last few decades, rifle accuracy has improved an astonishing amount, and our expectations have risen accordingly.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.