SR1911 impressions and pricing

[wojownik]

Stopped by a LGS on the way home tonite (not my usual guys, but a shop en route). Heard they had a Ruger SR1911 in stock, and wanted to take a serious look. I was rather impressed with the pistol - the fit and finish looked very good (excellent actually), and it seemed to be a very tight piece. I was hooked.

I know the Ruger suggested retail is $799, but the LGS priced it at $899 (firm+tax). Yeah, I know the 1911 market is still kind of nuts right now, and the SR1911 is a bit of a hot item (so he said), but still, pricing that far above MSRP put me off a bit.

Comments on the SR1911? What are your local prices like (how much have you paid)? Worth waiting till more of them are on the market? Would you go for an SR1911 at that price or a Springfield Stainless MilSpec (or Loaded)?

 

[grayhambone]

nice

it's a nice firearm.
i think if you do more shopping you'll find it cheaper
shot well. recoil seemed a little different than most 1911's

 

[gpjoe]

The last one I saw went for MSRP at a local gun show two weeks ago. Personally, I wouldn't pay MSRP for one knowing that it very likely will be available for $650 or so once Ruger catches up with the demand. $800 is ridiculous.

 

[crracer_712]

Gunshow prices in Kansas are 629.00, when you can find one, which I haven't, but that is what the dealer said they sold them for.

My local LGS, yet to get one in for me, said he'd sell it to me for 595.00.

If I could find one at a gun show for 629, I'd buy it, but I won't pay more than that for it at the moment.

 

[RoboDuck]

For that price you could have a Colt, Kimber or Springfield.

 

[wojownik]

For that price you could have a Colt, Kimber or Springfield.

That's the exact thought that hit me as well at the time. I think I will wait a bit until supply increases and the "madness" subsides a bit.

recoil seemed a little different than most 1911's

grayhambone - could you talk a little more about the felt recoil? Difference

 

[wrench]

Two of my friends have bought them in the last 6 months.
One paid $650 and the other $599. Both are plus tax.

 

[asia331]

Frankly I would walk out the door of any firearms dealership that charged over MSRP.

 

[thefamcnaj]

Frankly I would walk out the door of any firearms dealership that charged over MSRP

Yep me too.

 

[Water-Man]

^^^and not go back!

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I never pay even full MSRP for a gun, let alone over MSRP. There's no gun I need that badly.

 

[mnhntr]

I paid 699 for my SR1911 and yes I like it over my 2 Springers. Look on GB for a better deal.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I wouldn't be too "put off", remember the "S" in MSRP is suggested.

Also, he may be yet another retailer who's sick and tired of all the people watching assinine TV shows which present every price as negotiable, regardless of whether it is reasonable or not and has the haggling room figured into his original price, fully expecting to end at or near MSRP.

I recall a friends standard response to scenarios like this:

Customer: "So, how much is that (your item here)?"

Pal: "... $375.00."

Customer: "Jeeze, that guy over there has them for $290"

Pal: "Same quality? If so, sounds like a good price, you oughta get one of his"

Customer: "He's outa them"

Pal: "Oh, when I'm outa them, I sell them for $290 too."

People supporting your decision to not buy the firearm, I understand. What I don't understand is the stance of animosity towards him making what someone else considers an unreasonable profit. Certainly not a reason "walk out the door" here I read also "in a huff".

I particularly like the reasonable and sound redirection of what the same money might buy on a firearm that's currently well stocked, though if you want a Ruger for the sake of it being a Ruger 1911 then comparing it to other 1911s is rather a moot point regardless of price.

Keep in mind too that there is no guarantee that the price will go down later given post introduction cost and market analysis, material costs, demand, political trends and the like. Hell, if one pays $100 over MSRP and shoots it long enough it will certainly pass the perceived high price eventually.

I have a Winchester '73 which all my friends think I over paid for at the time but this particular one spoke to me and is currently worth considerably more than I paid and I really can't justify the cost they go for now given current priorities. So, do I care that I "overpaid" for it at the time? Nope, 'cause had I not jumped, that money would be long gone and I still wouldn't have a '73 as I've been chasing a carbine for years and have yet to have the correct amount in my hand at any given price as their price goes up.

