94 AWB Hysteria

[CrookedSights]

 I was 4 when the AWB was enacted so I  have no memory of it. Do any of you remember how long it took for the market to even out and suppliers to catch up to demand? Any estimations of the current market?

[JohnyMac]

I was around back then (1st AWB) and I do not remember any of the hysteria I see now. The joke back then was what slight cosmetic changes can we make to keep selling the rifle. So bayonet lugs disappeared or the stocks got locked into one position etc. Plus in all honesty the demand for such a rifle was not like today.

In 2009 I bought my first AR; a Colt LEO 6920. I bought it not because I had to have one; I bought it because of the new President. I think I paid $1,600- for it. I also bought a Rock River AR. It was the Entry model which was very similar to my Colt. I Paid about $1K for that weapon. I sold it after owning it for 6 months or so because I felt I didn't need another AR.

As mentioned is an earlier post I bought another Colt LEO 6920 for my wife in 2010. I think I paid $1,300- for it. So there was a about a 20% drop in price from the 2009 rush.

For kicks and giggles I went on gunbroker.com to check out the price for a Colt LEO 6920 and they are starting at $2,500-. OUCH! That's 2.5X's what the rifle wholesales for. 

Now, there are still shop owners out there that are selling AR's at MSRP (Manufactures Suggested Retail Price) however most are selling anywhere from a 50% to 100% mark-up. I helped a friend recently find and then buy a AR for $950-. It was a stripped (no sights) Windham Weaponry rifle complete with a standard capacity mag. (30 rnds).

Apparently Windham is made up of former Bushmaster employees. I think (To lazy to research) Remington bought Bushmaster in the early 2000's and promptly moved the shop from Maine to Kentucky or Tennessee. After the new A.R.M.S sights came in we sighted her in. My range is only 50 yards long however we were consistently within 2" at the 6 O' Clock mark at that yardage. Since there was no elevation adjustment on the rear sight we decided on a 1" low impact from point of aim at 25 yards. Sorry but I am getting off topic here.

Like what Walker has previously posted; I think things will turn around in 1-2 years. I think a few states will pass draconian fire arm laws; however congress (both Houses) will stay away from the "third rail" of politics - Gun Control.

Once we all witness the 'again' availability of reloading components, this will mark the beginning of the end of the Gun Control debate.

So there's my long winded Op-Ed on the your question. :-))
 

 

 

[Alex1992]

I was 2 when it happened. A little story I was born right around when then Black Talon ammo came out and they stopped circulation right around  when the Clinton thing was put into law, just a little piece of 90s history for you.

[JohnyMac]

Funny shit Walker  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[RS762]

When I lived in AK, I worked with a bunch of backwoodsman who made a TON of money at the chemical plant.  Anyways, right after the AWB passed, about 5 of them got together and formed a non-profit club called "F.Y.B.C", and their non-profit org. bought a bunch of class 3 items (the legal route), Thompson, full auto M14, M16, and the like.  I went out shooting with them regularly, and one day at the range I asked what "F.Y.B.C." stood for. . .    they said "Fuck You Bill Clinton . . .cause we got ours!"   I about fell over laughing.   

 [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[Grudgie]

Researching the 2008 gun scare, which is more similar to our current problem, people say it lasted about 2 years. And when it finally came down it came down hard. This is why I am selling off what I don't really need now so I can snatch up deals when the prices fall.

[sledge]

There are a lot of differences between past awb's and gun scares than what we have today.  I'm not selling off anything.  If I didn't need or want it I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.  In fact, I'm advising people to buy what they can find now. 

It's not going to get any cheaper within your lifetime.  The government is going left with the full consent of the majority who live within our borders now.  That means more regulation and government authority on everything including weapons and ammo.  Between that fact, and the unavoidable issue of inflationary pressures due to overspending by the Fed prices won't be coming back down this time.   If you think we are in the same anti gun boat we were in a few years ago and things will go back to the way they were in a couple of years.  Then by all means sell what you have for some of those dollars that are going to be even more worthless in the near future.

That's just my view, others will be different.

[crudos]

Also in '94, there wasn't the full-immersion of society in the internet like we had in 2008 or today.

[Grudgie]

There are a lot of differences between past awb's and gun scares than what we have today.  I'm not selling off anything.  If I didn't need or want it I wouldn't have bought it in the first place.  In fact, I'm advising people to buy what they can find now. 

It's not going to get any cheaper within your lifetime.  The government is going left with the full consent of the majority who live within our borders now.  That means more regulation and government authority on everything including weapons and ammo.  Between that fact, and the unavoidable issue of inflationary pressures due to overspending by the Fed prices won't be coming back down this time.   If you think we are in the same anti gun boat we were in a few years ago and things will go back to the way they were in a couple of years.  Then by all means sell what you have for some of those dollars that are going to be even more worthless in the near future.

That's just my view, others will be different.

Will gun and ammo prices come back down? I don't know. It is a gamble. In my opinion they will absoluteley drop back down in a year or two to their original prices adjusted to inflation. The market experienced a shock and will adjust accordingly to supply and demand. I consider my needs are my long gun and pistol. Everything else is up for consideraton. I would 'like' an AK74 but I consider the possibility of them becoming cheaper is much more likeley than the price staying the same or rising. So I will sell now when it is high and buy later when it is low.

[JohnyMac]

If things don't start to normalize (Availability, prices, etc) by this time next year we will be up a creek without a paddle, e.g. martial law in some cities like Detroit, Baltimore, St Louis, etc. hyper-inflation, official unemployment in the teens (Which will b e Bush's or Republican or Tea Parties fault), 50-70% correction in the stock market...I could go on and on. 

I worry about the road we find our selves on; which is leading us to totalitarianism. I agree with Sledge - If it's bought it ain't going to be sold. And when I can I will add.

 

[CrookedSights]

Really starting to regret using monies earmarked towards an AK for a new computer guys. 

[Grudgie]

No worries. Prices WILL come back down.

[crudos]

After 2008, AK prices generally dropped, though not as low as they were pre-2008. I suspect something similar will happen after this mess calms down. Fingers cross, knock on wood.

[Alex1992]

Will prices go down, I fucking hope so, but things will eventually calm down, I wouldn't hold my breath though

[crudos]

I am a more than a bit nervous sitting here with only bolt action rifles, devoid of a modern semi-auto battle rifle. They are better than nothing, but.......

[JohnyMac]

I love it Walker!

I now conclude my "tickle me elmo" theory of how this will turn out.  For all of you who didn't vote as an "act of defiance" because you didn't vote for the lesser of two bad candidates... just remember that elections have their consequences and so does not showing up to vote.