Danus ex
Member
Hey all,
Like many of you, I watch the online gun classifieds/auctions for firearms I'm interested in obtaining. Over the years I've observed a number of interesting market trends that (in my mind) appear to have one of two primary causes: the appearance of and appeal of a good deal/consumers' inherent stinginess, or the "gotta have it all" nature of collector-types. Some trends are a product of both.
I classify these observations in the "good deal" category:
1. The Cinderella story of the Makarov PM. The internet gun community catapulted it into concealed carry stardom. It went from being a prolific, $125 commie peasant piece to a $350 pistol that's surprisingly difficult to find in late 2006.
2. CZ. The long time sleeper is discovering its market potential and prices are way up. Foolhardy brand loyalists and good-hearted shooting vets alike toot CZ's horn frequently and CZ corporate is feeling for the bang-for-the-buck bank-breaking point. They're getting close but aren't there yet--$550 75Bs, anyone? A few years from now, Izhmash may be in a similar position.
3. Surplus ammunition going extinct. Nothing motivates consumers to buy and hoard like the threat of limited supply. While the supply of surplus ammo for all calibers is never truly dead, surplus 'dies' when it ceases to be a solid, steady deal. 7.62 NATO was the latest victim, and I think 8x57JS or 7.5 Swiss is next. If I had half a brain, I'd set up an ammunition plant in an extremely poor nation, crank out millions of rounds of ex-surplus calibers, and do my best to undercut everybody else and become the crufflers' choice.
I consider these trends to be a product of the purchasing behavior of internet-equipped collectors, armchair shooters, blowhards, and showoffs:
4. Insane used revolver prices. Want a decent Python or Diamondback? $1000 please! New in box, you say? $1400! It's rough being a Colt revolver fan. The S&W market isn't quite so bad, but I've seen Smith 17s go for $500 or $600, and things like 27s go for nearly $1000. Some models are very difficult to come by, like the 13 and 19. Anti-lock people also make the used S&W market more volatile.
5. .45ACP. I think this is fantastic--new firearms chambered in .45ACP are popping up everywhere. Legions of shooters maintain the silly but easily rationalized view that .45ACP is the be-all, end-all handgun cartridge and mother hen gunnies cluck about it incessantly to all the new chicks. Consequently, we've got a steady flow of reasonably priced .45ACP ammunition and a panoply of solid .45s to choose from. I hope the same continues to happen with 10mm.
6. Tacticool. For some, simply owning a firearm and bolting things to it is enough. Granted, most tacticool parts have a purpose, but whether or not said purpose contributes to one's shooting experience in a meaningful way is entirely debatable. Many like to flaunt their gear and attach beliefs about their masculinity or superiority to their 'manly' firearms (no doubt using a special Freudian Ego/Id 1923 rail attachment). Since when did tchotchkes and firearms flair begin to reflect one's manhood? This is definite man jewelry, and its popularity is evidence of a new/growing sector in the firearms market.
7. 7.62x51mm NATO. Most who own an assault rifle have "poodle-shooting" 5.56mm rifles, but 7.62x51 gets more than its fair share of chatter. This gives us access to AR-10s, FALs, PTRs, and M1As, any of which might go away without those fanboys who chide 5.56 and bleed .30 cal.
These trends are a product of both types of consumer motivation:
8. Increased supply of Russian/Combloc guns and ammo. Mosin-Nagants are just about everywhere you look now. They're decent and cheap, and shoot cheap, decent ammo. Wolf ammunition has a large following, too, especially since their products are particularly well suited to Combloc SKSes, AKs, and M-Ns. The only Combloc gun in short supply is the Makarov PM.
9. Nationalistic surplus collecting. If you've got Swiss flu, Finnish measles, or Swedish crabs, you're not alone! It's fascinating that people often align themselves with a particular nation's surplus. Logistically, it's sensible. Same weapons, same ammo; but how many of us need to prepare for invasion by a 20th century army?
10. The death of CMP. CMP's pool of rifles is drying up fast. I missed my chance at a 1903-A3 and a 1917, and Garands appear to be on their way out. Great rifles, great deals, and people love to own lots of them (and try to sell them for much more than they paid CMP). RIP CMP.
What are your thoughts on the new or used firearms market? Noticed anything interesting? Seeing anything disappear? Have your eye on a category of sleeper guns?
