By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
In Washington state a driver reported to police that a pistol became wedged in his car's front bumper.
His first mistake was reporting it to the police.
If you have a chance to receive a free firearm, why turn it over to authorities? The gun in question was a Springfield XD model, probably 9mm, probably damaged when it was (apparently) thrown out of the window of a speeding vehicle.
What would you do?
If I came into possession of a missing pistol, one of the first things I would do would be to replace the barrel and the fire control group. If the gun was used in a crime, all you have to do is to toss the old barrel into a lake and enjoy your newfound gun.
Thus, the gun was not used in the commission of a crime.
This brings me to my point.
All modern firearms are ghost guns. Kops who would rather have gun registration fail to tell their customers that guns can easily be disassembled and reassembled with new parts, which renders the registration useless. You can't tie a gun to a crime if the barrel has been replaced.
Given the current state of firearms laws and the current drive to add even more laws I don't know why you would even want to help the cops.
In New Jersey, for example, after a law was passed requiring all bump stocks and enhanced triggers be turned over to the state police, can you guess how many were turned in by the April 30th deadline?
Exactly zero.
But there is one instance in which you can help the kops, but you gotta be in the right place at the right time.
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 mostly mixed.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Foundry 35, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .21 per round (From Last Week: +.02 Each )
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, Reloads .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, FP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .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 +.01 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks)
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 After Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Magtech, RNL, Brass Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Fiocchi, RNL, Brass Casing, .22 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
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, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 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 (4 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
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 (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 (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, Prvi Partizan, FMJ, Brass Casing, 2.50 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Cabelas, Prvi Partizan, FMJ, Brass Casing, 2.80 per round (From Last Week: +.20 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Federal, RNL, Brass Casing, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Winchester, RNL, Brass Casing, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $499 Last Week Avg: $450(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (38 Weeks))
Arizona (246, 3Q, 2017(+7))(246, 245): Aero Precision: $600 ($740 (22 Weeks), $300 (37 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(309, 311): DPMS: $530 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(170, 172): Core Rifle Systems: $475 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(216, 209): DPMS: $400 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (25 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(424, 431): Palmetto State Armory: $490 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $350 (16 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $870 Last Week Avg: $910(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (50 Weeks))
Arizona (55, 3Q, 2017(+8))(55, 50): Palmetto State Armory: $800 ($2,300 (50 Weeks), $500 (33 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(91, 90): DPMS: $700 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $600 (16 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(34, 33): DPMS: $1,300 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(63, 55): Armalite: $950 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (29 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(99, 98): Palmetto State Armory: $600 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $580 Last Week Avg: $580(=) ($728 (14 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (53, 3Q, 2017(+7))(53, 50): Zastava PAP M92PV: $700 ($1,050 (10 Weeks), $400 (2Q, 2017))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(70, 63): CAI: $425 ($1,000 (15 Weeks)), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(42, 41): CAI RAS-47: $675 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(58, 54): CAI: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (30 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(121, 120): Zastava M70: $600 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $361 Last Week Avg: $370(-) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(14, 10): Winchester 94: $457 ($800 (15 Weeks), $200 (2Q, 2017)))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(18, 18): Mossberg 464: $350 ($550 (1Q, 2015), ($290 (14 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(17, 15): Glenfield Marlin: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $225 (3 Weeks))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(15, 13): Marlin 336W: $300 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(24, 27): Winchester 94: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $525 Last Week Avg: $500(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (173, 3Q, 2017(+9))(173, 168): Ruger SR1911: $650 ($800 (7 Weeks), $325 (39 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(261, 257): Springfield: $500 ($650 (13 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2016))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(150, 153): Ruger 1911: $600 ($600 (43 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(157, 162): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($800 (5 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(272, 253): Taurus $475 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $289 Last Week Avg: $293(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (2Q, 2017))
Arizona (318, 3Q, 2017(+5))(318, 295): Ruger Security 9: $275 ($400 (1Q, 2018), $180 (29 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(464, 465): Snith & Wesson SD9VE: $280 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (31 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (441, 3Q, 2017(+2))(321, 320): CAI TP9SA: $290 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (1Q, 2017))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(324, 311): Diamondback DB9: $250 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(668, 694): Walther PPS: $350 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (2Q, 2017))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $322 Last Week Avg: $332(+) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(76, 76): Firestar: $400 ($500 (1Q, 2017), $195 (51 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(103, 101): Smith & Wesson Model 410: $230 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (24 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(65, 66): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $280 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(73, 70): Smith & Wesson M&P 40c: $400 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $220 (18 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(128, 132): Smith & Wesson M&P40: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Florida)
Lahti M40 Husqvarna semiautomatic pistol chambered in 9mm Parabellum