Colt Mustang Pocketlite & Special Combat Model

Authors Brian Jensen Pistols SHOT Show 2012

By Brian Jensen

https://www.colt.com/

SHOT Show is always an exciting time for us gun enthusiasts, as we wait with baited breath for new models. This year is no different, but Colt did one better, they re-introduced a longtime favorite, while continuing to build on their winning line of 1911-style pistols.

The New Colt Mustang Pocketlite is a new version of an old favorite. This weapon is manufactured on new, state of the art machinery at Colt’s Hartford plant.

The New Colt Mustang Pocketlite is a new version of an old favorite. This weapon is manufactured on new, state of the art machinery at Colt’s Hartford plant.

Colt Mustang Pocketlite:

New for this year, Colt is bringing back the Colt Mustang Pocketlite. This little .380 government model was discontinued in the late 1990’s, due to the cost of making these small guns with older machinery, as well as hard times happening all around for firearms manufacturers nationwide. While discontinuing the Mustang created a lucrative market for these as used guns, it also showed that a market existed for such small, lightweight pistols.

Today, where the expanding concealed carry movement has swept from state to state, there is a huge and growing market for small handguns for the person who wants a lightweight pistol to carry around. Colt saw the market was expanding with ever increasing numbers of small weapons, and reacted to the obvious consumer demands for another mini pistol.

At the same time, the advent of new equipment such as CNC machinery that has revolutionized manufacturing plated an important part in why Colt brought back the Mustang. This change to making firearms was a huge breakthrough for companies such as Colt who often depended on expensive and time consuming hand fitting. Put the two factors together, and you have a pistol, such as the New Mustang Pocketlite, that was ripe for the market to pick it up. The frosting on the cake, was that it was an established, and well-respected design.

The size of the Colt Pocketlite is ideal for CCW, which is one of the reasons Colt brought it back.

The size of the Colt Pocketlite is ideal for CCW, which is one of the reasons Colt brought it back.

The Mustang Pocketlite uses an aluminum frame machined from plate, not cast, which keeps the weight down, weighing in at 12 ¾ ounces empty. The slide and barrel are machined from bar stock steel. Per Mark Fraher, a Senior Project Engineer for Colt who was at the SHOT booth, the new, modern machines at Colt’s factory allow for a more accurate, and reliable pistol by keeping to known standards/tolerances. Also, Colt kept true to the older designs, allowing for the new gun parts to work in the old guns, and vice versa.

If you have never tried the little Mustang, you should, they just feel great in the hand. If you are a 1911 fan, and are looking for a mini .380 for concealed carry, this gun is worth a good long look. Recoil on the older guns I have tried has been mild, and I assume nothing more than that from these newer versions. Per Mr. Fraher, the factory is working hard to meet th demand for this pistol, which should be available very soon, if not having already hit the shelves.

The Colt Special Combat Government in this Blued, G-10 grip configuration is a new addition to the Special Combat Government line.

The Colt Special Combat Government in this Blued, G-10 grip configuration is a new addition to the Special Combat Government line.

Special Combat Government:

Another new pistol from Colt expands upon their Special Combat Government line in .45 ACP. This latest blued version, (model O1990CM), is an all steel gun produced for those wanting a combat 1911 with some custom work. This gun comes with an integral magwell, upswept beavertail, G-10 stocks, Bomar adjustable sights, and is hand fitted for reliability and function.
This gun was produced, per Colt, for everyone from Law Enforcement, the armed civilian, to the competition shooter. The gun I saw had deep bluing, crisp grips that fit your hand, but weren’t too rough, and an beavertail grip safety that made the gun sit perfectly in your hand. These are higher end guns, but well worth the money.

Colt New Agent Crimson Trace:

Another in the line of excellent pistols is the Crimson Trace equipped Colt New Agent. This another gun that was produced for the expanding civilian concealed carry market. The one I saw was in 9mm, but it also comes in .45 ACP. This is another iteration of the Colt New Agent, with the trough site along the top of the slide, which is not for accuracy, but quick responsive shooting. Colt partnered with Crimson Trace to give the gun a laser dot sight to better aim in a quick reaction scenario. These are just a few tweaks to an already established pistol.

The Colt Rail Gun comes in Blackened Stainless Steel.

The Colt Rail Gun comes in Blackened Stainless Steel.

