Ramblings on AR-15s

[jaykellogg]

I was at the LGS today to pick up the Model 10 I got from Bud's and I talked with him about AR-15s. He said he now has no trouble getting them but is not stocking many. He feels there are a ton of unfired ARs out there that people bought thinking they would make a killing on, or perhaps they were afraid they wouldn't be able to get one. He saw people buying them with credit cards and he feels later this summer when the kids go back to school that many of these folks will be dumping theirs. Since this is a Gun store in a pawn shop I tend to believe he knows what he is talking about.

There may be some deals later this year.

 

[SteveA]

Same way with my LGS. Had a kid come in and try to sell one to him for $1200 yesterday and he responded NO, I have the same rifle on the wall NIB for $900.

 

[mc5aw]

From what I saw during the panic, the vast majority of AR buyers in my area were either first timers worried about not having a soon-to-be-banned rifle, or speculators looking to buy high and sell higher. Now that the market has stabilized, stock is getting back on the shelves, albeit slowly. Prices for lower end ARs haven't come in however, and there is still a big difference between an entry level model for 800-900 and a higher end model for 1700-2000. When the inevitable tide of pre-owned ARs starts hitting the consignment shelves, there will be junk and jewels to sort through.

 

[kraigwy]

Well I don't know......I have two AR's, on is a Colt SP1 I got just because it was as close as I could get in semi to match the M167a1 that severed me quite will in Vietnam. The other is a White Oak Upper Service Rifle I use in High Power.

I've had both a long time, well before this craze started, but I can tell you that there is no way these two AR's will be showing up for sale as long as I'm alive.

 

[jaykellogg]

but I can tell you that there is no way these two AR's will be showing up for sale as long as I'm alive.

No, I am talking about the first timers and speculators who bought up the guns this January. My LGS said a lot of these were bought on credit and when the price drops (which it is doing as I write this) then more will be thrown on the market. He isn't putting many in stock and he told me he is now selling new in the box AR-15s for $6-700.

 

[redlevel]

My take is that prices might come off a couple hundred dollars from the highs, but if you think you are going to be able to buy one at pre-panic prices, I think you are dreaming.

Same with ammo. The only ammo I believe will come down substantially is .22lr. I believe $20 plus tax is the new $10 for .22lr.

 

[Bamabred]

I bought my AR during the panic. Had always planned on buying one, but the administration just sped up the process. I've already fired mine and I love it. Don't have any plans on selling it though.

 

[SW_shooter]

I think prices will drop back to near pre-craziness levels about late summer. I believe a ton of new buyers bought and will decide they really don't want/need the AR they bought and they will be posting and/or selling to Pawn shops.

I don't need one but if I see a great deal I may have to add one to the stable. Of course that's provided I have any money left over. My vehicle needs shocks really bad (~$1k) and recently the rear AC unit is making noise and the shop says its probably an actuator (another ~$400).

 

[mkk41]

Sheriff of another PA county is raffling of a Colt AR and a few other guns to raise funds for the K-9 unit.

She is taking big time flack for it.

Her answer? "Get over it! This is a legal firearm and the winner must submit to a criminal background check!"

You go girl , er ma'am!

 

[ACP230]

I saw an S&W M&P 15 Sport listed at $699.99 this week.
A Sig Saur and an M&P 15 MOE Mid were $200 more.
Some other listed were higher, some a lot higher.

 

[Ethang]

Sheriff of another PA county is raffling of a Colt AR and a few other guns to raise funds for the K-9 unit.

She is taking big time flack for it.

Her answer? "Get over it! This is a legal firearm and the winner must submit to a criminal background check!"

You go girl , er ma'am!

Good for her. She has more ahhh.....things ...then most of the other male Sheriffs.

 

[cowboy45]

It will happen. It's happened before.

 

[rojodiablo]

The flood will come, and the prices will drop faster than a strippers' clothes.

I know many guys who bought multiple rifles for decent prices, and can not move them for much more than what they bought them for at this point. They waited too long to move them. Greed got them, and I say good for them!
They are getting tired of racking up $60-120 a MONTH in interest on those credit cards, and will be forced to dump the rifles at a loss within 2 months, unless the prices skyrocket again...... not likely.

 

[Frank46]

And during the crazyness Wal-Mart was selling the LE6920 for $1097. Regardless of wether you subscribed to the theory of free market enterprise or buying low and selling high at least Wal-Mart kept to the same price. Course you did have to hustle and be there when the ammo was put on the shelves. Frank

 

[Rule3]

Lots of AR's and AKs in stock now. To bad there is no ammo for them. I reload so don't care much and do not shoot them very often anyway. I'd rather shoot a bolt action 223.

 

[model70hunter]

After the panic crest was over I bought a consignment NIB Colt Match HBAR for about $400 less than the seller originally put it in for, he had them lower the price weekly. I finally bought it at 1195 and that was 5 or 6 weeks ago.

I found some Israel imported by Federal 5.56 in Wally world today, 8.95 per box. I was on the road today, stopped in at an LGS about 30 miles from here, he had 19.99 per box on Tula 5.56. I did not bite but did cough, pony up and give 29.99 for 1 10 round magazine.

I'm seeing some 223/5.56 ammo around. No .22 LR any where.

One store here has a sporting goods section. They were selling AR 15's as fast as they could get them in. They now have 20 some SIG M-400 AR 15's and have not sold one in weeks.

 

[jaykellogg]

My LGS has 5.56 ammo reloaded once fired brass with armor piercing bullets for $55/100 (5½¢ a round). Ammo is coming down a bit. I have about 2000 rounds that I got at 3.2¢.

I just glanced over the local armslist.com and there are a lot of folks hoping to get big money for AR's. I agree, the demand will be down for a while and the supply will be up. Mags are starting to appear, but I still haven't gotten the 10 pmags I ordered from Brownells.

 

[Rule3]

My LGS always had P Mags in stock and never gouged anyone for them.

 

[mc5aw]

All it will take to start another panic is a tragedy that involves an AR. Then the antis and politicians will start shrieking about black rifle bans again, and consumers will be in a frenzy.

Imagine if one of the Boston bombers owned and AR ... Not used, simply owned. The poop would have hit the prop immediately, and everyone from Joey 12 Gauge on down the anti-gun roster would be pushing to abolish the AR platform.

 

[pharmer]

All it will take to start another panic is a tragedy that involves an AR. Then the antis and politicians will start shrieking about black rifle bans again,

And you can bet the cold calculators are just waiting for the next nut wanting to shortcut to that "15 minutes of fame." Joe