mrmeval
Member
Someone did a milled plate ar15 receiver, it just bolts together similar to an AK. I suspect you could stamp out an AR15 receiver if need be.
Why are AR-15's so expensive?
- Thread starter Remander
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What is the tax on a semi-auto rifle in the US? Didn't one of those laws add some taxes about the same time the AWB went into effect?
I think too many people are getting spoiled by cheap imports and surplus. Notice that most American made or even American assembled AK's cost almost as much as domestic AR-15's.
On M14's, wasn't cost and difficulty of manufacture one of the issues that led the US Military decided not to use them?
I think too many people are getting spoiled by cheap imports and surplus. Notice that most American made or even American assembled AK's cost almost as much as domestic AR-15's.
On M14's, wasn't cost and difficulty of manufacture one of the issues that led the US Military decided not to use them?
10-Ring
Member
The smart a$$ in me is thinking...expensive??? My RRA middy is ALOT cheaper than the HK 91 & 93 I had 
and honestly, comparable performance to boot 
and honestly, comparable performance to boot RNB65
Member
That's probably about right. Very close to the manufacturers cost to build. Add a markup for the distributor and a markup for the retailer, and you get a retail prices beginning in the mid-700's. Which is very close to the starting price on Bushy's at Buds gun shop.
Compared to M1A and FAL's, I don't think AR's are particularly expensive at all. When you consider their easy to repair modular design, I think they're a great bargain.
Last I saw, the govt was paying more around $500. It was quoted last year sometime on a thread. One of those threads talking about how great Colts were since they did all the extra QAQC testing the govt requires.
I was thinking that the govt has a $100 or $200 tax on some guns. Maybe that was something else.
I was thinking that the govt has a $100 or $200 tax on some guns. Maybe that was something else.
11% excise tax on complete firearms. This is one reason it is cheaper to buy the 2 halves of an AR-15 seperately vs. a complete one; no excise tax. Also no sales tax on most of the parts (mail order) so it's only the (possibly stripped) AR lower receiver that has sales taxes applied (maybe) compared to a complete rifle at the gunshop. There are no warranty or service costs in assembling your own vs. buying factory complete.
The military doesn't pay excise or sales taxes (govt. use) saving $100 minimum per rifle compared to buying a complete rifle locally. Also the military gets quantity discounts that we could only dream about.
The military doesn't pay excise or sales taxes (govt. use) saving $100 minimum per rifle compared to buying a complete rifle locally. Also the military gets quantity discounts that we could only dream about.
Crosshair
Member
Properly made AK recievers have the holes drilled in a seperate operation after the reciever has been folded.
my-rifle
Member
Why not build an AK-47? They're cheap to build and have much the same characteristics of the AR-15 within 300 yards which is far enough that most of us can't even identify a target. I can build an AK-47 or an AK-74 (5.45x39mm) in a weekend for about $300. The AK-47 I can build for about $150, and is even easier. The AK-74 is more expensive, because everyone seems to want to smaller caliber rifles. Anybody who wants to build one can do so in the states. It's legal, and you don't heve to register it in any way unless you transfer it. The Romanian ones easily available cost $99, and they're brand new. Remarkable, really.
Texas Gunman
Member
I didnt mind spending good money on a well made ARs, what I cant understand is people buying generic ARs, like DPMS, Olys,RRAs & thinking their all that.
Colt,Bushmaster and Armalite is the way to go.
TG
Colt,Bushmaster and Armalite is the way to go.
TG
I could just as easily marvel at people paying $1000+ on an Armalite or Colt, and wondering why they didn't just buy quality components and assemble a nicer gun themselves for less. Brand loyalty cool-aid is just silly anyways. If you buy a DPMS and it runs and shoots accurately, guess what? You win. You got a good gun, without spending Colt money. How that isn't something to be happy about is beyond me. It's not like the upper tier manufacturers don't let some dogs out of the factory too.
yongxingfreesty
Member
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built mine for 650. not as expensive as some of my handguns.
1911.45
Member
I think that a basic AR is pretty reasonable. A Stag complete lower is $260.00 retail. A Stag complete flat top upper is $465.00. Total for the lower and upper is $725.00 plus $20.00 shipping less sights/optics.
A Model 1 might be even cheaper.
You can also look for parts and build you an AR yourself for less. On the other hand, you can also build a cusom rifle with the best free float rail, match-grade barrel, top-grade bolt and carrier, top-grade compensator/hider, bipod, mounts, lights, and excellent optics and easily spend thousands. Just the free-float rail on one of my rifles was $300.00. It depends on your use and the money that you want to spend.
I think of AR's a lot like I think of 1911's, since there are so many opportunities for customization. However, I think that there is more consistency in basic AR's than 1911's.
In the alternative, you could buy a Saiga in 7.62 or .223 for $229.00 or so and have a reliable, reasonably accurate, and dependable rifle.
A Model 1 might be even cheaper.
You can also look for parts and build you an AR yourself for less. On the other hand, you can also build a cusom rifle with the best free float rail, match-grade barrel, top-grade bolt and carrier, top-grade compensator/hider, bipod, mounts, lights, and excellent optics and easily spend thousands. Just the free-float rail on one of my rifles was $300.00. It depends on your use and the money that you want to spend.
I think of AR's a lot like I think of 1911's, since there are so many opportunities for customization. However, I think that there is more consistency in basic AR's than 1911's.
