Prices ?!

k3new · October 2, 2005, 04:52 PM

My time in the USMC from which I retired in 97, put a huge crimp in my ability to own and move with Class III weapons. I familiar with the NFA requirements.

I have recently gotten to the point that I would like to look into starting to collect some WWII German pieces, but the costs are staggering!

I was at the show today at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, and asking about ballpark prices:

MP-40 - Close to 20K
MG-42 - Close to 40K
Rock Island M-60 - around 28K
S&W M-76 - Around 9K

Is someone pulling my leg, or have things really gotten that expensive?

One dealer taking about the MP-40s said that you could sell all the MP-40s you want @ 20K!

Thanks in advance,

Joe

yorec · October 2, 2005, 04:58 PM

Yep - it's gotten that bad and will only get worse. Finite markets do that.

shaggy · October 2, 2005, 07:12 PM

Yeah, its almost that bad.

For an original C&R German MP40 (not a tube gun) You might find one a bit cheaper than $20, but it won't be easy. I haven't seen too many C&R MP40's lately and even MP40 tube guns are approaching $9-10k.

$40k for an MG42 sounds about right. I've seen asking prices higher, but I think about $40k is where they're actually moving. FWIW, I own one and wouldn't part with it for well over $40k. The problem with the MG42 is actually finding someone willing to part with it - took me months to find mine.

M60's for $28k? Again right about on the money for a Rock Island on non-military gun (Saco Defense, Maremont, etc. will be substantially higher, as will any upgraded model - E3, E4's)

A S&W 76 can be had for less than $9k - they seem to be going for about $7k these days.

CQBArms · October 3, 2005, 08:20 AM

Maybe a little high on the 76 but it isn't that far off.

GeorgeF · October 3, 2005, 11:33 AM

Its insane. Lots of discussion has pinned the prices on two events.

The first of course was the 1986 law that prevented new MG's from being made. That meant that all existing MG's were now a premium cause no more were being made. (My dad and I were visiting Interarms at the time and his friend there was going into panic mode. He was convinced that all MG's were about to be outlawed, so he was selling off his collection. We picked up a Madsen LMG from Interarms for dirt cheap. The tripod we bought for it actually cost more. BTW his buddy went out and bought up new MG's a few years later when he saw that there was no fear of MG's being outlawed.)

But despite the 86 law, prices still didnt go through the roof. They were climbing but still relatively affordable.

The second phenomenon to drastically alter th eprice of MG's came in the late 90's - the tech boom. Suddenly there were lots of folks with disposable income. They were snapping up MG's for listed price, and it became a seller's market. Sold a Thompson for $5k? Heck, next one I'll price at $6.5k. And so on.

It's now gotten to a point where the demand fuels the prices. People feel the need to grab one before they get much higher, so demand is still prevalent. Therefore process keep climbing. If people stopped buying for a year, prices would drop (but prob not much). It's a vicious circle. If you really want a MG, do what you can to grab one - they're not likely to get any cheaper and more likely to spiral out of price range down the road.

CQBArms · October 3, 2005, 04:49 PM

I blame it on the Shrike!

boofus · October 4, 2005, 09:36 AM

The Internet has much to do with the sudden increase in prices I'd wager. Finding a buyer or seller for your MG is easier than ever with the 'net.

October 2, 2005, 04:52 PM	#1
k3new Member Join Date: April 17, 2005 Posts: 60	Prices ?! My time in the USMC from which I retired in 97, put a huge crimp in my ability to own and move with Class III weapons. I familiar with the NFA requirements. I have recently gotten to the point that I would like to look into starting to collect some WWII German pieces, but the costs are staggering! I was at the show today at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, and asking about ballpark prices: MP-40 - Close to 20K MG-42 - Close to 40K Rock Island M-60 - around 28K S&W M-76 - Around 9K Is someone pulling my leg, or have things really gotten that expensive? One dealer taking about the MP-40s said that you could sell all the MP-40s you want @ 20K! Thanks in advance, Joe Last edited by k3new; October 2, 2005 at 04:54 PM. Reason: Spelling errors

October 2, 2005, 04:58 PM	#2
yorec Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,328	Yep - it's gotten that bad and will only get worse. Finite markets do that. __________________ What part of "... shall not be infringed..." don't you understand?

October 3, 2005, 08:20 AM	#4
CQBArms Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2004 Posts: 192	Maybe a little high on the 76 but it isn't that far off. __________________ Visit Us @ CQB Arms Free Gun Image Hosting

October 3, 2005, 04:49 PM	#6
CQBArms Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2004 Posts: 192	I blame it on the Shrike! __________________ Visit Us @ CQB Arms Free Gun Image Hosting

October 2, 2005, 07:12 PM	#3
shaggy Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 1,519	Yeah, its almost that bad. For an original C&R German MP40 (not a tube gun) You might find one a bit cheaper than $20, but it won't be easy. I haven't seen too many C&R MP40's lately and even MP40 tube guns are approaching $9-10k. $40k for an MG42 sounds about right. I've seen asking prices higher, but I think about $40k is where they're actually moving. FWIW, I own one and wouldn't part with it for well over $40k. The problem with the MG42 is actually finding someone willing to part with it - took me months to find mine. M60's for $28k? Again right about on the money for a Rock Island on non-military gun (Saco Defense, Maremont, etc. will be substantially higher, as will any upgraded model - E3, E4's) A S&W 76 can be had for less than $9k - they seem to be going for about $7k these days.

October 3, 2005, 11:33 AM	#5
GeorgeF Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2004 Posts: 572	Its insane. Lots of discussion has pinned the prices on two events. The first of course was the 1986 law that prevented new MG's from being made. That meant that all existing MG's were now a premium cause no more were being made. (My dad and I were visiting Interarms at the time and his friend there was going into panic mode. He was convinced that all MG's were about to be outlawed, so he was selling off his collection. We picked up a Madsen LMG from Interarms for dirt cheap. The tripod we bought for it actually cost more. BTW his buddy went out and bought up new MG's a few years later when he saw that there was no fear of MG's being outlawed.) But despite the 86 law, prices still didnt go through the roof. They were climbing but still relatively affordable. The second phenomenon to drastically alter th eprice of MG's came in the late 90's - the tech boom. Suddenly there were lots of folks with disposable income. They were snapping up MG's for listed price, and it became a seller's market. Sold a Thompson for $5k? Heck, next one I'll price at $6.5k. And so on. It's now gotten to a point where the demand fuels the prices. People feel the need to grab one before they get much higher, so demand is still prevalent. Therefore process keep climbing. If people stopped buying for a year, prices would drop (but prob not much). It's a vicious circle. If you really want a MG, do what you can to grab one - they're not likely to get any cheaper and more likely to spiral out of price range down the road.

October 4, 2005, 09:36 AM	#7
boofus Junior member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: JesusLand,TX Posts: 371	The Internet has much to do with the sudden increase in prices I'd wager. Finding a buyer or seller for your MG is easier than ever with the 'net.