Colt announced several new guns to be released for 2016. It’s been some time since Colt has introduced new 1911’s for the general consumer market. Of course we’ve seen limited editions in past years but nothing like these.

What really caught my attention was the new Colt M4 called the “Expanse”. Called a starter M4 by Colt it’s appearance is not dissimilar to the standard M4. The surprise is the MSRP of $699.00 which is much less than the entry AR15 of recent years. As far as specs there were none in the press release but I’m sure we’ll post additional details as we report from SHOT. In fact I can almost assure the readers we will test one of these rifles after the SHOT show.

The other two guns are 1911 pistols with one for competition and the other a concealed carry 1911 based on the Colt Lightweight Commander. The Commander comes with high profile Novak sights, beavertail grip safety and oversized thumb safety. It also appears to have vertical cuts on the front of the grip. The Commander will be offered in 45 acp or 9mm. The pistol comes with G-10 grips and Colts double spring recoil system. The MSRP is listed at $949.00.

Colt Lightweight Commander

The second 1911 is the “Competition” pistol. This model also has the dual recoil spring system, Novak adjustable rear sight and a front fiber optic sight. G-10 grips are also standard on this model. This also comes in 45 acp or 9mm.A national match barrel is also standard. The MSRP is $899.00. This is also a lower price than we’re used to seeing on a Colt and that’s especially true for a competition pistol.

Colt Competition Pistol

Could these guns be an indicator that Colt is getting back to it’s roots and placing more emphasis on new guns for consumers? Only time will tell but I do hope this is the case for the future of the company. If you check the Colt website you’ll notice a drop in prices over a range of guns. Colt Website

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (January 6, 2016) – The historic firearms manufacturer Colt is announcing three innovative new products for the start of 2016; the Colt Competition Pistol™, the Colt Expanse™ M4 Carbine, and the Colt Lightweight Commander®.

“We’re incredibly excited about these new offerings,” said Paul Spitale, Senior VP of Commercial Business at Colt. “The Colt Competition Pistol™ is race ready right out of the box, and the Expanse™ M4 is a great building block that’s easy to get into for both the first-time AR-15 platform owner and the more experienced collector alike.”

The Colt Competition Pistol™, which is available in .45 ACP or 9mm, offers several features that competitive shooters will appreciate, including Colt’s innovative Dual Spring Recoil System™ developed for the M45A1 in order to reduce recoil and help keep shots on target at critical moments. “This pistol is competition grade,” said Mark Redl, Team Colt sponsored shooter and Product Manager for Colt. “We designed a pistol that you can buy on the way to a match.” Other features include Novak’s new adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight, competition ergonomics including an undercut trigger guard and upswept beavertail safety, and a National Match® barrel. The Colt Competition Pistol™ carries an MSRP of $899.

The Expanse™ M4 puts a Colt quality AR-15 within easy reach of the modern sportsman looking to enhance his or her ir collection, or the first-time buyer looking for a starting point on which to build their dream modern sporting rifle. Either way, the Expanse™ M4 in 5.56 x 45 NATO (.223 Rem.) is a great way to add another Colt to the stable. The Expanse™ M4 retails for $699.

The Lightweight Commander®, offered in .45 ACP or 9mm, affords enthusiasts the ability to concealed-carry a real 1911 platform pistol comfortably. With a shorter profile and lower weight than a traditional full size Government Model®, the Lightweight Commander® offers the Dual Spring Recoil System™ and custom Colt G10 grips, among other enhancements. “We wanted to offer something special to the concealed carry enthusiast who wants that authentic Colt experience in a package that can add both confidence and comfort,” said Spitale. The MSRP of the Lightweight Commander is $949.