tank mechanic
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What were the prices of a typical AR-15 before and after the AWB took effect?
The price of AR's before the AWB
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dmftoy1
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I don't remember the exact prices very well but I do remember going to a big show in Phoenix right after it happened and the "non-gouging" dealers were $300-$400 higher per rifle and there were yahoo's asking $700-$800 more. (don't know if they ever got it)
The funny thing is . ..I don't think AR prices have dropped down all that much since the expiration (maybe $150-$200) I suspect that the pent up demand has kept prices up and now I think people are buying them like crazy in anticipation of a new ban. I only know maybe 10 people who shoot regularly and of those 10 I bet 4 have asked me about buying an AR since Jan. 1. (and they have all mentioned a new AWB)
Have a good one,
Dave
The funny thing is . ..I don't think AR prices have dropped down all that much since the expiration (maybe $150-$200) I suspect that the pent up demand has kept prices up and now I think people are buying them like crazy in anticipation of a new ban. I only know maybe 10 people who shoot regularly and of those 10 I bet 4 have asked me about buying an AR since Jan. 1. (and they have all mentioned a new AWB)
Have a good one,
Dave
Don't Tread On Me
Member
The AWB brought out the darker side of humanity. Scumbag dealers demanding $2,300 for a rifle that was $700....
And no, it wasn't demand. I would see these "pre-bans" always languishing on the shelves for years, yes - same gun on the shelf for years until it sells for these rape prices to some gullible buyer.
They would be segregated from the other post-ban AR's on the shelves and treated as queens.
I was at a gunshow just 1 week after the AWB expired, and dealers were still peddling these outrageously priced "pre-ban" rifles....
The glass-cases filled with 100+ 17rd Glock mags were still $130 per mag. They used to be $16.
Hey, I'm not against the concept of supply and demand, yes...decreasing supply and increased demand for something not around anymore will drive prices up.
My problem is with the fact that a lot of dealers LOVED the ban since it doubles the profit of their inventory. To me, morally, they are no different than a gun-grabber.
Anyway, I do remember AR magazines topping out at around $25 per mag a couple of years before the ban expired. Not a bad price compared to other magazines. Still, these used to be $9 ....but at least they weren't $50-$100 ea. The new 'high' capacity pre-ban magazines dried up around late 2002...
Rest assured, if a new ban seems imminent - you *think* you'll be able to buy anything? LOL.... these opportunist dealers will pull their stock off the shelves or change their websites to "out of stock" and put them back out after the ban at 3x the price at least. These guys are going to put in mass orders and clean out the distributors first.
And no, it wasn't demand. I would see these "pre-bans" always languishing on the shelves for years, yes - same gun on the shelf for years until it sells for these rape prices to some gullible buyer.
They would be segregated from the other post-ban AR's on the shelves and treated as queens.
I was at a gunshow just 1 week after the AWB expired, and dealers were still peddling these outrageously priced "pre-ban" rifles....
The glass-cases filled with 100+ 17rd Glock mags were still $130 per mag. They used to be $16.
Hey, I'm not against the concept of supply and demand, yes...decreasing supply and increased demand for something not around anymore will drive prices up.
My problem is with the fact that a lot of dealers LOVED the ban since it doubles the profit of their inventory. To me, morally, they are no different than a gun-grabber.
Anyway, I do remember AR magazines topping out at around $25 per mag a couple of years before the ban expired. Not a bad price compared to other magazines. Still, these used to be $9 ....but at least they weren't $50-$100 ea. The new 'high' capacity pre-ban magazines dried up around late 2002...
Rest assured, if a new ban seems imminent - you *think* you'll be able to buy anything? LOL.... these opportunist dealers will pull their stock off the shelves or change their websites to "out of stock" and put them back out after the ban at 3x the price at least. These guys are going to put in mass orders and clean out the distributors first.
BigFatKen
Member
Not every dealer made money on every deal
Remember, the pres. took the full 30 days time to sign the Law and then it had to be published..etc.
During that that time there so many AK type mags bought before the ban took effect, the price dropped to ten for $29.95 to get rid of them after a while. I had three and that's all I ever wanted.
Remember, the pres. took the full 30 days time to sign the Law and then it had to be published..etc.
During that that time there so many AK type mags bought before the ban took effect, the price dropped to ten for $29.95 to get rid of them after a while. I had three and that's all I ever wanted.
The Grand Inquisitor
Member
When a friend and I would go to gun shows, there was always this one guy who had the Glock mags for $149.99 and I could never figure out exactly why he felt they should be so much.
We went to the same show a few months after the ban had passed and low and behold was the same pile of lard selling the same Glock mags for a mere $129.99.
I asked him why they were so much and he told me that these mags would never be made again...
Rexrider
Member
I bought my first AR-15 in early '93. It was a Colt in 7.62x39 w/ 16" barrel. I paid $650 out the door. I was quoted the same price for the same rifle in .223/5.56.
When I bought it, I had no idea how difficult finding magazines would be. USA 30rd mags were about $20. The true "frankenmags" were $20 to $25 and that was insanely expensive back then.
Here is a kick in the pants for you. Surplus USGI 20rd mags were $4. The one gun shop had boxes of them on the floor. You could hand pick what you wanted. All the 20rd mags I own today are were bought back then were for that AR. I was experimenting with mags trying to find a reliable way to load more then 7rds. I split many seems before I gave up and found the frankenmags.
Sad thing is I had to sell the rifle a year later do to financial hardship. By the time I recovered and was able to buy again the AWB was passed and "pre-ban" ARs started at $1200.
I did end up buying my first .233/5.56 AR in '95. I had a choice between a NIB post-ban 20" Colt for $799 or a used pre-ban 20" Bushmaster for $1199. Hmm.... The (used) flash suppressor would cost $400.
I bought the Colt. I still have the Colt and added the flash suppressor after the AWB ended. Its picture has been posted in a few threads recently.
People may laugh as to why I just bought my 3rd AR and keep buying magazines and ammo. I got caught with my pants down (so to speak) back in '94 and don't care to go through that again.
When I bought it, I had no idea how difficult finding magazines would be. USA 30rd mags were about $20. The true "frankenmags" were $20 to $25 and that was insanely expensive back then.
Here is a kick in the pants for you. Surplus USGI 20rd mags were $4. The one gun shop had boxes of them on the floor. You could hand pick what you wanted. All the 20rd mags I own today are were bought back then were for that AR. I was experimenting with mags trying to find a reliable way to load more then 7rds. I split many seems before I gave up and found the frankenmags.
Sad thing is I had to sell the rifle a year later do to financial hardship. By the time I recovered and was able to buy again the AWB was passed and "pre-ban" ARs started at $1200.
I did end up buying my first .233/5.56 AR in '95. I had a choice between a NIB post-ban 20" Colt for $799 or a used pre-ban 20" Bushmaster for $1199. Hmm.... The (used) flash suppressor would cost $400.
I bought the Colt. I still have the Colt and added the flash suppressor after the AWB ended. Its picture has been posted in a few threads recently.People may laugh as to why I just bought my 3rd AR and keep buying magazines and ammo. I got caught with my pants down (so to speak) back in '94 and don't care to go through that again.
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