Just want to get an overall opinion of the current gun market and wether or not you all feel that prices have stabalized or have even started to drop. Tell me what you have observed and what your feelings are about the markets near future.

Revolvers, semi auto's, plastic guns? New or used?

In general,

The price of revolvers is still high but seems to have stabilized, though it is very likely you will see outrageous asking prices. Finding a decent priced example isn't hard with some perseverance.

Plastic guns are reasonably priced and available and are most likely the biggest sellers by far.

There is a big market in used guns and prices can generally be favorably negotiated unless looking at a cult favorite like a Python or some such. If you have patience and money when it's time to strike, I've seen some eye popping deals.

If another big tragedy or life altering event happens, all bets are off.

Update: My comments only apply to shooters, not collectors.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

This issue has been discussed frequently and extensively on another of my favorite forums. In my opinion older revolvers especially higher grade pinned and recessed S&W's will continue to be in high demand and the prices paid for them will continue to escalate due to the limited supply.

According to my LGS, summer was slow, sales are down. Plenty of product in the showcase, not a lot of cash customers. Prices, AR's in particular, continue to drop and there are plenty in all prices ranges as well as parts if you want to build your own. This can all turn on a dime, with the next panic, (and there will be one), or if the mid-term elections don't go our way. If the current occupant should keep the Senate and somehow win back the House, we gun owners are in deep dreck.

This question will have an easy answer on 11-5-14. The usual answer is your "trading stock" is in poor condition, not selling very well at this time, and isn't worth much on trade-in. Now the piece you want to buy is 'minty', in high demand, rare, and very valuable.

Used guns are holding steady in their value, new guns are experiencing seasonal demand and fluctuations (hunting rifles and shot guns). Dealers do not sell new guns at a loss -- normally. They also offer 50% or less of wholesale value for trade in. The prices of AR style rifles appear to be dropping because of excess inventory.

Except for AR style rifles, I don't believe guns are getting cheaper, but I know that with cash in hand and patience, a good deal can be found if you keep looking. Once you know the 'high' price, you will recognize a good deal. The tough nut is, "Is the next deal better?"

I've had too much coffee this morning!

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S&WHF 366

My gut feeling is the market has slowed down quite a bit, and lots of overpriced guns are sitting unsold. Alas the "frenzy" seems to be over -for the moment. It`s a pity since I have a few I`d like to sell, but I`m getting no decent offers.

Despite news stories about manufacturer layoffs and gun sales being way down in 2014 compared to (record high year) 2013, things are still looking pretty brisk in my area. The busy gun shops are still busy... the slow gun shops are still slow. One busy shop near me just raised prices a bit on new guns and used prices seem to be headed somewhat higher too. The bargains and special deals are fewer. I take that as a sign that excess inventory is correcting itself and we are headed back to a more normal supply and price situation.

Generally prices are down and inventory is way up. Now is the time to buy, especially used. My lgs are full with trade ins, plus their normal inventory. One store is soo full they have to keep their safes, the ones for sale, outside during business hours. I think they just took in close to a thousand S&W AR15s, don't know which models. Also 500 units of POF 308 AR. These things sell for $2500 but they are blowing them out the door for $1500.

I picked up a like new Glock 22 for $315. I've bought so many things lately that it's becoming a bit of a financial problem

Normal to me will be going online and within 5 minutes, ordering a 5000 round case of .22LR ammo for under $200 delivered to my door.

Good gun prices are one thing, but we need ammo for the fullest enjoyment of them.

Now, let's talk about handloading components...

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Be Well

As I read this thread, I'm thinking most are talking about new and everyday service type guns. Seems like collector type guns are still on the up swing.

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Vietnam 1969-1971

New guns are overflowing in every gun store I have been in, but "nice" used revolvers and collectables are just as scarce or even more so. I do see more used shooter grade on the various gun seller sites, but prices are up and in many cases unrealistic. But .22 ammo, where are you?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

For a poor, retired old fool like me, "everyday service" or "used shooter grade" handguns are my collectibles. And that's mainly what I was addressing above. Can't speak to the super-megabuck collectibles for the rich among us, but prices on decent condition used handguns with at least lower tier collector interest have been trending upward in my area all summer. The bargains seem to have disappeared, at least for the immediate future. Admittedly, Massachusetts is its own unique market.

New (mostly plastic) handguns were moderating in price up until recently and there were some very good deals to be found. I'll admit that I did take advantage of that apparent overstock situation. But as I noted above, the sales and deals and special low prices seem to be fading away fast. I missed out on one excellent summer sale price and will probably miss out on another if I haven't already. The price increases I'm seeing aren't all that huge, but to see any price increases at all is a signal to me that the market is re-stabilizing.

Guns availability here is much much better than a year ago. Prices on at least the stuff im interested in--falling. Ammo--mostly is OK with the exception of availability ofany type of .22.

