Are we at a golden era of buying guns?

[Tool]

The prices of guns have dropped significantly after Covid. With the exploding national debt and the new Administration's promises to impose tariffs, the prices of everything will only go up long term wise.

[rc]

The golden era was probably the early 90s when so many surplus rifles were coming in from Russia and other places modernizing that you could buy them for under $100. Lee Enflieds, SKSs, Mausers, Romanian this and that, etc.

[Tool]

Originally Posted by rc

The golden era was probably the early 90s when so many surplus rifles were coming in from Russia and other places modernizing that you could buy them for under $100. Lee Enflieds, SKSs, Mausers, Romanian this and that, etc.

Wow, so bad I missed that opportunity.

[44 AMP]

The "golden era" was before 1968.

Tho some might say before 1934,,,,

There were no age restrictions, no background checks no waiting periods, and you could buy mail order delivered right to your door. Heck, we even had face to face sales without ANY govt involvement...Imagine that...

We're soo much better off now, (aren't we??) or so we're told... Personally, I have my doubts.

[Pumpkin]

Not for me, too much plastic (excuse me, polymer), one size fits all revolver grip frames, sleeved barrels on not so inexpensive revolvers, matt blue this, rubber that………….

Not near enough gold for me.

[Hawg]

The golden era is long gone. The best time was before 1968 as 44 AMP said but in the 70's you could still buy Mausers for 15.00 apiece out of 55 gallon drums in dept. stores.

[Tool]

On the other hand, guns at that time lacked many basic safety features like firing pin block. The magazine capacity was also not so great.

[Shoots Left]

Originally Posted by Tool

On the other hand, guns at that time lacked many basic safety features like firing pin block. The magazine capacity was also not so great.

More importantly back in the day handguns didn't come with those fancy cable/padlock thingies they all have in the box now. I don't know how we survived as a species back then

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by Tool

On the other hand, guns at that time lacked many basic safety features like firing pin block.

Who wants one? Not me.

Originally Posted by Tool

The magazine capacity was also not so great.

I don't want a high capacity mag in a handgun either.

[JohnKSa]

During the late 1990s, you could have your choice of a number of decent rifles for under $100, and pistols for under $150. And, in general, ammunition for them was plentiful and inexpensive.

I've mentioned this before, but at one point, there was a pawn shop near where I worked and you could buy a new Chinese SKS and 500 rounds of ammo for it for less than $100 before tax.

During that time I bought a new Bulgarian Makarov pistol for $140, and an very good condition CZ-52 for around $130.

7.62x25 Chinese ammo was available in bulk for under 7 cents a round.

Swedish Mausers could be had for $100, give or take $20 depending on condition. I wish I had saved a few Shotgun News issues from that era.

[bamaranger]

I think the "golden era" has passed. Mainly because most gun shops these days (at least in my area) are full of either tactical black rifles or price point poly stocked bolt sporter rifles. It's hard to differentiate one shop from another as they all seem to carry the same thing. If you're happy with a Glock or an AR, price and selection are there....anything else....Go Fish!

Handguns are much the same story. All hi-cap 9mm autos. Sometimes some of the cheap .22 SA revolvers.

Used blue steel/walnut rifles are snatched up as soon as they surface. So too any S&W revolvers and VERY few Colts. Usually a bunch of junk run down Springfield pumps and single barrel shotguns or a bunch of tactical imports I've never heard of.

Gone are the days when there was a used rack with an assortment of Remington,Ruger and Winchester bolt sporters, Winchester and Marlin levers, with a few Savage 99's thrown in to boot. Forget about Remington Gamemasters and Woodsmaster pumps and semi-rifles. All snatched up and in collections, and bringing four figures plus in many cases.

A clean, solid Savage 311 SXS will bring $500 bucks and they are few and far between. A vintage double will bring thousands. I've paid less for 4wd trucks and am still driving them. There really isn't a US made affordable working mans double anymore. Forget about a S&W M27 or M28 or even a well used M19/66. More hens teeth, and expensive.

There are exceptions.......Grice's Gun Shop up in PA has a wide variety of guns, new and used and some looking may find you some deals on their used racks. Larry's Guns in Huntsville AL has considerable variety and good deals on blems on some new Rugers. But they seem the exception to the rule.

[44 AMP]

On the other hand, guns at that time lacked many basic safety features like firing pin block.

Ok, show us your list. List for us the many basic safety features pre-68 guns lacked.

We could argue whether a firing pin block is a "basic" safety feature, or not, I don't think it is. But you cannot argue that one is "many".

So, show us your list of "many basic safety features" that "guns of that time" lack. Please...

[Tom Servo]

you could buy a new Chinese SKS and 500 rounds of ammo for it for less than $100 before tax.

