Colt Buys LWRC, 60M

[Kirk Freeman]

Colt buys LWRC for 60M and LWRC is off to Tejas or Floriduh. LWRC's flagship, the M6IC, gets a prancing pony.

Who knew Colt could cough up 60M??? Knock me over with a feather.

Breaking News: Colt is buying LWRC for $60 million - The Firearm Blog

 

[Trigger Time]

Well there goes the quality

 

[John Galt]

 

[shooter521]

A curious move, given that Colt already has a piston-driven AR in its lineup. Getting rid of the competition through acquisition, I guess.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I'll admit my ignorance when it come to valuing a firearms manufacturer but $60M doesn't seem like much...Maybe I'm prejudiced by the kind of money my company throws around for new products at our tiny plant.

 

[gregkl]

I'm ignorant like you, but I think it's a lot of money depending on the condition of the plant.

The manufacturing I am involved in would cost about $50 million to start up. Which is why there are no newcomers to the industry.

However, I imagine firearms utilize a lot of computer controlled machinery which is more costly than the stuff we use.

 

[ljk]

Colt is inheriting the debt too. price tag doesn't always reflect value.

 

[Fordtough25]

So the question is why would Colt buy them? I always read that LWRC is top tier quality, but I think Colts are too so?!? What did they gain besides LWRC's facility and lineup?

 

[halfmileharry]

Colt got more than just the company. They got it's human and engineering assets which it desperately needs. As popular is Colt is, the reality is they need to move forward in design, problem solving, and quality. The old Pony retired long ago and the new "Colt" needs to grow up.
I'm a Colt fan and NOT bashing them but this is an overdue step forward. Hopefully they will make the move up a step or two

 

[Mosineer]

The only thing is, the majority of the time you have an acquisition means there will be downsizing and changes in the philosophy on policy and benefits. So may be good for the company, but not necessarily for the employees. Then there is always a chance of quality issues during transition. I've been there and seen it happen. However it may work out fine. It certainly looks like it worked out well for Bernstein. Anytime you can buy something for 5 mil and 6 years later sell for 60 mil, somebody will more than likely have some heavy pockets. Hope it works out well for them and the bang bangs

 

[M67]

Well there goes the quality

That was my firs thought too

Too bad for LWRC

 

[indyblue]

What's wrong with Colt quality? My LE6920 has performed flawlessly, and all parts fit very well. I've been to the range with the rifle 6 times (my first rifle) and I shoot < 2MOA groups @100yds, not too bad for an inexperienced noobie I think.

No malfunctions in the 750 or so rounds fired through it so far and all hit the paper.

 

[OneBadV8]

That was my firs thought too

Too bad for LWRC

Yep.

 

[M67]

What's wrong with Colt quality? My LE6920 has performed flawlessly, and all parts fit very well. I've been to the range with the rifle 6 times (my first rifle) and I shoot < 2MOA groups @100yds, not too bad for an inexperienced noobie I think.

No malfunctions in the 750 or so rounds fired through it so far and all hit the paper.

Does the state of Connecticut still own part of Colt or did Colt pay them back? For a company who has a lot of military contracts, they seem to go bankrupt regularly.

Colt hasn't known to be the innovative type for quite some time. And when they did try something new, like the Double Eagle or the 2000 (ha), they aren't much for working right. The whole smart gun thing didn't catch on thankfully.

LWRC is at least innovative, they aren't afraid to try something new and they have good ideas.

Anyway, Colt will probably run LWRC into the ground due to bad management or they'll just shut them down and market everything under the Colt name and claim how they came up with everything LWRC did

You think Colt could come up with something like the LWRC PDW?

 

[223 Gunner]

That was my firs thought too

Too bad for LWRC

Colt doesn't even compare. And really until the 6920 their AR's sucked. And I would only consider a 6920 to be a middle of the road AR. They are nowhere close to what LWRC does.
Just my opinion of course, and YMMV.

 

[Fordtough25]

Wow, I finished reading the replies and thought I was on M4Carbine.net! Lol, seriously though I wouldn't have bought an LWRC rifle before or after a sale. Nothing against the company at all but I am happy with what I have.

 

[HollowPoint]

Keep in mind that open contracts have value that can add to the purchase amount.

 

[Bfish]

The one positive thing I saw in this was that LWRC will no longer be located in Maryland… Colt is great but hopefully those awesome LWRC rifles won't change under new ownership!

 

[sig1473]

Wow, I finished reading the replies and thought I was on M4Carbine.net! Lol, seriously though I wouldn't have bought an LWRC rifle before or after a sale. Nothing against the company at all but I am happy with what I have.

Yeah, I read quite a bit of bad reviews on LWRC rifles over on M4Carbine.
Link:Colt is buying LWRC

 

[Trigger Time]

Colt doesn't even compare. And really until the 6920 their AR's sucked. And I would only consider a 6920 to be a middle of the road AR. They are nowhere close to what LWRC does.
Just my opinion of course, and YMMV.

Yep I totally agree. Anyone who has had lots of AR's has to know colts aren't even close to the quality of higher end AR manufacturers. Yeah they will run, most of the time


Newbies, if your gonna drop $1100 on an AR, I'm about to give you the best advice ..... Buy or build a palmetto AR and save afew hundred bucks. The small amount most people shoot Their AR's I have no idea why they buy ones for over $1k.

there are different levels of palmetto AR's. Get you a 1/7 mp c m4 upper and a blemished lower with a good parts kit (no ptac) and a good buffer and spring. A m16 bcg and you'll be good for the rest of your shooting life