I guess I waited too long

[tyler500e]

I sold my AR15 two years ago while I was still a poor college student. I have since graduated and recently paid off my debts and got a decent job. Im ready to purchase another rifle, but I fear it's too late to get another AR15, or any semi-auto in 223 , 7.62 , or 308.

I have contacted 14 gun shops (small shops,multiple bass pro shops, dicks sporting goods stores, cabellas, and several walmarts) within a 50 miles radius and the only semi autos available anywhere are a few 22lr models.

Is it hopeless to keep trying?

 

[j.kramer]

nope

there are many still out there

 

[c4v3man]

I got lucky and found a gun shop in texas (I live in NV) that was/is in the middle of moving it's shop. It had no phone number listed on their website (email only) but with a little digging, was able to get the guys phone number. He had a decent inventory available, so I and my father were able to get what we "need".

Keep up the hunt, you never know if you'll get lucky.

 

[Grassman]

If you want one bad enough you can go to a gun show and over pay I guess.

 

[Apachedriver]

In the few minutes since you posted, I searched and found several sites with private listings in Kansas. Same prices on there as in Texas. So they're out there. Just have to do some work.

I saw several Bushmasters and S&W's for $1300.
Higher than normal? Yep.
Want it now, it'll cost you.

You can wait and pay lower prices later but risk not getting one at all later IF there's a ban or something.
Or you can pay more now and risk prices going down later in the event no ban occurs.

Either way, there aren't any guarantees.

 

[sidheshooter]

Something will turn up; give it some time. News radio this morning says not enough votes for a ban.

Did you keep some magazines? I still have spare mags for guns I no longer have because you never know...

 

[j.kramer]

dont say texas has them

i want to buy one next week and i needed to still be there

there are many in the shelves here in texas

 

[mgmorden]

They are available if you're willing to pay a lot. If not, I'd suggest gambling. I don't think another AWB is likely to pass at the moment. If the Democrats get both the House and Senate in 2014 then maybe, but probably not until then. Prices WILL die down before then, just like they did in 2008.

I'd suggest that you simply wait it out and buy next time the prices come down.

You might also try getting on a waiting list. My AR15 I got during the 2008 panic. Managed to snag a stripped lower and then got on waiting lists for my parts kits and upper assembly. Took around 8 months for me to get the upper but I paid the "non-panic" price for it and got it just fine.

 

[tyler500e]

I'll keep looking then. Yeah, I've got 6 or 7 30rd mags, but the only thing I've got that can currently use them is a PLR-16 "pistol"

 

[Apachedriver]

I wish I could remember where I saw it, but about 2 weeks ago I ran across a site that sold butt stocks for several types of AR pistols.

Perhaps that might be an interim option for you.

 

[Grassman]

dont say texas has them

i want to buy one next week and i needed to still be there

there are many in the shelves here in texas

I'd like to know where. None I've seen in north Texas.

 

[Balrog]

Something will turn up; give it some time. News radio this morning says not enough votes for a ban.

There weren't supposed to be enough votes for Obamacare, either. Washington is a funny place.

If you are interested, budsgunshop has a Ruger AR on auction with a bid of about $2,900. A couple of days ago, they had a Colt AR that went for about $4,000. These are actual bids at auction, and that is the best reflection of true market value.

 

[Apachedriver]

Go up on Texas Gun Trader and you'll find them. Private and business sales. Prices running from $1000 and up...wayyyy up. You can pull up listings by distance from your zip code.

 

[j.kramer]

I'd like to know where. None I've seen in north Texas.

go south

 

[Hunterdad]

As long as you have $2000 you can find an entry level AR.

 

[chevyman097]

wait awhile until all the ban stuff dies down and the POTUS cant get his ban passed. Then they will be up for sale a dime a dozen.



...being optimistic guys. Some one has to be the upper.

 

[tyler500e]

I wish I could remember where I saw it, but about 2 weeks ago I ran across a site that sold butt stocks for several types of AR pistols.

Perhaps that might be an interim option for you.

No can do. That'd technically make it a SBR since the barrel is only 9.2"

 

[c4v3man]

Weld on a 7" flash suppressor?

I kid, I kid...
(no idea on the legality, just a joke)

 

[19-3Ben]

No can do. That'd technically make it a SBR since the barrel is only 9.2"

I'm glad you caught that and didn't take the bait. That was a very dangerous suggestion to give without a whole lot of qualifiers and disclaimers attached it.

 

[Apachedriver]

No can do. That'd technically make it a SBR since the barrel is only 9.2"

True but a $200 tax stamp is cheaper than a $1300+ AR, depending on your budget.

Just an idea.

 

[Apachedriver]

I'm glad you caught that and didn't take the bait. That was a very dangerous suggestion to give without a whole lot of qualifiers and disclaimers attached it.

That wasn't "bait". Just an option that requires some thinking through to make happen legally. Any company you go to for that will fill you in on the legalities. There's no requirement for me to do all the thinking for the OP.

 

[tyler500e]

True but a $200 tax stamp is cheaper than a $1300+ AR, depending on your budget.

Just an idea.

It is cheaper, however, I've had spotty reliability with the PLR-16 (picky with ammo and jams/misfeeds somewhat frequently) and would prefer something I can have a little more faith in. Also, I'm not about to let the ATF sit on my paperwork for 4-5 months prior to receiving the tax stamp.

 

[armoredman]

Bucks Guns in Casa Grande had three on the shelf the other day, cheapest was $1500, the other two were well north of $2k.

 

[WeedWacker]

Check for stripped lowers too. The gun range in town was doing a pre-order for a bunch of them earlier this month for $150 a pop. Buy the lower parts (easier to find than assembled rifles for sure) and go hunting for whatever upper you want.

 

[SSN Vet]

Kittery Trading received a shipment of 100 AR-15s on Sat. and put them all on the floor.... and by 6 p.m. they had 4 left.

So they are showing up and can be had.....

But you're probably going to have to pay MSRP to get one.

I can't fault some of the smaller shops that sell on line at a deep discount, if they raise their prices some. I suspect they're margin may so tight that if they have to pay a grunch of OT to get a glut of orders out, they could wind up doing so, only to break even, or see a net decrease in their margins.

I gave up on my planned second AR build.... at least untill the crazyness dies down.

May take a couple years though.