By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Ten days after the massacre in Florida, we know little more about the young man who killed those 17 unarmed students.
The social media wars rage, however. Trolling on the Huff Post Politics’ Facebook page, I get to see, once again, the madness of the face of Liberalism, and it is just as awful now as when I repudiated it all those years ago.
Organizations such as Think Progress have managed to get two high profile corporate entities to eliminate NRA member discounts, including Enterprise car rental and their two other companies, National and Avis.
Additionally, Omaha National Bank has ceased their relationship with the NRA.
On social media, we keep seeing calls for everything from heavier regulation to outright bans, including bans of the AR-15. That includes everything but what we know will actually work and is in line with basic rights.
Even in the firearms and related industries, we are seeing calls for increased regulation.
None of this is surprising to me. Back just prior to the 2004 presidential elections we kept seeing people who up to that point, had solemnly sworn an allegiance to conservatism, break for the left in seemingly large numbers. That is when I started to understand, really clearly understand, the term Domestic Enemies for the first time. At the time I called them line crossers, but in my political journey I have learned better, more applicable terms.
For all the hysteria being ginned up, everything we are seeing, as in 2004, is coming from the top, not from the grassroots. The leftist grassroots believe what they believe, but action is only taken by politicians, lawyers and lobbyists.
So if you are horrified by the shootings in Florida, there are actions you can take. Good luck with that, and with being a good little target.
Loads
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mixed. Rifle ammunition prices were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were mostly higher. Prices for used rifles were mostly higher.
Ten days after the massacre at Florida, used firearms prices remain stable. AR-15 prices have risen an average of $10 per unit, after having seemingly settling in at $440. Concomitantly, AR ammunition has remained steady, even going down slightly for bulk purchases. In short, in the used firearm market the buyers and sellers in Armslist do not appear to be especially worried about Congressional action on gun control, despite everything that is being said currently.
I will say, however, that general price levels for pistols appear to be set for an increase, as I am seeing prices for lower and intermediate valued pistols rise. This report focuses on the cheapest firearm in the three pistol categories, so general price levels won't be reflected.
New Lows:
Texas: 30-30 Winchester Lever Action: Marlin 3079: $290
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Red River Reloading, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own Brand, CRN, Brass Casing, Reloads, .17 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing .13 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged -.01 Each After (4 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Vizards Gun and Ammo, Prvi Partizan, RNL, Brass Casing .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Ammo Valley, Own brand, FP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Able's, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round (From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .30 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .28 per round (From Last Week: -.03 Each)
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Red River Reloading, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: True Shot Gun Club, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Target Sports USA, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .60 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .53 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .75 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Expert Ammo, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .70 per round (From Last Week: -.15 Each After Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Ten Ring, Brass Casing, SP, 2.15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Cabelas, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.80 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Expert Ammo, Aguila, RNL, .03 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2Q, 2017))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $450 Last Week Avg: $440(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (25 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(119, 114): CMMG: $400 ($740 (9 Weeks), $300 (24 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(329, 354): Ruger 556: $500 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(147, 156): Aero Precision: $550 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(224, 250): Anderson: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (12 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(435, 474): American Tactical Imports: $350 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $350 (3 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $860 Last Week Avg:$870(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (37 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(34, 39): Live Free Armory: $1,000 ($2,300 (37 Weeks), $500 (20 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(89, 87): DPMS: $900 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $600 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(27, 34):Alexander Arms: $850 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(61, 62): Bushmaster ORC: $850 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (16 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(69, 66): DPMS: $700 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $600 Last Week Avg: $728(+) ($728 (2 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015)))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(33, 33): Unspecified Brand: $650 ($950 (2 Weeks), $400 (41 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(67, 67): IO: $650 ($1,000 (2 Weeks)), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(45, 54): WASR: $550 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(58, 53): IO: $600 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (17 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(138, 141): Feg AMD 65: $550 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $408 Last Week Avg: $475(+) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(4, 4): Winchester 94: $550 ($800 (2 Weeks), $200 (40 Weeks)))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(24, 25): Marlin 3079: $290 ($550 (1Q, 2015), ($290 (CA:$295 (38 Weeks)))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(13, 16): Winchester 94: $400 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(9, 7): Winchester 94: $500 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(21, 22): Marlin: $300 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $508 Last Week Avg: $473(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+5))(90, 89): Taurus: $515 ($700 (41 Weeks), $325 (27 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(257, 273): Kimber: $650 ($650 (CA: $600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (4Q, 2016)))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(172, 176): Remington R1: $425 ($600 (29 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(169, 169): Charles Daly: $450 ($775 (29 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(299, 308): American Tactical Imports: $500 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $298 Last Week Avg: $275(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (41 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(164, 181): Smith & Wesson: $250 ($400 (48 Weeks), $180 (16 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(488, 485): Ruger P95: $315 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (18 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (441, 3Q, 2017(+2))(321, 441): Kel Tec P-11: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (1Q, 2017))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(325, 321): Ruger SR9: $350 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(724, 717): Smith & Wesson Model 915: $275 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (42 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $301 Last Week Avg: $317(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(45, 44): Springfield XD: $300 ($500 (1Q, 2017), $195 (38 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(120, 130): Smith & Wesson: $280 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (11 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(90, 93): Sig Sauer Pro 2340: $325 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(89, 94): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $350 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $220 (6 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(157, 164): Kahr CM 40: $250 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (North Carolina)
Heckler & Koch USP semiautomatic pistol chambered in 9mm