Been away from the scene for awhile doing uncountable other things that life dishes up, and returning to looking at Equipment Exchanges and Member Sales forums, it seems to me that sales volume is down for AR15-type firearms (handguns still seem brisk) and ammo…
Since supply is not up significantly from what I have read, I can only assume that the slow pace is due to many of us not having the FREE CASH to throw at these items. I know I have less discretionary cash to throw at members and vendors…
Is this industry wide or is my perspective not reality? Is the still depressed economy the main culprit? Just curious…
My local dealers never really gouged anyone price wise, but when their stockpiles ran low they re-ordered accordingly. Now they are swamped with Guns/Ammo that has to be sold near cost, as they bought when the sales volume was high.
The recession is part of it. The Suppy is getting back on track and caught up since the panic buying has ended with the AWB off the table. Prices on firearms are back to preobama prices, in some cases, even less. Example, at the height of the hysteria, Colt 6920s were going for up and over $2000.00. Now they are around $1150.00, partly because Colt caught up on production and flooded the market, and no AWB as most folks had feared. The gouge is still on in some places, so shop wisely. IMHO, there is no better time to get Colts or any other quality weapon, than right now, IF you have the means. Ammo has come back down as well, but still marked up 15-30% vs Pre Obama prices. Welcome Back.
I hope ammo goes down. I can barely afford to keep my stash at the same level even shooting only once a month let alone build on it.
I about died when Cabelas had XM193 900rd pack for 650+sales tax. I did notice the next few times I went in there it was marked off 50 bucks each visit. Last time I went it was 450 which is still about 150 too much.
The current situation is really strange. AR15 mag prices are about as low as I’ve seen in the past 20 years. AR prices are leveling off, but the “next generation” rifles such as SCAR, MSAR, FN2000 are still pricey.
Ammo prices/supply are starting to normalize somewhat, as well.
I think there are two factors in play; 1)the feeding frenzy has slowed, allowing suppliers to catch up with demand, and 2)limited purchasing power due to lack of discretionary funds in the general marketplace (this is certainly true in my own situation).
At this point in time, IMHO, if one already has a decent rifle/pistol combination (and spare parts), it would be wise to purchase as many mags as finances allow. Couple this with reloading equipment and supplies to feed the guns and one would be pretty well set.
I have a pretty diverse collection (mostly rifles) in many different calibers, and believe me, they can be expensive to feed, even with reloading. Better to have only a couple of mouths to feed and be able to feed them, than trying to keep dozens fed. It is for this reason that many of the rifles in my collection sit idle in the safe - I have ammo for everything, just too expensive to replace it in any decent quantity. I just haven’t found it in my heart to part with them…yet.
Actually, the MSAR has been dropping in price. The SCAR and FS2000 are both FN guns and the dollar sinking against the Euro has kept their prices on the higher side.
The MSAR has had to lower its price to be competitive in the market because for a few hundred dollars more people could buy a licensed AUG made by Sabre Defense with Steyr equipment and oversight. Also while MSAR has a loyal fan base and provides good customer service, there have been plenty of problems reported with the various versions. If I was going to get an AUG style gun and I was choosing between the two, I’d go with the one from Sabre Defense.
Yep.
I think you’re right. I believe we could see a buyer’s market coming soon where a lot of the stuff purchased in the wake of the election comes up for sale again as people need to raise cash for regular bills or other priorities. -There’s some guy near me who is trying to sell some XM193 he bought. At first he wanted $700 for 840 rounds and 30+ GI mags, now he’s asking for $500. I’m almost tempted to buy it and just sell the mags…
I’ve managed to get some excellent deals on used guns recently (last 2 months or so) apparently because people have had to sell off what they had to make $ for the rest of their activities/life or to fund other gun/ammo purchases.
Big box store prices on ammo here is still running in the $1 per round range for 223 and 40/45. The stock quantities have come back, but the prices are still high.
ARs are starting to stack up, but the larger stores are still asking $1,100 for DPMS. S&W are kept in glass cases and never touched they are so expensive. I’ve been waiting for Bass Pro to pull the $50,000 Gibbs out of the fine gun room and put in the Bushmaster.
Components (bullets, primers, powder) are non-existent in damn near any quantity. Sportsman’s Warehouse still had a 500 count limit on any combination of primers the last time I was in.
Guns and mags are dramatically cheaper since ammo is too expensive to stockpile or shoot.
Good ammo is out there, but it’s pricey. Bass Pro, here in Mesa, has Hornady 55gr FMJ by the ton. But it’s priced at $29 per 50 round box. :rolleyes: $0.58 per round before taxes.