In Texas we have a gun show or 4 every weekend. Prices are high on good old guns (S&W blue revolvers, Colt SA and 70's series 1911, Ruger #1, Winchester Model 70's. Blued with nice wood)
Shotguns you can't give away and AR 15's are $599.00. Black guns are in the tank. Last 4 months FFL dealers are complaining of no sales. Private sellers are complaining of no sales. Ammo prices seem to be coming down but still no .22 or .22 mag.

But I think an old rancher I know has the right idea. He buys and sells old Winchesters and Colts. He said you have FFL dealers selling and trading behind the table. You have Private sellers selling and trading behind the table. You have private sellers walking the isles and buying, selling and trading. He said we need more SUCKERS !

It is out there, 1400 rds at 9 cents per, to your door. No waiting in line or wasted trips.

Why do you know this?

In my case, I overpaid by $100.00 for a gun I wanted (albeit not always wanted) last month and I still can't get over it. My own darn fault, of course. No one to blame but myself for jumping too fast and paying way too much for the condition the gun was in. I've been a lot more careful and frugal and successful since. But it was a tough lesson for a struggling old retired guy like me.

Oddly enough, me jumping and overpaying for that particular gun seems to have influenced my favorite dealer to stick with higher asking prices on similar guns... so it has turned out to be a double whammy for me.

Where might it be hiding ?

Market has slowed. Combine this with numerous ranges and gun shops opening up in the Greenville area and I'd say inventories are high.

But the thing is when you see that gotta have gun on the shelf, you try and get a discount but don't fret if you don't!

Except for the occasional shortage, hoarding, and price gouging, guns will increase in price as they have done since the first Chinese began trading their crossbows for hand cannons at their local cannon shop. Doesn't matter if it's new, used, shooter grade, or collector grade....The rate of increase may vary with the health of the economy and brief supply/demand hiccups, but overall gun prices have always increased and will continue to increase.

The prices generally here are down from the high point of the frenzy, about 20-25% on everything but shotguns - which did not go up that much.

One thing I have noticed that is indicative of our current time is that many of the older guys are dying and leaving whatever their madness was behind. There seems to be an influx of WWII related material which makes sense considering most of those older fellows that were of that era are dying and leaving their stuff behind which seems to be of little interest to the younger generations. I am seeing quite a bit more quality Garands and Carbines coming on the market, a friend of mine came into the club today with a very nice 1911Colt Ace he recently acquired. I figure it should only be a matter of time before the market gets saturated with the good older stuff and prices begin coming down. I have to agree that certain stuff like 5-screw Smiths and Pythons are just never going to come down in price, they may become more available but the market will set the price.

It really depends on what You are looking for. Great deals happen. We all get lucky sometimes. Quality, desirable by many, good+ condition out of production handguns are selling for decent money. There are plenty of people who pay what it takes to get what they want.

Waaaaah!

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Sometimes striking when the iron is hot is the right thing to do. Some extra expense for something you really want will soon be forgotten. Especially if it's not going to sit around and wait for you to make up your mind.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

From S&W's recent financial press release:

"sales of long guns, including modern sporting rifles, were negatively impacted by lower consumer demand. Handgun sales showed continued consumer demand for the company's small concealed carry polymer pistols and revolvers, although those sales were more than offset by lower sales of large frame polymer pistols."

Investors - Press Releases - Smith & Wesson

Allow me to add one (1) more slight observation. As most of you know I work the pawnshop detail for my agency.

After Sandy Hook the number of firearms pawned went down significantly. It is just now getting back to more normal levels but still most weeks lower than it was.

Now this is for my little slice of the world and other areas may have a different observation.

I hope you find this helpful.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I think you missed the point I intended to make. Short term ups and downs will occur for a variety of reasons, but history says prices for guns of reasonable quality, have ALWAYS increased, and will continue to increase over the LONG TERM. Pick any quality firearm you like and review market prices going back, say every five to ten years, and it will be highly unlikely you find any that have decreased in value over past decades. I've been collecting guns since the early 60's and know of none that are cheaper today than when I started.

I've noticed that same phenomenon here in my area. In the past four years I've been able to purchase some very nice S&W four and five screw revolvers as well as some pre-war Colt 38 DA's and a Woodsman. Models that I haven't seen for sale on the shelves have been (relatively) plentiful the past few years. Now the prices on many of the older pieces is a different thing entirely.

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I type. Therefore I am.

Nickeled Pythons, thanks to The Walking Dead, are outrageous. I know that Cabela's Gun Library is usually stratospheric for everything, but the one up in Hazelwood (MO) had two 6" nickel-plated Pythons for $3,800+.

Unless each gun traced back to either being owned by somebody famous or being used to do something notorious, I just can't see paying those kinds of prices.

Around here there are lots of autos in every gun shop and pawn shop. Revolves not so many and mostly non S&W. S&Ws very few new and very rare used. The new ones are price at standard retail though. The used S&W revolvers that I do see are usually on the high side, although I did pick up a 629-1 for $600 at a pawn shop after it sat for a bit. Not great deal but reasonable. Gun show soon and I will see what shows there.

