By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Virtue signaling by the left on guns continues, this time in Virginia where a democrat candidate running for Congress, Karen Mallard, made a demonstration of how she destroyed her husband's AR-15 rifle.
A few matters to point out: Mrs. Mallard did not actually destroy the rifle, she merely cut the barrel short. An AR-15 barrel is a general commodity, and is easily replaced. Had she wanted to destroy the rifle, she should have cut into the receiver where the barrel is. It must be noted that Mallard violated US firearms statutes by cutting the barrel short, and it doesn't matter if she subsequently turned it over to the police.
It goes to show just how ignorant the left are when it comes to firearms. Trolling the Facebook page of Huffington Post shows that democrats think running on gun control will help them win back Congress in 2018. They seem to be counting on new voters to help the democrats vote away their Constitutional rights.
Concerning the Parkland High School Massacre: We still know so little about what happened. I have heard that the shooter was sold a Daniel Defense rifle, which is a medium quality AR, in my opinion. South Carolina US Senator Lindsey Graham said that the shooter's rifle jammed, so when it did, the shooter dropped the rifle and left the premises.
ARs once were considered to be jam prone, but over time the quality of the rifles has improved. The most common failures I have heard about have been stove pipes, which is a kind of extractor failure. In a fire fight, it is a pretty dangerous thing to be forced to clear a stovepipe, but with practice it can be done in just a few seconds.
If the rifle did jam, and the shooter did drop the rifle because of it, it tells me he had zero help in learning the handle the rifle.
That part of the incident reminds me of the attempted assassination of a pair of police officers in Vallejo, California 15 months ago. In that incident the shooter's rifle jammed after firing only one shot. When that happened, he also dropped the gun and fled. He was gunned down shortly afterward. Photographs of the rifle showed the failure was a stovepipe, which is supposedly relatively easy to clear. The shooter simply was not prepared for the failure and simply left the scene, only to die tired.
Tactical firearms trainer Max Velocity goes into some details here about rifle stoppages.
In the article I read, the cause of the failure in Florida was said to be a poor quality rifle, which I very much doubt, or bad ammunition. Russian ammunition is particularly bad about AR extractor jams, so much so, it is said that when your AR has a stovepipe failure, it is your AR giving you the finger for using cheap ammunition.
Finally, CNN did a television report on the AR, using a retired US Army general, Mark Hertling, as their expert. The video is hilarious, and not just because of the background commentary. It is when the general tells the reporter, "Now, those were single shots. If I wanted to fire this on full semiautomatic..." The general, who had been trading on his time in the service, should have known better.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were steady.
Prices for used pistols were mostly higher. Prices for used rifles were lower.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Red River Reloading, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Sellier & Bellot, FMJ, Brass Casing .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own Brand, CRN, Brass Casing, Reloads, .17 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Fedarm, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: -.07 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Centerfire Systems, CCI, FMJ, Aluminum Casing .16 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: SG Ammo, Prvi Patizan, RNL, Brass Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Able's, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Expert Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .30 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .30 per round (From Last Week: +.02 Each After Unchanged(2 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Target Sports USA, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: True Shot Gun Club, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 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 (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .75 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .85 per round (From Last Week: +.10 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Ten Ring, Brass Casing, SP, 2.15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Cabelas, Prvi Partizan, FMJ, Brass Casing, 2.80 per round (From Last Week: +.55 Each
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Federal, RNL, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Armscor, RNL, Brass Casing, .04 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $485 Last Week Avg: $520(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (27 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(93, 107): DPMS: $450 ($740 (11 Weeks), $300 (26 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(293, 314): Mixed Build: $480 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(133, 133): Palmetto State Armory: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(191, 206): Mixed Build: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (14 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(379, 408): Palmetto State Armory: $498 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $350 (5 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $910 Last Week Avg: $1,090(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (39 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(29, 32): Armalite: $1,100 ($2,300 (39 Weeks), $500 (22 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(80, 82): DPMS: $900 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $600 (5 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(26, 23): DPMS: $800 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(57, 61): Unidentified Build: $1,000 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (18 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(72, 67): Palmetto State Armory: $750 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $580 Last Week Avg: $630(-) ($728 (4 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(27, 29): IO: $750 ($950 (4 Weeks), $400 (43 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(52, 59): WASR 10/63: $550 ($1,000 (4 Weeks)), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(40, 43): RAS47: $600 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(48, 53): WASR 10/63: $650 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (19 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(114, 122): RAS-47: $650 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $405 Last Week Avg: $430(-) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(3, 3): Winchester 94: $550 ($800 (4 Weeks), $200 (42 Weeks)))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(21, 21): Marlin: $375 ($550 (1Q, 2015), ($290 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(15, 14): Winchester 94: $400 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(11, 9): Marlin: $350 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(19, 16): Marlin: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $499 Last Week Avg: $464(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+5))(89, 90): Springfield: $450 ($700 (43 Weeks), $325 (29 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(249, 249): Rock Island Armory: $520 ($650 (3 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2016)))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(160, 159): Remington R1: $425 ($600 (31 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(147, 160): Rock Island Armory: $600 ($775 (31 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(277, 286): American Tactical Imports: $500 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $283 Last Week Avg: $279(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (43 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(149, 155): Taurus G2: $220 ($400 (50 Weeks), $180 (18 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(425, 439): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $320 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (20 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (441, 3Q, 2017(+2))(296, 307): Kahr CM9: $275 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (1Q, 2017))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(289, 300): Canik TP9SA: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(685, 693): Ruger P95: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (44 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $325 Last Week Avg: $329(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(42, 43): Bersa Thunder: $395 ($500 (1Q, 2017), $195 (40 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(121, 118): Smith & Wesson: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (13 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(76, 78): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $300 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(86, 91): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $380 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $220 (8 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(147, 145): Kahr CM40: $250 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Nebraska)
FN Herstal S.A. semiautomatic pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm