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Three Generations
of Service
Picture of PHPaul
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by ArtieS:
I'm seeing a real decline in firearms dealers and selection at the local gun show, but what I am not seeing are particularly good deals on anything that isn't a generic AR 15, or factory reloaded ammo.

Reloads and ARs are cheap right now, but optics, new and used quality pistols and rifles are holding pricing pretty high, and I'm holding on to my money until the used stuff comes down a bit. I'm not seeing much justification for a lot of the pricing I am seeing. It seems to me that the dealers are holding on to Obama-era pricing, in a time of Trump-era demand. As a consequence, the public isn't buying as much stuff.


I'm probably jinxing myself, the Universe Knows, but I've got a couple of extra bucks laying around right now.

What/where is a good deal on an AR? For example, I saw and S&W variant on GA for under $500.




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
 
Posts: 15637 | Location: Downeast Maine | Registered: March 10, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Peace through
superior firepower
Picture of parabellum
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Fredward:
I'm buying and stacking. A generic AR can be had for under 350, mags are dirt cheap, ammo is near bottom. Time to replenish, a drought will come soon enough.
Just make sure that your pile doesn't reach the 18 foot mark.


____________________________________________________

"I am your retribution." - Donald Trump, speech at CPAC, March 4, 2023
 
Posts: 110072 | Registered: January 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Age Quod Agis
Picture of ArtieS
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by PHPaul:
quote:
Originally posted by ArtieS:
Reloads and ARs are cheap right now, ...


I'm probably jinxing myself, the Universe Knows, but I've got a couple of extra bucks laying around right now.

What/where is a good deal on an AR? For example, I saw and S&W variant on GA for under $500.


I'm hardly an expert on AR 15s, but for $500, I would go with either an Smith & Wesson Sport II, or a Ruger. I understand that the Ruger has a couple of proprietary parts, so I might lean toward the Smith. There are cheaper AR set ups. You can get a build kit from Palmetto State, and put one together for less, and they make a fine AR, but it's nice to have a major factory warranty if you are buying new.

I'm sure others will tip in with their suggestions, but it's a great time to buy an AR.



"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
 
Posts: 13039 | Location: Central Florida | Registered: November 02, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
If you see me running
try to keep up
Picture of mrvmax
posted Hide Post
This is my ninth year as a home based FFL and this is my slowest year I've seen. I think more brick and mortar shops will be closing over the next few years. The only thing that will stop it is if a Gem gets elected instead of Trump but I do not see that happening.
 
Posts: 4302 | Location: Friendswood Texas | Registered: August 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of Leemur
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by PHPaul:
quote:
Originally posted by ArtieS:
I'm seeing a real decline in firearms dealers and selection at the local gun show, but what I am not seeing are particularly good deals on anything that isn't a generic AR 15, or factory reloaded ammo.

Reloads and ARs are cheap right now, but optics, new and used quality pistols and rifles are holding pricing pretty high, and I'm holding on to my money until the used stuff comes down a bit. I'm not seeing much justification for a lot of the pricing I am seeing. It seems to me that the dealers are holding on to Obama-era pricing, in a time of Trump-era demand. As a consequence, the public isn't buying as much stuff.


I'm probably jinxing myself, the Universe Knows, but I've got a couple of extra bucks laying around right now.

What/where is a good deal on an AR? For example, I saw and S&W variant on GA for under $500.


If you’re talking absolute lowest price for decent quality you can put together a complete PSA AR for under $400. Any quality AR should be available somewhere between $400-700 right now depending on what goodies you want.
 
Posts: 13887 | Location: Shenandoah Valley, VA | Registered: October 16, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Victim of Life's
Circumstances
Picture of doublesharp
posted Hide Post
I'm a revolver guy, mainly S&W and Colt good shooter grade guns are my thing. I've been setting up at gunshows for 20 years buying, selling, trading trying to upgrade my collection. I've always kept my prices reasonable and normally make 5 or 6 transactions a show. Don't want to lose money but don't care about making much, just want to keep things flowing.

At National Gun Day 3 weeks ago there was absolutely no interest in my table of 2 dozen old revolvers. Not one beback or even what's your best price. I'm going to the fall show and if it doesn't improve I'm done.

Gun Broker doesn't seem to be any better. page after page of no bids.