It doesn't seem too long ago, dealers got Nagant rifles for ~$40 each at wholesale. Heck, nice K-Frames used to be absolutely affordable on the secondary market.

[P-990]

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

Ok, show us your list. List for us the many basic safety features pre-68 guns lacked.

We could argue whether a firing pin block is a "basic" safety feature, or not, I don't think it is. But you cannot argue that one is "many".

So, show us your list of "many basic safety features" that "guns of that time" lack. Please...

I think Tool may have overstated the case of "many basic safety features" simply due to a lack of knowledge of older designs. At the same time, I wouldn't have warm fuzzies carrying either my Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless or my Savage 1907 with a round in the chamber and the safety engaged. Neither design has a positive firing pin block like my Walther PPQ and PDP do (and the small action internals are near or over 100 years old at this point). Then again, I'm also not the biggest proponent of the "shorter, lighter, easier to manipulate with no positive external safeties!" trigger pulls everybody insists they need on every new polymer-striker pistol. But I'm perfectly happy with a Series 70 Colt 1911 in cocked-and-locked mode, so it's likely all in my head anyway.

Otherwise, I don't think this is the golden age of buying either. Prices may be depressed somewhat, but availability of interesting things is rather limited. The 90s and early 2000s had a much wider variety of options at reasonable pricing. As said, everything these days is black polymer and tactical. There isn't a plethora of old S&W revolvers or semi-automatics, Ruger isn't making their DA/SA semi-automatics any longer, SIG's traditional P-series guns are novelties instead of current, etc, etc. The only thing I can get on board with being a true step-forward is the widespread adoption of optics on pistols. And that's a topic for a different thread.

[Ricklin]

The nice UPS man still brings guns to my door. Other than a couple of states he will do the same for you. He also delivers silencers with the same smile.
Change the game and get rid of that pesky gunpowder. Firearms are heavily regulated.
PCP airguns are unregulated in most states. Heck even full auto is on the table.

[Nathan]

We’re getting closer. Next year is looking up. Custom bolt actions have gone bizerk. Prices have doubled and part supply is challenging….but ma6be getting better.

[44 AMP]

But I'm perfectly happy with a Series 70 Colt 1911 in cocked-and-locked mode, so it's likely all in my head anyway.

It is all in your head (and mine) and it always has been. The only REAL safety is between our ears. But the other side of that coin is, that is where the greatest danger comes from, as well.

My Father was an NRA Hunter Safety instructor for decades. One of the many important safety aspects taught was "NEVER trust a mechanical safety". The reasoning being "anything made by man can fail".

True, it is quite rare, but I've seen it myself a few times in my life.

No matter what features a gun has, or doesn't have, its not up to the gun to keep you (or anyone else) safe. It is up to you and I, the user, NOT the mechanism.

[105kw]

To me, the last good era was the 84, through about 95 era.
Lots of trade in Police issue Revolvers.
I got a great model 67 in 38 special for about $150. There were really good deals on Colt, S&W, and Ruger Service Six Revolvers.
I wish I'd bought more, and hung onto them. But my Stainless Combat Masterpiece isn't going anywhere.

[jetinteriorguy]

Hmmm, interesting, I’ve never in all my years heard of a model 67 referred to as a stainless Combat Masterpiece. But I suppose that’s exactly what it is, and mine also will never leave my safe as long as I live. I also have a model 15 but I prefer the 67, it’s trigger is a little better.

[105kw]

Technically, according to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, it should be Combat Masterpiece Stainless.
Most people don't know what a Model 67 is, so I'd say, a Stainless Combat Masterpiece, or Model 15.
My own description, sorry.

[ripnbst]

I kick myself for not buying an entire crate of Mosin Nagant rifles when I nearly did it for either $200 or $500, I can't recall, in 2012. Looking at today's prices for those rifles, theres no way that wasn't the investment I knew it was going to be. I was younger and starting a family and wasn't in a position to do it at the time.

[Bill DeShivs]

We each have our own "golden era." I doubt guns are going to get cheaper.
I remember when you could buy lots of guns for almost nothing-but that "almost nothing" wasn't-at that time.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by ripnbst

I kick myself for not buying an entire crate of Mosin Nagant rifles when I nearly did it for either $200 or $500, I can't recall, in 2012. Looking at today's prices for those rifles, theres no way that wasn't the investment I knew it was going to be. I was younger and starting a family and wasn't in a position to do it at the time.

I first saw them at a gun show for $9.00 apiece and ammo was IIRC 20.00 for a 1000 round crate. I picked one up and looked at it but it didn't take me long to put it back and walk away. I was there for a few hours and I don't think they sold very many.

[Schlitz 45]

We’re now in the golden age of pink & purple ugly plastic handguns & overly accessorized long guns.

[Pumpkin]

^^AMEN^^