Colts obvious solution is to start making their snake guns again. Make them quality and available. Screw the collectors and their artificial market prices make it where the average Joe can have an anaconda or a python again. Do a tie in with The walking Dead for marketing (I think Rick carries a python). JMHO.
Have some snakes and several semi-auto Colts. Returning to the past is not the answer as competition has advanced beyond the original snakes and at prices I doubt Colt could match. In addition, the snakes were not without their own problems (I.e., Python timing with use, early Anaconda barrel problems). In my opinion, Colt invested too heavily in one customer (government), accepted the terms that accompanied the contracts, and failed to recognize trends that competition was setting. For instance, almost every manufacturer now offers an upgraded 1911 style pistol for roughly what Colt charges for a basic model. Colt’s early foray into the plastic gun market was also a disaster. Looking at the AR market, almost all buyers are looking for some degree of customization at a reasonable price. Looking at Colt’s product line, I think they are a little behind the market. Heavy reliance on military sales seems to have hurt more than helped the company. This is not to negate the high cost of being in Connecticut.
As the adage goes, “Collect Colt, shoot Smith and Wesson (or a number of others)”.
The problem is that these revolvers are very human-labor intensive. Makes for a superior revolver, but does not lend to low prices.