Colt is the name behind the revolver that “won the West” and the 1911, one of the longest-serving pistols in history. Founded by Samuel Colt in 1836, the Connecticut company has been part of the Czech-based Colt CZ Group since 2021.
Company at a glance
| Founded | 1836, Paterson, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Founder | Samuel Colt |
| Headquarters | West Hartford, Connecticut |
| Ownership | Colt CZ Group SE, public on the Prague Stock Exchange |
| Status | In operation |
Locations and moves
Colt’s first factory was in Paterson, New Jersey. In 1855 Samuel Colt built his famous armory in Hartford, Connecticut, known as Coltsville. Remaining operations moved to West Hartford in 1994.
Timeline
- 1836 Samuel Colt receives his revolver patent and opens a factory in Paterson, New Jersey.
- 1847 Walker revolver.
- 1855 Hartford armory opens and the company is incorporated.
- 1862 Samuel Colt dies. His widow, Elizabeth Colt, takes control.
- 1873 The Single Action Army becomes the standard U.S. Army revolver.
- 1911 The John Browning-designed M1911 is adopted by the U.S. military.
- 1955 Python revolver introduced.
- 1963 First M16 rifle contract.
- 1994 Operations move to West Hartford.
- 2020 Python reintroduced.
- 2021 Acquired by Czech gun maker CZ, which renames itself Colt CZ Group in 2022.
- 2026 Jillair Kubish becomes President and CEO.
Major pistols
| Model | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government Model | 1911 .45 ACP | The classic full-size 1911 |
| Commander | 1911 | Shorter slide |
| Delta Elite | 1911 10mm | Full power 10mm |
| Mustang | Pocket .380 | Small single action |
| Defender | 1911 | Compact carry 1911 |
| Python, Anaconda | Revolvers | Reintroduced in 2020 and 2021 |
| Single Action Army | Revolver | The “Peacemaker” |
Also makes: AR-15 and M4 style rifles and carbines.
Important people
- Samuel Colt: founder
- Elizabeth Colt: ran the company after 1862
- John Moses Browning: designer of the M1911
- Jillair Kubish: President and CEO since April 2026
Notable events
- The Single Action Army was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873.
- The M1911 served as the U.S. military sidearm for more than 70 years.
- Colt built M16 and M4 rifles for the U.S. military for decades.
- The company went through bankruptcies in 1992 and 2015 before being bought by CZ in 2021.
Videos
Colt gallery
Colt pistols from the Gun Websites collection.
More makers: Pistol Brands · New to pistols? Start with Where to Start.
Company details change. Information current as of October 2026.