The Colt Rail Gun:

While at the Colt booth, I had a chance to look at the blackened Colt Rail Gun. The Rail Gun came out a couple of years ago in stainless, and was an attempt to catch on to the growing market of railed 1911’s. It was followed by a two-tone version, and now the blackened version. Many people wanted a blackened gun over stainless. This gun is not carbon steel, but stainless steel that is Cerakoted in black. The gun comes with an upswept beavertail grip safety, Novak Low-Mount sights, and a M1913 picatinny rail. Rumor has it that the US Marines are evaluating this pistol as we speak.

That’s the highlights of the Colt Booth for the 2012 SHOT Show. More to come.

https://www.colt.com/

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  • Mosturg February 10, 2015, 9:32 pm

    Good Evening All, I’ve been caring a Beretta Px4 Storm .40 S&W for some time, just happened to look in the case at Academy the other Day and saw the Colt mustang & Really liked what, I saw the price was $649.00 Question is What’s this price like in comparison, High-Low are in the ballpark, other question is I assume you can carry it cocked & locked fairly comfortably Thanks for any Help Guys and have a good night.
    Mike
    [email protected]

  • Thomas February 23, 2014, 12:36 pm

    Here’s the thing as far as I am concerned. I owned one of the Colt Pocket Pistols “back-in-the-day,” and if I had it to do all over again I might still have bought it because let’s face it man, IT WAS A COLT!!!!! But, that being said I found that it wasn’t as accurate as many partisans claimed (and I know many might to say that maybe I couldn’t hit the “broadside of a barn locked inside,” but that is for me to know, I only speak when I know thereof what I speak to!!! I still loved that little gun, it was a Officer’s Model Series 80 .380 first cousin to the Pocket-lite and I loved everything about that gun “warts-and-all,” I believe that it was true when Colt couldn’t keep up with all of it’s obligations and feeling the pressure from the Gun-Control-Freak-Show, they bailed and went with the more lucrative government contracts and in case nobody’s noticed you can’t buy Colt Double Action Revolvers anymore, quite simply because they stopped making them along with the 1911a1’s (for civilian use-who know’s for real if they shut down all production? Perhaps to the civilian market only and under the guise of reorganization/receivership to pay off it’s debts it gave the Defense/Industrial Complex a free ride for over a decade and a half?) and AR 15’s. That was just wrong anyway that you want to look at it, and now they are gradually with new CNC technology popping back up on the radar with new lines of guns. And and into the bargain the freight for obtaining these new 21st century gems will be commensurate with the Colt Ethos, and no favors to all of us poor schlubs who had to make do while we were left out in the cold all of the meanwhile! Maybe I will give the new “bigga, betta” Colt’s offerings a serious look eventually but it will be according to knowledge! Who loves ya baby? Not them!!!!!

    • Administrator February 23, 2014, 1:12 pm

      They were nearly put out of business completely. It wasn’t a case of easier path. We all missed Colt in the consumer market, but as soon as the legislation protecting them became effective, they returned in a big way.

  • Steve August 22, 2013, 10:51 pm

    Recently acquired a new Smith&Wesson 1911 officers Pro Series. It is my carry and ONLY carry. When you have a 7 round 45ACP magazine in a compact version of the most famous gun ever produced, on your person, a confidence exudes that allows you to feel ten feet tall and bulletproof…

  • Edward S. Moore January 29, 2013, 8:01 pm

    Stick together. Fight the enemy. Buy at least one new American-manufactured product. Call the legislators. Stop complaining and do the necessary work. Just do it.Then we win.
    I bought a new Colt. Can’t afford it, but I did it anyway. Gave S&W Centennials to my 2 boys. Got the Endowment level NRA membership, and Lifetimes for my 2 boys. Every time one of the enemy opens their mouth, I donate to our cause in some significant way. If they beat us, they should earn it. Don’t Give it to them for Any reason.
    We cannot rest upon press clippings of past heroes, many of whom died to pass on liberty. Liberty, not ‘freedom’. Read definitions, and don’t let the Press change definitions on you. Examples: assault rifle, battle rifle, conservative, liberal… ad nauseum.
    Sir Winston said:
    “Never, ever ever ever ever give up.”
    The existence of the Second Amendment ensures the existence of the First Amendment, and the others.

  • tony petres January 21, 2013, 3:02 am

    I guess I feel life is really too short to keep up with whatever the “correct” or
    “incorrect” Colt timespan or decade was. All I know is that in the AR-15 world in my corner of the USA, Colt is still the most desirable. And more esoteric guns like the Delta Elite? The more of the other 10mm one gets to hold and aim, the more the “old” Delta cries out. And now in 2013, it’s great to see Colt regularly cataloging it once again. Bravo Colt!

