WHAT TO EXPECT FROM USED COLT HANDGUNS: A LOOK AT THE COMPANY

If you’re looking for an excellent weapon at a great price, you can’t do better than used Colt handguns. The name “Colt” has been synonymous with fine-quality, precision made guns since Samuel Colt founded the company way back in 1848. The firm is almost single-handedly responsible for leading firearms development away from single-shot to repeating arms. Today, it’s an industry leader, building superior-grade weapons for civilian, law enforcement, and military buyers.

A Man Ahead of His Time

The rise of the Colt firearms company coincided with a revolutionary period in commercial industry. For centuries, goods of all kinds were made one at a time by individuals or small teams. While this method encouraged workmanship and pride in one’s craft, it had a serious drawback. Parts from one product couldn’t be interchanged with those in another. This caused problems when a part failed. The product either had to be abandoned or a new part fashioned by hand – a labor-intensive process, which could cause great delays.

Samuel Colt saw the answer to this problem in the early days of the 18th century. He envisioned a process in which guns could be built on an assembly line from a stock of pre-existing parts, each of which had been made from identical molds. Creating such a process would revolutionize manufacturing, enabling millions of people to enjoy a vast array of well-built, cheaply produced goods.

Colt combined this vision with a patent he obtained in 1835 for an improved version of the revolver, the first viable repeating firearm in history. Prior to this, weapons had to be loaded one shot at a time. This is why armies of the day were forced to march in long lines, loading and firing all at once. 

The idea of having multiple rounds already loaded in the weapon was a goal many considered impossible to achieve, but Colt figured out how to do it. In 1836, he founded the Patent Arms Manufacturing Company of Paterson, New Jersey to mass produce his new invention, the first practical revolver.

Unfortunately for Colt, the technology needed to create interchangeable parts had been around for less than a decade, and because of this, his revolvers varied widely in quality; some worked perfectly and others had problems. The army and marines placed orders with the firm, only to cancel them due to reliability issues. Colt’s company folded in 1842 as a result of these problems.

In the latter half of the 1840s, Colt tried again. He partnered with an armory in Connecticut to develop the Colt Walker, one of the most famous firearms in weapons history. This time, the interchangeable manufacturing process succeeded, and the Texas Volunteers, a cavalry group, ordered 1,000 of the new guns, ensuring Colt’s future success. In 1848, he founded the Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, CT.

By the 1850s, Colt had perfected the mass production process using interchangeable parts, becoming the first manufacturer on earth to use the method successfully. Business was booming, but during this decade, the gun maker committed the greatest blunder of his life when he rejected an idea offered by one of his employees, a man named Rollin White. White suggested modifying the revolver to accept standardized metal cartridges, the same kind of ammunition used in virtually every modern weapon.

White later took the idea to Colt’s arch-rival, Smith & Wesson, which immediately capitalized on it. Colt, however, didn’t develop its first gun capable of firing metal cartridges until 1871.

The second half of the 19th century was a very busy time for the Colt firearms company, though it would have to go on without its founder. Samuel Colt died from rheumatic fever in 1862. Massive orders during the Civil War were followed by steady demand from settlers pushing ever westward.

1873 saw the introduction of the most revered revolver in Colt history: the legendary Peacemaker, also known as “the gun that won the west.” Though a single-action, the gun is still quite popular, so much so that Colt manufactures it to this day and still in single-action format. Those looking for one at a great price may want to consider used Colt handguns.

Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, Colt has provided outstanding weapons for not only the civilian market but also military and law enforcement needs as well. The Colt 1911 45 ACP is still the standard by which large-caliber auto pistols are measured – it saw heavy use in both world wars. The army’s adoption of the M-16 in the 1960s was another boon for Colt, which owned production rights to the rifle.

Colt Today

Colt continues to build superior-quality handguns, but it has also successfully entered the rifle market with models like the Colt LE6940 Series. Its .45 pistol remains a strong seller, though competition from manufacturers like Kimber has cut into the company’s market share. Even when faced with fierce competitors, the company founded by Samuel Colt back in 1848 is a thriving part of this venerable American industry.

Dury’s and Colt: What to Expect

As a leading seller of used handguns online, Dury’s only sells used Colt handguns that are as good now as when they first came off the assembly line. Our capable gunsmiths give each piece a thorough, top-to-bottom inspection, including test firings, to ensure that our customers get the best value for their money available anywhere. We’re so sure of the weapons we sell that we back each one with a lifetime guarantee. Plus, we use ultra-secure order processing and payment transfer technology, so your confidential information is safe. If you’re in the market for used guns that you can trust to do the job right, then browse the selection here on our site and place your order today.