I recently picked up a wasr from Atlantic and I think by the time I paid for shipping and the transfer at the FFL it was right around $950. Is it too much to pay for a wasr? Probably. But I wanted to get one while I could. I know prices have gone way up and that seems to be about the norm these days based on what I’ve seen online in a few places

 

True. Reasonable shops run on some thin margins.

 

I got it for $900 total so although I hated paying that much, like you said, Khubbs, that’s the norm. Paid $700 for one (3) yrs ago & thought that was really high. They probably won’t go down in price, ever, so though I didn’t need another… Who knows what’s on the horizon? Thank you fellas for the replies.

 

Any time you’re talking about scary black rifles, getting them while you can is a good move. I feel like that’s even more true with import AKs. Our dictator in chief could take away imports at any moment. Get them while it’s still an option. I don’t think the price will ever go back down but who knows

 

Scary black rifles! Oh, I am so glad I took off the scary black furniture in my Russian AK and replaced it with some nice and refinished wood furniture. It looks really nice dresssed in Russian red. Hardly "scary" . . . but, very effective.

 

Russian ammo was so nice it got banned twice. Same with the guns. I got regrets stacked up higher than the national debt. If you can safely afford it, buy it.

 

Yes sir!

 

different shops can get different costs. The more sales you have the more leverage you have with Century to negotiate lower costs. A small mom and pop may pay nearly sale cost to get a gun, while big online drop shippers may get much cheaper.

 

Any Brick n Mortar store has other expenses besides just the cost of inventory acquisition that has to be factored in...it cost money just to turn on the store lights in the morning. I'm not sure why people dont realize that when shopping at a small biz.

For whatever odd reason, firearm sales are not Up right now as would be expected with all the bs, and talk of bans, etc. People are holding $$ close to the vest.
My GB sales have literally gone flat and I was selling stuff at a loss or near zero net gain. It will rebound I'm sure, but now is not the time to try and talk any seller down on price, just take advantage of the fact you can still buy certain items...I fear it wont be very long now, when those days will be behind us and everyone will wish they had obtained all they could....

 

I think we're getting close to something snapping and breaking loose. Grocery and fuel prices are hitting hard and everyone is feeling it. Saw another increase in the local coupon magazine where a supreme pizza went from 17.99 to 19.99 in a matter of months, and a deli finally did away with buy one get one free sandwich coupon after.. well forever really. Then there's the mortgages and everything else.

I think we'll see non 'tactical' stuff hit the marketplace and at reasonable prices as things become more unbearable.

 

Not to thread drift, but the housing market is about to bust.

 

Good points all. I attempted to buy a WASR-10 a couple wks back from Classic Firearms when they had them w/ the Blk poly furniture for $699 on sale. Classic wouldn’t sell it to me because I live in The Peoples Republic of New Jersey. Sigh! Inherently that sucked but now I’m glad since I wanted wood anyhow. Yeah I paid $200 more but whatever. I was only willing to get the poly stock version since $700 & subsequently change the furniture.

 

I got the poly and took off the upper and lower handguard in the gun store and threw them away there. Stock had to get ripped off at home. Great guns but definitely have to replace furniture

 

Had the pleasure of helping an FFL friend of mine for several years. Was blown away by how little markup there was from almost all manufacturers. All the good money is made on "used" firearms and other stuff.

 

Any WASR under 4 figures is a deal these days. #€££, $850 buys VSKAs, RAS47, Riley Def. type stuff. Unless the sights are @ 45° to one another, ya dun gud, kid.
Seems like I was talking to AK Dan a while back about one, and dealer cost then was $600-800. So, sounds about right. If you're not buying dozens, you don't get much break. Most retail types need/try to double their $$. So, $1400-1500 WASRs.

 

Thank you.

 

In S.C. from a new gun shop, under a grand is a fair price these days.

 

Having an FFL myself for a while in the past, I can tell you dealers do not make much on guns. Distributors are usually pretty close on wholesale prices.

Large purchases allow for better shipping costs for the dealer. As with many online sellers who have lower prices they charge than brick and mortar stores, they have to sell a huge volume to make money.

If you buy online, make sure you figure in all fees, not just the cost of the item. Shipping, sales tax, transfer fee, credit card fee (many Gunbroker sellers charge credit card fees, around 3%).

Buying in person allows you to look at the item to check condition, stamps, etc. and you get it that day. I am in no way bashing buying or selling online. I have done both myself. I am just pointing somethings out.

 

I think that is reasonable margin for an AK-style rifle.
1. AK are slow moving items, in my area and at this point in time (after the riots and the pandemic). Since AKs are slowing moving, particularly compared to ARs, the shop's money/financing is tied-up long. Faster moving items can be slow at a smaller margin more items are sold.
2. Federal regulations on FFL are stricter and POTUS Biden instituted Zero Tolerance for paperwork errors. My LGS checks and double checks paperwork before releasing a firearm. They have a person/position to check a third time after the sale. Extra personnel means items cost more.

HTH

 

My wasr is plum/purple for…idk pride month or something….. super not scary