Dispute and contribute!
Like many of you, I watch the online gun classifieds/auctions for firearms I'm interested in obtaining. Over the years I've observed a number of interesting market trends that (in my mind) appear to have one of two primary causes: the appearance of and appeal of a good deal/consumers' inherent stinginess, or the "gotta have it all" nature of collector-types. Some trends are a product of both.
I classify these observations in the "good deal" category:
1. The Cinderella story of the Makarov PM. The internet gun community catapulted it into concealed carry stardom. It went from being a prolific, $125 commie peasant piece to a $350 pistol that's surprisingly difficult to find in late 2006.
2. CZ. The long time sleeper is discovering its market potential and prices are way up. Foolhardy brand loyalists and good-hearted shooting vets alike toot CZ's horn frequently and CZ corporate is feeling for the bang-for-the-buck bank-breaking point. They're getting close but aren't there yet--$550 75Bs, anyone? A few years from now, Izhmash may be in a similar position.
3. Surplus ammunition going extinct. Nothing motivates consumers to buy and hoard like the threat of limited supply. While the supply of surplus ammo for all calibers is never truly dead, surplus 'dies' when it ceases to be a solid, steady deal. 7.62 NATO was the latest victim, and I think 8x57JS or 7.5 Swiss is next. If I had half a brain, I'd set up an ammunition plant in an extremely poor nation, crank out millions of rounds of ex-surplus calibers, and do my best to undercut everybody else and become the crufflers' choice.
I consider these trends to be a product of the purchasing behavior of internet-equipped collectors, armchair shooters, blowhards, and showoffs:
4. Insane used revolver prices. Want a decent Python or Diamondback? $1000 please! New in box, you say? $1400! It's rough being a Colt revolver fan. The S&W market isn't quite so bad, but I've seen Smith 17s go for $500 or $600, and things like 27s go for nearly $1000. Some models are very difficult to come by, like the 13 and 19. Anti-lock people also make the used S&W market more volatile.
5. .45ACP. I think this is fantastic--new firearms chambered in .45ACP are popping up everywhere. Legions of shooters maintain the silly but easily rationalized view that .45ACP is the be-all, end-all handgun cartridge and mother hen gunnies cluck about it incessantly to all the new chicks. Consequently, we've got a steady flow of reasonably priced .45ACP ammunition and a panoply of solid .45s to choose from. I hope the same continues to happen with 10mm.
6. Tacticool. For some, simply owning a firearm and bolting things to it is enough. Granted, most tacticool parts have a purpose, but whether or not said purpose contributes to one's shooting experience in a meaningful way is entirely debatable. Many like to flaunt their gear and attach beliefs about their masculinity or superiority to their 'manly' firearms (no doubt using a special Freudian Ego/Id 1923 rail attachment). Since when did tchotchkes and firearms flair begin to reflect one's manhood? This is definite man jewelry, and its popularity is evidence of a new/growing sector in the firearms market.
7. 7.62x51mm NATO. Most who own an assault rifle have "poodle-shooting" 5.56mm rifles, but 7.62x51 gets more than its fair share of chatter. This gives us access to AR-10s, FALs, PTRs, and M1As, any of which might go away without those fanboys who chide 5.56 and bleed .30 cal.
These trends are a product of both types of consumer motivation:
8. Increased supply of Russian/Combloc guns and ammo. Mosin-Nagants are just about everywhere you look now. They're decent and cheap, and shoot cheap, decent ammo. Wolf ammunition has a large following, too, especially since their products are particularly well suited to Combloc SKSes, AKs, and M-Ns. The only Combloc gun in short supply is the Makarov PM.
9. Nationalistic surplus collecting. If you've got Swiss flu, Finnish measles, or Swedish crabs, you're not alone! It's fascinating that people often align themselves with a particular nation's surplus. Logistically, it's sensible. Same weapons, same ammo; but how many of us need to prepare for invasion by a 20th century army?
10. The death of CMP. CMP's pool of rifles is drying up fast. I missed my chance at a 1903-A3 and a 1917, and Garands appear to be on their way out. Great rifles, great deals, and people love to own lots of them (and try to sell them for much more than they paid CMP). RIP CMP.
What are your thoughts on the new or used firearms market? Noticed anything interesting? Seeing anything disappear? Have your eye on a category of sleeper guns?
Dispute and contribute!
