I have read this thread with interest, and while I know very little of Colt, and have but one "experienced" Colt Agent snubby which is my wife's CCW, I did notice the lack of one element.
Overseas production.
The Turks, Yugoslavs and UAE are coming into their own as significant handgun producers.
Granted, I don't see any revolvers coming from overseas, but revolvers are more of a niche market now anyway.
So, to get to specifics: if I want a 1911, do I drop a grand on the Colt name or $500 on a Turkish clone which also goes bang?
In truth, I don't know yet, I have not decided. IN GENERAL U.S. manufacturers have not floated my boat. I have Beretta, Glocks, Sigs, Steys, Walthers, the odd, C&R CZ, one Smith and one Colt, two Rugers, the 10/22 rifle and .44mag.
Innovation I see coming from outside the U.S. -exp.: Glock's ability to make polymer a mainstream manufacturing process, Walther's trigger guard mag release, Steyr's trigger guard safety release, Steyr's trapezoidal sights and so forth.
I would love for Colt or Ruger or Smith to come out with something that makes me say "that is REALLY neat", but it has not happened to me yet.