MSRP?

hopeisnotastrategy · May 22, 2011, 12:52 PM

I am buying 3 rifles (1 for myself and 1 for each of my sons). All 3 will be our first. I am curious what the rule of thumb is regarding a rifle's MSRP. Do rifles typically sell for right at MSRP or is it similar to buying a car or a guitar where retailers almost never fetch the actual MSRP for the product?

If it's common for rifles to sell for less than MSRP, is there a common percentage off?

I'm wanting to be knowledgeable so I can both notice a steal if I see one and not overpay. I'm a saavy shopper with several large firearms retailers in my area, so I'll shop around. Just wanting some baseline knowledge.

Thanks!

Rifleman1776 · May 22, 2011, 01:02 PM

I am a former gun shop owner. But this current MSRP situation is new to me. I have been looking at several Ruger models and find their MSRP to be considerably above actual retail. There is no doubt the "street" prices vary from dealer to dealer.
Do check around and check the on-line auctions. Methinks you will save some money by being a "saavy shopper".
Let us know how your shopping trip works out.

the rifleer · May 22, 2011, 01:09 PM

I not sure if you have any Big 5's where you live, but thats a good place to get a deal. You always have to basically act like you are going to walk away and then say you will take it if you can get the "sale price" or just a couple dollars off. I have bought 4 guns from big 5 and every time I manage to get anywhere from 20 to over $100 off.

The $100 was for a mosin nagant they had marked at $189 and I asked for the sale price and they gave it to me for $75... go figure.

I bought a Mossberg 500 that was marked at 280 or so and I knew this was the going price, but when they scanned it at the register is was $220.

I saved about $25 on both .22's that I bought. It's a good place to buy a gun.

travywestside · May 22, 2011, 01:50 PM

go to budsgunshop.com
they usually always have prices considerably lower than MSRP

kingkeoni · May 22, 2011, 02:10 PM

Your best bet is to check the auction sites like, "gun broker".

See what the average "buy it now" price is and thats what you should be looking to pay locally.

The gun shop where I live matches prices for any guns you find for sale elsewhere.

Its worth asking your LGS if they'll do the same.

Understand of course that the gun shop is ENTITLED to a profit.

They need to make money to stay in business.

Don't be too hard on them.

alloy · May 22, 2011, 04:12 PM

Somebody mentioned Bud's Guns...never bought from them but if I can get a price almost as low from my local dealer I feel fine about paying the few points more than Bud's.
It seems to be a fair/decent price guide overall.

Rob3 · May 22, 2011, 04:20 PM

I see Rugers, Remingtons, Savages, and most others marked around 70-80% of MSRP. Winchesters seem to go about 90-100%.

nhsmoker · May 22, 2011, 05:04 PM

I find msrp to be off. I find that with my 60% off of s&w products I would be paying about 25-30% less than I can find something locally without doing to much searching.

ndking1126 · May 22, 2011, 11:38 PM

Actual price you pay should be lower than MSRP. I guess this isn't a universal truth in all situations, but I don't see myself paying MSRP, much less more than. If you've got a Sportsmans Warehouse, I've always thought they were pretty fair. You won't get ripped off, and you won't find the rock bottom price but you know they are being fair. Start with them, and see if anyone can beat their prices.

Buds is also a good litmus test. Don't forget in addition to Buds price, you'll have to pay your local FFL probably $25-30 to receive the firearm.

madcratebuilder · May 23, 2011, 09:36 AM

Never pay MSRP. Check the prices at Bud's for a guide line. Expect to pay more at a brick and mortar store. If you are buying three rifles at the same time that should be worth a discount.

jmr40 · May 23, 2011, 12:45 PM

It's just like buying a car. The more popular the gun and the harder it is to get, the closer to MSRP you will pay. Geographical location is a factor as well as how much competition there is locally. Sometimes it is possible to drive 50 miles from home and save $50-$100 over the cost of a gun locally. But if you figure in the cost of your time and gas, it might be cheaper to just pay up and buy locally.

Most dealers around here mark up their guns 10-15% over their actual cost. I never pay attention to MSRP's listed on line. Checking a website like www.budsgunshop.com will give you a more accurate idea of what guns should be selling for.

Used gun prices can be all over the place and are much harder to predict.