I say, go back and make an offer, and a reasonable one on the gun if you really want it. It may be just what he's expecting and if he won't budge on the price, deftly and politely ask him what extras go with it at that price. Mayhap, you get a nice gun and make up the price difference in goodies as well.

 

[1KPerDay]

$650 I'd pay, and I will when they make a black/blued version. $900, no.

 

[biggameballs]

Dealer cost on them is 530. I think it's reasonable for a dealer to make a 20-25% profit. I have one on order for $590. Of course I dont have it in hand and probably wont for a while.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

$100 over the already high MSRP? At that price, he only needs to sell one, I guess.

This is not unprecedented in the retail world, though. Car dealers like to do this with certain new and hot-selling models.

 

[HarcyPervin]

Dealer price on this item, from what I've heard over on rugerforums.com, is $536. We're getting ours (as regulars, and buying as a group) at $590+tax once they come in. I'd not pay anything over $650 for this gun, but my desire to have a Ruger 1911 as opposed to a non-Ruger 1911, or no 1911 at all, is not as high as others.

Do I think $900 is a stupid amount to pay for this gun? Yes, for me to spend that much money on that product is stupid, for me. Someone who loves Rugers, loves 1911's, and loves spending their disposable cash, buying that gun for $900...not so stupid.

Sounds like the dealer is hedging his bets that this person is out there, not a bad bet because he will be able to lower his prices later if it doesn't sell. Ruger will catch up to demand. The prices will go down unless something crazy happens. He's another guy trying to pay his own bills, and you can't fault him for seizing an opportunity.

It's gotten good reviews, for its price point. It is not the best of anything out there, it's still a 1911. I plan on buying one, and will wait for a good price on it. Luckily, I have a dealer who has agreed to sell me his first five of them at a great price, and without putting any money down.

 

[Martel]

I'm next on my LGS waiting list, and he's gotten 3 in just about every month, so I'm expecting a call any day now. He's charging $600. I'd wait dude, do a little shopping and get one for a better price.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I know the Ruger suggested retail is $799, but the LGS priced it at $899 (firm+tax).

I'd tell that dealer he has seen the last of me. I hate scalpers.


Bought mine in Janurary for $699.



Three times the dealer asked me if I'd bring it in so customers can see and shoot it. There's a waiting list for the gun.
Everyone that's shot it likes it.

 

[hariph creek]

I'd wait, shop around. I hate getting gouged. Charging ''as much as I want, because I can'' really iritates me. How can you build a solid customer base, by exploiting customers?
During the ammo availability issues a couple-few years ago. Some places were taking advantage of customers. I'll never do business with them again. I didn't haggle or debate, I just let them know why. I'd let this dealer know why he won't be seeing my money.
I have no problem paying a fair price. A decent ''mom and pop'' needs to make a profit. I have no problem with that.
I don't spend money on guns at the ''Big Box'' stores. Even to save a few bucks.

 

[mooner]

I believe mine was $620 back last spring. At $900 that dealer would not see me in his store for a long time. Good way to get a reputation as a dealer wit h poor prices. The good dealers around me work on volume rather than huge markups and price things to move.

 

[gp911]

I agree on waiting until you find a good price. I think 100 over msrp is insulting to customers. Unlike others here I would go up to 699 though. Supply is obviously more limited in your area and you want one kinda soon. That dealer would not be getting my money either.

 

[Fishbed77]

I wish I had the extra cash to grab one when I saw it at PSA for $599 last summer.

 

[biggameballs]

Honestly that could be the only one that dealer has received and he probably wont be getting another for a long time so he probably figures he'll find the one guy willing to pay the premium.

 

[bubbacrabb]

I paid 729 for mine. Yep it was a little more than the 650 a lot of guys I heard were gettin em for around my area, but this guy had it, and I wanted it. I'm extremely happy with it. Just as much as my springfields. It's just as high quality as others I own. Proud to own it, proud its entirely American made.