Did I miss something!?

[amadeus76]

So I am on the mailing list for several milsurp sites that I've used and trust to buy rifles. None of them ask exorbitant prices and I've always been very happy with what I've received. I'm at a point now where I have at least one example of almost all the rifles I wanted with the exception of a few more rare platforms so I'm not really looking to add to my collection but I stay on the mailing lists cuz you never know. The last time I looked at No4 prices (just a few months ago) they were on average $350-400 for a good condition example. I'd actually seen prices drop a bit on all LE with the exception of the Jungle Carbines. I assume this was due to surplus ammo being all but gone and like most milsurp rifles, those that bought them simply as cheap plinkers were trying to off-load them now that they couldn't get cheap ammo anymore...

Anyway, on e of these milsurp sites sent me an add for No4's being in stock. I clicked on the link just to look and holy crap they were asking $750 US for the rifles!! They looked to be in good condition but what the hell happened to make the prices nearly double in 4 months!? All I can think is this is associated with the current firearm and ammo buying panic going on due to the riots and the election but I can't see how this would apply to a milsurp rifle for which ammo is hard to come by.

Anyone else notice this?

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[martin08]

Yes. It is a pervasive phenomenon across the land. Prices have inflated quickly.

[Brian Dick]

Supply and demand. I don't think ammo has anything to do with it. To think of all the bitching about prices I heard when I had beautiful No.4's available in bulk for $350 or so! I don't hear those guys bitching now! Folks are shelling out $500 for Ethiopian rifles, both SMLE and No.4, and then investing in rebarreling because they ALL have sewer pipe grade bores. I haven't seen a matching bolt yet in those either. Times have changed.

[amadeus76]

I'm sure supply and demand does play a part but the wild jump in prices seems odd... It was only a few months ago that I'd noticed prices on some milsurp rifles, including Lee Enfield's, coming down, so to see a wild jump on the back of that makes the price increase all the more noticeable. I'm not complaining about the prices since I'm not in the market, I just find the jump a bit surprising.

[GeeRam]

Supply and demand. I don't think ammo has anything to do with it.

Yep.
Prices here in the UK have been going only one way for years, and its not down. And we've not had access to cheap surplus ammo here in the UK for over 40 years, so I agree, its got nothing to do with ammo prices.
Factory commercial .303 ammo (PPU and S&B) ammo prices here in the UK have increased by 20% in the past 6-7 months alone due to Covid issues.

[Brian B]

I think there is a general buying frenzy right now with the upcoming elections. I have friends that I haven't heard from for quite some time asking if I have any guns I would like to sell. You have to stand in line here for a couple of hours just to look at the offerings the stores have. You can't even find a Glock to purchase. Prices have risen to meet the increased demand. It's a sellers market right now.

[usabaker]

My friends son has been taking advantage by buliding AR's selling them and using the money to buy Garand's and Pre-64 M70's. he nearly get s to Garands of one AR sale. His logic is that while he can make money on the AR's now, I can make more on the Garands in the future. He is a business major though. I wish I would have had that foresight when I was in my 20's like he is.

[5whiskey]

Funny story (and first post here after lurking for years) I deployed to the middle east last year, and stowed away some money during the deployment for a family vacation and several firearms. A Garand from CMP and a No4mk1 Enfield were top priorities on my firearms list. I had been checking armslist and gunbroker all through last year up until April or May of this year, and $400 Enfields were the norm. In July I got back to Texas and started looking in earnest. I bid on several auctions on GB, with every auction always going to $600 or more. I got so mad as I had literally tracked the price during my entire deployment, even bragging to my buddies that my firearm wishlist was somewhat insulated from swings in politics, yet now I was going to have to pay a good bit more than I budgeted. I finally found a Fazarkley FTR rifle in great condition that I decided to scoop up for $600. I figured it would have a better shot at being a decent shooter, and if I'm going to spend that kind of money I may as well spend it well.

That rifle did turn out to be quite the shooter. Holds better than 2" groups at 100 yards with the first load I tried in it. Barrel slugs to .312, action works crisp. I do see now that Classic firearms has some Enfields for $450, but I bet they're a real crap shoot. I am happy with my purchase now that I've shot it, as I'll pay a $150 premium for a good shooter.

[usabaker]

Classic firearms has some Enfields for $450, but I bet they're a real crap shoot. I am happy with my purchase now that I've shot it, as I'll pay a $150 premium for a good shooter.

I will bet you have that right, I will NEVER buy from Classic again. They are good car salesmen and even get people like sootch00 on Youtube, who I use to think was reputable, to support them in their deception of buyers.

[Eaglelord17]

In Canada the prices have gotten ridiculous in the last year or two. People don't know what they are buying and are basically buying anything military surplus and holding on to it like its the crown jewels. Condition and rarity doesn't seem to have that much of a factor on price either. Mismatched rebuilt sporter? Selling in the same price range as a original all matching example. I saw a Romanian issued VZ 24 with the original crest intact asking 600$ and it sat for a month and a half, the same price people are selling Yugoslavian M48s are being listed at and sold in a couple days. They just recently did a firearms auction which had 7 Rosses for sale, the lowest sale price for one which was in fair condition sold for 3250$. Some of them were excellent examples but the prices have gone to ridiculous levels.

My theory is too many people are getting into it too fast and aren't doing any research before hand to learn about condition, estimated prices, etc. They just see one listed at a price online and assume that must be fair value, even though the ones listed the reason your usually seeing them still is because they aren't. The fairly priced sells fast, when its too high it sits for a while.