In the alternative, you could buy a Saiga in 7.62 or .223 for $229.00 or so and have a reliable, reasonably accurate, and dependable rifle.
MachIVshooter
Member
Those specimens tend to run fine, the lower price seems to come a the cost of fit and finish. I personally favor Armalite, but I have seem plenty of RRA's and DPMS rifles that are just as reliable and accurate, simply less refined. I can't comment on Stag's and have only handled (never fired) Oly's.
Eagle arms is Armalite's economy subsidiary, but I have no experience with them, either.
I will continue to buy and recommend Armalite, but will not call the others junk.
One of the things I have come to like about Armalite as a company is their non-PC, no BS approach to everything. Anyone who has dealt with them knows what I'm talking about.
In the world of AR15s often the same people that make Part A for Brand X resell it cheaper as the same Part A with Brand Y stamped on it.
I have two AR15s, one is a modestly used factory assembled Bushmaster I traded for and while it's not the perfect AR15, it was such a good trade I took it anyway. Realistically I was out $650 on it. The only thing wrong with it is it has a Post Ban upper, so basically no removing the accessory on the end of the barrel and no bayonet lug. The latter is of no consequence, the former annoys me but I see this upper as merely a spare anyway.
The other is "my" AR15. It's a mutt made of Stag, DPMS, and Bushmaster parts. Works just fine, although I do need to replace the magazine catch button. Managed to lose it somehow.
The only advantage of the Bushmaster seems to be slightly better fit and finish, as if the parts match ever so slightly better.
I have two AR15s, one is a modestly used factory assembled Bushmaster I traded for and while it's not the perfect AR15, it was such a good trade I took it anyway. Realistically I was out $650 on it. The only thing wrong with it is it has a Post Ban upper, so basically no removing the accessory on the end of the barrel and no bayonet lug. The latter is of no consequence, the former annoys me but I see this upper as merely a spare anyway.
The other is "my" AR15. It's a mutt made of Stag, DPMS, and Bushmaster parts. Works just fine, although I do need to replace the magazine catch button. Managed to lose it somehow.
The only advantage of the Bushmaster seems to be slightly better fit and finish, as if the parts match ever so slightly better.
So how much labor would the average manufacturer spend to assemble all the parts into a fully inspected and functioning AR to ship to a customer?
I have an Armalite as well for around $700. I think be box says eagle arms, but the rifle says Armalite. No complaints at all.
I have an Armalite as well for around $700. I think be box says eagle arms, but the rifle says Armalite. No complaints at all.
MachIVshooter
Member
Eagle arms purchased Armalite some time back. They changed the name back to Armalite in 1994, IIRC. AFAIK, they still sell the economy models under the Eagle name.
A new M15A2 will run ~$900, so for $700 ya done good.
GYPSY51RIDER
Member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2006
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- 2
Colt Ar-15 magazine
I have quite a few of these are they legal to sell? 5.56
I have quite a few of these are they legal to sell? 5.56
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
A more accurate statement would be that in the world of AR15s the same people that make Part A for Brand X, also make Part A for Brand Y; but to a different standard and tolerance - this is why Brand Y can sell it cheaper.
Another thing that happens a lot is Brand Y buys the Part A that Brand X rejected because Brand Y has lower standards and most of the time it doesn't make a difference. This is particularly prevalent where the standard has some military purpose (like being able to function in -60F weather) that 99% of Brand Y shooters will never know about or use.
And that is fine; because the whole reason Brand Y exists is that not everybody needs what Brand X offers, so why pay extra for features you don't need? Just don't think you are getting Brand X at Brand Y prices.
Molon Labe
Member
Supply and demand is the reason.
Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to take an Econ 101 course.
Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to take an Econ 101 course.
AR 15 rifles are so expensive simply due to demand...kinda like gasoline. They are quite possibly THE most popular rifle on the market and thats another reason why there are so many modifications, upgrades, and accessories available for them. They are interchangable with the bigger calibers by the push of two pins and they just outright look intimidating to BG's.
Texas Gunman
Member
I have owned many rifles and still do have a few, if we paid by the pound, the older rifles would cost alot more.
The AR & M16 are light weight, well designed fighting rifles.
Also it being in 223/556, it is supper accurate, also can tote alot more ammo.
Considering today cost for living now days, ARs dont really cost that much, heck I pay right at $400 for my monthly light bill.
TG
The AR & M16 are light weight, well designed fighting rifles.
Also it being in 223/556, it is supper accurate, also can tote alot more ammo.
Considering today cost for living now days, ARs dont really cost that much, heck I pay right at $400 for my monthly light bill.
TG
redneck2
Member
Uhhhh, no...
Since so many of you think every manufacturer is the epitome of a rip off, we go back to the old answer...
Make 'em yourself. Yes, you too can be in the firearms manufacturing business. You apply for the permits to be a manufacturer, pay the liability, pay the employees, the distribution costs, advertising, etc.
I love it when everyone says "yeah, we're getting screwed!!!" Well, go into business, make a quality $350 AR and I'll be first in line.
If somebody could make a $350 AR at a profit, it would have been done a LONG time ago. Take the Econ 101 course and learn that, in a free economy, the guy that does it the cheapest/best typically wins out. If a $350 AR were possible, it would have been done a long time ago.
Patents have expired. Nothing to stop you. Heck, you don't even have to pay engineering, patent, or design people or fees. Just set up and go for it.
There ain't no free lunch.
Fosbery
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