quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
Wow, that's stupid cheap. It would almost be worth buying just to be able to say I bought a new AR for under $350.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
Given the political climate over the past 8-something years (and actually, further back), it's not surprising that low-end AR-15s are so cheap right now. Many of us are part of the demand/supply/cost cycles. I'm now to the point I have more than enough AR-15s to last me the rest of my life. Unless the highly unlikely event of receiver set failure occurs, my AR purchases going forward are likely only to be wear parts -- barrel, gas rings, bolt, etc. Maybe an optic upgrade down the road, but that's it.

Sure, I could buy a value-line AR for prices that are as silly low today as they were silly high a few years ago. But why? I won't shoot a value-line AR very much, as my higher-end ARs are configured almost exactly as I want. I wouldn't share parts from the value-line AR with my higher-end rifles -- if something fails, I will replace those parts with high-end parts.

For $350:
- I can get 1,000 rounds of FMJ training ammo, or
- I can enter a regional match and travel to it, or
- I can pay for a decent one-day training course
All of which will make me a better shooter. Another AR won't make me a better shooter -- it will only take up space in my safe.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz:
Given the political climate over the past 8-something years (and actually, further back), it's not surprising that low-end AR-15s are so cheap right now. Many of us are part of the demand/supply/cost cycles. I'm now to the point I have more than enough AR-15s to last me the rest of my life. Unless the highly unlikely event of receiver set failure occurs, my AR purchases going forward are likely only to be wear parts -- barrel, gas rings, bolt, etc. Maybe an optic upgrade down the road, but that's it.

Sure, I could buy a value-line AR for prices that are as silly low today as they were silly high a few years ago. But why? I won't shoot a value-line AR very much, as my higher-end ARs are configured almost exactly as I want. I wouldn't share parts from the value-line AR with my higher-end rifles -- if something fails, I will replace those parts with high-end parts.

For $350:
- I can get 1,000 rounds of FMJ training ammo, or
- I can enter a regional match and travel to it, or
- I can pay for a decent one-day training course
All of which will make me a better shooter. Another AR won't make me a better shooter -- it will only take up space in my safe.

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
there are those new to the AR world that if they have not bought one yet, now is the time to buy

quote:

Originally posted by LDD:
But for everyone else that isn't sitting on top of a pile of receivers and LPKs:
Just don't come back on the eve of the next election and whine to me that you could have gotten two for $700, but now you're paying $900 for one.

quote:

Originally posted by swage:
Daniel Defense and BCM (higher end) are continuously out of stock when I check their site.

quote:

Originally posted by swage:
Daniel Defense and BCM (higher end) are continuously out of stock when I check their site.

quote:

Originally posted by LDD:

quote:

Originally posted by swage:
Daniel Defense and BCM (higher end) are continuously out of stock when I check their site.

DD is supposedly just now catching up on their backlog.

DD and BCM rifles are still moving, though I expect the high end rifles will take a hit a some point.

I suspect even their retailers will start canceling orders which may have helped clear some of the backlog.

quote:

Originally posted by awa762:
Every 5-8 years there seems to come along a low price gun of reasonable quality that seems too good to pass up.

When I look back, I can still recall these regrets:

* I should have bought a EAA / Russian made double barreled coach gun in 12 gauge for $300 when I had the chance. Time: Perhaps 13 years ago.

* I should have bought an SLR-5 in 5.45x39 mm for $500 when I had the chance. Time: Perhaps 13 years ago.

* I should have bought an SGL-21 fixed stock for $560 when I had the chance. Prices were quite low as a promotion when they first came to the U. S. market. Time: Perhaps 6 years ago.

I came across the S&W crazy cheap Shield deal this past week from Palmetto State Armory. The average price per gun that I buy "out of the door" at the gun store post transfer fee will be $235. I remembered the "regrets" above and moved on getting some cheap guns of decent quality.

The "cheap" mid-level ARs are akin to the S&W shield above. I can keep a S&W Shield in my car in a lock box, for example, and not "worry" about having a $600 to $1000 gun in my car 24/7. I can also have a shield in my bathroom in a lock box... I won't fret as much about the threat of rust or moisture damage compared to a gun that I cost me 3-4 times as much. I can also put a Shield in a bug out bag as a stock item for that price. Forward to a "cheap" AR... I can keep one in my trunk and not fret about having a $1000 or $1600 AR in my car.

These deals are an inexpensive way to allow myself to be armed in more situations and/or have a gun nearby in more settings. In that, I see utility. I also agree with others who have stated that the low prices of today lower the entry cost for new shooters and gun owners. Now is the time for them to come along and "buy" into being a new gun owner.