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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Balog on April 16, 2014, 01:28:27 PM

Title: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Balog on April 16, 2014, 01:28:27 PM
AR stuff has never been less expensive, and it will never be this cheap again. Lowers for $50, complete uppers for $200, mags for $8, BCG's for $80 ($100 for nitrided). Stock up before the next time some deranged registered democrat on psych meds person who played violent video games kills a bunch of people and prices spike again.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: French G. on April 16, 2014, 02:08:21 PM
Does seem like a good time. .223 has gone to glut again but the prices are still up.  Mid-term elections will either provide us with a 2 year shopping spree or if they are rigged enough spike another panic.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Fitz on April 16, 2014, 02:09:36 PM
I need to pick up a lower at least.

But i also want a trans am

sigh
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Balog on April 16, 2014, 02:11:31 PM
I need to pick up a lower at least.

But i also want a trans am

sigh

Car will still be there a year from now.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: mtnbkr on April 16, 2014, 02:23:23 PM
meh.  Glad I'm not into ARs.  This cycle of "buy now or else!" would kill me.

Chris
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: MechAg94 on April 16, 2014, 02:25:44 PM
Palmetto armory has been putting all sorts of lower deals into their daily emails.  Many of them include Buy this rifle and get 2 lowers with it.  

I notice Primary Arms has some tempting deals on Daniel Defense rifles.  Even if you don't want additional AR's, it might provide an opportunity to upgrade the quality of your collection.  I've had an LMT lower for years.  I might finally get an LMT upper to go with it.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Balog on April 16, 2014, 02:28:16 PM
meh.  Glad I'm not into ARs.  This cycle of "buy now or else!" would kill me.

Chris

Yeah, better stick with safe things like .22lr.  :lol:
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: mtnbkr on April 16, 2014, 02:35:28 PM
Yeah, better stick with safe things like .22lr.  :lol:

Better yet, casting my own bullets and handloading everything I shoot from 32-44mag in handguns and 6.5x55 & 300WM in rifle (ok, don't cast for the last two) insulated me from the shortages.  I got down to my last pound of Varget, but otherwise, I didn't notice.

Regardless, I was talking about the rush to acquire N+1 ARs whenever there's a panic, a sale, the stars align, blood moons, whatever. :D

Chris
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: French G. on April 16, 2014, 02:47:37 PM
i see the stuff as a commodity, I can convert it later. Hence my current one AR with 70+ magazines. Need lowers, need to make my own lowers. Have prints, work in machine shop, how hard could this be?
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: cordex on April 16, 2014, 04:42:50 PM
It seems to me that whenever there is a good time to buy, I'm not in a position to buy.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: charby on April 16, 2014, 04:43:39 PM
It seems to me that whenever there is a good time to buy, I'm not in a position to buy.

ain't that the truth. :)
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Balog on April 16, 2014, 04:59:48 PM
Better yet, casting my own bullets and handloading everything I shoot from 32-44mag in handguns and 6.5x55 & 300WM in rifle (ok, don't cast for the last two) insulated me from the shortages.  I got down to my last pound of Varget, but otherwise, I didn't notice.

Regardless, I was talking about the rush to acquire N+1 ARs whenever there's a panic, a sale, the stars align, blood moons, whatever. :D

Chris

I'd advise the same for powder and primers, not to mention non-AR mags etc. Couldn't even get 1911 mags at a lot of places for a while.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Fitz on April 16, 2014, 05:20:52 PM
at 50 bucks for blem PSA lowers, I think it's STUPID for me not to order a few. Gonna do that tomorrow.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: AJ Dual on April 16, 2014, 05:42:05 PM
I think it's a longer bet there'll be another run. So your return on investment is going to take longer to realize, and will have that much longer to fight inflation, just like any other investment.

Everyone saw that after Sandy Hook, nothing happened, major anyway, save for states the rest of us already mostly considered to be "screwed" when it comes to RKBA, and the only real "loss" being CO, where we got a major shot across the bow with those recalls in return.

In the meantime several states laws loosened, and IL got shall-issue CCW.

I'd eschew investing in gun parts solely for the idea of flipping them, but instead buy things I think I could want or use, but maybe in quantities where I could afford to flip a few of them should the opportunity arise.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: dogmush on April 16, 2014, 05:43:43 PM
I'd advise the same for powder and primers, not to mention non-AR mags etc. Couldn't even get 1911 mags at a lot of places for a while.

