Time To Buy An AR-15? (Or FN-FAL?)

[jyl]

I've been doing a little research on the state of the firearms industry/market. As far as I can tell, the 2012 boom in gun sales has busted hard. The 2013 boom in ammo sales is doing the same, this one seemed to surprise industry participants who actually though people were buying all that ammo because they were shooting lots more. Most interesting to me, many reports indicate there is an excess of gun inventory, particularly in "Modern Sporting Rifles" which is the new term for assault rifle, black rifle, AR-15 clone, etc.

So this makes me wonder - will there be great, liquidation-type, deals on AR-15s soon, or next year? If so, what brands and retailers would you look at?

I sat out the AR-15 and ammo buying craze, but I have a moderate interest in adding such a rifle to the safe. The problem is, I'm not interested in a cheap clone and am not very knowledgeable on which are the quality clones; I'd really prefer a Colt. In fact, what I'd really prefer is a Belgian FN-FAL but I don't think those are getting cheaper.

Browsing GunBroker is no help, practically all of the auctions are expiring with zero bids, so I can't tell what things are actually going for. But I know some Pelicans follow this market closely.. What do you guys think?

[jyl]

E.g. I see this on Gun Broker (AR-15 rifle auctions ending soon)

Semi Auto Rifles for Sale - Buy Semi Auto Rifles at GunBroker.com

and this (FAL rifle auctions ending soon)

Semi Auto Rifles for Sale - Buy Semi Auto Rifles at GunBroker.com

[HHI944]

A typical AR, loaded, weighs a few lbs less than an unloaded FAL. ....not knocking the FAL at all, but it's certainly something to consider.

[HHI944]

I'm not super knowledgeable about FALs, but many of the AR 'clones' can cost you far more than a colt

[Rick Lee]

The SCARs are badass and I want one. But they don't come cheap. Colt makes excellent ARs and they can now be had from CDNN for under $700, which is a smoking deal for that quality of build. My next one will be a SIG 551 or 556. Subscribe to the email alerts from AIM Surplus and CDNN and you will find some killer deals. Slickguns.net is also great.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Rick pretty much nailed it--and the CDNN email I just got has a Bushmaster listed for under $600.

Colt sets the benchmark for "unadulterated AR" quality. Granted, you could spend $2500 on some fancy-pants AR built for "operators", but it will NOT (and I repeat, NOT) be 3-4x more accurate, reliable, or prettier than the $700 Colt. It wouldn't even be 2x. The only thing you would want to modify is to install a good trigger, which anybody with pulse could do in 20 minutes.

[porsche4life]

I've got to stop clicking on these effing threads!

[widebody911]

You should stock up now before Hillary gets elected

/PARF

[BlueSkyJaunte]

P4L, I think we need to take you out to the desert when it cools off. The first 2 rounds of .50 BMG are on me.

[HHI944]

2500? Bahahahahaha! Check out LWRC......home of the $4500 AR.... TC imported a bunch of their old issue gear for resale through one of the big distributors.....seem to remember $400 bushmasters.

You could always build your own. ARs are simple and that way you can build it to exactly the spec you want. Worked for me.

[porsche4life]

P4L, I think we need to take you out to the desert when it cools off. The first 2 rounds of .50 BMG are on me.

That sounds fun! .

I didn't bring any spoons with me when I moved. With little ones in the house and no gun safe its just better. So it's been a while since I've gotten to kill any innocent paper! I will gladly buy spoon food for the chance to shoot. And I've shot .50bmg in the past. Tons of fun!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by HHI944

2500? Bahahahahaha! Check out LWRC......home of the $4500 AR....

I was being conservative. Seems like everyone has their own "signature" $2500 AR these days. Then there's the insanity, like LWRC, Knight's, Noveske, and Nemo, where you can't even get started for under $2000.

[HHI944]

At least Knights and Noveske make stupid durable barrels. I run a noveske chrome lined barrel (they CL to the 249 spec rather than m4) and I run that thing hard and hot (about 6k rds total, 600 or so at a time and I get the fore end hot enough it hurts to hold) and throat erosion is non-existant and rifling looks perfect.

[id10t]

The FALs aren't getting cheaper, but they aren't getting more expensive. Not sure on Belgian, but saw a SAR-48 (pre-'89 ban Imbel factory made on licensed equipment) at a local show 2 weeks ago for $1900. And the marketplace sub forum on falfiles.com usually has a good kit built Imbel, G1, or STG on a good (DCI, DSA, or Imbel) receiver for around $1000

Here's a G1 kit built on an Entreprise receiver guy wants $1200 plus shipping for it - probably worth it too. Lots of pics on his thread -

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=376889

[berettafan]

Picked up a Colt 6920 for approx. $1,100.

Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC > Catalog > Rifles > LE6920 Series

Went Colt to avoid having to figure out quality on my own. AR forums are absolutely loaded with mall ninjas and people who just repeat things they don't even understand. Wasn't worth my time to wade through the nonsense to find out what the best option truly was.

Very accurate gun, fun to shoot. Relatively light which is what I think it should be. Don't care for heavy AR's at all.

[gr8fl4porsche]

FN has an AR-15 now, the FN15.

Supposedly very similar in quality to the Colt 6920.

Goes for about a grand - 16" and 20" models.

[lane912]

John-
go to "Curt's Discount Shooters Supply" in Gladstone
better price then the interwebs-

[Tobra]

Do you ever plan to return to California? If so, you might be better served purchasing a Mini 14 or a Mini 30.

[jyl]

Nope . . .

Do you ever plan to return to California? If so, you might be better served purchasing a Mini 14 or a Mini 30.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Now is the time to buy, before the election nonsense heats up again. Which sadly will be soon, sigh......

I have a bargain basement S&W M&P Sport. It won't impress the mall ninjas, but it's far more accurate than I am and dead reliable, plus a blast to shoot.