By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Next week I'll do the quarterly ammunition price reports. Without peeking, my guess is that ammunition, like AR-15 have been on a steady decline since the first of the year.
The damned fools on our side of the line will crow about the Trump Effect or similar nonsense, when in fact gun rights are in greater danger than ever before.
For example, David Cordrea reports that even more firearms restrictions are being pushed in the New York legislature, which would require all fire arms to have heavy triggers to prevent children under the age of five from firing pistols. Cordrea suggests the new trigger requirement will make such firearms more, not less dangerous because the greater amount of force used in pulling the trigger will cause greater difficulty in firing the gun accurately.
On the plus side, two gun control bills were stopped before they reached the floor of the Nevada legislature. That is a score, but a brief one. Sooner or later the bastards will be back and they will win unless gun rights nationwide are greatly expanded.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were steady. Rifle ammunition prices were mixed.
Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mostly higher.
The nationwide average price for a used AR-15 pattern semiautomatic has dropped to yet another historic low at $445, the second drop in two weeks. The decline continues the trend begun in March, 2017.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own Brand, TPMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Mart, Own Brand, RSFP, Brass Casing, Seconds .18 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Valley, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArms, Own Brand, RN, Reloads, Brass Casing, .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Ammunition to Go, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Highland Lakes Ammo, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Western Arms and Ammo, Own Brand, TMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (10 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: -.03 Each After Unchanged (1Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .83 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .88 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: +.13 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Federal Eagle, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.30 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Target Sports USA, Federal American Eagle, Brass Casing, HP, 2.50 per round (From Last Week: +.35 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Men, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Men, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $445 Last Week Avg: $450(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $445 (CA:$450 (1 Weeks))
Arizona (145, 141): Mixed Build: $450 ($600 (19 Weeks), $450 (12 Weeks))
Texas (408, 404): Mixed Build: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (193, 183): DPMS: $400 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (233, 238): Smith & Wesson: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $415 (24 Weeks))
Florida (529, 501): Windham Weaponry: $425 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $893 Last Week Avg: $800(+) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $795 (3 Weeks))
Arizona (28, 28): DPMS: $1,000 ($1,450 (6 Weeks), $650 (21 Weeks))
Texas (150, 151): Mixed Build: $790 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (42 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (39, 38): Palmetto State Armory: $1,200 ($1,600 (29 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (66, 67): DPMS Oracle: $800 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $750 (14 Weeks))
Florida (112, 101): DPMS: $675 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $547 Last Week Avg: $501(+) ($668 (37 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (27, 31): IO: $439 ($800 (10 Weeks), $400 (4 Weeks))
Texas (116, 113): Romak WASR : $550 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (69, 71): Century AMD-65: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (66, 65): IO: $600 ($700 (50 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (138, 132): Zastava: $650 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $339 Last Week Avg: $296(+) ($495 (33 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (10, 12): Marlin: $375 ($500 (18 Weeks), $200 (3 Weeks))
Texas (23, 21): Marlin: $295 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (15, 18): Marlin 336: $325 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (15, 9): Marlin 336: $400 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (29, 24): Winchester Model 94 $300 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $405 Last Week Avg: $450(-) ($525 (40 Weeks), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (86, 81): Rock Island Armory: $425 ($700 (4 Weeks), $400 (22 Weeks))
Texas (322, 317): Taurus PT1911: $500 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (25 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (168, 163): Llama XI-A 1911: $300 ($585 (3 Weeks)), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (145, 140): Rock Island Armory: $375 ($600 (17 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (354, 349): Taurus 1911: $425 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $223 Last Week Avg: $225(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (3 Weeks))
Arizona (162, 160): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $240 ($400 (9 Weeks), $240 (5 Weeks))
Texas (452, 433): Taurus PT111: $200 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $199 (5 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (327, 318): Taurus PT111: $180 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (14 Weeks))
Virginia (290, 279): Diamondback DB9FS: $299 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (650, 625): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $200 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (3 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $304 Last Week Avg: $263(+) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (50 Weeks))
Arizona (50, 40): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $250 ($500 (20 Weeks), $250 (11 Weeks))
Texas (128, 118): Sig Sauer: $350 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $200 (23 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (102, 108): Beretta PX4 Storm: $300 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (39 Weeks))
Virginia (74, 66): Smith & Wesson M&P 40: $300 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (139, 146): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $320 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Tennessee)
Mixed Build Anti Material Rifle chambered in .50 BMG