Am I missing something... Why are AR rifles so expensive?

Because people will pay that much? Really though, for the bottom line rifle, it's not much more than the $500 you will pay for many other guns. It's when you get into the add on's and doo dads that you get into the serious coin. "Tactical" is kinda a niche market anyway, so expect to pay accordingly...

AR for $500?

Lowest I've seen is right around $750...?

stsimons said:

It also seems like if you want anything other than a .223 the price goes up another $300...

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except .22 LR

AR-15 type rifles are extremely INexpensive if you consider the amount of machining and metallurgy that goes into making them. Because they are standardized and sold in huge numbers, mass production has driven costs way down. The uncommon variants and larger caliber offerings cost more because there is far less economy of scale.

I don't have the source handy but remember reading that when the AR-15 was first designed, only 6 (8?) countries on earth had the machining capability to do all the machining operations necessary to build it. It's not like an AKM that can genuinely be assembled in an Afghan hut over an open forge.

A better question would be, why are US-market AK clones so darn expensive considering that it only costs Izhmash about $80 to make one, and Izhmash makes about the best out there.

Uh...you can get a pretty good AR for under $1000...I wouldn't consider that expensive.

I'm with Z-Michigan. Why are they so expensive compared to _____? Fill in the blank, and we can give you more detailed answers.

Guns are expensive these days, look how much you can spend on a pistol.

AR prices are actually pretty good right now because supply is good. If you're in the market shop around or build one yourself, things could change again next year.

Are AR's expensive?

The market is flooded with AR's now that the Obama scare is over and you can buy a complete AR for $600-$800 or build one yourself for less than that.

A quality AR is still going to run you a $1,000 or more but there are still very nice AR's out there for less than that. You can buy a complete S&W M&P15 for under $900 and S&W is offering a $100 rebate or five free Pmags if you buy one, that's a smokin' deal if you ask me!

Remember that cost is only a matter or perspective. For some people anything under a $1,000 is cheap while for others anything over $500 is expensive.

Hmm here is one for $600...

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/W.A.S.P.-Bargain-Bin-16-inch-M4-1402

In this day and age when a not too fancy rem700 can go well over $600 depending on trim, what makes you think $800 for a modular semiautomatic that features 100% drop in aftermarket parts avalibility is expensive.


Nowadays any good rifle that costs under a grand is almost by default a good deal

Like it was said before; because they can! Trigger assembly $125 for 3 little pieces of designed metal.. give me a break? Now if I had to dig in a mine for metal, then forge said metal, package and market my finished product I might change my mind?

ARs aren't expensive at all given their capabilities. You can get one set up for "tactical" use/home defense, buy a $400 stainless bull upper and switch it to a precision rifle shooting 1 MOA or better in a matter of seconds. If you dedicate optics to a particular upper, it doesn't have to be re-zeroed either. You can have "several" rifles all with the same serial # for different purposes. Some days you might feel like shooting a scoped AR at long range, other days you might want to pop rounds at short range using your RDS.

For the casual and advanced shooter alike, no other rifle is as versatile. By purchasing the right accessories, you can make them fit just about any role. Be it caliber, barrel length/profile, rifling twist rate, ANYTHING-it can be just as you want it.

Considering what a mid-range 1911 or a new Smith & Wesson revolver costs, ARs don't look that expensive.

ARs are like divorces.



They are expensive because they are worth it

If you don't pay the sucker prices in many gunshops they are very reasonable. You can buy a S&W AR through CDNN now for $699 with a $100 rebate. There are many online shops selling AR's at very reasonable prices.

Ruger Hawkeyes are $650, A Remington 700 CDL will run around $700 as will a Winchester 70. Even a Savage is over $550 now.

you can get a pretty good AR for under $1000...I wouldn't consider that expensive.

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I.M.O. that statement pretty much says it all.

I believe that all guns are way over priced, but when the maker puts the rediculous high price on anything and people rush out and buy it, the price sticks and becomes common.

most people accept the fact that it's the cost of doing bussiness, I see the prices of some items (not just guns) that have gone up 1000% in 10 or so years, how many people have seen the same hold true in thier income, (not many).

I now own a ruger SBH that my late father bought new in the 70's for less than $200.00, my brother has his colt series 70 that cost not much more, both companies have upgraded thier methods and equipment to reduce the manufacturing costs, and yet with each upgrade, the price went UP, and the quality went DOWN.

OK, rant over, just needed to get that off my chest.

I don't think they are that expensive. More so since they have to pay US labor rates, if they could outsource to China you would see AR's in the $500 range.

LRS_Ranger said:

Hmm here is one for $600...

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/item/W.A.S.P.-Bargain-Bin-16-inch-M4-1402

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That's got to be a .22 for that price

The rifles are that expensive because that is what people are willing to pay for them. With all the CNC type machine work and mold injected plastic parts I would think production cost per unit is probably less that product liability insurance per unit. I you gut out a AK, they ought to be priced right up there with a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. Nothing complicated. All stamped parts for the most part and millions made.

I think the Beretta 92A1 I handled that was priced at $672.00 is expensive for a handgun, even if it does come with three magazines.
$672.00 for a new in the box AR15 isn't expensive IMHO.

The farther you get from the standard design the more you pay.

You can pay $300 for a 2 stage, super-duper trigger assembly, or use the one that comes in the lower part kit ($60 for every pin, spring, and small part that goes in the lower receiver) and that works perfectly adequately.

Standard pistol grip is included in the lower parts kit, or you can pay $80 for a gel-molded pistol grip that has a storage spot for your heart medicine.

ARs have more optional stuff than Barbie.

BSW

Expensive is a relative term, it doesn't mean the same thing to any two people. It really boils down to how much you want it.

Parts may be made by machines but people still operate the system for mfg, QC, packaging, etc. These people IMO deserve to recieve a paycheck for their work and I"m more than happy to purchase AR rifles for the current rates.

After all the price of the rifle isn't what I think about when running these machines...it's the high price of ammo and reloading components! Ha ha...These AR's are FUN, Accurate, High Quality products made by my fellow Americans thankfully. If $700 bucks for a decent AR seems like a lot of money than you can et an inexpensive single shot for $150 or used lever action for $250...