[mviker]

I'm headed out to a gun show later this afternoon and am interested in an AR style rifle but know next to nothing about them. Just wondering if anyone out there can give me a rough idea of cost for a decent one and clue me in on which ones ARE decent!

I'm not an expert shooter, but I've been interested in one of these for going on years now. Figured the time is right to get one before they are no longer available to us ordinary citizens. I'm betting they don't come cheap. None of the gun shops in my area have them. They sell out quick. I'm thinking there may not be any at the show either, but I'd like to snatch one up if there are, assuming there's any decent quality ones there.

Any input, thoughts, suggestions are welcome!

Thanks guys!

Kevin

[hobbygto65]

You might try looking on gunbroker.com too. The stores around here are sold out too.

[mviker]

I thought about that. Haven't dug into all the FFL stuff yet though. I guess if all else fails, I would call a nearby gun shop and get their FFL info to use on the purchase from gunbroker.com?

Seems they're readily available there for sure. That may be the way to go.

[Deadhead]

You have a PM.

The lines to get into the shows have been huge, and the selection has been greatly reduced. A year or so ago when I went I found the selection and prices not anything that great. Now it is even worse.

[Rob B]

I was researching these style rifles before Christmas and was planning on one being my present to myself. Before hand, a nice "entry level" gun would cost anywhere from $700 to $1000 with the upper end brand guns costing up to and around $1400. After Sandy Hook, People went nuts and so did dealers. Those $700 guns (S&W MP15) more than doubled. I honestly plan on giving it until the summer when things have cooled down a little and manufacturers can build back up their inventories, then prices should drop back down with dealers to a more reasonable range. IF you buy one now, you can't get ammo anywhere and if you do find it, you"ll pay out the nose for it.

[66Post]

A nice Colt AR-15 mid 70's vintage will set you back $1500-$1800. Knockoff $800 range.

[PMD1969]

I seriously doubt that you will find any "good" ones left. During this panic everyone like you has come to the table and bought them up so you are about 3 months late.

Good AR's are:

ARmalite
Sabre (out of business)
Colt (now sold at Walmart)
Wyndam Weaponry (BushMaster employees new business)
BCM

Just to name a few. Keep in mind that you have come in at the TOP of the market and these rifles have been selling for $2000-$2500 and are few and far between.

[citrusz]

Prior to the new assault weapons law in New York, a new AR Colt was 2500.00 with an off brand at 2000.00

If I could find any off brand AR for 800.00, I would buy it in a second.

Originally Posted by 66Post

A nice Colt AR-15 mid 70's vintage will set you back $1500-$1800. Knockoff $800 range.

[sleepy]

Depending on the brand, caliber, and add on's . anywhere from 900- 2000.
My wife just got me a new in the box Panther Arms A-16 for 1000 in 5.56, The same store has another panther arms .308 for 1,500 with no sights you'd have to ad front sight and carry handle or a scope to that one.

[63Banshee]

Wait till the gun ban is squashed and get a good deal. That said, you might decide on which AR you want and stock up on 30 round mags, cause those might get banned.

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by 63Banshee

Wait till the gun ban is squashed and get a good deal. That said, you might decide on which AR you want and stock up on 30 round mags, cause those might get banned.

Exactly. It might be better to look for a lower (which is the rifle) rather than a complete assembly. You can then build it the way you want.

[bonneville Joe]

If you can find one on a shelf somewhere, Sig Sauer had an entry model M-400 at Walmart for around $800. I paid $1300 for mine last spring before all the poo hit the fan, it would probably set me back $3000 today.

[Cliff R]

AR's come in many different brands, models, and configurations. They are among the most sought after firearms these days as news of banning "assault" style weapons and high capacity magazines made the news back in December.

Right now there is next to nothing available. Well, not at any realistic prices.

Entry level guns before the big price increases could be had for about $600. Well equipped models go for $1000 and up.

Currently, at the last 3 Gun Shows I've attended, entry level guns are up near $1400, and the prices for nicer stuff just goes up from there.

Ammo that was .32 cents a round before the big scare is up near $1.00 per round, if you can find it.

High capacity magazines that could be bought for about $10 each are $35 and up.

Certainly not the best time to invest in an AR. I'm pretty certain things will settle down some in the next few months, and prices will come back down as well.

I build my own guns here, and currently there are no parts available anyplace. Stripped lower receivers went from $100-150 to $400-450. Can't find any lower parts kits, bolt/carrier groups, or any complete uppers anyplace, at any price.

What basically happened is that the dealers/manufacturers sold 3 years worth of inventory in 3 weeks, now everyone is backordered for many months for just about everything. What is still out there is priced so unreasonably high, it's not worth getting....IMHO.....Cliff

[66Post]

There's a gun show in MYR this weekend, I plan to go. (If I can get in). Anyone need anything??

[69Goat1]

I have a nice CMMG M4 piston gun that I like really well. It shoots an amazing 100 yd group with PMC 55 grain ammo... These guns, ammo, and mags have gone crazy since the ct shooting. I was caught with not enough ammo or mags but through careful shopping and a few miles of driving I have kept expenditures low and picked up 5 more 30 rd mags and 2 20 round mags and over 1k PMC bronze .223 and 5.56 ammo. I have seen the actual AR rifles for sale at a lot of different places over the past month (Walmart, private gun shops, etc...) The ones I have seen are going for about $200 more than they were before mid December.

[69Goat1]

My CMMG

[PonchoV8]

Originally Posted by bonneville Joe

If you can find one on a shelf somewhere, Sig Sauer had an entry model M-400 at Walmart for around $800. I paid $1300 for mine last spring before all the poo hit the fan, it would probably set me back $3000 today.

I think it's actually $897 at Walmart, and isn't a piston gas system. Is yours the gas blowback or piston? They have a Magpul MOE version for about $40-60 more. DPMS is $697 and Colt is $1097. The DPMS LR-10 in .308 is $897, the same as the Sig AR-15. Both DPMS rifles are slick sided (no bolt cover and no forward assist). I saw a higher line DPMS at a show (used) a couple wks back for $3200. It probably had $400 worth of upgrades over the WM version. The WM version is a 16" barrel with standard hand guard but adjustable stock. I've started wanting an AR-10 style (.308) 3-4 yrs ago. I'd like to have a separate upper for longer distance.

Our shows have uppers available, but not like in Nov. and Dec..

[PMD1969]

You could go big and buy a AR-10 (ARmalite Trademark) or 308 level AR.

AR-10A4B

[PonchoV8]

Is that an SWFA scope? What's the pistol grip called? Not the bipod one. The rear one.

[Overkillphil]

Best AR-15 day for me was the day I sold it. My Mini 14 Ruger ranch rifle is a dream to shoot the same .223 ammo compared to the pita AR. IMHO it's all about the "look" with the AR. If you HAVE to own one, spend the money on a good quality one that has been massaged by a skilled gunsmith. Test firing first is the ultimate but obviously not always possible. After owning one I was able to see why the military hated them so much early on.