But such a steep price tag heh. Some ten years ago I paid that same amount for a 2004 model colt match target ar15 with a 20 inch ss bull barrel. If anyone can clue me in, why do these reproductions cost so much?
If I spend a thousand dollars on a side lock, will it be any better than a typical 250 dollar traditions deer hunter for example? Will it shoot better than my deerstalker?
These guns are produced in relatively low numbers.
Yet there's many operations needed to put the gun together.
If they weren't made in Italy, they would be even more expemsive.
There's overseas shipping and even the distributor needs to make a profit.
These guns probably sit on the shelf for 5-10 years before they get sold.
Not a real populat model either.
I'd be surprised if they sell 200 - 300 of the carbines world wide each year, and that's probably being generous.
Why do you think that TC got out of the sidelock business?
Investarms was selling TC copies for almost 1/2 their price.
Even USFA couldn't stay in business.
Remember them, they were located in Hartford, CT assembling high end Uberti Colts and Colt SAA's.
They made great products but were simply too expensive for most, and they had invested heavily in new equipment.
Don't forget Euroarms, Armi San Marco and Palmetto all went out of business since about 2000.
If Chiappa/Armi Sport didn't sell so many different modern guns they probably wouldn't stay in business making BP guns.
There's not much profit in it to justify keeping a large factory open.
Civil war reproduction guns really can't be compared to average sidelocks.
They're mostly made for re-enactors and history buffs.
There's used muskets on the market from when people pass away and they get auctioned, or when folks stop re-enacting or shooting, and downsize their collection.
The N-SSA probably isn't a growing activity either, it involves a lot of time and commitment.
