Tom S.
Member
With respect to the good old days - I have lived through them. As already pointed out, prices are relative to wages, but here's a couple other thoughts.
Manufacturing processes have vastly improved. Fits and finishes are far better than they used to be on average guns. Materials have changed too, giving us stocks you can drive over w/o cracking, and light weight, highly concealable firearms. In today's world, I consider these all 'pluses'.
Here are some minuses: Big box stores and the internet have nearly killed the independent firearm dealer who could answer any question you had, or provide personal services. Regulations have been killers too, such as the ban on mail order sales and haz-mat fees on reloading supplies.
So like everything, there are always two sides to the story.
Manufacturing processes have vastly improved. Fits and finishes are far better than they used to be on average guns. Materials have changed too, giving us stocks you can drive over w/o cracking, and light weight, highly concealable firearms. In today's world, I consider these all 'pluses'.
Here are some minuses: Big box stores and the internet have nearly killed the independent firearm dealer who could answer any question you had, or provide personal services. Regulations have been killers too, such as the ban on mail order sales and haz-mat fees on reloading supplies.
So like everything, there are always two sides to the story.