AR 15 value

toolmaan · July 8, 2013, 02:52 PM

I have a guy wanting to trade me a ar15 for a jet ski. I am asking $950 for the jet ski. Anyhow I dont' know much a bout ar15's, I know the brand is high standard, and it has a 16" barrel and comes with a 1 magazine. Pics of it look great. What are they worth? I see online they are selling for anywhere between $700 to $1100, is that about the value? It does have a bipod stand on the front. Thanks

Erno86 · July 8, 2013, 03:32 PM

You'll probably be better off in just buying a brand new AR. I would ask him how many rounds has been shot thru the barrel. If you have somebody with a bore scope...it might be good to check-out for stress cracks in the barrel throat.
Most AR owners abuse their AR's, buy firing to many consecutive rounds thru the barrel, thus allowing the barrel to heat up past the critical 180 degree F. mark.

I only rapid fire my centerfire semi auto's 6 rounds at a time, before I allow the barrel to cool down. If the barrel is to hot too touch, it has reached or surpassed the 180 degree mark; that causes stress cracks in the bore.

Before I would buy the gun...I would do a live fire function test of the rifle, with inspection of the spent cartridges.

Fishbed77 · July 8, 2013, 03:56 PM

FYI - A brand new Colt 6920 will cost you $1097 at Wal-Mart and a "mil-spec" 16" carbine from PSA can be had for under $800.

tobnpr · July 8, 2013, 04:22 PM

You need the specs, to have any idea of value.
Could be anywhere from five or six bills, to several grand if built from quality components, or from a top tier manufacturer. Optic, if it has one, also determines value.

You're just guessing, otherwise. Get some more info and update your thread.

Theohazard · July 8, 2013, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Erno86 posted
Most AR owners abuse their AR's, buy firing to many consecutive rounds thru the barrel, thus allowing the barrel to heat up past the critical 180 degree F. mark.

I only rapid fire my centerfire semi auto's 6 rounds at a time, before I allow the barrel to cool down. If the barrel is to hot too touch, it has reached or surpassed the 180 degree mark; that causes stress cracks in the bore.

I've never heard this before. Most AR-15 barrels are designed to withstand full-auto fire.

I've done multiple mag dumps on every AR I've ever owned and never had a problem. When I was in the Marines we usually left our M16s on semi, but there were plenty of times we did multiple mag-dumps on three-round-burst with no ill effects. And trust me, the Marine Corps doesn't tolerate abuse of equipment; if that had caused a problem the armory would have noticed. Heck, the barrel on the M249 is about the same thickness as most AR-15 barrels, and the M249 is designed for sustained full-auto fire; it doesn't even go semi-auto.

Sure, if you're constantly shooting your AR rapid-fire, you'll wear your barrel out a little faster. But I've never seen or heard anything about rapid-fire causing stress cracks in a good quality barrel.

Quentin2 · July 8, 2013, 06:09 PM

I doubt that the used High Standard is worth $950. As was said earlier, you can get a good AR for that. Brand new, too.

atlantadad · July 8, 2013, 06:24 PM

$600 is a fair price. They never sold for a high dollar.

UtopiaTexasG19 · July 8, 2013, 06:54 PM

No one has asked the OP what shape, age, original brand and how used the jet ski is at this point in time. It may be a well used piece of do-do, on it's last leg, and worth less than any used AR.

Quentin2 · July 8, 2013, 07:27 PM

I kinda figured the OP set his price and we're sure not in a position to quibble over jet skis in this forum.

toolmaan · July 8, 2013, 09:24 PM

Thanks for all the advice, he is bringing it over to my work tomorrow over lunch so I can inspect it. BTW the Jet Ski is a 89 model while it runs great I don't have much into it so this should be a good deal for me.

shastaboat · July 8, 2013, 09:54 PM

Is the jet ski really worth $950.00? I'd rather have the AR.

JR_Roosa · July 8, 2013, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Most AR-15 barrels are designed to withstand full-auto fire.

I would argue against that. I would guess most bottom tier AR barrels are just turned from lowest bidder barrel stock.

