Colt Mfg 2016 previews new firearms at Gunsite.

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It was October 2015 and I got a phone call from my friends at Colt. They were doing something a little different and I was invited. Colt was bringing their new 2016 line to Gunsite in Paulden, AZ. The proposal was to spend a few days with the good people of Colt and a long day at Gunsite going over all the new firearms, and then time on the range trying to break them. Rooms, food, and ammunition were all covered. Man, how could anyone refuse that? So arrangements were made and we had a plan.

Arriving in Arizona Colt has us up in a nice hotel with a meal planned. There I met Major Ed with Folds of Honor, a veteran organization Colt has partnered with. Major Ed was wounded in combat and now spends much of his time spreading the word.

In the next morning, we had a charter bus waiting to take us to Gunsite, about 45 minuets away.

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Arriving at Gunsite, my first time, was awe inspiring. It is sacred ground as many have said. The day started out in the classroom going over Colt’s plan for the future, details on their 2016 guns, some Q&A, and then range time.

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Arriving at the range Colt staff was on hand to answer questions and help out.

The new lineup

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Colt M4 Expanse

standard M4 rifle with 7075-T6 aluminum black anodized upper and lower. 4150 CMV finished in Manganese Phosphate barrel. It is an excellent platform to build upon with a MSRP of $699

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Colt M4 Carbine Magpul in black or flat75 T6  dark earth

h 7075-T6 aluminum black anodized upper and lower. 4150 CMV finished in Manganese Phosphate barrel,flat top. Magpul MOE SL M-LOK handguard, buttstock, pistol grip, vertical grip and backup rear sight MSRP $1049

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Colt Combat Unit pistol .45 Automatic

M1913 spec Picatinny rail, duel recoil spring system, Novak Tritium front sight and wide notch rear. Extended thump safety, upswept beavertail grip safety. Series 80 firing pin safety. Stainless steel slide and receiver blackened. G10 stockes MSRP $1499

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Colt M45A1 .45 Automatic

M1913 spec Picatinny rail, duel recoil spring system, Novak Tritium front sight and low mount carry  rear. Extended thump safety, upswept beavertail grip safety. Series 80 firing pin safety. Stainless steel slide and receiver new Decobond finish. National Match barrel MSRP $1699

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Colt Competition Government in .45 Automatic or 9mm Luger

carbon steel receiver and slide blued, National Match barrel. G10 stocks, dual recoil springs, Novak adjustable fiber optic sights.Extended thump safety, upswept beavertail grip safety. Series 80 firing pin safety. 8+1 in .45 or 9+1 in 9mm MSRP $899

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Colt Lightweight Commander .45 Automatic or 9mm Luger.

Carbon steel blued slide, aluminum alloy black anodized receiver. Novak white dot front sight and low mount carry rear sight.  Duel recoil springs upswept beavertail grip safety. Series 80 firing pin safety. 8+1 in .45 or 9+1 in 9mm MSRP $949

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Wiley Clapp Stainless Commander. 45 Automatic

Novak brass front bead sight, rear extra wide sight, no firing pin safety, 7+1 capacity

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We spent the day taking turns shooting each of the new Colt firearms and after many thousand rounds, thank you Colt, it was beginning to get dark. During the day I did not witness any malfunctions and accuracy was on par from what I expect from Colt. Colt’s pro shooter Mark Redl was on hand for some speed drills showcasing several of the new match grade pistols as well as a few of the Gunsite instructors to keep the day running smooth and help wring out the new Colts.

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From left to right,

Robert, Major Ed, and James winner of the raffle and Paul, the new Senior VP of business, the man that is putting Colt back on track.

After the range, we were treated to a very nice meal and fellowship. Afterwards, Colt held a raffle drawing for a one of a kind Colt 1911, rifle, and a class at Gunsite. All the money raised went directly to benefit the Folds Of Honor, which was very gracious. Here is where the day turned from wonderful to amazing, Robert from TALO Distributors was in attendance and had bought a great number of raffle tickets for the benefit. Well, Robert held the first winning ticket, that entitled him to first pick of the prizes. Robert asked major Ed from Folds of Honor which prize he favored, and then donated the prize, the one of a kind Colt, right to Major Ed. I will be completely honest, mine were not the only eyes that teared up a bit. That made me so proud, and Major Ed accepted the Colt and informed us it will be raffled off to bring in more funds for the deserving organization, a second act of unselfishness to benefit the greater good. That my friends, is how you end the perfect day. I am deeply honored to have been included in the 2015 Colt Media Day and it was very well organized and everything went smooth and glass.

It was a long and enjoyable bus ride back to the hotel.

 

 

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

8 thoughts on “Colt Mfg 2016 previews new firearms at Gunsite.”
  1. That must have been an exciting experience, good to know that Colt is still in the game and putting out great products.

    How would you rank your to buy list? 🙂

    1. Bob. it was amazing and I enjoyed myself a great deal. Colt is still doing an great job at putting a new spin on the proven 1911 and AR platforms. As far as the buy list, man that is a tough question but I am still in love with the M45A1, next would be the Colt Competition, and I believe in 9mm, then the Lightweight Commander in .45 Auto. That were my very favorites as far as the 1911s go.
      How about you?

  2. Hunter Elliott – A very nice article and good to see some of the new items coming in 2016. An obvious question many fans of Colt want to know is, where are all the revolvers? Any new dual-action or classic revolvers coming in 2016?

  3. […] I just found out that the barrel material is 4150 CMV (Chrome Moly Vanadium) mil-spec type from this article link below. Also see the video of all the new Colt 2016 models at the media day at Gunsite, AZ on Jan. 1, 2016. Colt Mfg 2016 previews new firearms at Gunsite. – Range Hot […]

  4. I wish Colt would return to manufacturing revolvers such as the Trooper Mk IV with 4″ Bbl in .357 mag and the 3rd generation Detective Spl in .357 with 2 1/4″ Bbl.
    Of course the Python would be nice too!

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