  • andrew October 26, 2012, 8:10 pm

    does any one know if there is an after market laser sight for the new mustang out there? i cant find anything on it. i dont want to buy a 380 unless i can get a laser for it and the smith and rugers are kind of a lot of money. any help is appreciated. thanks

  • walt October 22, 2012, 9:08 am

    I have one of the originals and still love it. I don’t sell my Colts, they are always a great investment.

  • George July 15, 2012, 6:20 pm

    After 45 years og carrying a gun, and owning pony’s, pocket lights, and mustangs. I still must explain that the reason we carried them was that there were no small 9mm guns at that time. that is why seacamps in 32 were 1000 dollars with a 2 year wait. There is no excuse now a days for not carrying a 9mm. If we had them then, we would have been carrying them. I traded my backup LCP for the LC( after trying 6 or so small 9’s. The Lc9 is in my pocket all the time, and conceals better than any other small 9mm, and also shoots well.
    It’s the availability not the nostalga that dictates what you should carry, no reason to carry a 380 instead of a 9, today.
    Also what was said about losing your gun is true, I got back a $2000.00 gun with the case # etched into the slide and frame, it was hard to look at. Be prepared to lose what you are carrying for the stupidest of reasons. Even a jealous LEO, could do it for spite. It’s happened before, you drive a mercedes or porshe, and he doesn’t he wants to show you he’s in charge. You get back a piece of junk.

  • Jim June 11, 2012, 9:54 pm

    I had a Sig P238 for almost a year and really liked this pistol. Everything worked well and the fit and finish was excellent. Also a great shooter……the only drawback was that it was a .380. When Sig announced the P938 in 9mm it was a no brainer for me so I sold my 238, for more than I paid for it, and banked the $$ unril my 938 DuoTone arrives.
    BTW, I paid $450 for my 238 w/Lasermax. My 938 will be $638 without the Lasermax, or about the same as a new Colt Mustang. I too would love to own Colts, but they are just way overpriced in my area. I just bought an almost new Ruger SR1911 for $600 after trying to find a Colt 1911 in that price range for about two years. The Ruger is a really well made 1911.

  • Mark Wynn February 1, 2012, 2:04 am

    Have always received first rate customer service from Colt. Once lost tiny screw out of the Elliason rear site on Gold Cup and they sent me 2 plus 2 spares, free of charge. The rampaging Colt on a single six or 1911 is American history and for me turns into more fun and more satisfaction. If I have to explain it, you probably don’t get it, so enjoy your SIGs and such.

  • RobertDale January 22, 2012, 9:14 pm

    Is colt going to bring back the goverment 380? I would love to have one!!

  • Lloyd Foley January 19, 2012, 11:00 am

    I have a gun

    • Marc Delerious January 19, 2012, 11:39 am

      So???

    • BerwynBoy January 22, 2012, 9:39 am

      Lloyd, don’t scare us like that, you know you’re not suppose to play with guns!

    • Mark Wynn February 1, 2012, 2:06 am

      Succinct. To the point. Lloyd, I like your style ;-}

  • Arion January 18, 2012, 11:02 pm

    Any news about the Colt double action .45? It is on their website, but I can’t find any for sale and it would be really nice if it were CA legal. I’m having a hard time finding a used Double Eagle for sale in CA.

  • John January 18, 2012, 9:56 pm

    With the P238 on the market, my only question is: why bother?

  • Ed January 18, 2012, 7:46 pm

    Some may say that Diamond Back firearms are p,o,s,. But I have one the DB9 and have put over 1000 rounds down range with it with absolutely no problems! And it not a puny .380 ether. Why carry a gun that has very little stopping power! .380s are wimpy you mite as well carry a sling shot and a bag of marbles!! My DB9 is smaller,lighter and more powerful!!!! Not to bag on the colt, but not the gun for me! The DB9 only weighs 11oz and I bet the colt is well over that. Why carry a heavy under powered gun? And at tactical distance the DB9 is more than accurate enuf to do the job. And at $600+ that just ridiculous!!! Maybe if they drop the price to $300 I mite buy one to use as a paper weight!!!