On the other hand, full auto fire tears up good barrels too. Basically heat and plasma vs. steel results in steel getting eroded.

The High Standards are pretty vanilla, and I saw them going for $850 or so at Gander Mountain (known for overpricing stuff) a few years ago.

I would pay maybe $600 for one unless it was brand new, in the box, and exactly the configuration I wanted. Then maybe I'd pay $800. If it got close to $900, then I would rather kick in a few hundred more for a new Colt 6920 with much better parts and resale value.

Quote:

Is the jet ski really worth $950.00? I'd rather have the AR.

This is key too. If you'd let the jet ski go to a friend for $650 and it's not worth keeping around to wait for a higher bidder, I'd take the rifle unless it is beat to hell. Getting rid of something big and bulky that you don't want anymore has a value that is hard to put a number on.

-J.

Theohazard · July 8, 2013, 11:36 PM

Quote:

JR_Roosa posted

Quote:

Most AR-15 barrels are designed to withstand full-auto fire.

I would argue against that. I would guess most bottom tier AR barrels are just turned from lowest bidder barrel stock.

On the other hand, full auto fire tears up good barrels too. Basically heat and plasma vs. steel results in steel getting eroded.

OK, I'll amend that statement: Good-quality AR-15 barrels are designed to withstand full-auto fire. Any good barrel from a manufacturer like FN, BCM, Daniel Defense, etc. will not only withstand plenty of semi-auto rapid-fire mag dumps, but will withstand a surprisingly large amount of full-auto fire.

When your barrel starts to turn light grey and starts smoking, it's time to let it cool. And even then, all you're doing is shortening the overall life of the barrel; I've never seen heat like that cause stress cracks in the bore like Erno86 mentioned (I'm not saying it can't happen, I'm just saying I've never seen or heard of it happening). And if your barrel needs to cool every 6 shots, you either are being way too careful or you have a terrible barrel.

allaroundhunter · July 9, 2013, 12:14 AM

Theo, I'll agree with you there, except this gun is not made by any of those manufacturers.

Theohazard · July 9, 2013, 12:33 AM

Quote:

allaroundhunter posted
Theo, I'll agree with you there, except this gun is not made by any of those manufacturers

I've heard good things about the High Standard rifles. I'd be very surprised if they couldn't handle full-auto or rapid-fire almost as well as the brands I mentioned. But I was refuting the statements made by Erno86 about ARs in general; you're right, I'm somewhat off-topic.

I don't think it's a bad trade for the OP; but I think he should just sell the jet ski for cash and that way he can shop around for the exact AR he wants.

Smit · July 9, 2013, 01:49 AM

I would sell the jet ski and buy a new AR.

Side Note: I also have never heard this 180 degree mark Erno was talking about. 6 consecutive rounds before a cool-off!? Boy I am in trouble then

5.56RifleGuy · July 9, 2013, 02:13 AM

nevermind

toolmaan · July 9, 2013, 01:58 PM

Well I got it, turns out my boss knows a little about these so he tore it down and we had a good look at it, in my bosses opinion it is worth around $700, The jet ski was a 1989 model and fairly rough so I think I got a good deal, I would of taken less than $700 for the ski. Now gotta find some ammo since I don't have any of that caliber and take it out this weekend. Thanks

Gbnk82 · July 9, 2013, 02:08 PM

If he throws in about 1000to rounds of ammo it may be a good deal but as others have said id sell it and get yourself a good quality new one with some ammo and maybe a cheap red dot with that 950

Scubasimmons · July 11, 2013, 11:00 PM

180F? That is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard. Basically that means don't leave your gun in the sun. The structure of steel doesn't change until much higher temps and stress cracks should only form if it is cooled unevenly from a high temp and 180F is NOT a high temp for steel. Sorry don't know much about the brand.

