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Craziest "Sale" Price You Have Seen for a Gun During the Shortage

wmg1299

wmg1299

Professional
I have too much time on my hands recently, and have been searching the internet for decent gun sales. This would normally be very dangerous for my budget, but due to the lack of actual deals I haven't really spent any money. I fully understand the price increase on AR's and AK's, due to the threat of a future ban and their reputation as great SHTF guns. However, I'm frequently surprised by the massive price hikes on other types of guns.

For as long as I can remember, S&W J-frame .38 Special models have sold for $429-$479 at big box stores, and have sold for $329-$379 from most online sellers. The J-frames are excellent pistols with a reputation for quality and reliability that are normally widely available (new and used). They are an ideal CCW for many shooters, but may have limited uses in other roles. As of this morning, the only online seller with S&W 642's in stock on gun.deals has them listed at $519. For reference, this is a large online dealer with a good reputation that usually offers 642's for $329-$349.

I'm by no means saying the J-frames aren't great guns, but I was surprised by a 50% price increase on a gun that is highly unlikely to be on any politician's ban list. Not counting the shops/sites that price-gouge whenever possible (ex. Cheaper Than Dirt), what is the most unexpected price increase you have seen on a particular model during the current shortage?
 
Annihilator said:
I’m thinking right now, it’s due to supply and demand, just my guess.
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I don't doubt that's the cause. I'm just really surprised to see that demand for .38 Special J-Frames has managed to overtake the supply. S&W has made these guns for decades, and just a few months ago they could be found in every new and used gun case in any gun store I visited. I'm used to the runs on AR's every 4-8 years jacking up prices on scary black rifles, but I never predicted a big enough run on J-frames to significantly raise their prices.
 
Annihilator said:
I’m thinking right now, it’s due to supply and demand, just my guess.
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Nah I think it's more of a supply and gouge everyone mentality with most of these shops. The LGS I visit most hasn't really upped their prices much more than a few dollars on most firearms and they said they are paying slightly more so it's passed on to the buyer.

They just got in 100,000 rounds of .45acp 2 days ago and now they have less than 3000 left because they are selling it for $21.00 a box which is a bargain during this panic.
 
wmg1299 said:
I don't doubt that's the cause. I'm just really surprised to see that demand for .38 Special J-Frames has managed to overtake the supply. S&W has made these guns for decades, and just a few months ago they could be found in every new and used gun case in any gun store I visited. I'm used to the runs on AR's every 4-8 years jacking up prices on scary black rifles, but I never predicted a big enough run on J-frames to significantly raise their prices.
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This is at my local shop.

northeastmunitions.com

Northeast Munitions, LLC

Northeast Munitions in Merrimack, New Hampshire (NH) is a gun shop unlike any other. We deal in the most elite firearms, ammunition, accessories, & NFA, while also providing the best service and pricing in the industry. Oh yeah, and as always FREE FFL Transfers
northeastmunitions.com northeastmunitions.com
 
A store close to me called Modern Weapons Systems, which back in normal times I have done business with, is currently selling Romeo 5s for $219. The only place on line or at a store front that I know of that isn't gouging the crap out of everyone is a local Farm and Home store and their ammo shelves empty in minutes.

Two nights ago another local store that sells ammo online advertised PMC X-tac 55 gr. FMJ for $16.99 per 20 round box. It was on Ammoseek. By the time I filled out the information and hit submit they were sold out. I ended up getting 200 rds of Lake City 55gr. for $189. Then tonight SGAmmo had Lake City 62 gr. Green tip for about the same price so I got that too. I can't stand to think about spending that kind of money. I've taken 4 showers and I still feel dirty. :)
 
wmg1299 said:
I don't doubt that's the cause. I'm just really surprised to see that demand for .38 Special J-Frames has managed to overtake the supply. S&W has made these guns for decades, and just a few months ago they could be found in every new and used gun case in any gun store I visited. I'm used to the runs on AR's every 4-8 years jacking up prices on scary black rifles, but I never predicted a big enough run on J-frames to significantly raise their prices.
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To put it in perspective, today I was in a pawn shop, even their guns are marked up and picked over.

The only AR style rifle they had was an old Bushmaster 308, with a nondescript scope on it, they wanted 2100 for it.

They also had very used handguns in 9mm variant by Sig Sauer and Beretta, and they were asking for 699.99 for those things.

Redonkulous to say the least.

But they must've sold some if they think they can put that price tag on them, and this was a PAWN shop.
 
Mstr71 said:
A lot of the pistols I am seeing are significantly higher than normal, but I saw a Springfield Saint 308 listed for $2300. That’s almost 1k more than I paid for mine. Supply and demand I guess
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You should see want the SAINT Edge PDWs are going for on Gunbroker, 2500 to 3k, meaning after tax, credit card fees and shipping and FFL transfer fee, no matter what you're spending at least 3k on a 1700 MSRP pistol.