________________________
God spelled backwards is dog
 
Posts: 4870 | Location: Sunnyside of Louisville | Registered: July 04, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by doublesharp:
I'm a revolver guy, mainly S&W and Colt good shooter grade guns are my thing. I've been setting up at gunshows for 20 years buying, selling, trading trying to upgrade my collection. I've always kept my prices reasonable and normally make 5 or 6 transactions a show. Don't want to lose money but don't care about making much, just want to keep things flowing.

At National Gun Day 3 weeks ago there was absolutely no interest in my table of 2 dozen old revolvers. Not one beback or even what's your best price. I'm going to the fall show and if it doesn't improve I'm done.

Gun Broker doesn't seem to be any better. page after page of no bids.


I hear you, If it isn't cheap, 80%,or solvent trap i have not seen much moving. Online sales are all about pictures and accurate descriptions. Look at 12131 ads here on sig forum. He'll post one up at oh god 30 and it will be sold by an hour after. He takes excellent pictures, posts up accurate descriptions, poof, it goes. I can't tell you how many times i have clicked on his threads in the for sale section to find out I am hours late to a minutes sale.
 
Posts: 6633 | Location: Virginia | Registered: December 23, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Hop head
Picture of lyman
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by mrvmax:
This is my ninth year as a home based FFL and this is my slowest year I've seen. I think more brick and mortar shops will be closing over the next few years. The only thing that will stop it is if a Gem gets elected instead of Trump but I do not see that happening.



I am in the trade, FFL/SOT that also works for a FFL shop,

the foiks I work for are flat, used trade is a bit flat as well, tho buying is strong,
we have picked up a few estates

my FFL/SOT is flat to last year, and last year was a good year, re firearms,

we have picked up a few estates w/ a lot of accessories etc that have been doing well on gunbroker/ebay,


gunshows are traditionally slow here in the summer, the hopefully exception will be Hampton next month, (usually a good show regardless of time of year)
which is also why you only see the big name folks with the new stuff, the smaller guys are on vacation or saving some cash by selling at the location or online (I know of a couple of dealers that have stopped doing shows due to the expense, )



https://chandlersfirearms.com/chesterfield-armament/
 
Posts: 10672 | Location: Beach VA,not VA Beach | Registered: July 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Nullus Anxietas
Picture of ensigmatic
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
We, as gun owners, tend to get complacent when the pressure feels like its lessened and then go nuts when the panics hit.

That used to be me, save the panic part. But then, in 2009, of all times, I decide to get into 9mm for the first time. Finding 9mm range ammo was a challenge.

quote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Para and LDD have written at length about it on multiple occasions. "It's quiet now. Go get your stuff."

Which is precisely what I've been doing as funds allow. And there's the rub: My wife and I strive to live within our means. That means not spending money we don't have--or at least isn't assured to be there. So while I'd like to buy every last rifle and pistol I think I'd ever want, right now, and stack ammo for them from wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling: It just ain't in the cards. So I'm doing what I can.

quote:
Originally posted by soflaac:
Have seen a couple small shops in my area close recently, ...

We've actually had a couple new ones open in my area, w/in the last couple years or so. Just learned of another new one the other day.

quote:
Originally posted by fpuhan:
Maybe it's time for some "fire sale" prices? I'd snatch up a P365 in a heartbeat if the price would come down a bit.

I'm fixed for carry pieces. Some 10mm goodness is next on my list.

quote:
Originally posted by DEC505:
Stocking up on primers,powder ...

Once I get the man cave done, which I expect to complete by the end of July, then I'll get back to reloading gear and supplies.

quote:
Originally posted by parabellum:
quote:
Originally posted by Fredward:
I'm buying and stacking. A generic AR can be had for under 350, mags are dirt cheap, ammo is near bottom. Time to replenish, a drought will come soon enough.
Just make sure that your pile doesn't reach the 18 foot mark.




"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
"If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
 
Posts: 26032 | Location: S.E. Michigan | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of sjames
posted Hide Post
I've used the lull in the market to do the opposite of some. I've sold off almost everything that isn't 9mm/556, sold all of the budget build items, and am doubling up on quality ARs and pistols that fit the HD category.

I've had SBR lowers so I'm one backorder delivery away from having the following locked down:
-Two Daniel Defense 10.3 556 SBRs w/H1s and WML
-Two Glock 19.5 MOS pistols w/WMLs
-Two .30 cal suppressors
-Two P365s

I’ve also got my 16” rifle covered by a Daniel Defense M4V5 bought years ago.

I've got plenty of magazines, ammo pile fluctuates, and the next priority is to continue to get training, as the heat allows.

