Dramatic price drops in firearms

[leadcounsel]

Has anyone else notice a dramatic price drop in firearms?

My regular gun catalogues, the same ones that refused to publish prices for any EBRs, are now crowded with the apparent over-productions of AR15s, AK47s, PTR91s, etc...

Those who predicted a run on guns for a few months, and then an over production and oversupply due to some buyers flooding the market with sales a year later were 100% correct.

Thankfully I didn't pay too much for anything during the scare, and am now positioned to pick up some bargains.

 

[stickhauler]

A simple reason at least on EBR style firearms, when the Obama craze took over and everyone wanted one, the stores ordered from every source they could find, expecting to get maybe a few to sell. That ramped up production by all makers, and after the initial rush slowed, the makers have inventory (in some cases, over inventory).

I bought a Stag Model L-1 last October (2008) for less than current suggested MSRP, but only maybe $20.00 less than today's prices using their MSRP today. I'd love to know what the wholesale price is now though.

 

[7.62 Nato]

Not to mention all the buyers that are out of money for non-essentials.

 

[FROGO207]

I figure that about the end of Jan when the Christmas bills start rolling in there will be some real deals for those with cash.

 

[Patriotme]

I've noticed a slight drop in prices. So far I haven't seen anything to make me moan about the money I spent over the last year on firearms. I've enjoyed the new ones more at the range then I would the little bit of money I would have saved by waiting.

 

[stickhauler]

Can I get an AMEN?

 

[Magic_Man]

Still haven't seen a big enough drop to make me run out & buy anything b/c it's a super deal.

 

[Diggers]

Yes it's what always happens, people freak out and someone make a lot of money because of it.

Just wait, in a little bit there will be TONS of "used" (as in maybe shot once) guns for sale.

On a similar note I went to a gun shop today and they had a selection of ammo in every caliber. I got some .38's for under 20 buck a box. Yay!

 

[Deckard]

Still haven't seen a big enough drop to make me run out & buy anything b/c it's a super deal.

Yeah, and I still haven't seen prices drop to what they were a few years ago. Things still seem to be hovering at ~$200 more than what they used to be. WASR-10s are still over $400 everywhere I see them. Auto-ordinance's M1 carbine repros are $250 more expensive than when I had looked into getting one in '07. That said, I don't know how much of these higher prices is caused by demand, or the devalued USD (thanks to the economy taking a dive and our new Gov.'s policy of 'when in doubt: print money').

 

[22-rimfire]

Don't look back. It does no good.

 

[Rembrandt]

Scheels has new DPMS AR15's starting at $650.....haven't seen prices like that in years.

 

[Sav .250]

Dramatic drop ? Not around my part of the world. I go to a lot of Gun Shows and it seems all weapons that are in the "collector group" are still held in "high reguard." $$$$$

Junk stuff (fair,poor, beat up ) you can wheel and deal but you end up with
not much in the end. Maybe a shooter but that`s it.

For me, the bottom line is, I don`t think there has been a "dramatic" drop
in pricing.

 

[rodregier]

Retailers and gun-show sellers who purchased inventory at the older (higher) prices will be the last to drop their prices.

 

[wishin]

This discussion could be about buying stock in ABC company. Consult your crystal ball, buy low, sell high, but it is a gun forum.

 

[chuckusaret]

I made my week weekly visit to Dick's and Gander Mountain yesterday and it appears they haven't gotten the word on reduced prices. Their LCP's are priced at $349.00, Ruger LCR-LG $759.00 and a Glock .40 $699.00 to point out a few overpriced handguns and the all "Black" cloned gun prices are also outrageously high. The prices at the gun show/flea markets continue to exceed local store prices in my area. I recently purchased a Ruger .38 LCR with the Crimson Trace laser NIB OTD for $640.00 at a local shop.

It also appears that the gun show promoters in my area of Florida have changed the venue from just guns and gun items to guns, household goods, toys, health foods, vehicle products, George Bush Look-A-Like photo takes, foot/back massages or what ever junk you have for sale. I will no longer pay $8 to $10 to get into a gun show/flea market, flea markets are free in my area.

 

[Grassman]

I don't get what the gripe is...should these manufactures just sit by and not produce extra inventory while the demand is through the roof? Just getting tired of this topic I guess, reap the benefits of it now and get yourself an AR at a reduced price. What's the problem? I was not one of these morons who went out nine months ago and just had to buy an AR for $1800. But I am now.

 

[chuckusaret]

I don't get what the gripe is...should these manufactures just sit by and not produce extra inventory while the demand is through the roof?

The problem is not the gun manufacturers even though they have raised their prices to overcome added production costs, it is the local dealers and chain stores that are the problem. The wholesale distribitor price in my area for a Ruger LCP is about $265, but sells for $350 to $400 and the LCR retail price is $460 and the CT laser is less than $160 but the LCR-LG sells for $759.00. The dealer also makes additional profit with the background call fee ($5.00 and up) and the FFL transfer fee ($25-$75). I was at one store in Orlando, Fl. that also tacked on a application preparation fee of $5.00 onto my gun purchase which I refused to pay and I did not purchase the gun because of it. What drove the retail prices up? The dealers used the AWB fear to increase their prices and it was not driven by any increased wholesale prices.

 

[Big Russ]

I got a M&P-15 with an MSRP of $1250 for $899, the store I got it from was swamped with them. I'm glad I waited on this one cause I sure wasn't gonna pay any more than $1000 for it.

 

[wishin]

The problem is not the gun manufacturers even though they have raised their prices to overcome added production costs, it is the local dealers and chain stores that are the problem.

It's called the free market system. Comes along with all the other freedoms we enjoy, like gun ownership granted by the U.S. Constitution. I don't agree with price gouging, but "what the market will bear" is free enterprise.

 

[zoom6zoom]

WASR-10s are still over $400 everywhere I see them.

You're not looking in the right places then.... Classic Arms has Standard -10's for well under $400, and the low-caps (with 5 10 round mags!) for $299.

 

[12131]

For those who whined during the price hike period, now is your second chance.
I don't want to hear about any excuses later on.

 

[harmonic]

I only purchased one gun in that period, a S&W M&P 15 Performance Center 5.56 mm w/stainless varmint barrel.

I paid $1399. Today I checked Gunsamerica (cause of this thread) and saw new ones advertised for $1375 and $1325, respectively.

BTW, w/the 20x leupold scope its accuracy is amazing. High price. Low price. That's what it's all about.

 

[redneck2]

Old saying in the investment circles...

Sell when everybody is buying and buy when everybody is selling

Much (non-firearm) "collectible" stuff is taking a beating. Cars, art, sports cards. The extra money that guys seemed to always have floating around in their pocket is drying up, and will get worse.

Local dealer is selling about all his inventory of hunting rifles and shotguns at cost or lower. Says it's his worst year since they've been open (over 50 years). Buying shut off like a faucet about Thanksgiving time.

 

[TimM]

I made my rounds this week to gun shops and pawn shops and I am also noticing a large selection of ARs, AKs, SKSs and the like that weren't there not too long ago. One pawn shop had an AK for $220

But there are still those pawn shops that don't have a clue. Like a used Springfield 1911 that was $215 dollars more than I could get the same gun new 5 miles down the road. And then there was the $2300 used PTR. But, for the most part, I am seeing a fall in prices.

 

[harmonic]

Local dealer is selling about all his inventory of hunting rifles and shotguns at cost or lower.

Dealers who stocked inventory as if the buying panic would never end were short sighted. It was an economic inevitability that sales would drop to near nothing. Guns are, after all, a durable good.

BTW, does this guy have any SA M1A Scout rifles w/walnut stock?