Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Statement Information) (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 3,037	$ 12,423	$ (695)
Investing Activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(8,598)	(4,410)	(5,600)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired and reinvested Merger consideration	(59,488)
Proceeds from sale of property		66	12
Change in restricted cash	244	464	(1,380)
Net cash used in investing activities	(67,842)	(3,880)	(6,968)
Financing Activities
Debt issuance costs	(2,120)		(1,636)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	47,707
Term loan and note repayments	(1,250)
Line of credit advances/repayments, net	10,083	6
Capital lease obligation payments	(393)	(1,148)	(1,229)
Purchase of common units	(14,000)
Proceeds from the issuance of common units, net of reinvested consideration proceeds	5,000
Distributions to members	(6,370)	(3,343)	(12,889)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	35,651	(4,485)	(15,754)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(625)	79	209
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(29,779)	4,137	(23,208)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	42,373	38,236	61,444
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	12,594	42,373	38,236
Consolidating /Eliminating Adjustments
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			(2,039)
Financing Activities
Colt Canada distribution of share capital			2,039
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			2,039
Colt Defense LLC | Reportable entities
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	5,254	9,503	(16,222)
Investing Activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(6,385)	(3,481)	(4,009)
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired and reinvested Merger consideration	(59,488)
Investment in subsidiary	(13,924)
Proceeds from sale of property			12
Change in restricted cash	244	464	(1,380)
Net cash used in investing activities	(79,553)	(3,017)	(5,377)
Financing Activities
Debt issuance costs	(2,120)		(1,636)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	47,707
Line of credit advances/repayments, net	7,077	6
Capital lease obligation payments		(1,148)	(1,229)
Colt Canada distribution of share capital			15,373
Purchase of common units	(14,000)
Proceeds from the issuance of common units, net of reinvested consideration proceeds	5,000
Distribution from subsidiary	6,257
Distributions to members	(6,370)	(3,343)	(12,889)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	43,551	(4,485)	(381)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(30,748)	2,001	(21,980)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	33,647	31,646	53,626
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,899	33,647	31,646
Total Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable entities
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(2,217)	2,920	17,566
Investing Activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,213)	(929)	(1,591)
Investment in subsidiary	13,924
Proceeds from sale of property		66
Net cash used in investing activities	11,711	(863)	(1,591)
Financing Activities
Term loan and note repayments	(1,250)
Capital lease obligation payments	(393)
Colt Canada distribution of share capital			(17,412)
Distribution from subsidiary	(6,257)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(7,900)		(17,412)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(625)	79	209
Change in cash and cash equivalents	969	2,136	(1,228)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	8,726	6,590	7,818
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 9,695	$ 8,726	$ 6,590