July 8, 2013, 02:52 PM	#1
toolmaan Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 51	AR 15 value I have a guy wanting to trade me a ar15 for a jet ski. I am asking $950 for the jet ski. Anyhow I dont' know much a bout ar15's, I know the brand is high standard, and it has a 16" barrel and comes with a 1 magazine. Pics of it look great. What are they worth? I see online they are selling for anywhere between $700 to $1100, is that about the value? It does have a bipod stand on the front. Thanks

July 8, 2013, 03:32 PM	#2
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	You'll probably be better off in just buying a brand new AR. I would ask him how many rounds has been shot thru the barrel. If you have somebody with a bore scope...it might be good to check-out for stress cracks in the barrel throat. Most AR owners abuse their AR's, buy firing to many consecutive rounds thru the barrel, thus allowing the barrel to heat up past the critical 180 degree F. mark. I only rapid fire my centerfire semi auto's 6 rounds at a time, before I allow the barrel to cool down. If the barrel is to hot too touch, it has reached or surpassed the 180 degree mark; that causes stress cracks in the bore. Before I would buy the gun...I would do a live fire function test of the rifle, with inspection of the spent cartridges. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

July 8, 2013, 04:22 PM	#4
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	You need the specs, to have any idea of value. Could be anywhere from five or six bills, to several grand if built from quality components, or from a top tier manufacturer. Optic, if it has one, also determines value. You're just guessing, otherwise. Get some more info and update your thread. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

July 8, 2013, 06:24 PM	#7
atlantadad Member Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 36	AR 15 value $600 is a fair price. They never sold for a high dollar.

July 8, 2013, 09:54 PM	#11
shastaboat Junior member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 26	jet ski vs AR15 Is the jet ski really worth $950.00? I'd rather have the AR.

July 8, 2013, 03:56 PM	#3
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	FYI - A brand new Colt 6920 will cost you $1097 at Wal-Mart and a "mil-spec" 16" carbine from PSA can be had for under $800.

July 8, 2013, 06:09 PM	#6
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I doubt that the used High Standard is worth $950. As was said earlier, you can get a good AR for that. Brand new, too.

July 8, 2013, 06:54 PM	#8
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	No one has asked the OP what shape, age, original brand and how used the jet ski is at this point in time. It may be a well used piece of do-do, on it's last leg, and worth less than any used AR.

July 8, 2013, 07:27 PM	#9
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I kinda figured the OP set his price and we're sure not in a position to quibble over jet skis in this forum.

July 8, 2013, 09:24 PM	#10
toolmaan Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 51	Thanks for all the advice, he is bringing it over to my work tomorrow over lunch so I can inspect it. BTW the Jet Ski is a 89 model while it runs great I don't have much into it so this should be a good deal for me.

July 9, 2013, 12:14 AM	#14
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,670	Re: AR 15 value Theo, I'll agree with you there, except this gun is not made by any of those manufacturers.

July 9, 2013, 01:49 AM	#16
Smit Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2012 Posts: 335	I would sell the jet ski and buy a new AR. Side Note: I also have never heard this 180 degree mark Erno was talking about. 6 consecutive rounds before a cool-off!? Boy I am in trouble then __________________ "Vegetarian, an old Indian word for bad hunter."

July 9, 2013, 02:13 AM	#17
5.56RifleGuy Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,212	nevermind __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Last edited by 5.56RifleGuy; July 9, 2013 at 02:23 AM.

July 9, 2013, 01:58 PM	#18
toolmaan Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 51	Well I got it, turns out my boss knows a little about these so he tore it down and we had a good look at it, in my bosses opinion it is worth around $700, The jet ski was a 1989 model and fairly rough so I think I got a good deal, I would of taken less than $700 for the ski. Now gotta find some ammo since I don't have any of that caliber and take it out this weekend. Thanks

July 9, 2013, 02:08 PM	#19
Gbnk82 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 293	If he throws in about 1000to rounds of ammo it may be a good deal but as others have said id sell it and get yourself a good quality new one with some ammo and maybe a cheap red dot with that 950

July 11, 2013, 11:00 PM	#20
Scubasimmons Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 119	180F? That is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard. Basically that means don't leave your gun in the sun. The structure of steel doesn't change until much higher temps and stress cracks should only form if it is cooled unevenly from a high temp and 180F is NOT a high temp for steel. Sorry don't know much about the brand.