  • Jerry January 18, 2012, 7:20 pm

    I own two Sig P-238’s one for me and one for my wife, I also have friends that own them as well and it is a great, accurate lite weight 380. For the price of which I have seen them go as low as $400.00 is well worth the price. I don’t know what the Mustang will cost but I do hope it is competitive to the Sig. The Sig also has night sites. I do like the Colt Commanders and will try and get one of them but it does come down to the cost.

  • BerwynBoy January 18, 2012, 7:02 pm

    Love the history of Colt, but they gave up on the civilian consumer long ago. Now a new generation who knows little about Colt is well attached to the other brands. How does a company like colt, who dominated so much, throw it all away? Bad sr mgmt? Union labor? Their products are still 10 to 20 years behind the rest of the industry!. All they have left is selling old designs to the old farts out there who still want to collect their poor quality crap from the 1980’s!. If it wasn’t for the govt keeping them alive with contracts for another 20 yr old design M4, they would be only a footnote by now. Colt died long ago, acecpt it!

  • Keith January 18, 2012, 6:37 pm

    I am not sure what is going on with our american manufactures and their pricing but it seems like every new gun that SHOULD be priced at $300-400 is being priced at nearly double. I agree with others that say this is another of those over priced guns hitting the market.
    I also recently looked at the new Browning 1911-22 and felt the same way. WAY overpriced for an aluminum and plastic gun. I am shocked that they would price such a cheaply made handgun for top dollar.

  • Martin A. Greis January 18, 2012, 5:56 pm

    Being a retired guy and living on a fixed income I really cannot afford to pay $600 + for a pocket carry gun. Instead, I bought a Kel-tec a few years back in .380 for $225.00. This little automatic weighs a little over a half pound and I can carry it in my back jeans pocket and never feel like it’s there. In a jacket pocket It disappears. I have fired this puppy about 100 times at the range and it has never jammed. On top of all this it is quite accurate for it’s size. At 25 feet I can put them all in the black. I can’t see paying $600+ for a small carry gun. Also: I always wanted a 1911 but cannot afford The small fortune they want for a new or used Colt. I am thinking about buying a Rock Island Armory 1911 .45 nickle platted, fired five times. $400. He has two…His wife feels it is just two much gun for her. He loves his Rock Island. Anyone know anything about these? I love Colts but Like I said…I don’t have the money.

  • Jim January 18, 2012, 5:31 pm

    Well well , Colt finally ( and very late in the surging 380 gun craze ) decide to sell an old 380 design & overpriced it. LOL , Luckily I never sold mine, tho I considered it a few times ( I bought it for $300ish and it has been worth $800 for a few years now) . Colt Goverment Pocketlite , matte stainless & other than finicky reassembly , I flat out LOVE this little gun . YES , the 238 is a high quality Colt clone ( a bit TOO small IMO ) . But mine fits my hand SO well ( and I have big hands ), great pointer , NO recoil compared to LCR & that P.O.S. Diamondback & more accurate than just about ANY semi I have owned ( @ CCW ranges ). Don’t get me wrong , I love my KAhr 9mm too ; but it’s a K9 , not the lightweight Poly frame, so the 380 is by far smaller and lighter . I also love my Kimber Ultra carry , but still a bit large for frequent CCW . As far as valuable Colts – I owned a Python as well , but when the prices spiked I sold mine for $1250 . I bought 2 Ruger revolers with the $$ and don’t Ever have to worry about the timing or scratching them . Other than being slow on the uptake and overpricing their products , there is little reason to slam Colt , their loss of market profits is their fault ……

    • Jimmyjet January 23, 2012, 12:29 am

      You hit the nail on the head concerning Colt’s inability to think out of the box. They were bringing out new, ugly revolvers when everyone wanted D.A. autos. Then they brought out the 2000 and that other D.A. abortion which I can’t even remember the name of, (looked like a S.S. D.A. 1911).
      COLT, YOU ARE GETTING JUST WHAT YOU DESERVED.
      Does anyone ever mention colt without laughing?

  • Ron Godbout January 18, 2012, 5:18 pm

    Yeah, Glenn, the Glocks are lighter, tighter and have a higher capacity, but if you can’t hit your target in seven shots, maybe you should be carrying a 12-gauge. Besides, the Glocks are uglier than a bagful of rectums.