Of course, I have a few ARs/bolt guns sitting around in hunting calibers but my approach allows me, on the same limited funds as others, to get a comfortable (for me) stash of spare parts and ammo for the most used firearms/calibers.

Now's the time!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sjames,
 
Posts: 2505 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: August 22, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
I've been trying to sell a few of the pistols I never shoot. I'll pass them on to the family before I sell at today's prices unless I absolutely need the money. I am ass deep in 22 LR, 9 mm, 40, 45 ACP, and 223 ammo so I don't think I'll pick up any more even at bargain basement prices. My work schedule doesn't allow me to do nearly as much range time as I'd like to Frown
 
Posts: 7783 | Registered: October 31, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Non-Miscreant
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by doublesharp:
I've always kept my prices reasonable



Say what! Big Grin I guess the term reasonable depends on which side of the table your on. In all fairness I did buy a knife a show or two back..

OK, there's a show tomorrow. My wife is driving me downstate to visit. Really, my buddy Joe and I are going to talk (lie) about better times. And do business! He fixed a granddaughters neck chain where she managed to break it. Oh, and bring Black92 some artwork he requested. I found a gun and a knife to sell - a 639 and a mini Randall. Um, and 1,000 LMR primers. Those would be cheap to the right person with cash.

We still have idiots asking if I take plastic.

But I'm taking cash $$$. I'm actively looking for 2 different guns. And I'll pay cash for a P210A. Either fixed or target. Doesn't matter much to me. The other is, hold on, a Hi-Point. the one with the $100 bills printed all over it.

I don't expect to see either, but I'll look.

So there are reasons for slow markets. One big one is the vendors don't have what we want.


Unhappy ammo seeker
 
Posts: 18394 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: February 25, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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posted Hide Post
Its been picking up here it seems due to stupid laws. We have a mandatory hold on "assault weapons" for 10 days coming at the end of the month. No exemptions even for CPL holders. Stupid. Anyways its hard to find stuff on shelves upon my perusing the local shops. Could be some dealers are cutting inventory due to anticipating slow coming sales. I've already bought mine so I'm set and can wait 10 days if something cool and new comes out. I'm taking advantage of cheap mags and such currently.
 
Posts: 3131 | Location: Pnw | Registered: March 21, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Trophy Husband
Picture of C L Wilkins
posted Hide Post
The last panic? I remember being at Academy when there was some girl in her twenties with her boyfriend talking to one of the guys behind the counter about wanting to buy her first pistol. He was trying to sell her on 9mm. Hmmmm, wonder if she ever bought it and I especially wonder if she ever found ammo for it at the time. I recall the Walmart employee holding ammo for his buddy. I remember the sign on the ammo cabinet stating to limit the number of boxes of ammo a person could buy. Everyone, including myself stocked up on everything then. Mags, ammo, ARs, you name it.

Don't really need anything else but still shy of the 18 foot mark. Still looking at pistols, revolvers, and anything 22 (my weakness). That really hasn't slowed down. One thing I have that a lot of other guys don't is a wife that "gets it".
 
Posts: 3217 | Location: Texas | Registered: June 29, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Alea iacta est
Picture of Beancooker
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Things are the complete opposite in Washington state right now. Our new gun laws go into effect July 1st and they’re... bad. I’ve been in half dozen shops the last few weeks and it was invariably a 15-20 minute wait to get to speak to someone behind the counter. Two of those shops installed a “take a number” system. The store owner/manager that helped me a few days ago answered two phone calls from people asking about their 4473 delay, two more telling people “no, I don’t have that in stock,” and was desperately trying to put together some rush orders to replenish inventory while he was doing my paperwork. There were at least three other employees handling customers as well.

When we were wrapping up, he told me that a surprising number of customers over the last month had no idea about the new law, hadn’t even heard of it. He was astonished. His English is accented and he looks Mediterranean, so I assume he immigrated the right way what with owning a gun store, so when he said “my God, don’t you people vote? Don’t you read what laws they’re trying to pass here?” it had a little extra zing to it.

Feast or famine, I guess. We, as gun owners, tend to get complacent when the pressure feels like its lessened and then go nuts when the panics hit. Para and LDD have written at length about it on multiple occasions. "It's quiet now. Go get your stuff."


