Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
The word on the bush telegraph has been that old 870 Wingmasters have been getting scarce, even beater turnins. So, I made some calls and got some info and also pretty angry.
Here's the deal...
I called 6 gun shops in the area, including a couple I've been doing business with for 30 years or so. I was told that MD police depts are not allowed to turn in old inventory anymore, but that all used weapons MUST be destroyed by law.
Since depts got credit for the stuff they turned over to the shops against the price of new stuff, this means that in a time of budget deficiencies and escalating crime(Here in MD murder and robbery rates continue to worsen) the police have less money when they need to do more.
And I'll wager my favorite gland that crimes committed with those surplussed weapons occur at the same rate as with other legitimately obtained firearms.IOW, not very much. IIRC, 6% of all violent crime here is committed with legal guns, and those are mostly crimes of passion. Those of us stable and tightly wrapped enough to NOT shoot our BIL because he took the last slice of pizza( Actual case) are the folks most looking for bargain 870s suitable for defense or building dedicated specialty shotguns.
Md Politics would make a hyena vomit, and this is another example of Liberal defeatist, control everything thinking. $%^&*( Liberal pols and those who vote for them...
On to 870s....
In the course of calling these shops, I inquired as to whether they had any old 12 gauge WMs. Out of those shops, I found ONE WM and ONE Left Handed WM. The WM was listed as NRA Very Good, 26" Vent rib barrel in I/C. The asking price was $300. Another shop had the LH, described as like New. They wanted $745!
Considering the shop with the WM was selling off beater 870s a year ago for #200, I find this rise kinda frightening.
And a few years ago, used 870s were on just about all shops' racks, oft selling for less than a new Express.
The fact that my own little battery must now be worth much more than I thought is of little comfort.
I recommend those of us who do not have ENOUGH 870s get them now, and watch who you vote for...
Here's the deal...
I called 6 gun shops in the area, including a couple I've been doing business with for 30 years or so. I was told that MD police depts are not allowed to turn in old inventory anymore, but that all used weapons MUST be destroyed by law.
Since depts got credit for the stuff they turned over to the shops against the price of new stuff, this means that in a time of budget deficiencies and escalating crime(Here in MD murder and robbery rates continue to worsen) the police have less money when they need to do more.
And I'll wager my favorite gland that crimes committed with those surplussed weapons occur at the same rate as with other legitimately obtained firearms.IOW, not very much. IIRC, 6% of all violent crime here is committed with legal guns, and those are mostly crimes of passion. Those of us stable and tightly wrapped enough to NOT shoot our BIL because he took the last slice of pizza( Actual case) are the folks most looking for bargain 870s suitable for defense or building dedicated specialty shotguns.
Md Politics would make a hyena vomit, and this is another example of Liberal defeatist, control everything thinking. $%^&*( Liberal pols and those who vote for them...
On to 870s....
In the course of calling these shops, I inquired as to whether they had any old 12 gauge WMs. Out of those shops, I found ONE WM and ONE Left Handed WM. The WM was listed as NRA Very Good, 26" Vent rib barrel in I/C. The asking price was $300. Another shop had the LH, described as like New. They wanted $745!
Considering the shop with the WM was selling off beater 870s a year ago for #200, I find this rise kinda frightening.
And a few years ago, used 870s were on just about all shops' racks, oft selling for less than a new Express.
The fact that my own little battery must now be worth much more than I thought is of little comfort.
I recommend those of us who do not have ENOUGH 870s get them now, and watch who you vote for...