  • Larry Crocker January 18, 2012, 5:09 pm

    I have one of the original Government Pocketlite models as well as one of the Mustang Black Stallion (1 0f 500). I think that there were 250 Black Stallion and 250 White Stallion models. I like them both and would never sell them. I also have a Ruger LCP as well as a Walther PPK/S 9 mm Kurtz (380 ACP). I like the Colts better than either of these. I also have the Colt Special Combat Government 45 ACP and wish it had the integral magwell and upswept beavertail grip safety that is on the new gun. Might see if I can do something about that!

  • Jerald T. Allen January 18, 2012, 5:07 pm

    I will buy Colt again when they prove to me they have changed (read ‘IMPROVED”) customer service. Sent a Python to them to replace a rear sight and it took them over 6 months to get it back to me. Every time I called about it all I got was ATTITUDE.

  • Denny January 18, 2012, 4:54 pm

    Please do something to your text. It is spread out horizontally way past the edge of the screen. That makes it very difficult to read

    Thanks…..Denny

  • TED ODWYER January 18, 2012, 4:30 pm

    I AM INTERESTED PURCHASING A NICKEL PLATED COLT 380.

  • W.GLENN SOMERS January 18, 2012, 2:43 pm

    owned a pre-chicken out 1911 and loved it—but as the old saying goes fool me once shame on you fool me twice
    shame on me,besides my glock 21 and glock 30 are lighter,smaller and higher capacity than colt 1911,not to mention after several thousand rounds fired they will shoot with or around the 1911 all day long.

  • delta elite warthog January 18, 2012, 2:24 pm

    any 10mms. colt the real gun!!!

  • Max Pease January 18, 2012, 2:11 pm

    Good shooting Mark, I hope you are the Mark that i worked with in Alaska. If you are the one everything you shoot will be rated as a shooter because you are a super marksman. Pop some caps

  • Sav's Sports January 18, 2012, 1:21 pm

    Personally I agree with Mike M. Buy a Colt for its possible collectibility, but carry something else…unless you don’t care about the Colt being confiscated. I carry a Ruger LCP – you can buy two of ’em for the price of the Colt Mustang or the P238. I had a Keltec P3AT but ditched it once I got the LCP…the LCP is superior and costs only a few bucks more. I’m pretty consumed about quality and the LCP fills my needs – especially for the price. Purchased a Kahr P380 for my wife – another super-quality 380 like the P238. But, again, you can get two LCP’s for the price of one Kahr P380. Bottom line, unless you’re getting a Colt for nostalgia reasons, possible collectibility in the future, or another reason – it’s awfully hard to beat the Ruger LCP for this category of firearm. The LCP works that well…you just have to learn to deal with its long weighted trigger pull. If you’re a revolver shooter, you’ll have no issues.

    • Mxitman January 20, 2012, 3:45 am

      Why would it get confiscated?…Why the Mustang or P238 over a Plastic LCP or Kel-Tec…Great Trigger, Single Action… Plus they hold their value…

  • Mark N., Redding, CA January 18, 2012, 1:16 pm

    The Mustang was originally slated to be rereleased in June of 2011, but it didn’t actually make it out the door until last September. You can find them for sale on some of the internet sites. It has an MSRP of $599, which, although a bit steep, is less than the P238 (which as I understand it is mechanically identical) and certainly less than the $900 plus some of the old models are listed for on places like GunsAmerica. Until they reach some kind of volume in distributiion, expect to see dealers still charging a premium…

  • TED ODWYER January 18, 2012, 12:58 pm

    WOULD LIKE INFO ON THE REGULAR COLT 38O…NOT THE MUSTANG THANK YOU

    • Keith January 18, 2012, 6:33 pm

      If you click on the link for Colt at the top of this page and then click on the retail price list you will get you answer for more info and retail price.

  • Mxitman January 18, 2012, 12:56 pm

    Yea I sold one years ago and regretted it ever since. The market around here was $7-800 for the little Colt’s then SIG introduced the P238…and I got 2 of them, I really love having the night sights, I hope Colt offers that on the newer version..looks like it’s just standard sights though.

    The Sigs retail for around the same $600, the blue version with night sights was $540 out the door and the 2 tone stainless with NS was $635…I would pay the same for the colt if it has NS otherwise, I think the amrket would be around $450-499 would be all anyone would be willing to spend. With that said if you love single action 1911’s they are the best pocket carry out there…

    Colt should have done this about 4-5 years ago when the pocket 380’s were really taking off…

    • Hangman January 18, 2012, 9:30 pm

      They’ll sell for $800+ because that’s what the other Colt 380s are selling for..
      That would be their reason for bringing them back.. MONEY!!
      If you can get one for $450-$500 Buy it but you & I know this isn’t gonna happen..
      The SIG P238 is overpriced & I’m sure you’ll see the “NEW” Colt PocketLite Follow along these lines..
      It seems it’s all about making money now days, Not about making quality firearms & a decent price..

