If, in Y2K, a Mini-14 sold for $400 as one shop I know priced it, Ruger would've sold it to XYZ distributor for approximately $100-125/unit. XYZ would ship to the shop for $200-250 where the sporting goods manager would try his best to act like they're not making any money. Making the profit margins is a forgone conclusion because if they don't, its unsustainable. Best I can tell, having been acquainted with some of those guys, if they're poor-mouthing all the way to the cash register, they're laughing all the way to the bank. Otherwise, most wouldn't want to deal with it. That said, both parties have to remember it's people on both sides of a deal. Some parts of the country, neighbors and working relationships still matter.
As far as the A-team and the Mini-14's popularity, I don't know that they're that different to any other 1980's TV show. The impression of whole lot of lead flying, but I don't recall too many where they could hit the barn wall from the inside.