No kidding. I finally got 15rd BHP mags this month. I order them from midday in Dec of 2012.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Balog on April 16, 2014, 05:55:22 PM
Even if there is never another panic or shortage, I doubt we will ever see prices this low again.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: roo_ster on April 16, 2014, 05:59:55 PM
Got two young 'uns who are chomping to do some centerfire shooting...and it looks like .223 is easier to get them .22LR.  I think I will build them both a light AR15 carbine from a blem receiver or such.  Let them spray paint the plastic bits whatever color they want to make it their own.  Momma will then shoot one of theirs and want her own.  

I will use what I learn form the kiddo's guns to build Momma & self somewhat nicer AR15s.

Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: zxcvbob on April 16, 2014, 06:48:00 PM
Stupid question time.  Is there such thing as AR furniture without a pistol grip?  (yeah, I know Mini-14)  I mean something kinda like a Mini that you can make with AR receivers and mags.  Extra points if it's walnut.

I would expect something like that might be legal in CA (but I could be way wrong) if the only "feature" was the detachable magazine.  Either way, it would confuse ppl so that's a plus :D
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: dogmush on April 16, 2014, 06:59:07 PM
Yeah there's a couple. Hammerhead stock adapter. Exile Machine makes a "Shoulder thing that goes up",  and there a pending release from Ares defense called the SCR.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: geronimotwo on April 16, 2014, 07:03:14 PM
ive been seeing some wierd designs here in ny, nothing with wood however.  due to the design of the ar they need a tube extending behind the barrel as well.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SCHIuEwaFPI/UQ0rt_sxSpI/AAAAAAAAABo/4k88H1CQxug/w483-h410-p-k/ny_legal_ar15.jpg
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: charby on April 16, 2014, 07:03:38 PM
Stupid question time.  Is there such thing as AR furniture without a pistol grip?  (yeah, I know Mini-14)  I mean something kinda like a Mini that you can make with AR receivers and mags.  Extra points if it's walnut.

I would expect something like that might be legal in CA (but I could be way wrong) if the only "feature" was the detachable magazine.  Either way, it would confuse ppl so that's a plus :D

a thumbhole?

http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/756/756569.jpg

Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Boomhauer on April 16, 2014, 07:08:41 PM
Stupid question time.  Is there such thing as AR furniture without a pistol grip?  (yeah, I know Mini-14)  I mean something kinda like a Mini that you can make with AR receivers and mags.  Extra points if it's walnut.

I would expect something like that might be legal in CA (but I could be way wrong) if the only "feature" was the detachable magazine.  Either way, it would confuse ppl so that's a plus :D

Ares Defense SCR is the way to go when it comes out. Everything else looks very weird (hammerhead stock adapter, monsterman grip, Exile machine thing).

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/10/video-unreleased-ares-defense-scr-surfaces/


Charby, thumbhole stocks have been sepecifically declared verboten in some areas like California. Which is why many of the compliance stocks look so odd.

Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: charby on April 16, 2014, 07:15:53 PM
Charby, thumbhole stocks have been sepecifically declared verboten in some areas like California. Which is why many of the compliance stocks look so odd.



Did not know that, thanks for the clarification.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Boomhauer on April 16, 2014, 07:26:19 PM
Did not know that, thanks for the clarification.

Yeah they learned about that "loophole" from the 1994 ban...it infuriated them to seek AKs with thumbhole stocks and such.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: charby on April 16, 2014, 07:29:02 PM
Yeah they learned about that "loophole" from the 1994 ban...it infuriated them to seek AKs with thumbhole stocks and such.

I forgot about that.

How about this for a non pistol grip ar?

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tenpercentfirearms.com%2Fimages%2FMMG2.jpg&hash=9437e6c8c943fc0bb8e4624346ce2c3be4144fb4)
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: mtnbkr on April 16, 2014, 07:49:36 PM
I'd advise the same for powder and primers, not to mention non-AR mags etc. Couldn't even get 1911 mags at a lot of places for a while.

I don't shoot anything that requires mags thank $DEITY.  As for primers and powder, I'm very well stocked on primers (more than a decade's worth at current rates of consumption).  I'm mostly good on powder except for my "go to" powder for my 6.5x55.  I have enough to get through the next year or more though.  What I learned from all this is to not standardize on a single powder (ie pet load) and NOT stockpile it.  I have many alternatives on my shelves, just not with loads worked up. I have somewhere around 12k rounds of 22lr, mostly procured before the first panic.

What I lack these days is time to shoot, which is another reason I'm not adding more guns to the stable.  I have pretty much every "need" covered anyway.

Chris
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Perd Hapley on April 17, 2014, 12:15:04 AM
Ares Defense SCR is the way to go when it comes out. Everything else looks very weird (hammerhead stock adapter, monsterman grip, Exile machine thing).

