Gun enthusiasts who rushed to purchase AR-15s at the height of Congress’s recent debate over gun control may soon regret having spent so much money.
It appears that the market for the popular rifle has bottomed out.
The average price of an AR-15 has in recent weeks returned to the $800-$1,050 range, down from its all-time high of $2,500 (averaged), according to the gun blog The Truth About Guns.
“After the gun control scare earlier this year, demand for AR-15 rifles went through the roof. People were maxing out their credit cards on fears that America’s favorite firearm was about to be banned by the powers that be,” writes Nick Leghorn, the testing and reviews editor for the blog.
“This cleared the entire available stock of guns, and made manufacturers ramp up to meet demand.
“It was good times for manufacturers, but now the AR-15 bubble has burst and things are looking downright depressing for manufacturers,” he adds.
And it appears the supply of AR-15s, once feared by many to have run dry, is flowing again. Below is a photo Leghorn snapped recently while in a Cabela’s sporting goods store:
No shortage here. (The Truth About Guns)
“By now, everyone who ‘needed’ an AR-15 has found one. Even if they emptied their bank accounts to do it, they have their rifle,” the report continues.
“But with sales slowing down, the price of an AR-15 is cratering. People are no longer willing to buy at the inflated panic-level prices, and dealers are starting to discount the guns in order to clear their shelves,” it adds.
And although this news may come as a bit of a headache for those who maxed out their credit cards a few months ago, those who held out for lower prices are in luck. Coupled with increased manufacturing and dwindling demand, now is a great time to buy an AR-15.
“[Y]ou have the pick of the litter when it comes to guns,” Legorn writes.
However, there is still a problem: ammo.
“[A]mmunition is still scarce,” he adds. “It’s on the shelves, but stores haven’t lifted their ‘one box per person’ limit yet. So while you can buy a gun, you still can’t feed it. And God help you if you need some .22lr.”