But, that's where everyone is selling the Edge pistols, understandably, they get bidding wars going for them.
 
TacticalPirate said:
You should see want the SAINT Edge PDWs are going for on Gunbroker, 2500 to 3k, meaning after tax, credit card fees and shipping and FFL transfer fee, no matter what you're spending at least 3k on a 1700 MSRP pistol.

But, that's where everyone is selling the Edge pistols, understandably, they get bidding wars going for them.
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I'll take a hard pass on those kinda prices!

I can build something a lot nicer for less than the current market prices people are asking.
 
10mmLife said:
I'll take a hard pass on those kinda prices!

I can build something a lot nicer for less than the current market price
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Yep, although right now builds are pricier than normal as well. PSA is no longer cheap at least for the time being.

Check out the absolute gouging on Gunbroker some dealers are getting by putting cheap optics and a basic store bought quadrail on an M&P 15 Sport II, they're going for north of 2k, sometimes as high as 3k.

Panic buyers and newbies with no gun knowledge fall for the pretty pictures and think that the bidding war means it must be a hot item.

M&P makes a fine basic rifle in the Sport II, I'd trust it with my life, but I wouldn't pay more than MSRP for it.
 
TacticalPirate said:
Yep, although right now builds are pricier than normal as well. PSA is no longer cheap at least for the time being.

Check out the absolute gouging on Gunbroker some dealers are getting by putting cheap optics and a basic store bought quadrail on an M&P 15 Sport II, they're going for north of 2k, sometimes as high as 3k.

Panic buyers and newbies with no gun knowledge fall for the pretty pictures and think that the bidding war means it must be a hot item.

M&P makes a fine basic rifle in the Sport II, I'd trust it with my life, but I wouldn't pay more than MSRP for it.
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I've been able to get stripped lowers for decent prices locally and also I picked up a few from Joe Bob's and Primary Arms recently also. There's still deals to be had if you know where to look. I stopped buying anything from PSA once Covid hit because they started gouging with most of their products doubling in price. I just picked up another Aero stripped lower for $90.00 that I will be putting together soon from my LGS. Ive been a big fan of Aero Precision builds and I've got quite a few now.

AR-10 parts have been tough for me to find in stock anywhere but I just scored a new 20in Faxon heavy fluted .308 barrel for $179.00 for a Aero M5 build that's almost complete.
 
10mmLife said:
I've been able to get stripped lowers for decent prices locally and also I picked up a few from Joe Bob's and Primary Arms recently also. There's still deals to be had if you know where to look. I stopped buying anything from PSA once Covid hit because they started gouging with most of their products doubling in price. I just picked up another Aero stripped lower for $90.00 that I will be putting together soon from my LGS. Ive been a big fan of Aero Precision builds and I've got quite a few now.

AR-10 parts have been tough for me to find in stock anywhere but I just scored a new 20in Faxon heavy fluted .308 barrel for $179.00 for a Aero M5 build that's almost complete.
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That's smart, I have yet to build from scratch but I have turned 1100 guns like the M&P 15T, which is variant with a Thompson Center 1 in 8 twist with 5R rifling barrel, and a solid Troy quad rail and sexed it up into a 2K build with Magpul PRS Gen3 stock, a FAB Defense AR Podium bipod/grip, and a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 x 24 scope.

It's a fun bench gun, one of the few ARs I might consider taking to shoot white tail deer, since they don't get over 200 pounds in Texas.
5065EE13-281C-4DAF-A855-EF13C49740AA.jpeg
 
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TacticalPirate said:
That's smart, I have yet to build from scratch but I have turned 1100 guns like the M&P 15T, which is variant with a Thompson Center 1 in 8 twist with 5R rifling barrel, and a solid Troy quad rail and sexed it up into a 2K build with Magpul PRS Gen3 stock, a FAB Defense AR Podium bipod/grip, and a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 x 24 scope.

It's a fun bench gun, one of the few ARs I might consider taking to shoot white tail deer, since they don't get over 200 pounds in Texas.
View attachment 14569
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Looks awesome!!!

😁👍
 
10mmLife said:
I stopped buying anything from PSA once Covid hit because they started gouging with most of their products doubling in price.
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I was sorry to see that. I've purchased components from PSA and Bear Creek Armory in the past, and have always been happy with their products. I understand a moderate markup if parts and materials go up in price, but both of these sellers doubled their prices on products that they produce in house. Stunts like that may bring some temporary cashflow, but gun buyers tend to remember these things. Back when they had a physical store in town, everyone I know shopped at Cheaper than Dirt. I don't think any of us have bought a single item from them since they started gouging after Sandy Hook.
 
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