Just curious, what’s your LGS there? I always liked Welcher’s, even prior to their move to Lakewood. The Lakewood store is pretty darn nice though. Aside of WGS, Surplus Ammo always did me well, but they moved to the ghetto and I never went back.



quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I'd fly to Turks and Caicos with live ammo falling out of my pockets before getting within spitting distance of NJ with a firearm.
The “lol” thread
 
Posts: 4524 | Location: Staring down at you with disdain, from the spooky mountaintop castle.  | Registered: November 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Veteran of the
Psychic Wars
posted Hide Post
I don't really want to buy any more guns, but, I have stocked up on ammo and mags. Ammo prices are about as low as one can reasonably expect. I don't think .223/5.56 will ever return to the pre-Iraq invasion prices of $220/1000....but, they are kinda close. Prices on 9mm, however are darn close to pre-invasion prices.

Should Trump get re-elected (and there is no major shift in the balance of power in Congress) I expect even worse times for gun shops. I don't feel too bad though because, as others have mentioned, they made a killing during the Obama years.


__________________________
"just look at the flowers..."
 
Posts: 1300 | Location: The end of the Earth... | Registered: March 02, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Go ahead punk, make my day
posted Hide Post
It all hinges on politics. Things will pick up next summer / fall a good bit - not crazy but still, with the standard election uncertainty, it will pick up some.

Obviously if the Leftists pick up the Executive there will be a panic of some proportion. If they pick up the Senate and keep the House, there will be a panic. If they pick up the whole enchilada, there will be a big panic.

I have another 1-3 Glocks to buy over the next year and about 15K of ammo to add before Nov 2019. No huge rush, a case a month and so forth.

Buy it cheap, stack it deep.
 
Posts: 45798 | Registered: July 12, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Frangas non Flectes
Picture of P220 Smudge
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Beancooker:
Just curious, what’s your LGS there? I always liked Welcher’s, even prior to their move to Lakewood. The Lakewood store is pretty darn nice though. Aside of WGS, Surplus Ammo always did me well, but they moved to the ghetto and I never went back.


The anecdote about the store owner/manager was at Federal Way Discount Guns. My closest store is Rehv arms, and their prices are a bit nutty and they don’t negotiate, so they lost a sale to Rainier Arms from me a few weeks ago. Never been to Welcher’s. I stopped shopping at Surplus Arms & Ammo right after the election. I made some comment about being happy that Trump won and Ed replied that he wasn’t happy about it because their business slowed to a crawl. He was genuinely irritated. This was at the ghetto location down by the dome, I worked across the street and used to go in there quite often and spent more than I should have.


______________________________________________
“There are plenty of good reasons for fighting, but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you, too.”
 
Posts: 17887 | Location: Sonoran Desert | Registered: February 10, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Old Air Cavalryman
Picture of ARMT Guy
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
quote:
Originally posted by Beancooker:
Just curious, what’s your LGS there? I always liked Welcher’s, even prior to their move to Lakewood. The Lakewood store is pretty darn nice though. Aside of WGS, Surplus Ammo always did me well, but they moved to the ghetto and I never went back.


The anecdote about the store owner/manager was at Federal Way Discount Guns. My closest store is Rehv arms, and their prices are a bit nutty and they don’t negotiate, so they lost a sale to Rainier Arms from me a few weeks ago. Never been to Welcher’s. I stopped shopping at Surplus Arms & Ammo right after the election. I made some comment about being happy that Trump won and Ed replied that he wasn’t happy about it because their business slowed to a crawl. He was genuinely irritated. This was at the ghetto location down by the dome, I worked across the street and used to go in there quite often and spent more than I should have.



While it's been many years, whenever I went back to Washington to visit family, I'd stop in at Welcher's.

I bought two gun safes from them and a couple of guns, ammo and various accessories every now and then. Nice store.

The LGS I've been working at here for about the last five years has been fairly slow recently, but not dead slow. Just the usual slow summer sales.




"Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying who shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I, send me."




 
Posts: 7464 | Location: Georgia | Registered: February 19, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Alea iacta est
Picture of Beancooker
posted Hide Post
That’s disappointing about SA&A. You’ll have to make the trek to WGS in Lakewood. It’s a quite fine store with great people.
I haven’t shopped around too much here in Cottonwood. Figure I’ll make my way to a couple of the shops soon, as I need to find a reputable shop soon.
I did visit the shop right next door to where I work, Hamilton and Sons. They are the guys that put the Vulcan on a Prius.




quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I'd fly to Turks and Caicos with live ammo falling out of my pockets before getting within spitting distance of NJ with a firearm.
The “lol” thread
 
Posts: 4524 | Location: Staring down at you with disdain, from the spooky mountaintop castle.  | Registered: November 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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