[niteowl77]

Being one of FedGov's concubines is part of the Colt tradition. What is different for the relatively modern iteration of what is called "Colt" is that while FedGov used to have less of a problem with the overall concept of armed citizens (or other parts of the Constitution as originally written), they have - of late - decided that disarmed subjects make better… well, subjects. He who pays the piper calls the tunes. I never have tried to keep up with the revolving door of Colt execs, but recall that they had some real dandies, but most firms - or boards - tend to find Peter Principle examples whether things are dire or going swimmingly.

Colt did apparently decide that the way to keep afloat was via military contract, which was reflected in their lackluster pursuit of the civilian market compared to other firms. That's actually being polite, as their public attitude towards civilians owning anything other than "match" ARs became hostile and continued until not that long ago. It also didn't help that their efforts to make more modern (and more profitable) weapons were slow-motion ways of catching their crank in the zipper.

(The Double Eagle was how not to design a pistol, and their Pocket Nine was how not to plagiarize a pistol.)

Colts are still the "gold standard" in ARs, but a BCM, Daniel Defense, Knight's, or Noveske equivalent will do a person just as well or better depending on configuration, and the good stuff always seems to be priced reasonably close to one another.

Mr. niteowl77

[Billthedrill]

Being one of FedGov's concubines is part of the Colt tradition.

That it certainly is. When Texas Ranger Sam Walker approached Colt to craft what became known as the Walker Colt (off the Paterson Colt, which itself had been purchased by the Republic of Texas), Colt was broke and hadn't even retained the working models. Colt relaunched his company through the Mexican-American war.

...their Pocket Nine was how not to plagiarize a pistol.

Oh, yeah, more specifically the locking mechanism which had been patented by Kahr Arms. I bought one in its only year of formal release and it's about the only "collectible" piece I have. Long, hard trigger pull but it was one of the first pocket pieces in what has become a major market. I carried mine a little too much to keep it truly pristine but it's safe in its original box now in my gun safe. For carry in that same summer/light clothing role, I bought a Kahr.