Firearm Prices Going Lower

[il.bill]

Given that this is a presidential election year, I have been really surprised at how much of a 'buyer's market' firearm sales are in at this time. I have owned and operated a small business for over 40 years, so I am somewhat used to the idea of business cycles, but I do not pretend to understand the economics or the dynamics of the system any more than I understand movement in the price of gasoline, or real estate / housing, or the stock market.

The forces of Supply and Demand seem to be at work, so I suppose segments of the firearm manufacturing industry have created a current surplus in certain items (alas, but not the PMR-30 .22WMR pistol I have been looking for over a year now) and there is simply a lot of new firearms available for sale. Just within the last month I have been seeing H&K VP9 pistols available all over for at least $50 less than they were last summer if you could find one then. The local Gander Mountain recently had a Ruger SR22 for $175 out the door, and an LCR .38 spl. with fiber optic sight for over $80 below dealer cost. Nice Anderson AR-15 stripped lowers can be found for less than $40 regularly. Last night I found a NIB Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II online for less than $500!

I guess my point is that NOW is a good time to be looking to buy a firearm, and this close to the election that really surprises me.

 

[ny32182]

Yep, definitely a buyer's market, that I would not expect to last until the end of the year for obvious reasons. This is likely the trough, possibly for years to come.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I've been saying for some time that I didn't believe we were going to see anything like the panic-prices we saw in the last 2 elections, and after Newtown. I even started a thread asking if folks here thought there would or wouldn't be.
From what I've seen, way too many people got burned on the last couple panics, and now everybody and his brother have been stocking up on guns,ammo, parts,mags, lower receivers,etc. with the hope of cashing in big. And, even the manufacturers themsleves that got caught short-supplied, are surely doing their best not to miss out on the next one.
As someone else pointed out, i think nearly everyone that wants a black rifle, already has one, and combined with the worsening economy and flush inventories, I don't think we're going to see anything like what we have before.

 

[AlexanderA]

Now would be a good time to buy. The panic is definitely coming.

 

[stchman]

Reason it is such a buyer's market as guns have been being produced in record numbers over the last 8 years. People have been buying guns and ammo at record rates over the same period.

I have read that there are over 300 million firearms in the USA.

 

[Ryanxia]

Like you said it's quite different than other markets. I think primarily due to the perceived regulations on federal and state levels and the fact that technology changes spur some good booms too. Sig Sauer's new suppressor line is getting very good reviews so even though folks may already have 5-10 suppressors it's something new and they want it, so a new demand. The panic buying over the last few years definitely seems to be getting down into a controllable level although NICS checks are still through the roof.

Certain products like AR15's are definitely at pretty much the lowest they will be.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

A good example would be Palmetto selling FNS-40 pistols for $337 shipped, sold out in an hour.

That was a phenomenal deal.

It is definitely a buyers market, things will never be better than they are now.

 

[MedWheeler]

I would have snatched that SR22 (assuming it wasn't whipped!) right up. Never seen one for less than twice that price.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I'm seeing quite a few collectors guns to! I think the Obama economy being the reason. Money is tight.

Deaf

 

[Warp]

A good example would be Palmetto selling FNS-40 pistols for $337 shipped, sold out in an hour.

That was a phenomenal deal.

It is definitely a buyers market, things will never be better than they are now.

Those really only lasted an hour?

But yeah, FNS 40 with 3x14 round mags and night sights for $320 + shipping...geeeez. And AR prices are down...way down...as recently as early 2012 the best deal going was $1,080 for a Colt 6920 if you could find a Walmart with one...then some online retailers had them with magpul furniture for <$1k on and off for a long time...and now prices are even lower.

Ammo has come way down from the panic too, and availability is awesome for everything but the stupid .22lr

Mags are cheaper than they ever were, counting for inflation. PMAGs were $12-$14 each actual online retail price, best you could get, in late 2012...now you can get them 10/$100.

 

[shootniron]

Just a common gun, but I bought a new 9mm Shield on gunbroker Monday night for $339.00 with free shipping (I will have to pay the transfer fee)...cheapest that I have ever seen one.

 

[AR556]

AlexanderA, I agree with you 100%! I just recently purchased (2) NIB Ruger AR-556 AR-15's for $499 each, plus tax, at my LGS. I also made an order from my LGS for 10K rounds of 5.56 ammo. Myself and (2) friends all put in together for the ammo.
You had better get it while you still can. It's coming!

 

[giggitygiggity]

Let's do our best not to spread panic. I am not saying there isn't cause for concern or that we can relax and pretend that the 2A will not be infringed again when Billary is president. However, over the last few years, the American people, as a whole, have shown that we like guns and won't let evil politicians promote their anti gun agendas by playing off of sympathetic emotions and the tragedies of surviving family members. Moreover, there has been far greater interest in NFA items, particularly suppressors, and there have been wins for pro gun advocates in the way of less restrictive carry laws in states. Despite what the liberal media tries to brainwash people with, America likes guns and does not favor, by and large, infringement of the 2A. Keep voting in Republican congressmen and senators and regardless of how tyrannical Billary is, her power will be severely handicapped.