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/04/10/video-unreleased-ares-defense-scr-surfaces/


Sounds great, as long as they aren't all butchered, like the Saigas.

Would also like to see it with wood furniture.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Pb on April 17, 2014, 09:26:31 AM
Unless the supreme court starts striking down AW bans, there WILL be more runs...

There are several times in the last 10 years you could have easily doubled your money selling a gun to panickers.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: freakazoid on April 17, 2014, 09:39:38 AM
Stupid question time.  Is there such thing as AR furniture without a pistol grip?  (yeah, I know Mini-14)  I mean something kinda like a Mini that you can make with AR receivers and mags.  Extra points if it's walnut.

I would expect something like that might be legal in CA (but I could be way wrong) if the only "feature" was the detachable magazine.  Either way, it would confuse ppl so that's a plus :D

Monsterman grips. Not wood though.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: mtnbkr on April 17, 2014, 10:33:54 AM
There are several times in the last 10 years you could have easily doubled your money selling a gun to panickers.

Yup.  I built my first and only AR after the sunset in 2004.  I sold a well-used AR (few thousand rounds through it), some ammo, and accessories to a panicky buyer for a nice profit (over what I originally paid for everything) in 2008.  I turned that money into a 20g SxS shotgun, S&W M17-2 revolver, and a couch.  I've received more satisfaction from those two guns and the couch (excellent napping couch) than I ever did from the AR.

Chris
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Jamisjockey on April 17, 2014, 10:42:54 AM
If we weren't buying a new house, I'd be building another AR now. 
As a bonus, the new place will have enough room for a well and proper work bench, which will also be a great reloading bench.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Balog on April 17, 2014, 11:43:20 AM
I don't shoot anything that requires mags thank $DEITY.  As for primers and powder, I'm very well stocked on primers (more than a decade's worth at current rates of consumption).  I'm mostly good on powder except for my "go to" powder for my 6.5x55.  I have enough to get through the next year or more though.  What I learned from all this is to not standardize on a single powder (ie pet load) and NOT stockpile it.  I have many alternatives on my shelves, just not with loads worked up. I have somewhere around 12k rounds of 22lr, mostly procured before the first panic.

What I lack these days is time to shoot, which is another reason I'm not adding more guns to the stable.  I have pretty much every "need" covered anyway.

Chris

So, if I'm reading all of your posts right, it's less "I'm glad I'm not into AR's" and more "I'm glad I'm already stocked up for a decade on the stuff I like." Pretty sure that solution works for people who like AR's too.  ;)
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: mtnbkr on April 17, 2014, 12:04:37 PM
So, if I'm reading all of your posts right, it's less "I'm glad I'm not into AR's" and more "I'm glad I'm already stocked up for a decade on the stuff I like." Pretty sure that solution works for people who like AR's too.  ;)

Nah, it's more along the lines that I'm glad I'm not into a platform that is so fully in the sights of gun banners that I feel compelled to buy guns and related supplies to combat the fear that they may be banned at any moment.  It's a roller coaster ride I don't feel compelled to hop onto. 

That I'm fairly well stocked on consumables says more about my mental wiring with regard to consumables in general than anything specific to guns. 

As for guns and collecting, while I feel I'm a fairly knowledgeable student of S&W revolvers and their history,  my collection started to feel gratuitous when I realized I was buying guns that would only be shot infrequently.  I decided not to add any more unless they were truly special ones like the K32 I bought last year.

Chris
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: erictank on April 17, 2014, 01:45:51 PM
Might need to find a way to shake out a few bucks and get another AR-15 lower, and that AR-10 lower I've been meaning to get. Maybe 80%ers for both? Don't have a machine shop myself, but...
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: dogmush on April 17, 2014, 02:14:00 PM
I've actually got the pats and 80% lowers for two AR's waiting for me at home right now. That brings me to 5 total. The problem is that they are all different and I wouldn't want to dump any of them for a fast buck. After I fund my .308 general purpose rifle I might look at picking up some spikes lowers to stock away. From watching the crazies the best ROI would probably be complete Colt 69whatever's.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: bedlamite on April 22, 2014, 05:39:21 PM
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ptac-16-mid-length-5-56mm-1-7-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ptac-16-mid-length-5-56mm-1-7-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html)
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/ar-15-parts-sale/ptac-5-56-full-auto-bolt-carrier-group-w-carpenter-158-bolt.html (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/ar-15-parts-sale/ptac-5-56-full-auto-bolt-carrier-group-w-carpenter-158-bolt.html)

I don't need it, but it's awful tempting to order it just to carry around at gun shows with a $400 price tag.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Hawkmoon on April 22, 2014, 06:46:30 PM
Might need to find a way to shake out a few bucks and get another AR-15 lower, and that AR-10 lower I've been meaning to get. Maybe 80%ers for both? Don't have a machine shop myself, but...

