Why does a semi-auto BAR cost $2,900.00

Futo Inu · January 13, 2000, 03:47 PM

but a Garand for example is only $450?

I know, supply and demand; there are no more surplus BARs, but there are many Garands. The BARs are new manufacture. BUT, seriously, why does it cost THAT much to create a weapon whose specs have been generally known for decades, when other military semi-auto rifles newly manufactured are nowhere near this expensive?

Hal · January 13, 2000, 05:15 PM

My suspicion is that there is a lot of hands on mfg to produce what should be a stamp 'em out by the bazillions arm that has a very limited customer base. Honestly, from the examples I have seen, the Garand is the superior arm in terms of fit and finish. The BAR's have been pretty rough, and appear to be more than a handful for a semi. I believe you are paying $2000.00 for the "history" and around $995.00 for the BAR.

Kernel · January 13, 2000, 06:33 PM

For the same reason a Harley costs $20,000.... limited production, stylish, lots of steel, and made in America.

Consider Springfield's M1A it costs around $1,200 these days and weighs about 9 lbs. A BAR weighs about 30 lbs, making the BAR cheaper on a per pound basis.

Also note the M1A's bolt, op rod, trigger group, etc are in fact GI parts that were produced in the mid to late 60s. Because the M14 had such a short service life the warehouses are full of new parts that were made and never used. Springfield buys/bought this stuff as surplus from the Government for a song.

BARs have been out of production since the 40s, the warehouses are empty, (and as far as I know) every part for this new BAR is new made from scratch and good machinists make $20 to $30 and hour.

The CMP sells surplus M1 Garands for $420. But these are rifles that are well used and over 40 years old. The CMP pays about $100 apiece for them from the Government. To make M1s today with all new MILSPEC parts and forged receivers would cost at least $2000.

Bottomline: $2,900 is a tidy sum but if the quality is there I can see where it comes from. -- Kernel

Art Eatman · January 13, 2000, 06:37 PM

First off, any limited production item will be more expensive, per unit, to manufacture than a mass-production critter.

As you look at prices for custom rifles, compare these with Rem/Win/Ruger/etc. three to five times the cost, or more, right?

If that Garand were totally of new manufacture by a small company, it would cost a lot more than $495. Now, I don't know what's new and what's ex-GI on these BARs, but they're obviously limited in parts and in sales.

One other factor which might enter in: I recall an article about a guy who bought the rights and licenses to build a small airplane, similar to a Cessna 172. He stated that he could make a profit on a VFR version at $42,500 each. However, his corporate liability insurance premium was 50%, or $21,250; ergo, a sales price of $63,750...

The same problem exists on down to oil-pressure gages: $12 at your autoparts store for your car; $75 if rated for airplanes, approved by the FAA...

No simple nor easy answer.

Art

Dr.Rob · January 13, 2000, 08:13 PM

I've hear NOTHING but bad reviews of the semi-auto versions and "manually operated" Rifles made from surplus BAR parts, from complaints of mis-matched parkerizing to failures to feed/fire/parts breaking.

If i ever got a LOT more money than sense I'd love to get an NFA BAR.. but $3000 for one that doesn't work.. ain't pretty and has BAD workers and Customer service making them seems like a big waste.

Last 3 Full auto BAR's at a denver Gun show ran 18-20 THOUSAND a piece.

Dr.Rob

January 13, 2000, 03:47 PM	#1
Futo Inu Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 1999 Location: Oklahoma City, OK, USA Posts: 3,624	but a Garand for example is only $450? I know, supply and demand; there are no more surplus BARs, but there are many Garands. The BARs are new manufacture. BUT, seriously, why does it cost THAT much to create a weapon whose specs have been generally known for decades, when other military semi-auto rifles newly manufactured are nowhere near this expensive?

January 13, 2000, 05:15 PM	#2
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	My suspicion is that there is a lot of hands on mfg to produce what should be a stamp 'em out by the bazillions arm that has a very limited customer base. Honestly, from the examples I have seen, the Garand is the superior arm in terms of fit and finish. The BAR's have been pretty rough, and appear to be more than a handful for a semi. I believe you are paying $2000.00 for the "history" and around $995.00 for the BAR.

January 13, 2000, 06:33 PM	#3
Kernel Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 1999 Location: Madison, WI.... "78 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality" Posts: 923	For the same reason a Harley costs $20,000.... limited production, stylish, lots of steel, and made in America. Consider Springfield's M1A it costs around $1,200 these days and weighs about 9 lbs. A BAR weighs about 30 lbs, making the BAR cheaper on a per pound basis. Also note the M1A's bolt, op rod, trigger group, etc are in fact GI parts that were produced in the mid to late 60s. Because the M14 had such a short service life the warehouses are full of new parts that were made and never used. Springfield buys/bought this stuff as surplus from the Government for a song. BARs have been out of production since the 40s, the warehouses are empty, (and as far as I know) every part for this new BAR is new made from scratch and good machinists make $20 to $30 and hour. The CMP sells surplus M1 Garands for $420. But these are rifles that are well used and over 40 years old. The CMP pays about $100 apiece for them from the Government. To make M1s today with all new MILSPEC parts and forged receivers would cost at least $2000. Bottomline: $2,900 is a tidy sum but if the quality is there I can see where it comes from. -- Kernel

January 13, 2000, 06:37 PM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	First off, any limited production item will be more expensive, per unit, to manufacture than a mass-production critter. As you look at prices for custom rifles, compare these with Rem/Win/Ruger/etc. three to five times the cost, or more, right? If that Garand were totally of new manufacture by a small company, it would cost a lot more than $495. Now, I don't know what's new and what's ex-GI on these BARs, but they're obviously limited in parts and in sales. One other factor which might enter in: I recall an article about a guy who bought the rights and licenses to build a small airplane, similar to a Cessna 172. He stated that he could make a profit on a VFR version at $42,500 each. However, his corporate liability insurance premium was 50%, or $21,250; ergo, a sales price of $63,750... The same problem exists on down to oil-pressure gages: $12 at your autoparts store for your car; $75 if rated for airplanes, approved by the FAA... No simple nor easy answer. Art

January 13, 2000, 08:13 PM	#5
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,454	I've hear NOTHING but bad reviews of the semi-auto versions and "manually operated" Rifles made from surplus BAR parts, from complaints of mis-matched parkerizing to failures to feed/fire/parts breaking. If i ever got a LOT more money than sense I'd love to get an NFA BAR.. but $3000 for one that doesn't work.. ain't pretty and has BAD workers and Customer service making them seems like a big waste. Last 3 Full auto BAR's at a denver Gun show ran 18-20 THOUSAND a piece. Dr.Rob