Why are .50 calibers so expensive?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why are .50 calibers so expensive?

Posted: 5/1/2002 2:03:57 AM EDT

I mean at least 2k for a single shoot bolt action and $7k for a semiauto? I know they are made stronger than other rifles, but damn the price differention is huge! Is it economies of scale, too few sold?

But damn that barrett is cool

Posted: 5/1/2002 4:31:52 AM EDT

[#1]

I think production is too low. You're right otherwise. The cost of raw materials isn't too much and even with three times the machining time they would be cheaper if more were made.

Posted: 5/1/2002 6:01:27 AM EDT

[#2]

It's a novetly item, why does a porche cost so much?

Posted: 5/1/2002 6:12:45 AM EDT

[#3]

They're expensive because of the quality. Nobody is upset when a custom AR runs into the $2000 dollar range, but when a nice custom .50 BMG runs into the $5000 dollar range, they're over priced? The number of .50's produced is tiny. Oly probably built more AR's last year than Barrett built .50's.

Posted: 5/1/2002 6:20:32 AM EDT

[#4]

Is it true that the military classifies the .50 as light artillery?

Posted: 5/1/2002 8:35:20 AM EDT

[#5]

no.

Posted: 5/1/2002 1:30:58 PM EDT

[#6]

becouse they can get it

Posted: 5/1/2002 4:47:52 PM EDT

[#7]

It's a niche product.

They don't make a lot and have to recover the cost of tooling. Also, they tend to be of better quality than your run-of-the-mill gun simply because they are such a specialized product.

Posted: 5/1/2002 5:50:25 PM EDT

[#8]

Yes, certainly the smaller number of 50s produced makes them much more pricey, but don't forget that a Barrett m82a1 (the one you've pictured) weighs 28.5 lbs (about 4 times as much material and weight as your average AR) and has to be machined and constructed to withstand 12,500 ft. lbs of energy generated in the chamber and exiting at the muzzle (about 8 times that of an AR).

Here's a pic from the Barrett site of an "exploded" m82a1, to show the constituent parts:

Posted: 5/1/2002 6:38:00 PM EDT

[#9]

Relative to the small numbers actually produced, I imagine .50 rifles would be real lawsuit magnets. Probably some of the money goes for insurance and lawyers.

And yes, the production being limited drives the price up.

But still...

I don't want to single out any one manufacturer, but a lot of these .50's are made out of tubing, stampings, simple "screw machine" parts, and commandeered military firearm components. To my eye, they look like they ought to be selling for about half the current prices, even considering the circumstances.

But what do I know?

Posted: 5/2/2002 9:35:20 AM EDT

[#10]

Simple supply and demand.

Last I checked, many places have a waiting list which is a few months long for a new .50.

Posted: 5/2/2002 10:12:45 AM EDT

[#11]

Regarding the small one or two man shops that are producing such rifles, never underestimate what another man's time is worth to them. When Tony Rumore first introduced his fantastic uppers, I'm sure a lot of people balked at his $865 price tag. It turns out that price was barely enough for him to break even, considering how much time and materials were required.

I've had my own foray into manufacturing and it's a real eye opener. Costs just seem to add up. It's worse if you have to send anything out for work. Unless you're a machinist with experience in producing firearms, don't second guess the time and effort required to produce something.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why are .50 calibers so expensive?

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