the price of a gun today

Handgun $900
Shotgun $820
Rifle $1049

Shopping online. Can get it for alot less.

Just confining it to flintlocks.
Rifle $3200
Smoothbore $2200
Pistol $1800
None of the brass shuckers come close to that. A Sig .22 1911 was around $400. Everything else was under $250......but I’ve had ‘em for a while.

I agree with you 100%, but we don’t run in the same circles. What kind of rifle are you getting for $250? The last subgun I got was almost $2000. I’d say that most things I own avg about $2000, minus scope, optics and so on that adds significantly to that cost. Yes, I remember the days when you could get SKSs and cheap AKs but those days seem to be long gone and the price of a good gun nowadays imo is insanity. Is it because the dollar has been devalued that much or what? I’ve gotten into arguments with people over this. For example, maybe I’m foolish, but the new mp5 clones that are almost $2000 and up. I mean what the heck. They are cheap stamped guns, why the ridiculous costs? I guess tooling costs? Not that many being made so they have to jack up the price? The same could be said for AKs these days.

Rifle: $1248
Handgun: $600
Shotgun: $614 but I was a pharma rep, offered to take docs shooting at TM ranch, needed one right now, wrote it off to "food and beverage." Joe

The kind of guns I'm looking at, $2K won't buy one.
Most I've paid: Shotgun:$1100 (for an 1100, no less)
Pistol:$500 Taurus PT1911
Rifle: $300 Ruger 77 .300 Win mag with 2-7 Leupold Vx-II

pharmer said:

Shotgun: $614 but I was a pharma rep, offered to take docs shooting at TM ranch, needed one right now, wrote it off to "food and beverage." Joe

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Now I know why my colchisine is very expensive for a drug that has been around since the 17th century, but somehow got patented-have to pay those reps' expense accounts somehow....

Handgun: several at an even $1k each, but none over

Rifle: $900, an M1A IIRC....

Shotgun: $450, my .410 Enfield.

Scope: $1100, Burris Black Diamond.

entropy said:

The kind of guns I'm looking at, $2K won't buy one.


Now I know why my cholchisine is very expensive for a drug that has been around since the 17th century, but somehow got patented-have to pay those reps' expense accounts somehow....

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Want to elaborate some on that?

I must be part of the disappearing middle class. I don't like really cheap guns, and I don't like really expensive guns.

I recognize that some of the cheap guns out there are pretty good values, but I look down my nose at the really cheap stuff. I won't mention brand names but you know who they are.

I'm firmly in the "middle class" by price: Guns that sell for roughly $400 to $800. S&W, CZ, Springfield, Ruger, etc. These are pretty good guns that work pretty well, that have benefited from CNC production and economies of scale during the golden era of guns, and are backed up by companies with reputations for customer service. The middle class category also includes a bunch of guns that I don't own, but that have good quality at reasonable prices: the polymer variants of Sig, HK, Beretta, and of course Glock (which only makes polymer variants). There are probably some more brand names in this category I am missing.

Old guns of good pedigree, bespeaking the values of yesteryear, are firmly middle class in a traditional way. A good example is the Colt 1903 .32 ACP that came down to my wife from her Grandfather, who carried it while working as a traveling salesman in South Georgia in the 1920's.

Kimbers and Sig-Sauer metal guns are getting too expensive. I truly admire the semi-custom 1911's made by Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Dan Wesson, STI, Les Baer, etc. -- but think they are too expensive. It wouldn't be virtuous to spend that much for a pistol. If I win the lottery or obtain money in some other unvirtuous manner I am going to buy a Les Baer and shoot the snot out of it until it loses its bluing and looks really beat, which is just starting to break-in for a Les Baer, but which would make it suitably middle class. Well, upper-middle class.

357smallbore said:

I've been a gun buyer and owner since 1980.

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357smallbore said:

I have never paid over $350 for any gun.

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Kinda makes sense. I've never paid less than $350. Started buying in the early 2000's so I kinda missed the boat on $79 SKS and $99 cases of ammo. Never mind the giveaway sten and AK parts kits that now fetch a fortune that a lot of those surplus co's were trying to move in the late 90's "free with your purchase of $99 or more". Mint STG-58 kits complete with barrel $99. Just an ancient story now...

Rifle=$750
Pistol=$450

I have a limit I don't own a handgun,rifle,or shotgun that cost $1000.00. Some of my handguns come close to that price and some of my rifles.My shotguns $500.00 and lower.

Many of the guns I like are $1k and up used.

SilentStalker said:

Want to elaborate some on that?

