AR question

[magnanimous_j]

I'll admit I've never had much of an interest in AR's. I generally prefer rugged and durable over highly tuned and finicky. But looking at them at gun shops and in the classifieds, I'm curious as to why one AR is worth 1500 and another is worth 600. Aren't they more or less built to the same specs?

[ghosthunter]

I am with you.

I suspect some of it was hype. Back when Obummer was elected again they flew of the shelves. 

[Fl0und3rz]

Some are milspec; some are not; some are crafted by pro's using high quality (name brand parts, top shelf); some are built by a friend of a friend on their coffee table; some are battle ready high precision instruments of freedom; some make nice scary plinkers; some were purchased at the height of an Obama gun rush, and thus, the seller is trying unreasonably to recoup the shortage premium; some are asking precisely what the rifle is worth, at this day and age, when there is a glut in the AR market.

Example, I sold a colt 6920 (your basic 16" AR) in the 2008-2009 Obama scare for $1700 (purchased roughly $1400), whereas they are now going for sub-$1,000.   

A factory built LMT or similar is worth a premium, subjectively, at least, over the homebrew or lesser regarded brand ARs.

If you were ever interested.   

[thinkingman]

Some are milspec; some are not; some are crafted by pro's using high quality (name brand parts, top shelf); some are built by a friend of a friend on their coffee table; some are battle ready high precision instruments of freedom; some make nice scary plinkers; some were purchased at the height of an Obama gun rush, and thus, the seller is trying unreasonably to recoup the shortage premium; some are asking precisely what the rifle is worth, at this day and age, when there is a glut in the AR market.

Example, I sold a colt 6920 (your basic 16" AR) in the 2008-2009 Obama scare for $1700 (purchased roughly $1400), whereas they are now going for sub-$1,000.   

A factory built LMT or similar is worth a premium, subjectively, at least, over the homebrew or lesser regarded brand ARs.

If you were ever interested.

I like how you included 'subjectively'.

Like lifted pickups, there is a definite 'Mine's better than yours' d**k measuring contest going on.

[pianoman9701]

There are a ton of factors other than Obama which can affect the price tag. Barrel quality and length, components like standard triggers v. match triggers. One stock costs $50 and another, $300. Even the bugger tubes and the charging handles vary greatly. Are you doing a powder coat? What kind and how many rails are you using? What kind of bolt carrier and group are you using? A stripped upper can be $50-300. Similar with a lower. Does it have a bi-pod? What kind of pistol grip or stabilizer? There are lots of factors.

[Bean Counter]

Top Ten Reasons for Buying that $3,000 AR:

....
#7: When I hang it on the gun rack in my truck, it increases the resale value to $3,500 
....

[pianoman9701]

  That's where I'm at!

[Bofire]

why are some bolt guns worth much more than others?  Revolvers? etc. some is hype some is quality. Kind of a silly question.
Carl

[Bean Counter]

Keep in mind that as far as the 'gun' goes in legal speak, its just the lower receiver... http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/skus/p_953-000-001_6.jpg
.... THAT's the 'gun.'

I could buy a name brand, new lower reciever by Colt or Bushy and then put a bunch of grey market crap on it and sell it to you as a tricked up Bushmaster. So unless you've taken the time to really educate yourself about the reputation of component manufacturers and know what you really want your gun for, it might be best to buy some basic AR at Sportsmans Warehouse when its on sale, shoot it and learn it the weapon system with your own two hands, and figure out if you want a coyote gun, match grade target gun, a safe queen for appreciation and resale down the road, an end of the world gun, or some combination of those.

The main thing to remember about operating these Stoner-styled weapon system is that it needs to be run lubed. If you're in the middle of a long day of shooting, rack that non-reciprocating charging handle to pop open the dust cover, and squirt some oil into those holes on the bolt carrier, rack your charging handle a few times to get it in there, and maybe repeat. My favorite oil is EWL Slip 2000 but I want to get my hands on some Frog Lube as it seems to not dry out like the Slip/CLP/Militec1, etc. Its probably just bearing grease with food coloring. 
 An AR/M4gery will chew through thousands of rounds dirty and wet, but will malfunction sooner rather than later if you try to run it clean and dry. The U.S. Army proved this in 2007 by shooting 60,000 rounds through guns ran wet and guns ran dry.

Out of the 60,000 rounds fired in each phase, the M4 stoppage-rate dropped from 9,836 with light lubrication to 678 with heavy lubrication.

http://archive.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20070715/NEWS/707150313/Heavy-lubrication-shown-to-improve-M16-M4-effectiveness

[pianoman9701]

why are some bolt guns worth much more than others?  Revolvers? etc. some is hype some is quality. Kind of a silly question.
Carl

C'mon Bofire. You don't dis someone for an honest question.
Why even post?

[Bofire]

  :)I don't think I "dissed" anything
Carl

[pianoman9701]

:)I don't think I "dissed" anything
Carl

"Kind of a silly question." It's not silly if you're unfamiliar with ARs. Just sayin' and don't mean to start the chit.

[magnanimous_j]

why are some bolt guns worth much more than others?  Revolvers? etc. some is hype some is quality. Kind of a silly question.
Carl

To me, the milspec aspect was the confusing part. I thought that these parts were built to the exact same specs, to the point that I read some AR build 101 guide on the internet that said the receivers are so similar, just buy the one whose brand-stamp you like the best.

[CAMPMEAT]

Names are a $$ getter too. Wilson gets top dollar for anything because of his name. $3500 for a 1911 pistol.

[Bofire]

 :)there is a "spec" for everything,military or not. high quality bolt guns cost more than average guns, Wilson 1911's cost more than S&W ruger or Kimber, quality is a funny word that seems to go with reputation, and sometimes performance. There are Cheap AR's that meet minimum specs there are GREAT ARS that far exceed specs. the tighter the spec the moire it costs. This applies to ovens, computers, pliers, hammers, toilet paper and more.
Carl

"diss on"