Gallery
The Colt sign
The Colt sign at the front entrance to the manufacturing plant.
Steel receiver forgings
Steel receiver forgings destined to become Model O pistols.
Slide forgings during the First Grind operation
Slide forgings during the First Grind operation. The sides of each forging, receivers and slides are ground so they are clean, smooth and parallel to each other. This dimension is critical to the production process.
Slide forgings after the First Grind operation
Slide forgings after the First Grind operation.
Finished slides
Finished slides ready to be assembled into Colt Government Model pistols.
Broaching operation
A slide going through a broaching operation. This particular machining operation is where the serrations on the slide are cut.
Gauging
Gauging is a vital part to the machining operations. Here, a slide is checked to ensure it meets the proper dimensions.
CNC machining
Receivers being machined in a CNC machining center.
CNC machining
Receivers being machined in a CNC machining center.
CNC machining
Receivers being loaded into a CNC machining center.
A trigger slot being machined
A trigger slot being machined into a receiver during a shaving operation. This process is performed on the same machines since approximately 1917.
Secondary shaving operation
Setting up a receiver to complete a secondary shaving operation. This will ensure the exact dimension of the trigger slot.
Assembly
Assembling a Colt Model O pistol.
Proof testing each barrel
Proof testing each barrel. During the manufacturing process, each barrel is proofed to ensure it stands up to a live firing.
Deburred
Each receiver and slide is deburred by hand.
Machining a barrel
Machining a barrel at Colt
Rifled barrel
A barrel after it has been rifled (left), and before it has been rifled (right).
Rollmarking a slide
Rollmarking a slide to say “Colt Government Model.”
Completed pistols
A rack of completed pistols ready to be test fired before being shipped.
Proof testing each barrel
Proof testing each barrel. During the manufacturing process, each barrel is proofed to ensure it stands up to a live firing.
Test fire
Test firing a Mustang Pocketlite before it is shipped.
Shipping the blue Colt box
After testing and final inspection, completed pistols are packed into the legendary blue Colt box.