Gun & Ammunition Sales & The Election

[billt]

My Inbox is getting bombarded daily by sales and deals from most every gun, and gun related distributor out there. Midway, Brownell's, CDNN, Primary Arms, Classic Arms, Cheaper Than Dirt, Palmetto, and at least a dozen more. All are having sales on guns, ammo, and related gear like never before. Midway is having, "one day only" sales on ammo every single day. A lot of them are really cheap. Not to mention Cabela's and Bass Pro stuffing flyers in my mailbox at least once a week.

There is no doubt all of these places stocked up to the rafters with product before the election, anticipating a Clinton victory like most did. The AR-15 market is getting hit the hardest. The Suppressor market is suffering because the Hearing Protection Act may very well get passed. I'm even seeing far more ads by the NRA for membership discounts as well. It seems as if everybody is pushing something on sale now that Trump has won, and the big Second Amendment threat appears to be over. At least for a while.

I can't help but wonder how many of them are disappointed that Trump won? It has really hurt their profit margin, that's for sure and for certain. And it will for at least the next 4 years. And very well for the next 8 and beyond. Many places have had layoff's. I believe Remington let over 100 go already. I can't help but think after the record firearms sales that were taking place for the 8 years Obama was in office, they all wanted that to continue for another 4. And they would have no doubt had it if Clinton had won. Kind of reminds me of the old saying how Tigers can sometimes turn on themselves, and eat their young.

[billt]

Just to add. Brownell's is now handling firearms, not just parts for them. And they are handling A LOT OF THEM. And most of the one's they're handling are in stock. They never used to. So you know they were betting on Clinton, because that's a huge investment in inventory. It will be interesting to see just how long they remain in the complete firearms business. I have mixed emotions about all of this. I understand how in business the bottom line is everything. In a way I can't blame them because I didn't think Trump would win either. I just don't think they're as happy about Trump's victory as we all are.

[les snyder]

I just ordered a short 9mm upper for my registered SBR... and looking over the items for sale at Palmetto State Armory, found it pretty amazing that you can put together an AR for under $420....posters on another forum commented that they had seen DelTon and SW complete rifles for $400 or less

[alfsauve]

AIM has a 16" barreled receiver on promo for $179.   Would need lower, BCG and CH.


Also 9mm AR lower (Glock mag) for $135.   Tempted.  Very Tempted.

[les snyder]

Alf... the PCC division for USPSA has really taken off down here, around 16 shooters at the last monthly match... a real blast for old folks with old eyes.. 32 rounds, dot scope on a carbine... don't have to wear a pistol and belt, just a couple of pistol mags... wheel the carbine to the line with your stroller, shoot the stage, replace in the rack... repeat... if you decide to jump in, make a comment, I may be able to answer some questions... regards Les

[Sponsor]

[Jim Kennedy-ar154me]

My fear is that a LOT of shooters, new and established, will believe the crisis is now over and while it is at a lull all of us here know is is NOT over. I fear the fallout out the Trump victory along with the busted "bubble" in the market may cost us some of our smaller gun manufactures and while everyone, myself included, is looking forward to the passage of the HPA it is not a done deal and I hope we don't loose any of the manufactures due to people delaying their purchases. I agree with the NRA that NOW is the time for us to all start hitting our state and federal congress critters for pro-gun legislation.  If we "rest" for too long the anti's will catch us with our pants down and hurt us or at least delay our ability to recover some of the ground we lost over the past few decades.

[billt]

As far as firearm and accessory sales go, it's like the auto industry, real estate, and everything else. After every boom there is a bust. We have had a roaring firearms and ammunition market for the last 8 years. And people have been paying premium prices for both during this time. Manufacturers have been making a bundle, and most couldn't keep up with the demand.

Now it's over. For the most part politics is the reason why. The firearms market is politically driven, and has been for decades. Also, many people are spent out. They bought weapons, (especially AR-15's, semi auto pistols & Hi-Cap magazines), because they thought the time was going to be limited before new, more restrictive laws were passed preventing their sale. That didn't happen. Obama couldn't even get increased background checks passed. They sure as hell won't pass anything now.

So the result of all of this is going to be a big glut in the market. We're already seeing it. Distributors loaded up on merchandise, they will now have to sell for much less profit than they would have if the election had gone the other way. If another threat emerges, people will react. But that isn't going to be for a while. The liberal Democrats are going to have their hands full hating and fighting Trump for the next 8 years. Introducing any anti gun legislation would be futile. Some manufacturers might not survive this period. High profit items that are easy to manufacture, like suppressors will be the hardest hit. But it's that way in every business. Don't look for any pro gun legislation to be introduced for at least the next 2 years, maybe more. Trump simply has too much on his plate right now.

[Big Frank]

The antis know that with the Republican majority at the federal level they aren't likely to get any new anti-gun laws passed there. That's why they're intensifying their efforts at the state level. There are so many pieces of anti-gun legislation being submitted at the state level it will make your head spin. They're trying to ban "assault weapons", whatever they are, as well as non-assault weapons. They're trying to get all of us and our guns registered, which can only lead to confiscation. There is much, much more and everyone needs to get involved with their state's pro-gun groups as well as the NRA and other national groups. This is the time to act to save our precious rights, not sit back and relax as all this is happening.

[tombogan03884]

But, with the exception of the "usual suspects" Ca, NY, etc. they're losing at the State level as well.
 There are now 14 constitutional carry states .

[billt]

But, with the exception of the "usual suspects" Ca, NY, etc. they're losing at the State level as well.
 There are now 14 constitutional carry states .

Very true. The states that are "losing" are already lost. California, New York, and Mass. at the top of the list. They will continue to slide into the anti gun abyss. But a lot of other states are losing at attempting to pass anything anti gun, as Tom said. This is the best the pro gun people have had it in decades.