It's funny, with a lot of company's reducing there prices because of the times, that USFA would choose to raise theirs, this will be a big shot in the arm for Colt, and maybe it's time they got a break any who.
tEN wOLVES
Unfortunately, it sometimes comes down to a matter of costs going up through no fault of the manufacturer. Either the cost of keeping skilled personnel or the cost of materials, or even overhead. (Sometimes "public" utilities jack their prices to the point where literally keeping the heat and lights on can be a real problem.)
I have held the price of my custom leather goods pretty much steady for the last four or five years. I went to my leather supplier yesterday, and the wholesale price of topgrain cowhide sides has gone up to the point where I will have to raise my prices after the first of the year. I haven't figured out how much yet, as the increase in cost of materials is not directly proportional to the prices.
Of course, with two (or more) larger manufacturers being in direct competition, time will tell if the higher-priced one can maintain the price point.
Too bad for all of us, but...