      I’d like to see a Government Model 380 with a carbon steel frame or even a stainless version..

  • Kevin January 18, 2012, 12:56 pm

    I have one of the original Mustangs and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve shot other .380s and even own another manufacturer’s simular model. With the opportunity and experience to compare them, I’ll stick with the Mustang! I have NEVER had a malfunction or jam with it and I’ve shot a lot of fatory ammo as well as reloads. I carry it when I leave my .45 at home for whatever reason.

    BTW… most pocket pistols are generally carried as a backup and not the primary CCW.

  • mesaman January 18, 2012, 12:52 pm

    I carried a Colt Pony during my law enforcement years and like an idiot sold it when I retired. Carried a PPK since then but will take a very close look at the Colt Mustang. Wouldn’t be without my CCW, any democrats out there listening?

    • Gonzo January 18, 2012, 11:49 pm

      Yeah, Im a democrat and a second ammendment supporter with ccw permit. Stop letting the crap you see in the media divide us gun owners. We come in all colors, not to mention red and blue. Or do you think the armed forces are made up of exclusively Republicans?

  • Mike M January 18, 2012, 12:51 pm

    Let us not forget that if you have a ccw, and God forbid, you actually have to use it, the law is going to confiscate it for say, two years, until your cleared of any wrong doing. As for me, I am with the guy who would rather buy a pile of lcp’s, cuzz the one you may be “giving it out to” just may be the law, and you may have to sue to get it back. Collect the Colt, and carry several kel-tec plastic guns that you don’t mind losing. A gun dealer friend of mine has a dozen of them, and said he will tell the law to “just keep it, I have 11 more”. He keeps his colts in the safe when not firing them. And I don’t forget that every time Colt discontinues a model such as the Anaconda, Python, Mustang, etc. it was becuase they “were too expensive to make”, but were selling like hot cakes! Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t understand that business model.

  • K.S. Richardson January 18, 2012, 12:46 pm

    Colt is a great American tradition but I do love my Sig238 with it’s point & shoot ergonomics and nightsights.

  • Sav's Sports January 18, 2012, 12:31 pm

    Mark Cox – the “Government” .380 is a Mustang with a longer grip and a longer slide…otherwise the same gun. Colt made a Mustang “Plus II” model, as well, and it was the Government’s frame (longer grip) with Mustang (short) slide on it. I had a Mustang Plus II in stainless and loved it for its design. But, I had Scott, McDougall and Associates do some work to it as Colt put out a somewhat crude product back in the day with burrs, sharp edges, etc. SM&A used to be THE place for Colt 380’s – I miss those guys. They used to tune them, refine them, put Novaks on them, and make them into something special…kinda like the SIG P238! I’ve been buying SIGs for years and their products come from the factory at a quality level most other companies only wished they could produce. Maybe Colt’s new CNC machinery and processes will prove they have a great new 380 – better than the previous. But, they better have something super-special to be better than SIGs P238. Sounds like the new Mustang will be priced where the P238 is at. My bet is the SIG will still be better all-around and it can be had with night sights. I wish SIG would release their version of the old “Government 380” that Colt used to produce! I’d buy a few of ’em!

    • Jay January 19, 2012, 12:43 am

      there were some design differences between the Colt Government .380 and the Mustang,,, I owned both,, I liked the stronger design of the Government 380 over the Mustang,,, and the darn little spring that would “fly away” when the Mustang would be “field stripped” for cleaning,,, The Government did not have that problem… YES, please bring back the Colt .380 Government !

  • JES January 18, 2012, 12:23 pm

    I still have not forgiven COLT for not going on and introducing the COLT SSP in double action .45 and .9mm.

  • rip January 18, 2012, 12:00 pm

    will the mustang be crimson trace compatable ? if not i’ll go else where

    • Josh January 18, 2012, 6:29 pm

      Need to talk to Crimson Trace.

  • Red in MI January 18, 2012, 11:39 am

    Now bring back the Python, The Anaconda, The WWII 1911A1 Repro and a newly made AR in M16A1 config. with 3 prong hider, triangular handguards etc…….Then we’ll talk!