 

[Warp]

However, over the last few years, the American people, as a whole, have shown that we like guns and won't let evil politicians promote their anti gun agendas

Unless, that is, you live in CA, or CO, or NY, or HI, or NJ, or...

 

[CWL]

New gun sales have been averaging one million a month during the last 8 years under the current POTUS, that's almost 100 million firearms!

While these are admirable numbers for firearms ownership, these numbers cannot be sustained forever. As a result, prices have come down since retailers have to compete in a glutted marketplace with each other as well as with the secondary market.

 

[Elkins45]

Unless they just turned 18 (or 21 in the case of handguns) in the last few years, who could possibly not have already purchased a firearm that wants one?

Even the dumbest of people can only join in the panic so many times before they just get tired of it. If people didn't get the hint to buy all the magazines and semi-auto guns they want the last time then they are welcome to buy one of mine.

I'm perfectly happy to participate in the $2000 AR panic---as a seller.

 

[jmorris]

Yeah, I found if funny that I had no problem ordering any everything I wanted in September before the last election. Then in December everyone was paying $2000 for an AR and $100 for 1000 primers.

I guess that's called stupid tax for not planning ahead...

 

[reddog81]

I'm kind of surprised at the current market also. With the threat of Hillary becoming president I fear she will be much more aggressive against firearms than Obama has been. As long as Republicans can maintain a majority in the House we should be safe, but most likely she would push harder than Obama has to ban anything she deams unacceptable. If this happens the gun and ammo manufacturers will be running at full capacity for the next 4 years.

If a Republican becomes president the 2nd admendment would be safe however this could have a detrimental effect on firearm and ammo sellers. Manufacturers have been adding factories and expanding lines at a record pace over the last couple years. Hopefully the demand doesn't crash causing financial turmoil for the industry.

 

[buck460XVR]

Part of the equation is supply. 8 years ago because the economy was in such bad shape, many retailers had reduced their current inventory and manufacturers had reduced their manpower and material inventory in cost saving measures(as did many large corps). Then when the panic buying came around, and present inventories were depleted, there was a lag time in getting new inventories to retailers. When something did hit the shelves, it created even more panic buying as folks saw it as maybe their only chance to get anything gun/ammo related so they bought everything they could. Retailers and manufacturers then increased inventories, manpower and production to try and catch up with demand, of which they did for the most part. Add to that, those folks that stockpiled supplies now find themselves with all they need. Many of those folks bought guns that were available, not what they really wanted. Many folks that never owned a gun before the panic, bought what they now see as the wrong gun. Add all of this together and you see a glut of firearms available. Ammo and reloading supplies have not quite got there yet, but they will. Many ammo/bullet manufacturers focused on the highest of demand products and quit making niche/low demand products. This is why certain bullets/ammo/components are still hard to find and will be until the manufacturers put them back into production and the slow chain of supply gets them to the shelves.

Will the next election cause another panic buying spree? Depends. But most of us have realized that the election of one or two persons does not nullify the 2nd Amendment. We have seen that Executive orders have their limits and the voice of the people does mean something. As long as we continue elect state and local folks and send senators and representatives to Washington that wholly support the 2nd Amendment, there should always be an ample supply of what we want/need that is firearm related. Many of us have also stockpiled enough supplies away, and have the firearms we need/want, so we will not have to be part of another panic buying spree, nor will we have to go without.

 

[SoonerMedic]

OP, would you mind posting a link to that M&P for $500?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Speaking of AR's, I just built one from PSA during their Memorial Day Sale. Grand total, in my hands, with a magpul rear sight mounted was $520.

Its hard to beat that price buying a rifle off the rack, but I see one guy scored a Ruger 5.56 for $500.....you did good!

 

[Blade First]

"Now would be a good time to buy. The panic is definitely coming."

Quite astute...but this is likely not your first rodeo, eh?

For all you fence-sitters, sometimes history is an absolute bitch. Get on the wagon now or stand in line to demonstrate that you are happy to spend lots more cash for a given item when the supply is nearly non-existent...or accept the consequences when that supply is essentially unavailable, no matter the cost.

 

[Ignition Override]

Don't assume that November's election results will be the only cause of the next panic.

Tragic events with panics (or panic potential) over the last several years had Nothing to do with any election.
And these can never be predicted.

A large heap of extra ammo before the next surprise spike might be the best precaution.
If you're not broke and are of legal age, you should already have the gun(s) you need/really want.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

Forgive me, but...what has Obama done other than......"be a threat"?

 

[Plan2Live]

Forgive me, but...what has Obama done other than......"be a threat"?

Military surplus ammunition importation ban.

Military surplus rifle re-importation ban.

Failed attempt at "armor piercing" AR-15 ammo ban via his subordinates.

Failed attempt to make legitimate gun buyers look bad via his subordinates and their "Fast & Furious" scandal.

Signed the UN Small Arms Treaty.

Allowed the VA to tie gun ownership purchase Rights to their desire to handle their own financial affairs.

Allowed the Social Security Administration to follow VA's lead.

I've probably missed more than I have listed.