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-Land of the Free
This Week in Guns, February 25th, 2017
2017-02-25


By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

The US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed Maryland's draconian ban on ARs to stand using the standard that ARs are weapons of war. Similar firearms laws in New York and Connecticut enacted in the wake of the 2013 Sandy Hook massacre have since been upheld. I have read a lot of silly commentary on Facebook, where those who disagree with the court's decision hope that Trump's Supreme Court nominee will be approved in time to overturn those decisions.

My reaction is: Do I need to remind you of just how many Supreme Court nominees have ruled against their Republican nominators, going back to the 1930s?

And I am reminded of the saying in Patriot blogs: You can't vote your way out of these problems.

In the early days of this column, as the laws in New York and Maryland were taking effect, I noticed that prices for firearms there were not terribly out of line with those in free market states. But as time went on, prices reflected a distortion taking place. I saw firearms being peddled for a fraction of their value, the ads likely posted by law enforcement agents.

The reason I quit monitoring California was because of price/value distortions caused by laws passed in presumption of individual rights.

The 4th Circuit decision will not affect markets in free states. The Gun Control Act of 1968 has seen to that. The sole exception could be in states that have free markets but are directly adjacent to states with severely restrictive firearms laws.

A video has been circulating about firearms headspace. I have discussed headspacing for the AK-74 before in the context of extraction failures. The data presented may be a bit much for most gun owners, but may be helpful to those who live in restrictive firearms markets to get used or homemade firearms back into working condition.

Finally, Ken Lane has made a presentation over a video of a young man who drags his AR out of his vehicle's trunk after he sees a man with a "Trump for President" bumper sticker. There is no punchline to the video, but Lane does present a fair amount of advice in context of dealing with a hostile element.

Loads

Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:

Prices for pistol ammunition were mostly steady. Prices for rifle ammunition were mostly steady.

Prices for used pistols were lower across the board. Prices for used rifles were mixed.

strong>New Lows:<

Pennsylvania: 9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic): Taurus Millenium: $150

Pistol Ammunition

.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own Brand, TMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .23 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))

.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Own Brand, Brass Casing, Reloads, .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)

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: FedArm, Own Brand, TPMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))

.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel casing, .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))

.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammunition Depot, HSM Cowboy Action, RNFP, Brass Casing, .26 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Hyperion Munitions, Own Brand, RN, Brass casing, Reloads .25 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)

Rifle Ammunition

.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)

.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Alamo Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .31 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)

7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammo King, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))

.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .65 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .53 per round (From Last week: -.03 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks))

.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Vizards Guns and Ammo, Remington, Brass Case, SP, .93 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Hornady Whitetail, Brass Case, SP, 1.04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))

.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Federal, Brass Case, JSP, 2.30 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Case, FMJ, 2.40 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)

.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds (10 Box Limit): Natchez Shooters Supply, Federal, RNL, .05 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Ammo2U, Federal Champion, RNL, .05 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks))

Guns for Private Sale
Rifles

.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $483 Last Week Avg: $471(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $468 (11 Weeks))
Arizona (131, 119): DPMS: $500 ($600 (7 Weeks), $500 (8 Weeks))
Texas (363, 343): Palmetto State Armory: $475 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (176, 194): Anderson Arms: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (221, 225): Anderson Arms: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $415 (11 Weeks))
Florida (470, 483): Mixed Build: $490 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))

.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $870 Last Week Avg: $895(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $820 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (30, 25): Armalite: $1,000 ($1,350 (2 Weeks)), $650 (7 Weeks))
Texas (119, 106): Bushmaster: $700 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (30 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (44, 45): DPMS: $900 ($1,600 (15 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (69, 62): DPMS Oracle LR-308: $750 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $750 (2 Weeks))
Florida (81, 83): DPMS Oracle: $1,0000 ($1,950 (42 Weeks), $500 (3Q, 2015))

7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $559 Last Week Avg: $525(+) ($668 (24 Weeks)), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (27, 24): WASR 10/63: $650 ($650 (8 Weeks)), $500 (7 Weeks))
Texas (84, 82): IO: $620 ($800 (1Q, 2016, $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (48, 57): WASR-10: $550 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (42, 48): IO: $525 ($700 (37 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (131, 122): CAI VZ58: $450 ($700 (51 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2014))