Complete with jigs: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/stealth-arms-ar-15-80-forged-kit.aspx?a=1681932

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsimage1.sportsmansguide.com%2Fadimgs%2Fl%2F5%2F593053_ts.jpg&hash=0ca7bb52b2d22a884f551c9b0abaa17a694b5c0c)
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: dogmush on April 22, 2014, 09:01:55 PM
That's a crap jig. I've been obsessing over the 80% stuff for a while now. The good jigs have steel inserts around the do holes to help with longevity. There are plenty of anodized 80%s out there too. For the extra surface hardness I'd go that way.

The two lowers waiting at home are actually polymer 80% lowers. Not from EP or Ares. I'm interested in phasing with them because they take less expensive tools to make. When I build them I'll let you guys know if they're worth a damn.

Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: brimic on April 23, 2014, 09:44:38 AM
I was just at the Midwest Industries factory store a few days ago. They had cases of Bolt carrier groups and carbine barrels on the floor- all priced very reasonably. I could have walked out of there with a brand new BCM rifle if I had an extra $1100 burning a hole in my pocket.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: erictank on April 24, 2014, 01:52:06 PM
That's a crap jig. I've been obsessing over the 80% stuff for a while now. The good jigs have steel inserts around the do holes to help with longevity. There are plenty of anodized 80%s out there too. For the extra surface hardness I'd go that way.

The two lowers waiting at home are actually polymer 80% lowers. Not from EP or Ares. I'm interested in phasing with them because they take less expensive tools to make. When I build them I'll let you guys know if they're worth a damn.



At $135 for lower AND jig, even if it only lasts for two lowers (heck even for ONE), that doesn't strike me as a horrific deal. Though longer-lasting is better, and anodized would be preferable. OTOH, it'd have to be reanodized afterwards anyways, to treat the cut surfaces, so that part's not really a dealbreaker for me.

I've stayed away from the polymer ones, simply because I don't have a good feel for whether they'd hold up to reasonable use. I look forward to hearing about your experiences there.
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: RevDisk on April 25, 2014, 01:25:49 PM
Palmetto armory has been putting all sorts of lower deals into their daily emails.  Many of them include Buy this rifle and get 2 lowers with it.  

I notice Primary Arms has some tempting deals on Daniel Defense rifles.  Even if you don't want additional AR's, it might provide an opportunity to upgrade the quality of your collection.  I've had an LMT lower for years.  I might finally get an LMT upper to go with it.

Hey, MechAg, want to thank ya for that. I bought a $160 full lower with Magpul stock/grip from PSA. They're a bit backlogged from their Easter sale, but worth the wait. I've seen uppers for $200-400. Something nice to be said for a $360-600 AR that's actually decent middle shelf components.   =D
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: Jamisjockey on April 25, 2014, 01:29:19 PM
That's a crap jig. I've been obsessing over the 80% stuff for a while now. The good jigs have steel inserts around the do holes to help with longevity. There are plenty of anodized 80%s out there too. For the extra surface hardness I'd go that way.

The two lowers waiting at home are actually polymer 80% lowers. Not from EP or Ares. I'm interested in phasing with them because they take less expensive tools to make. When I build them I'll let you guys know if they're worth a damn.



You're obviously just a troll.   :-*
Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: MechAg94 on April 25, 2014, 02:19:43 PM
Hey, MechAg, want to thank ya for that. I bought a $160 full lower with Magpul stock/grip from PSA. They're a bit backlogged from their Easter sale, but worth the wait. I've seen uppers for $200-400. Something nice to be said for a $360-600 AR that's actually decent middle shelf components.   =D
I have been eyeing those cheap complete uppers also.  I already have middle of the road AR's though.  I want to actually work on upgrading.  The only reason to buy those for me is to stash it until the next run on guns.  I need other stuff first like a safe, not to mention some home repairs that will suck up income. 

Title: Re: Buy it cheap while you can
Post by: RevDisk on April 25, 2014, 04:45:42 PM
I have been eyeing those cheap complete uppers also.  I already have middle of the road AR's though.  I want to actually work on upgrading.  The only reason to buy those for me is to stash it until the next run on guns.  I need other stuff first like a safe, not to mention some home repairs that will suck up income. 

Same. But this was too good to pass up.

Still need a larger safe, a NFA trust, generator, gardening, retaining walls, finish up some of the bathroom remodeling, install a wood stove, etc. Owning a home is fun.