By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Last week the ATF issued a new rule which reclassified smokeless powder as a high explosive, which would subject its manufacture and sale to much tougher rules, resulting in higher prices. The linked article says that were the new rule to be imposed, it would be without warning, effectively killing the ammunition supply for both civilian and military customers. It appears on the face that the cost of manufacture and sale for foreign suppliers such as Russian, Privi Partizan and Fiocci would stay the same, but their cost of transport and storage would be in line with domestic manufacturers.
Funny how that would work. Domestic ammunition producers would be forced to stop and retool their manufacturing and distribution processes overnight, while our foreign enemies could continue as before. Once they stop laughing their asses off at us, and applauding the domestic enemies that imposed these new rules.
According to the NRA, the ATF has backed down for now.
It is almost as if the ATF uses the fall to come out with its new fall lineup of rules and regulations.
San Jose's police chief believes there are too many guns in the US and wants gun control, which leads me to this:
Since the latest rush of new gun laws imposed on the governed in California has taken effect, it already has fundamentally changed how firearms are privately bought and sold there. I saw this before in New York and then in Maryland in which new Constitutional gun laws went into effect and changed gun prices. There were bargains to be had, but the new rules imposed background checks on most sales.
I seriously am thinking of dropping California for another western state, probably Arizona. Arizona has a much freer firearms market, and unlike Nevada is not currently under threat for more gun laws.
Finally, gun buybacks. Read this, and enjoy a brief respite from the bad news about firearms.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for pistol ammunition were steady across the board. Prices for rifle ammunition were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
Pennsylvania: .40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic): Taurus 740: $200
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, Steel Casing, .24 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Mart, Legendary, FSFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Mart, Legendary, FSFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .18 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .16 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .15 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (11 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Ammunition to Go, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2016))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Hotshot, FMJ, Steel Casing, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .21 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .35 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, Steel Casing, FMJ, .34 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .23 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each)
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds (10 Box Limit): Ammomen, Federal, RNL, .06 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds (2 Box Limit): Ammunition Supply Company, Remington Thunderbolt, RNL, .06 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each )
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $542 Last Week Avg: $525(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $476 (47 Weeks))
California (245, 226): Palmetto State Armory: $595 ($650 (1Q, 2015), $400 (51 Weeks))
Texas (246, 240): Bushmaster: $600 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (136, 136): Smith & Wesson: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (147, 162): Palmetto State Armory: $565 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $475 (17 Weeks))
Florida (403, 372): Mixed Build: $450 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,090 Last Week Avg: $950(+) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $820 (48 Weeks))
California (65, 66): Smith & Wesson M&P 10: $1,300 ($1,700 (4Q, 2014), $850 (3Q, 2015))
Texas (73, 73): DPMS: $900 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (7 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (33, 34): Rock River Arms LAR-8: $1,250 ($1,500 (1Q, 2015), $700 (49 Weeks))
Virginia (46, 40): DPMS: $1,000 ($2,750 (32 Weeks), $800 (43 Weeks))
Florida (79, 74): DPMS: $1,000 ($1,950 (18 Weeks), $500 (47 Weeks))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $625 Last Week Avg: $565(+) ($668 (7 Weeks)), $450 (3Q, 2015))
California (49, 45): Saiga: $700 ($800 (13 Weeks)), $320 (4Q, 2014))
Texas (69, 62): WASR 10: $450 ($800 (33 Weeks), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (45, 43): AK-63 Underfolder: $575 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (32, 33): CAI: $700 ($700 (13 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (89, 89): WASR 10: $700 ($700 (26 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $414 Last Week Avg: $410 (+) ($489 (1Q, 2015), $296 (3Q, 2015))
California (8, 7): Marlin: $420 ($600 (24 Weeks), $180 (2Q, 2015))
Texas (22, 21): Marlin: $375 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $300 (1Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (15, 11): Winchester Model 94: $375 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (11, 11): Winchester Model 94: $450 ($670 (17 Weeks)), $250 (39 Weeks))
Florida (26, 26): Winchester Model 94: $450 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $431 Last Week Avg: $435 (-) ($515 (4 Weeks)), $350 (44 Weeks))
California (205, 192): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($800 (4 Weeks), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Texas (238, 238): Charles Daly: $430 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $325 (3Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (163, 157): Umarex R200SS: $500 ($550 (2Q, 2015), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (148, 136): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($575 (31 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (300, 280): Rock Island Armory: $375 ($500 (30 Weeks), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $258 Last Week Avg: $279 (-) ($358 (28 Weeks), $245 (20 Weeks))
California (280, 265): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $340 ($500 (27 Weeks), $200 (43 Weeks))
Texas (336, 333): Taurus PT111 G2: $240 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $200 (3Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (283, 284): Taurus PT111 G2: $260 ($350 (4Q 2014), $200 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (220, 232): Smith&Wesson SD9VE: $250 ($425 (35 Weeks), $189 (22 Weeks))
Florida (527, 515): Taurus PT111 G2: $200 ($400 (24 Weeks), $190 (4 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $306 Last Week Avg: $306(=) ($399 (32 Weeks), $262 (12 Weeks))
California (112, 108): Taurus 24/7 Pro: $300 ($560 (34 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Texas (141, 136): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $250 (37 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (77, 68): Taurus 740: $200 ($450 (21 Weeks), $200 (CA: $225 (11 Weeks))
Virginia (65, 64): Steyr M40-A1: $430 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (167, 164): Springfield XD Compact 40: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (31 Weeks))
Used Gun of the Week: (Alabama)
Henry Golden Boy Large Loop Lever Action Rifle Chambered in .22LR