ARs prices are dropping like crazy

TheSaint said:

I refuse to shop with CTD as well. I used to do business with them, but the outrageous prices they were charging instead of instituting limits on purchases so everyone can have a chance to purchase something in these times of panics is unacceptable.

I strongly believe that GOOD gun outlets MUST acknowledge that gun ownership is a right and the citizens that own and operate those businesses as much as possible should make every effort to make sure the maximum number of people have access to that right. We should support businesses like Midway, Walmart and others who have kept their pricing somewhat normal and instituted quantity limits so that everyone has a chance at exercising their rights.

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Can you explain that first paragraph to me? Maybe it is different where you live, but in Texas all the companies that instituted the low price rationing had the inventory wiped put the second it came off of the truck. I wuld not consider that 'giving everyone a chance to buy.' whereas shops that raised their prices were able to still sell thru their inventory but just in time to receive the next shipment. That IMHO, is giving everyone a chance to buy.

I'm not trying to defend CTD. They had some real problems. And they also were marked up far beyond mostof their competitors. But one fundamental to retail turns is to sell your last item the moment you receive your next shipment. That's a pretty common rule in retail and what min max systems are based on.

Good.

In a year or two the market will be flush with used AR-15 rifles. Bought two AR-15s early last year from a guy coming out of a pawnshop. The pawnbroker had offered him $750 for a Stag Arms AR-15 and an 1960s Colt that was barely used. Gave the guy $900for both and sold the Stag Arms gun for $600.

I've never been an AR fan either, I'm perfectly happy with my Mini-14, and I didn't rush to buy one before what may have become another ban.

However, now I'm considering getting one, once prices are back to normal, just to CELEBRATE the ban that didn't happen, and to piss of anyone who thinks I shouldn't have one.

I do hereby resolve to NEVER buy anything else from Cheaper than Dirt again if I can possibly help it. I'm on their mailing list and just this morning, I received an email from them with this subject:

Quote:
Buy Your AR-15 Before Lawmakers Outlaw Them!

They are feeding and trying to extend the panic even though it's effectively over. For that, they've lost me as a customer, even though I rarely shop there because their prices are usually high.

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You have resolved to do what I chose to do a few months ago. CTD will never receive another dime from me again.

What an appallingly greedy and deceitful company.

Yes they are dropping in price like crazy around here. Looked at a windham month ago 1299.99 and the same model is now 899.99. I think i will wait even longer.

CTD never left my poop list since 2009. Of course they are free to charge whatever they want to. And I am free to choose to not do business with them.

This is the thing about gouging. You can do it if you want to, but the trick is to get out before the bubble pops. I said at the beginning of January that demand had peaked, and they all should have known that it would fall like a rock as soon as the senate killed new gun laws. Live by gouging, die by gouging.

I noticed that the Mini-14 price dropped 100 dollars here in CT in the past week. They can't sell ARs any more here of course, except .22 AR's (you can get any EBR you want as long as it's rimfire). I'm waiting for someone to start complaining about the rimfire AR loophole after a while. Also Stag Arms has mentioned that they are looking to roll out a CT compliant AR prototype in the next couple months, that should spin up some anti-gunners. I've never been that interested in an AR, but I might get something just because it's frowned on by the government.

I have seen ARs all along at my local Walmart but they generally sold quickly. Last week they had one that was there fro at least 3 days but it could be because they have no ammo for sale. LGS in the are also have had plenty of aRs reccently and they are not blowing off the shelves but, like WM, there is no ammo available unless you want to pay $1 a round.
Amazing how this thread turned into a CTD bash. I am not really sure I understand this as it is simply a matter of not buying from them if their price is too high. I have received multiple emails from them with exorbitant prices and I simply ignore them. In the past, pre-panic, I have used them on multiple occasions with excellent results and I see no reason not to do so in the future as long as they offer a price that is in line with or better than their competition.

If I were desprerate for some type of ammo, as in I was out and absolutely had to have some, then I would check them out. The companies that have really good prices on items they don't have in stock are really great companies. Except for the fact that they don't have anything in stock. I fail to see how a company can be considered "Bad" for having high prices with availability but another company can be considered "good" because they have good prices but no product to sell. It's only price gouging if they force you to buy something you have to have.

I wonder how many of the CTD haters would place orders if the next email or flyer had .22 bricks for $20 or so? My gut feeling is that there would be a lot of haters secretly hitting their website to place orders.