What? No? In my area we have a surplus of firearms that are just sitting. When someone brings in a used version of the same thing that's already not selling he's not going to get a good price on the trade in. So if he goes ahead with it then you can save yourself some serious money.

So far I've paid $500 range for AKs like Arsenal which are typically new in the $1200 range and normally priced at $700 used. Argentinian FAL for $550. Colt AR for $600. Unfired G22 for $315.

What I passed on....
HK USP 45 for $499.
HK45 for $599.
FN 45 $599.
Sig P3420 $325.

In my area, we still have a shortage of .22LR but that's it, all the ammo shelves are constantly stocked, and finding an AR is easy, no more $2500 for a Dpms hahahah

I was able to purchase a daniel defense M4V1 the other day for 1250, about 500 lower than msrp, and also 5.56 ammo is relatively cheap compared to the $1 a round that I saw during the shortage. At this point, I think the shelves are overstocked and sales have slowed down. Also I noticed at least in my area, the local gun stores that are doing the best are those that have online "inventory" and have customers buy from their online stock and then pick it up their store.

Read S&W's last SEC filing; sales of their black rifles are down 87%. That's got to be industry-wide. Without some new development, prices on black rifles will drop far and fast.

The online stores have piles of new and used plastic pistols at low, low prices.

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But then, what do I know?

So what conclusions can we draw from this thread?

1) Yes, gun sales are down in 2014 from record year 2013. No real surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.

2) The reduction in demand and gun sales from 2013 is not the same for all gun types. MSRs have taken the biggest hit. Full size (mostly plastic) pistols have also not done quite as well as last year. Smaller handguns are still doing well. Used guns are a mixed bag depending on which used guns you are talking about. Some folks are seeing down trends while other folks are seeing prices holding steady or inching upward.

3) Changes in demand have not necessarily resulted in massive price cuts other than on previously crazy overpriced MSRs. Some sales and bargain prices have shown up on certain overstocked guns while the overbought/overstocked situation works itself out.

4) There is a fair amount of variation in demand and pricing depending on where you live, what you are shopping for and the situations with your favorite local dealers.

5) Overall, things are slowing working their way back to normal... or at least to a "new normal"... after a crazy roller coaster ride. Whether things continue on this track or get crazy again will depend on politics and events largely beyond our control. Make your best predictions on where the market might go and act accordingly.

Strictly anecdotal here. I have two LGS/pawnshops that I do the majority of my business with. Anywhere from 18 to 12 months ago the shelves in the two stores were pretty bare. The rifles and shotgun racks still had a pretty good selection of everything except AR-15 variations and other military style semi-auto rifles.

In the last few months though the shelves have filled up. Yesterday I went in to my favorite shop and the shelves were full of semi-auto pistols (rimfire and centerfire), DA revolvers and SA revolvers.In the racks there are numerous semi-auto military style rifles and semi-auto shotguns for sale as well.

The best selection I've seen since before Sandyhook. Actually better since many of the pieces are almost new. The owner told me he's had several folks who bought at the height of the Panic are now selling some of those pieces and taking a loss. Prices vary on the model for sale.

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I type. Therefore I am.

Was in Wallys World earlier and they had a Bushmaster AR with Red Dot for $499. Didn't need it but plunked down a $100 bucks and put it on layaway. Figure if I change my mind it will only cost me $10.

Guns seem to be more available...Not the high end collectables ie. Python,etc. However what the heck is the deal on ammo..22lr is still a hot commodity..Lot of plastic types are around but the all steal revolvers seem to still be in high demand..Colt and Smith especially...older high end models.

The M&P 15 Sports are flying off the shelves here in SoCal. I purchased mine a few weeks ago for 599, and I was lucky to be there when a new truckload arrived. Most of them were already spoken for, and when I came back to pick mine up, there was a waiting list again. There isn't a huge selection of handguns left in California, but there is plenty of choice in modern sporting rifles, ARs in particular.

Used stuff: supply is up and prices are pretty good (stabilized or maybe slightly down). New stuff: Manufactures are throwing some rebates and "deals" out there.

All in all, it's a good time to go hunting for what you need or want. There are more deals than there has been in quite some time.

"Collectables" are still strong around here.

Disclaimer: NY is expensive and quirky.

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paws for friendship

I wish that were true locally. I go to WM 4-5 days a week--mainly because I use wifi there--anyway, I havent seen any .22 on their shelves since last year--cept for rat shot and .22 short--which I have no use for.

I go to Academy--and they always have some but--only because even the 50 rd boxes are two per visit. I was there Friday looking for a new pair of shoes to get for walking--and wound up buying 100 rds of the cheap stuff-and a new cap. Im still not going to wake up early and stand in line with the stinkers who buy it all. To me, what they do us akin to standing on a street corner begging for money.

Heh heh, you "sounded" a bit like Clint Eastwood there.