Have firearms sales hit saturation point

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Considering that almost all gun manufacturers' sales were through the roof in late 2012 through mid 2013, it doesn't surprise me that sales are down. It shouldn't surprise them either.
 
It's all good. Everything runs in cycles. The GOP takes the Senate, maybe even more of a gun sales drop off. But just temporarily

The other side just keeps on coming. They got that playbook on their night tables. :rolleyes:
 
I think we reached the saturation point on guns a long time ago.

Guns are a unique commodity, as far as commercial sales go. They rarely wear out, and innovation is at best marginal, so gunmakers can't use "planned obsolescence" to spur sales. Gun collectors are mostly involved in the secondary market, so manufacturers can't really sell many guns to collectors.

The one thing that has promoted gun sales, in recent years, is panic induced by periodic efforts to ban or restrict them. Truly, Obama has the title of "the world's best gun salesman." But at some point, the public is going to get wise to the panic-induced ups and downs of the gun market, and refuse to play that game. Besides that, the last panic, I think, resulted in just about anyone that ever wanted a gun (the last holdouts) getting one.

We're going to be in a situation where supply outstrips demand, for quite a while. This is not a good time to be a gunmaker.
 
No.

There are cheapskates, er tightwads, er frugal, er pennypinchers like myself that are waiting for prices too bottom out due to overstock before buying.

The same attitude exists with ammunition. We are ready seeing sale prices on a Firearms and centerfire ammunition.

Remember in two years we will get our first Queen.
 
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I second BSA1's point.

I only buy when I get a good deal like a Ruger Security Six 6" in 80% with some minor mares on the bluing (shooter for me anyways) for $200 bought in private sale.

There's a pawn shop near my house and I go in every couple of months and they have the same guns there now month after month. Was in there a couple of days ago and offered $360 for SP101 2.25" just sitting in the cabinet. I memorized the serial number and wrote it down.

Told the guy behind the counter he should just sell it to me and flip the cash into something else for more profit. He tried to tell me the gun had just come in. I laughed in his face and told him I had memorized the serial number. Then he gave me a sour look and I told him I'd see him in another month or two and offer him $340.

Him and the other guy in the shop looked pissed. I was in a suit (had just come from Court) and looked like I could afford to spend a pretty dime. But the secret to having money is to spend far less than what others spend.

I'll wait till there are deals, no sooner.
 
I think from a manufacturer's point of view and given the current state of all affairs surrounding the firearms market...

Yes.

Never in my life has there been any where near this selection of firearms for the prices asked. Taking into account the individual firearms costs relative to the economy/inflation, the breadth of selection/features and the technology based quality - there's never been a better time to be a firearms enthusiast.

Sure, there were wonderful hand fitted firearms back in the day but they weren't generally just sitting around by the dozens and cost significantly more "back in the day" dollars than firearms do today.

So, glut-scare-cheap credit... sure, for the most part, the market is now saturated.

Case in point: A friend and I were just yesterday talking about .30 AR options and he was telling me about some asking prices of S&Ws with further incentives... I was very surprised at how inexpensively one could buy the S&W.

.30 ARs
1911s everywhere
Resurgent bolt action hunters
Over a dozen different takes on the AK
S&W semi-autos falling off the shelves of retailers
As cited in the OP... just look at the range of Ruger's offerings alone and the prices!
 
Firearm prices haven't bottomed out yet. After the Republicans take back the Senate, prices will plummet some more. Pretty much all ammo is back on the shelves. Even 22LR is getting back on the shelves.

Then right around the 2016 election, prices will ramp up again due to fear.
 
If y'all are smart, you'll get an AR or at least a stripped lower now. I'll be adding a PSA "blemished" lower or one from Anderson Arms when finances allow.
 
More of a temporary leveling off, I'd say. The next mass murder will have the antis begging for restrictions and the panic buying will set in once again.
 
The wars are coming to a close . Vets are coming home with loads of cash. Its the good times again like the 1990s. Those were the times when guns and ammo sales were the best of times.
 
goon said:
If y'all are smart, you'll get an AR or at least a stripped lower now. I'll be adding a PSA "blemished" lower or one from Anderson Arms when finances allow.
Click to expand...
Already did. When I could get a nice PSA AR15 for under $600, it was a no brainer.
 
I'd like to get a neat 4" barrel Colt Python at a price that won't break the bank. Joe Pike has inspired me! :D

Maybe a GOP Senate victory Tuesday will drop the price within my means. Supply and demand. That never changes.

p4040032.jpg_thumbnail1.jpg
 
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the saturation point isnt techniclaly a saturation point.

its simply the spot were cost of ammunition, availiability of ammunition, cost of guns, supply of guns, all intersect on the same graph chart. once one of those variables dips, the others will rise and so on.
 
I don't think you can use 2013 as a data point. You have to go back and compare to 2011 when things were normal. What we are seeing now is the reason manufacturers were reluctant to add capacity and expend capital on new facilities during the boom.
 
I don't know what is in the stores as "new" everywhere, but local gun stores here still look and feel empty for the most part (maybe because of the lack of ammo and reloading supplies), I still think used guns are way sparse. There are few revolvers for sale anywhere around here and only the common autoloaders are available.

pennypinchers like myself that are waiting for prices too bottom out due to oversupply before buying.
Click to expand...

I agree, but there is not going to be an oversupply....S&W has announced it will cut production so they aren't forced to have a "fire sale."
 
Many of the more rational among us said it repeatedly over the past few years...people will slow their gun buying when they run out of fear, credit, and/or cash.

Despite what the easily panicked cried on about during the boom...things are slowing down...as they naturally should.
 
No, but people overbought in 2013 due to the panic, those same people probably bought less than normal this year.

Everyone should have known this year wasn't going to even touch last year in sales, you only have to walk into a Basspro/Cabelas/Gander Mtn and see full shelves vs the bare shelves of 2013 to know people bought less.
 
Bear in mind that disposable income decreases as inflation takes its toll. Almost three years ago I used to spend $200 at Costco and fill the back of the vehicle. Now it's half filled. More Americans are falling away from the middle class dream. You can't raise a family on $12-15 hr. Therefore it comes as no surprise that consumption of consumer products are down.

The industry would need another panic to spur sales. I'd rather do without a panic (threat of bans/confiscation).
 
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