Ammo Cheaper Today Than 50 Years Ago

[DorGunR]

When I was a kid back in the 1940's, I owned a Winchester model 1903 in .22 WRF. The ammo for this rifle was $1.00 for a box of 50 rounds back then, .22 LR ammo was $0.50 for a box of 50. A lot of people was working for $0.50 an hour which means a box of .22LR cost an hours work. Today, one can purchase a brick of .22LR for $8.50-$10.00, so everything being considered the cost of ammo is much cheaper now than it was about 50 years ago.

 

[Moparmike]

The reason for that is probably more efficient line-assembly of ammunition, and where there is efficiency there is increased production and less cost per item.

So, once again the fruit of the industrial revolution helps the firearm enthusiast.

 

[BigG]

I definitely agree, DorGunner. The old guns I drooled over and thought I could never afford cost less than a C note. The Colt Government Model and Python was stratospherically expensive at about $150 or so back in the latter 60s. I made about $2 an hour working after school.

 

[Gunhamr]

When I was a teenager back in the 30s I worked on the farm
for an uncle for 75 cents a day and they were long days, depending on the season of the year, from 12 to 16 hours.

A box of 25 Super-X 12 gauge shells cost $1.00
A box of 25 Xpert 12 gauge shells cost .75
The merchants would break a box and sell you as many as you wanted.
I usually bought 5 Xperts for a quarter. The merchant made big money
and I was happy.

I have handloaded all my ammo since 1960 except for a few 10 gauge
goose shells. Against my principles to buy factory ammo.

 

[ElToro]

and that 25k house you bought in '70 is now worth 700k and that 1,000$ VCR you bought in 79 can be bought for 29$ its all relative. adjusted for inflation, gasoline is still cheaper now then ever before, especially "back in the good old days"

i still prefer the lovely bluing on old smiths though...

 

[Gunhamr]

I remember back in the good ole days when gasoline was
12 cents a gallon but I didn't have 12 cents or a car to put
it in.

 

[J Miller]

Stop it!!! You guys are making me feel positively youthfull........

 

[jsalcedo]

Everything goes in cycles.

When I was in Highschool in the Mid 80's M1 carbines could be had for $100
now they are $450 to $600. And there were many other deals I could not afford back then.


But now we can get nice SKS's and Mosin Nagants for $45 to $85, K98 for under $150 and Enfields for $49.99. Ammo is cheaper and more plentiful than ever before and good used duty pistols can be had for a song.

I'm thinking now these are the good old days

 

[BluesBear]

10 years ago it was difficult to find a box of 50 .45acp 230gr FMJ for $10.00
Now it's all over the place.

I first noticed ammo prices dropping them PMC ammo became mainstream.
When it was a Remington/Winchester/Federal/S&W polyopoly prices were higher.

I believe that PMC and Blackhills were such competition that the big boys had to find ways to cut costs. Now with Georgia Arms we have another big player helping keep prices down.

 

[Topgun]

ANd then.....

2 days ago I saw a near fatality at da gunshop when a guy bought a box of .22 Hornet and they rang up $27.50

 

[Sunray]

"...I made about $2 an hour working after school..." In the late 60's? You were loaded. When I started working PT, I got $1.65 per hour plus tips. Didn't see $2 until much later. You rich guys got all the girls too.

 

[Correia]

I think that we can also thank Mr. Mike Dillon.

 

[BigG]

I was able to get my heart's desire a Rem Rand M1911A1 US Army like new for $50 and a new Belgian Browning .380 pocket model for $59 in the late 60s.

 

[Topgun]

50 bucks was a lot to pay for a typewriter.

 

[ponyexpress]

Here's a good article about the "good old days"

http://www.missourisportshooting.org/ms4.htm

 

[telewinz]

1960 American Rifleman

I have numerous gun magazines from the 50's and 60's. In almost every case surplus ammo is MUCH cheaper taking into account inflation and in some cases the ammo is almost the same price even if inflation isn't taken into account. As the world continues to "disarm" and upgrade their weapons, I think this situation should continue for another 5-10 years.

surplus ammo

7.62X54mm $10 per 100 rds.
30/06 7.50 per 100 rds
45 acp 10 per 100
8mm Mauser 7.50 per 100
303 Brit 7.50 per 100

Colt 1911A1 as issued $39.00
Enfield Sniper Match rifle $18.75 (yes)
Weaver K-4 Scope $35
US 1917 30/06 $29.95
Colt M1917 .45 revolver 27.95
Garand $80
1911 Swiss rifle 13.95
Carcano 6.5mm 9.95
Swedish Mauser 28.88
Russian Model 91 9.95
8" barrel luger 79.95 (artiillery model)
Johnson 30/06 59.95
Leopold 4X scope 45.00
M1 carbine 79.87
Weatherby Mark V $265
Ruger Blackhawk 96.00
Marlin 39A 79.75


I could continue but I have to stop and wipe my eyes.

 

[BluesBear]

In 1973 Remington & Winchester ammo .45acp was 13¢ a round. ($6.50 per box/50) Minium wage was $1.65.

Going by the example of .45 ammo for $10.00/100. It's only doubled in the past 50 years.

I can still buy good major brand .45acp for $10.00/50 or less. Price of .45 ammo has NOT doubled since 1973 but my paycheck HAS.

But then you may work cheaper than me.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Used duty pistols for a song????

Really??? Where??? What do you want me to sing??? The only used duty pistol I have ever seen for sale was a $450.00 Colt snubby Python, which is quite a few songs. Now a 6" Smith, or a 1911 clone, with adjustable sights, on the other hand, I could get really excited about. Like I said, where are they and what do I sing and to whom?