May 22, 2011, 12:52 PM	#1
hopeisnotastrategy Member Join Date: May 20, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 66	MSRP? I am buying 3 rifles (1 for myself and 1 for each of my sons). All 3 will be our first. I am curious what the rule of thumb is regarding a rifle's MSRP. Do rifles typically sell for right at MSRP or is it similar to buying a car or a guitar where retailers almost never fetch the actual MSRP for the product? If it's common for rifles to sell for less than MSRP, is there a common percentage off? I'm wanting to be knowledgeable so I can both notice a steal if I see one and not overpay. I'm a saavy shopper with several large firearms retailers in my area, so I'll shop around. Just wanting some baseline knowledge. Thanks!

May 22, 2011, 01:09 PM	#3
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	I not sure if you have any Big 5's where you live, but thats a good place to get a deal. You always have to basically act like you are going to walk away and then say you will take it if you can get the "sale price" or just a couple dollars off. I have bought 4 guns from big 5 and every time I manage to get anywhere from 20 to over $100 off. The $100 was for a mosin nagant they had marked at $189 and I asked for the sale price and they gave it to me for $75... go figure. I bought a Mossberg 500 that was marked at 280 or so and I knew this was the going price, but when they scanned it at the register is was $220. I saved about $25 on both .22's that I bought. It's a good place to buy a gun. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

May 22, 2011, 01:50 PM	#4
travywestside Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 44	go to budsgunshop.com they usually always have prices considerably lower than MSRP __________________ "I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it." - Clint Eastwood

May 22, 2011, 01:02 PM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	I am a former gun shop owner. But this current MSRP situation is new to me. I have been looking at several Ruger models and find their MSRP to be considerably above actual retail. There is no doubt the "street" prices vary from dealer to dealer. Do check around and check the on-line auctions. Methinks you will save some money by being a "saavy shopper". Let us know how your shopping trip works out.

May 22, 2011, 02:10 PM	#5
kingkeoni Junior member Join Date: May 18, 2011 Posts: 44	Your best bet is to check the auction sites like, "gun broker". See what the average "buy it now" price is and thats what you should be looking to pay locally. The gun shop where I live matches prices for any guns you find for sale elsewhere. Its worth asking your LGS if they'll do the same. Understand of course that the gun shop is ENTITLED to a profit. They need to make money to stay in business. Don't be too hard on them.

May 22, 2011, 04:20 PM	#7
Rob3 Registration in progress Join Date: January 2, 2011 Posts: 218	I see Rugers, Remingtons, Savages, and most others marked around 70-80% of MSRP. Winchesters seem to go about 90-100%.

May 22, 2011, 05:04 PM	#8
nhsmoker Member Join Date: October 3, 2009 Posts: 37	I find msrp to be off. I find that with my 60% off of s&w products I would be paying about 25-30% less than I can find something locally without doing to much searching.

May 22, 2011, 11:38 PM	#9
ndking1126 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 1,932	Actual price you pay should be lower than MSRP. I guess this isn't a universal truth in all situations, but I don't see myself paying MSRP, much less more than. If you've got a Sportsmans Warehouse, I've always thought they were pretty fair. You won't get ripped off, and you won't find the rock bottom price but you know they are being fair. Start with them, and see if anyone can beat their prices. Buds is also a good litmus test. Don't forget in addition to Buds price, you'll have to pay your local FFL probably $25-30 to receive the firearm.

May 23, 2011, 09:36 AM	#10
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	Never pay MSRP. Check the prices at Bud's for a guide line. Expect to pay more at a brick and mortar store. If you are buying three rifles at the same time that should be worth a discount.

May 23, 2011, 12:45 PM	#11
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	It's just like buying a car. The more popular the gun and the harder it is to get, the closer to MSRP you will pay. Geographical location is a factor as well as how much competition there is locally. Sometimes it is possible to drive 50 miles from home and save $50-$100 over the cost of a gun locally. But if you figure in the cost of your time and gas, it might be cheaper to just pay up and buy locally. Most dealers around here mark up their guns 10-15% over their actual cost. I never pay attention to MSRP's listed on line. Checking a website like www.budsgunshop.com will give you a more accurate idea of what guns should be selling for. Used gun prices can be all over the place and are much harder to predict.