By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
From the “How did that get there" Department:
The government backs off for now from prosecuting Defense Distributed for uploading gun plans to the internet. The government's position was that such activity violated federal law in allowing guns designed in the US to fall into foreign hands.
But these were just the drawings. There were no guns involved. Just the drawings.
How is this a big deal?
For one, not only do these gun plans provide the average individual a means of building something for self defense, it gives others ideas on how to improve on the designs.
It will be interesting in five years' time when hostile foreign governments try to stop those files from being available.
Good luck with that.
And on a note about a subject I long have studied, next Monday is the 100 year anniversary of the murders of the Romanov dynasty by Russian Bolsheviks.
If ever there was a case for guns...
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.
(July 14th, 2018) For the ninth week running, used AR-15 prices have averaged below $500.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Carolina Munitions, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks)
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Carolina Munitions, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Carolina Munitions, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: +.03 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Highland Lakes, Own Brand, RNL, Brass Casing, Reloads .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Fiocci, FMJ, Brass Casing, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Carolina Munitions, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: True Shot Gun Club, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .30 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2018))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: True Shot Gun Club, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .19 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: ONatchez Shooters Supply, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .55 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 (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .81 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .85 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, ARM, SP, Brass Casing, 2.15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 240 rounds: Ammo Board, ARM, SP, Brass Casing, 2.36 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged 2 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Aguila, RNL, Brass Casing, .03 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammunition Supply Warehouse, Armscor, RNL, Brass Casing, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2018))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $460 Last Week Avg: $470(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (45 Weeks))
Arizona (378, 3Q, 2017(+14))(378, 334): Mixed Build: $450 ($740 (28 Weeks), $300 (44 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(351, 335): Mossberg MMR: $475 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(196, 194): Bravo Company USA: $475 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(224, 221): Diamondback Firearms: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (32 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(488, 489): Mixed Build: $450 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $350 (13 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $806 Last Week Avg: $790(+) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $760 (3 Weeks))
Arizona (70, 3Q, 2017(+11))(62, 70): DPMS: $780 ($2,300 (2Q, 2017), $500 (40 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(111, 99): Diamondback DB10: $700 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $600 (23 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(43, 44): DPMS: $1,300 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(53, 57): Palmetto State Armory: $600 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (36 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(90, 88): DPMS Oracle: $650 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $538 Last Week Avg: $645(-) ($728 (21 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (61, 3Q, 2017(+9))(61, 54): RAS47: $500 ($1,050 (16 Weeks), $400 (2Q, 2017))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(76, 78): RAS47: $600 ($1,000 (22 Weeks)), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(65, 68): Zastava N-PAP: $650 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(63, 70): IO: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (37 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(131, 124): CAI M70 : $440 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $414 Last Week Avg: $406(+) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (22, 3Q, 2017(+4))(19, 19): Marlin: $450 ($800 (22 Weeks), $200 (2Q, 2017)))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(21, 21): Marlin: $420 ($550 (1Q, 2015), ($290 (21 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(14, 12): Marlin: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $225 (9 Weeks))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(13, 15): Winchester 94: $500 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(31, 28): Marlin 336: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $415 Last Week Avg: $360(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (215, 3Q, 2017(+13))(214, 215): Taurus: $400 ($800 (14 Weeks), $325 (46 Weeks))
Texas (371, 3Q, 2017 (+4))(270, 270):Taurus: $400 ($650 (20 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2016))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(160, 168): Rock Island Armory: $425 ($600 (50 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(157, 152): Norinco: $450 ($800 (12 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(306, 307): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $283 Last Week Avg: $278(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (2Q, 2017))
Arizona (433, 3Q, 2017(+9))(429, 433): Walther PPS M2: $340 ($400 (1Q, 2018), $180 (36 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(570, 556): Tri Star C100: $250 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (38 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (441, 3Q, 2017(+2))(370, 369): Canik TP9SF: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (1Q, 2017))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(336, 349): Taurus Pt-111: $275 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(774, 749): Ruger P95: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (2Q, 2017))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $357 Last Week Avg: $377(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (87, 3Q, 2017(+3))(80, 86): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $340 ($500 (1Q, 2017), $195 (2Q, 2017))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(98, 98): Baby Desert Eagle: $380 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (31 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(73, 72): Walther PPQ: $400 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(84, 83): Stoeger Cougar: $330 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $220 (26 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(151, 144): Stoeger Cougar: $335 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Georgia)
Smith & Wesson revolver chambered in .500 S&W