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Well I'm looking at Ljutic Trap guns; used ones from the 70's start about $2000, new ones are @$8-9000.
As for the other comment, I was just tweeking pharmer's nose.
Big Pharma somehow found a way to patent colchisine, which is derived from a certain crocus flower. It has been around since the late 1600's. Before they patented it, it was cheaper than the co-pay. Now I get mine through the VA, but before that, it went up several hundred percent in price.

Some of my stuff.
44 AMP
500 S&W
Fox 12 GA. double
500 NE double
All at least 10 years old. Priceless to me.
Then there's my Hipoint collection.

357smallbore said:

When I get out and about. And I find myself at my LGS, Cabelas or a place similar. I am just amazed at the price of guns. (ALL GUNS). Today you buy 3 guns and you can have $2k racked up real quick. Without giving away too much. I have many weapons. I'm a 3% 'er for sure. I've been a gun buyer and owner since 1980.
I dont buy cheap junk guns. But I also dont buy the guns that people pay ridiculous amounts for. My question is.... Last gun I bought was 6 months ago. I pretty much shop the auctions online. What is the most you have paid for in buying a handgun, rifle and shotgun?
I have never paid over $350 for any gun. And like I have said, I have some pretty nice ones. Of course they are all shooters.
1. Handgun = $350
2. Rifle = $250
3. Shotgun = $226

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I feel sorry for your choice of a cheap shotgun - you obviously care more about price point that quality - and that is OK if price is all that matters to you. I prefer quality and quality - no matter what the goods are - doesn't come cheap.

But perhaps you should go back to what wages were in 1980 compared to today, along with the rest of the cost of living.

For me it's not the pricetag but value. What you get for your hard-earned money. Granted, I've blown low to mid five figures on some custom, engraved shotguns and rifles even second-hand, but even the upper limits of median are closer to a few hundred. I love bargains and more often than not I can easily sell the gun for more than I paid for it if I get buyer's remorse.

It really depends.

entropy said:

Well I'm looking at Ljutic Trap guns; used ones from the 70's start about $2000, new ones are @$8-9000.
As for the other comment, I was just tweeking pharmer's nose.
Big Pharma somehow found a way to patent colchisine, which is derived from a certain crocus flower. It has been around since the late 1600's. Before they patented it, it was cheaper than the co-pay. Now I get mine through the VA, but before that, it went up several hundred percent in price.

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New Ljutics are only $8K? I am looking at a new MX-8; they're now running about $12K so I maY have to loook for used and a get a stock made

you can find decent deals, but for the most part - you get what you pay for. it is easy to overpay, but nobody is giving things away. I have some older shooters, mostly 200-300 range. They are good, and I don't have to worry about scratching them - good to learn on - and that's what I'm doing. Same firearms in mint condition immediately sell for 2,3, or 4 times what I paid for the ones I have.

Yes the Mono guns are about 8000, Pro-3's about 9000. I once had the chance to buy an MX-8 (Ithaca import) for $400-it needed new firing pins. Pat Laib would have charged me almost that to do it. I had the $400, but not another couple hundred for the repairs, and I had shot it (before they broke), and didn't like the feel. I liked (and still do) Superposed models better.

Most of my collection is a considerable ways south of $1000.00. However, I did pay $1800.00 for a Citori. It was more than I really wanted to pay but I shot the gun really well and it looks good. It was also well below blue book value...

I reckon many of us see guns as tools. There comes a time when one reaches a level of craftmanship that your peers will expect you to have a certain level of equipment.

The most?
Handgun: $900
Rifle:$3,300
Shotgun:$1,400

But I am a deal hunter, I like the challenge. Even the very expensive guns I wouldn’t buy unless I thought I could sell them for more

film495 said:

you can find decent deals, but for the most part - you get what you pay for. it is easy to overpay, but nobody is giving things away. I have some older shooters, mostly 200-300 range. They are good, and I don't have to worry about scratching them - good to learn on - and that's what I'm doing. Same firearms in mint condition immediately sell for 2,3, or 4 times what I paid for the ones I have.

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Added bold.

Or teach others.

If your getting quality firearms for those prices buy them.

George P said:

I feel sorry for your choice of a cheap shotgun - you obviously care more about price point that quality - and that is OK if price is all that matters to you. I prefer quality and quality - no matter what the goods are - doesn't come cheap.

But perhaps you should go back to what wages were in 1980 compared to today, along with the rest of the cost of living.

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Lol, don't pay any attention to him 357 smallbore. I have seen low cost shotguns kill a heck of a lot of deer, turkey. and on and on. A high end gun does not make you a hunter.