A journalist from the Malaysian newspaper Malay Mail was shown around the Colt’s West Hartford factory …

New machines were still being installed at the 26,687-square metre plant as The Malay Mail was shown around by Colt Defence executive vicepresident James R. Battaglini.

It takes 3 1/2 hours to complete a single M4 and the plant can churn out 900 a day with options for more when required.

The finished product then go below the plant for the test-firing process to ensure it performed to specifications.

Colt boasts a record of every gun made so that if it does not perform well, the company can determine if it is made to specs.

You may be thinking what a Malaysian newspaper is doing in West Hartford, Connecticut? Back in 2007 Malaysia announced plans** to switch away from the Steyr AUG and adopt the M4.

The Malay Mail also has a photo of some rare Colt pistols. Daniel Watters told me …

there is one interesting picture showing a couple of rare Colt prototype pistols. These include the SSP and their submission for SOCOM’s OHWS competition. I don’t have a definitive name for the pistol above the OHWS, but I believe it was going to used as the platform for their “Smart Pistol”. It certainly doesn’t match any AA2000 variant that I remember.

[ Many thanks to Daniel E. Watters for sending me the link. ]