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Posted: 12/4/2007 11:20:08 AM EDT
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Good Afternoon Everyone, I have a question that I would really liked answered. I am not trying to be a smart alack or anything I would really like to know the answer. Why do class 3 (Full Autos) cost so much money. The price on them are unreal it is really a rich man's hobby. I would love to have just one, but I can't afford them because of the unreal price tags. I am in the process of getting my first can. I may get one more and that's it for me and the class 3 stuff. Yes I do know I can purchase any of the Mac series for under $4,000. They just don't appeal to me. Thanx Jeff |
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For a civilian to legally own a machine gun requires that it be manufactured prior to the passing of FOPA in 1986. That was essentially a ban on all machine guns made after 1986, with exceptions for Gov/LE/Dealers. Because of this, prices went through the roof. Before FOPA machine guns were cheap, as they should be. FOPA imposed a severe restriction on the supply of machine guns, and simple supply/demand kicked in. Collectors and enthusiasts are apparently willing to pay pretty large sums of money for pre-86 machine guns. This restriction doesn't exist on cans/SBRs, so they can be had for (relatively) cheap. |
Thank you OrinTX for explaining it to me So it is supply and demand. Well that really STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
cerberus1 that would be a dream come true. Then I could afford more than one of them. As much as I love my firearms ( and trust me I do) I can't bring myself to spend over $10,000 on just one weapon. |
Have you ever bought a new car? You could buy 2-3 m16's for the price of a car these days. I guess it all depends on what your priorities are. I wish i got into FA's either prior to or just after the ban but i didn't. Now i just drive beater cars so i can buy / shoot some FA's. |
Actually, it is LEGAL STATUS causing a supply shortage. If not for that, a full auto M16 wouldn't cost any more than a semi auto AR-15 other than the $200 tax stamp. |
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I'd suggest you read Unintended Consequences by John Ross - ask for it for Christmas. In the meantime, here's a link to an essay from it entitled Prohibition’s Ugly Legacy. The essay was written before the 1986 ban but explains why even before the ban the price of certain NFA firearms was already quite high. |
Yes I just bought one last year, but what good is a vehicle if you can't get back and forth to work? FA's ???? buckfever34 I just can't get into them. I have tried hard to convince myself on them. I just don't like the way they look (Stamped, punched, and welded). Bubbles I just finished reading a book last night and this one is next on my list. The reviews of it on Amazon are great. Thank you for recommending it to me. |
Yeah, that's the case. Over the years, the one question that the SCOTUS has managed to never answer is: "Does the 2nd Amendment guarantee an individual's right to keep and bear arms?" Yes or No? In this case, the ability of the govt to completely prohibit handgun ownership in Wash, DC is at issue. The SCOTUS says it will finally rule on this very question. Either way it goes, it will have far reaching ramifications. If they affirm that the 2A does guarantee our RKBA, it will serve as a great legal basis to challenge other stupid state / federal bans and goofy gun laws. I for one, am very encouraged, but am still rubbing my lucky rabbit's foot at least fifty times each night before bedtime. |
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Yeah, that's the case. Over the years, the one question that the SCOTUS has managed to never answer is: "Does the 2nd Amendment guarantee an individual's right to keep and bear arms?" Yes or No? In this case, the ability of the govt to completely prohibit handgun ownership in Wash, DC is at issue. The SCOTUS says it will finally rule on this very question. Either way it goes, it will have far reaching ramifications. If they affirm that the 2A does guarantee our RKBA, it will serve as a great legal basis to challenge other stupid state / federal bans and goofy gun laws. I for one, am very encouraged, but am still rubbing my lucky rabbit's foot at least fifty times each night before bedtime. WOW This will be very interesting to watch unfold. Yes the ramifications will be huge. I'll start rubbing my rabbit's foot to. What do you think the odds are of it passing? |
Well, it's hard to say without a crystal ball, but I think we have the Constitution and alot of legal precedent on our side. I'm no lawyer, but I know that the Bill of Rights guarantees individual rights, not States' rights. I live just over the river from DC in VA, so I've been following this case for years. The DC govt claims that the 2A only guarantees a State's right to have a militia, which common sense tells us is B.S.  Whether one loves guns or hates them, America has needed an answer to this very basic question for a long LONG time, so let's get it on! Personally, I think it's the anti-gunners who are laying awake at night in a panic about this case, not us. I don't want to jinx anything, but like I said before, I'm encouraged. |
the way i look at it is this: in DC all handguns have been banned since, what, 1976? not to mention, DC requires a permit just to own that is difficult, time consuming, and expensive to get. that's basically what we ALL have to go through in the rest of the US to buy an MG. granted, it's not a premit, but we must go through a PITA of a process to get approval to own firearms that were manufactured prior to 1986 because they were banned after that. i'd say that a good ruling from the heller case would not be too hard to apply to the 86 MG ban. granted, it'll take some years, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel if we win heller. |
the fact that the list of sponsors that would restore gun rights to DC is about 50% anti-gun would seem to confirm this. THEY are finally on the defensive, and THEY are finally conceding some ground. |
Bah humbug. Cheap cars don't necesarily mean bad cars. I don't even own any full autos, I have other NFA (but that's not the reason for the cheap cars). I wouldn't hesitate to trust my cheap car to get me to work- it runs very strong. The car was $1500 used (it's a 1988) a decase or so ago, had an engine changed out for a low milage engine 6 years ago (the original had about 180,000 on it when it went), the car has about 225,000 on it (~140,000-150,000 on the engine). Have replaced a couple radiators (the second was free- on warranty), brakes (every car needs that), and some other normal maintnance stuff. Have a second (just recently acquired), cream puff, vehicle that cost some old lady $25,000ish new in 1995, that cost $3,000 with 65,000 miles on it (yes, that is about 5k year- she used the car mostly for going to church and stuff), including pretty new tires, brakes, AC fill. Then there's the 17 year old truck- body looks like shit (late 80's/early 90's Fords don't take well to New England winters), engine has a lot of miles on it, but should run good for a few more years at least. Had that for ~12 years, it cost a little more, but has held up well. Only major work it needed, (aside from an insurance covered accident repair- other guys fault) was some electrical work and routine maintnance (tires, breaks, sensors....) Taxes are like nothing on these things, and I live in a high tax town. They run good, and nobody would really want to steal any of them. They are all plenty reliable. |
Hi Jad My comment was about my own personal experience with used cars. I just don't like to buy them. The only used car I will ever buy is a 65 GTO (my dream car). So please don't take my comment the wrong way. |
Not a problem, without folks like you buying new cars, there wouldn't be used cars- either for drivers or parts, coming down the pipe. Simbiotic relationship, no? 
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A big problem for most is that, while cars are far more expensive than an M-16, the former can be paid for in monthly installments of several hundred dollars, while the latter must be paid for in one lump sum. However, the M-16 is a far better investment, and is much more fun than a Camry to boot!! |
What is the big problem? While i don't suggest this, you can take a loan to buy a MG also. Hell, if you can finance a boob job you sure as heck can finance a MG. Don't you ever get the 0% interest credit card loan mailings? I bought my first MG that way. Had a year of 0% interest to pay it off. Ideally though, i'd keep driving a no payment car---save the $4-500 monthly payments and extra insurance money and in a year or two buy a MG for cash unless you had a 0% offer. |
Definitely. I've used those same 0% offers to finance toys myself. You can't beat someone giving you their money to use at no cost to you.
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