  • Jason S January 18, 2012, 11:03 am

    I seen the Mustang at the NRA show in Pittsburgh almost a year ago. I liked it. A lot nicer than the older ones. The machining is better. BUT! they said it would be out by now. Here it is a year later and still not out. I believe the price on these was around $600 but don’t quote me. I would rather buy a pile of LCP’s and hand them out to friends for that price.

    • G.I. Loveguns January 18, 2012, 12:56 pm

      They are out. I saw one this past weekend at the gun show. it was priced $639 or so. waaaay too much, but so is the SIG. I have an older one that I paid $289 (dealer cost) about 20 yrs or so ago. It SHOULD retail for about $400. I would pay that, but not $600+!

  • jimmy loredo January 18, 2012, 10:54 am

    how much is the .380 1911, and G10 .45 ??

  • mark cox January 18, 2012, 10:40 am

    I have one of the original Government Models and it is the same size as the Mustang but apparently a different pistol all together. Anyone know what the difference is?

    • gunshop January 18, 2012, 4:43 pm

      ABC’s Colt Come FIRST. If you don’t like a full size 1911. Get smaller version like the new agent. STOP picking on Colt. You people must have forgot what the military used & how long they used. COLT has been copied by EVERYONE.Think about it!

    • Mark McKinnney January 18, 2012, 5:49 pm

      Government model has a longer barrel and longer frame for 7 round mag. I have a Government 380 Pocket light customized with night sights Sambar Stag.. and I have a full steel 380 Government. A little larger that the Mustang, but I prefer them….but I do desire a new Mustang. :o)

      Mac, Indy

      • Jay January 19, 2012, 12:38 am

        I had a Colt Government 380,,, like an idiot, I let a friend talk me out of it years ago,,, I wish Colt would bring back the Government .380,,, I would be the first person at my local dealer to order one !

  • Michael Moser January 18, 2012, 10:22 am

    I love Colts, but I’ve held both the Sig 238 and Mustang side by side and the Sig is far superior. I realize these are point and shoot weapons, but the night sights on the Sig are a nice touch that make the Colt look primitive. And now with SIg introducing the P238 in 9mm (P938) there are more options. I still may buy a Mustang just because it’s a Colt and I love the nostalgia.

  • John Schumbacker January 18, 2012, 10:04 am

    I want one!

  • mike brown January 18, 2012, 9:58 am

    I am glad colt is making the mustang again, but they still forgot the millions of left hand shooters. The only way you can saftly carry this gun is with the hammer down, practice cocking the hammer when you draw. it can be done. but why not put an ambi safty on it from the factory. thanks Mike Brown

  • Mark January 18, 2012, 9:49 am

    some internet videos on the NEW Colt state a release date of June 2012, with a SRP of 599 bucks, a little to high…. for the market

    • Dana January 18, 2012, 10:21 am

      Everything is higher now days! I can’t believe how much I was charged for a car battery!LoL

      • Mark January 18, 2012, 2:19 pm

        yea i know, however i was making a comparison with the price of the other .380 out there, KelTec, Ruger…..

        • Josh January 18, 2012, 6:25 pm

          You get what you pay for. I have one of the new Mustang Pocketlite 380’s and I love it. My girlfriend carries it mostly. I would not trust any other 380. It is a great gun. I paid well over retail and it is worth every penny. Shoots like a dream. She took it to the range the day after Christmas and just tore up a target from 5 to 30 yards distance. Accuracy is awesome. Suffice it to say I like what Colt has done. I also carry a Defender 45 ACP, and the little Mustang is very similar in all aspects. Easy dis assembly and reassembly. Thanks Colt

          • Dave August 10, 2012, 12:42 am

            I still have my Colt .380 from 1970s. I love it, but I’m still looking at the new version for myself and one for a lady friend. I normally carry the Kimber compact .45. But seriously considering going back to a Colt 1911 since I learned the military is going back to them. I used one in Vietnam and if the new ones are good enough for the men and women in the trenches….

        • Jay January 19, 2012, 12:29 am

          Sugested retail is always high,,, Most manufacturers place a high “sugested retail” price on thier products to protect their dealers,,, watch for the new Colt to come in at lower than sugested retail price when it hits your dealer shelves,,, well, until the rush to get one dies down,,,

          • Dave August 10, 2012, 12:48 am

            Pretty much anything with a MSRP is sold lower. I just bought a 2013 Mustang GT Premium for $500 0ver dealer price, and that was about $5000 under MSRP. Times are hard and guns, like everything else need to move off the shelves. Don’t settle for the tagged price and shop around. Check online, too. You can arrange the sale through your local gun store, it gets shipped to them and you pick it up there.

