AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/13/2004 3:29:15 PM EDT
| I purchased a new complete Bushmaster rifle several years ago. It was an unfired AR heavy barreled rifle. The serial number is 39,XXX. It is a verifiable pre-1994 complete rifle from Bushmaster. Since the 1994 ban has sunsetted and there are no state restrictions that effect me, the lower assembly is of no more value to me than any other. I have noticed that some states, such as New York, have their own bans and some would still like to purchase "preban rifles and lowers". I am thinking of selling my lower assembly. It is in truly excellent condition with a collapseable RRA stock. It has had about 200 rounds through it. I figure that the assembly cost me about $700. What would be a fair price range for someone in a ban state? Thanks |
| As someone living in a ban state I wouldn't go anything more than even on it... a new lower for your used lower... many people have made such trades here, I've done a couple... Anything more than say $100 over replacement cost will likely get you flamed, which I don't agree with, but it does come across as trying to gouge someone. I understand none of us like taking a hit on a gun, but the fact is there really isn't a shortage of "pre-ban" lowers out there for those of us in ban states. Board members are helping each other, and the contiguous state rule says we can drive to a state that vorders us and purchase a long arm if that state's laws allow. Vermont and Pennsylvania are two such options for New Yorkers. |
|
If you're willing to do a trade I'll pay the cost of a new Bushmaster lower and a little extra to have it assembled... So let's see, a new Bushmaster Lower Retails for $184.00, I'll throw in an extra $116 for it, that should easily cover shipping etc. That's $300 even. If you're intersted let me know... -Frank- |
Of course any option is your's to choose... I am just curious as to why the most reasonable option is to keep a used lower that offers you no performance advantage over a brand new lower by the same manufacturer? You will never get your money back out of it... well shouldn't say never, somebody in a ban state might purchase it for a higher price because they don;t know better. Wouldn't the most reasonable option be to get something better than what you have? i.e. brand spanking new... |
|
I'm torn as to what advice I would give you exactly. For one thing, it isn't your fault that others choose to live in a state with bad gun laws (Hell, I live next to, but not in, a city that still has an AWB). You might very well be able to get closer to what you paid for it rather than trading old for new with a little cash for the same reasons that ppl. paid more for pre bans all over the country, they aren't making any more that are legal in NY, etc. I am not in your boat because I "gambled" 3 years ago the Sunset would happen, so I sold all my pre ban Colts. I'm sure whoever owns them now took a hit (or will if they try to sell). Is what I did any worse than someone now trying to get most of their money back to a New Yorker? I guess what I'm saying is there are many ways to look at...sure, it is a noble thing to try to get as many assault weapons into an "occupied" state. But a lot of prices are regional in many different types of items. For example, try selling a convertible in Michigan in January. Good luck, ppl. up here in the Great Lakes region normally prefer Jeeps to Corvettes when the snow is falling. Does that mean you are being an evil capitalist if you have a convertible and sell it to someone in Florida in the winter where it might bring more money? I could live in the City of Toledo and techincally (legally) not be allowed to own an AWB. Should all of you feel sorry for me if I choose to move there? I hope not...so the question is, why do you stay somewhere where you have to pay a premium for an AR? And if you do, do you have the "right" to flame those that choose to profit from your choice? Lol...it's too late for this, I'm just trying to say it is a complicated situation and one shouldn't be flamed for trying to get what they paid, or at least trying to minimize their loss. Now, don't get me started on those trying to double their money on 6920HB's lol... 
|
I was born and raised here and our AW Ban didn't go into effect until about a year before the federal ban (It's not like I didn't fight against the eithrt of them). Moving to a different state because of crappy gun laws is a little silly in my opinion (except CA, that states f***ed). I have friends and family not to mention a great job that I make a lot of money at and to be honest I doubt I'll ever find one with all of the fringe benefits. So moving isn't really an option. With the federal ban dead and not looking too good in the future for a new what's the harm in helping someone out? I'm more than willing to pay for a used 10 year old receiver with a litlle extra for the person selling it but $700? Gimme a break someone was selling an entire pre-ban rifle for that. Anyway, what I'm getting at is people in commie states like mine have strong bonds and good reasons to stay. |
| Bottom line, if we refuse to pay exorbitant prices the market goes away. There are enough other folks who will help. better yet, I'll take a drive to PA and make the rounds of the gun shops with cash in hand. gotta love contiguous states... and if they won't sell to an out of stater, I have a fistful of FFLs from the shop I work at... no problem here is the FFL... ship it. |
|
If you look in the EE they go for $500-600 all the time. Mine was sold with a Magpul stock and HK sling mount and the old stock for $700. The lower part of the equation was $550 which considering its condition was a good deal considering what they are going for. Its a fee market... is that not what this country is founded on? What we fight for? Freedom and a free market society? I did not bitch because Colts are selling for $1200 I just bought an LMT instead. |
|
Personally, I would swap it with someone in a ban state straight up. I sold my PWA lower stripped (mostly, I left in the bolt catch and the front pivot pin in, cause those bastages are a PIA to install and I won't put anyone through it if I don't have to) for under $150 shipped. Its pretty much the amount I would need to get a new lower, the pivot pin (plus detent and spring) and the bolt catch (plus detent and spring) and I felt it was fair. Yeah, I lost over a grand on this lower between when I bought it early this year and now, but hey, its just money, right? Think of it this way, you are not losing money on the deal, you are gaining a friend. And the way the world is going, we (gun owners) are going to need every friend we can get. Just my $.02 |
AR Sponsor