I didn't think about that. I guess we will be seeing the return of the "sporter" rifles since we have a couple of new AWB states. Do any of you guys remember the MAK 90's and other assorted post ban EBR's that we saw after the AWB in 94? All the gun manufacturers started building rifles that would by pass the ban. That was one of the reasons the new AWB proposal was so stringent. They were trying to counter all of the future attempts to side step the new law.

you guys should check out Armslist here in Nevada, no one has told these [provate sellers that ARs are going down LOL

Wow. Optics Ready M&P15s going below $900. The run on AR rifles is definitely over.

There are a bunch of folks out there who have found themselves on the back end of the speculation market and are still pricing their recently acquired inventory according to mid-panic peak prices. Even as demand is waning, they are holding to those prices to justify their investments. Of course, since there are less and less buyers at those prices, they will either have to hold on to that inventory longer, or they will have to give in to market forces and lower prices. The fact that new inventory is showing up in regular retail channels again should force price reductions sooner, rather than later.

Agsalaska said:

Can you explain that first paragraph to me? Maybe it is different where you live, but in Texas all the companies that instituted the low price rationing had the inventory wiped put the second it came off of the truck. I wuld not consider that 'giving everyone a chance to buy.' whereas shops that raised their prices were able to still sell thru their inventory but just in time to receive the next shipment. That IMHO, is giving everyone a chance to buy.

I'm not trying to defend CTD. They had some real problems. And they also were marked up far beyond mostof their competitors. But one fundamental to retail turns is to sell your last item the moment you receive your next shipment. That's a pretty common rule in retail and what min max systems are based on.

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I worked in retail as a store manager for many years. To me, yes, being efficient with your inventory is certainly a good idea. That being said, even in times of short inventory, I NEVER charged my customers 400% markups over their wholesale costs. CTD has tremendous sway over their wholesale pricing given their size. No other retailer so egreiously took advantage of their loyal customers by posting insultingly high prices on common items. That's not the point.

I have plenty of money in the bank, nice credit lines and so forth. I see firearms are a right. Those who deal in firearms should try to understand that such a right should be exercised by as many people as possible, not just make it a sport for those of us who have tons of cash or credit cards. It is a matter of principle. You can still make money and be principled. CTD chose to sell out for short-term profits at the expense of the average citizen. I will never do business with unprincipled people if I can at all avoid them.

you guys should check out Armslist here in Nevada, no one has told these [provate sellers that ARs are going down LOL

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Ya, I agree. Must still be a shortage in NV or no one is buying. My buddy was trying to buy a glock 19 or 17 (I think) and could not find any in town.

Armslist is very expensive in CA too. It seems that they are trying to cater to those newcomers to the sport that aren't aware of what a fair-market price is for any particular item. I've even seen that quite a bit on other sites, but Armslist is certainly among the most pricey.

Was in Walmart tonight. They have both an S&W M&P 15-22 and a Mossberg tactical 22 both in stock. Can't remember the pre-panic prices but they both looked about like normal pricing. No AR-15's yet. Ammo is still depleted. Black powder gone now too.

If Democrats gain control of the house and retain the senate, be prepared to buy everything at inflated prices.

With the prices coming down I am considering purchasing my first AR. I have always been more into handguns so this may be a stupid question but do I need to have a 5.56 to shoot .223's or can a .223 shoot the 5.56 as well. Sorry for my ignorance here but want to leave my options open.

Also, I know you get what you pay for but what would be a good starter AR for my first go at it? I am looking at trying to stay in the $1,000 range give or take a few hundred.. I have seen some .223 Del-Ton's for $850 out the door and Bushmasters for $1250 to some really nice Colt's for.....uh, yeah Any suggestions? Thanks!

Remember that the only way they can TAKE the house is to admit more moderate, blue dog members. That is why they were unable to make any changes in 2009, the moderate dems stopped them.

Here ya go, from CDNN today.

That's a shame. I was about to sell mine at a ridiculous price to spite panic buyers... and so I can afford .357 mag ammo and reloading equipment.

Thanks! Looks like some good prices.

Now can I get one that is listed as a .223 and shoot 5.56 through it or does it have to be a 5.56 that I get to be able to shoot .223's? I see some listed as 5.56, some .223 and some 2.23/5.56. Did not know if all one and the same. I thought 5.56 would shoot both but not sure if 2.23 will shoot both.