30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $387 Last Week Avg: $360(+) ($495 (20 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (6, 6): Winchester 94: $500 ($500 (7 Weeks), $500 (8 Weeks))
Texas (14, 15): Marlin: $300 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $300 (1Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (13, 12): Marlin: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (16, 15): Marlin: $460 ($670 (40 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (23, 23): Marlin 336W: $325 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))

Pistols

.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $430 Last Week Avg: $438(-) ($515 (29 Weeks)), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (93, 91): Tanfoglio 1911: $500 ($600 (4 Weeks), $400 (8 Weeks))
Texas (276, 263): Rock Island Armory: $500 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (12 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (151, 158): Ruger SR1911: $350 ($575 (7 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (154, 150): Iver Johnson: $500 ($600 (4 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (334, 341): Llama 1911: $300 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))

9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $244 Last Week Avg: $280(-) ($358 (50 Weeks), $231 (8 Weeks))
Arizona (126, 123): Ruger P95: $300 ($320 (4 Weeks), $275 (8 Weeks))
Texas (362, 355): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $225 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $200 (3Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (285, 298): Taurus Millenium: $150 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (CA:$195 (2 Weeks)))
Virginia (229, 256): Diamondback DB9FS: $299 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (47 Weeks))
Florida (525, 553): Taurus Millenium G2: $250 ($400 (49 Weeks), $190 (29 Weeks))

.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $295 Last Week Avg: $322(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (37 Weeks))
Arizona (36, 36): Kel Tec P.40: $350 ($500 (7 Weeks)), $300 (5 Weeks)
Texas (118, 121): Springfield XDM 40: $250 ($425 (4Q, 2014), ($210 (22 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (92, 89): Taurus PT740 : $200 ($450 (45 Weeks), $200 (25 Weeks))
Virginia (93, 98): Taurus 24/7 : $350 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (170, 155): Kahr CW40: $325 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))

Used Gun of the Week: (South Carolina)
SigSauer P220 Elite Scorpion Chambered in .45 ACP
Posted by:badanov

#6  Muskets were the weapon of war for the troops which were normally shot with buck and ball (one round ball that fit the bore and three buckshot) fired in a volley. The Kentucky or Pennsylvania rifle was the snipers rifle.
Posted by: Glaise Bumble7972   2017-02-25 20:22  

#5  Weren't muskets considered weapons of war when the Second Amendment was enacted?
Posted by: Abu Uluque   2017-02-25 13:30  

#4  Lifted from the comments at the embedded link:

So, I can't have a short barreled shotgun, because it has limited military purpose, but I can't have high capacity magazines because they have lots of military purpose. So which is it?

Nailed it.
Posted by: DepotGuy    2017-02-25 09:47  

#3  Article 1 - The Legislative Branch
Section 8 - Powers of Congress

Congress shall have the power...

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

Militia Act of 1792 in summary -

Second Militia Act of 1792
Front page of a newspaper announcing the second Militia Act of 1792.

The second Act, passed May 8, 1792, provided for the organization of the state militias. It conscripted every "free able-bodied white male citizen" between the ages of 18 and 45 into a local militia company. (This was later expanded to all males, regardless of race, between the ages of 18 and 54 in 1862.)

Militia members, referred to as "every citizen, so enrolled and notified", "...shall within six months thereafter, provide himself..." with a musket, bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a cartridge box with 24 bullets, and a knapsack. Men owning rifles were required to provide a powder horn, ¼ pound of gunpowder, 20 rifle balls, a shooting pouch, and a knapsack.[5] Some occupations were exempt, such as congressmen, stagecoach drivers, and ferryboatmen.

The militias were divided into "divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies" as the state legislatures would direct.[6] The provisions of the first Act governing the calling up of the militia by the president in case of invasion or obstruction to law enforcement were continued in the second act.[7] Court martial proceedings were authorized by the statute against militia members who disobeyed orders.[8]

In other words, the same weapon as the standing Army was to carry, aka A Military Grade weapon.

Same Militia today as -

10 U.S. Code § 311 - Militia: composition and classes

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b) The classes of the militia are—
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia

If they can not get that through their little prejudicial minds to -

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

then they are totally unqualified to remain in the office they occupy.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2017-02-25 08:42  

#2  Hit tip on the Scorpion. Plastic guns don't do much for me either.
Posted by: Besoeker   2017-02-25 06:04  

#1  $100 rebate on Glocks til 3/17.
Posted by: Skidmark   2017-02-25 00:50  

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