    • Chris Morton January 18, 2012, 7:25 pm

      If the SRP is $599.00, this is the standard for most 380 acp pistols. Sig’s range from 500 upwards of 900 bucks.
      Also remember this is the “SRP” not the actual price and the norm here in Texas is that means it will cost us around 490.00 to 550.00. I’ll buy several of them for that price, 2 to shoot and 1 to put away. Remember Sig had some recalls on their 380’s not all that long ago!!!

  • Mystery Webguy January 18, 2012, 9:49 am

    I carry the Colt Defender and find it to be a bit too heavy. The Pocket Lite looks great, and I will be watching for it on the market. Any idea on retail?

  • Dan Orr January 18, 2012, 9:14 am

    I would like to see a head-to-head compairson of the Colt Pocketlite to the Sig P238

    • Mark McKinnney January 18, 2012, 5:36 pm

      You can find comparisons on youtube. There are a few out there. Colt is doing well.

  • ERIC HARE January 18, 2012, 8:13 am

    love the Colt Mustang Pocketlite, I WANT ONE, mine got ripped off years ago, since then all i could find is another great colt 380, the COLT MK IV / SERIES 80 GOVERMENT MODEL, a little heavy, will buy the pocketlite when it comes out. thanks cotl ENHARE

  • ward jackson January 18, 2012, 7:54 am

    Great move by colt and for 1911 cc fans.

  • John Britt January 18, 2012, 7:43 am

    lovee this 1911 wish i could afford it

  • william twiss January 18, 2012, 7:18 am

    How much will the Colt Mustang retail for at the local gun store? thank you

    • thomas lacey January 18, 2012, 2:17 pm

      cost of the new colt mustang.

  • Boyce Hamer January 18, 2012, 6:55 am

    Colt didn’t thank much of its customers and didn’t want to deal with the public there are a lot better 1911 out there and Sig’s 238 is a lot better and they have been through thick and thin and didn’t run or sale us out for fear of the gun control NUTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Dana January 18, 2012, 10:15 am

      I agree!But we must forgive and forget!The more we let any gun manufacture prosper the better off we will be.I feel Colt let us down,I’m going to start buying Colt again.yes there’s competition in the market with good options,and I like it. Give Colt a second chance.

    • Mark McKinnney January 18, 2012, 5:42 pm

      Large government contracts kept them to where it was hard to keep up with the civilian market. Colt, being in receivership, made a good choice getting back into the civilian market with new CNC machines. I hope for a great turn around for Colt in the right direction. My only hope was that they would do as Sig and allow dovetail sights for night sights. Needed on a small pocket carry….no… wanted by the market for NS…YES.

      Mac Indy

      • Jay January 19, 2012, 12:26 am

        Colt did not “sell out” to the anti-gun nuts as bad as Smith and Wesson and Ruger did “back in the day”,,, At the time, Smith was run by the British, and Ruger just folded, by putting “warning lables” on all the firearms.. I have always been a Colt fan, always will be,,, I am very happy that Colt is smart enough to get back into the civi market ! I own old Colt single actions, many 1911’s, all the way up to a new 1911 “rail gun”, and I am “up-grading” all my non-Colt AR-15’s to Colt built AR-15’s !! My hats off to Colt,,, Keep up the good work !! Now, to get Colt to build a “Sporter A4” AR-15 rifle !!

        • Spence Cocherl January 19, 2012, 6:50 am

          I hope they improved the Mustang quite a bit. I had one and sold it after I bought a p238.

      • Boyce Hamer January 20, 2012, 6:38 pm

        You used the word (RECEIVERSHIP) is that why they are living in the past ? no new ideas ? why not double action like Para ? Why not carbon fiber or composit? Why not adj trigger ? Why not a factory laser? My Sig has it from the factory ! LCP has a laser ! Why don’t they make changable front and rear milled sights? I wounder if they have the funds for R & D or just living in the past ? Why is our goverment using FN ? Is that why they want your business now ? Are they still using old machines or new equipment for tight tolleraces CNC Cort. measuring machines to keep the QC like the old ones of years past? P.S. I own old well made Colts made before being forgotten !

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