Michigan Joe Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 It must be really inexpensive to manufacture a gun nowadays. I mentioned on another post that Gander Mountain has the Marlin 795 semi auto on sale for $125 and after that you send in for a $25 rebate. So, you get this pretty nice gun for $100. OK, so how can Marlin/Remington make any money on that? What could their profit be, maybe $25? Given the fact that we, the gun owners, expect the guns to be built to last our lifetimes and the lifetimes of our children, or let's say at least 100 years, we put a pretty high standard on what we expect the guns to live up to. Most of the time if a company builds crap, they won't be selling guns for long. I think it is interesting that gun owners have, for the most part, accepted plastic being used on gun stocks and lower parts instead of wood and steel. We have accepted alloys instead of solid steel for the moving parts and upper receivers. Of course, plastic and aluminum are lighter than steel and if we had a choice for the same price, many of us would intentionally choose the plastic and alloy guns. Glock proved that without a doubt.So, gentlemen, through the use of plastic and computerized machining, have we entered an age where manufactured items, such as guns, have become so cheap to make that Remington/Marlin can afford to let us walk into Gander Mountain, slap down in effect $100 and walk out with a rifle that we fully expect to pass on to our grandchildren? Is this possible in a time when $100 is the cost of a tankful of gas for the old F150? Or, is it that overseas competition has forced our American gun manufactures to lose money on guns like the Marlin 795, and make it up by slapping some plastic and aluminum on the receiver and barrel and sell it as a "tactical .22" like my Remington VTR (which I dearly love regardless (or because) of its heritage)? I tried out my Sig 522 yesterday, and it shot and handled like a dream. But, it is made out of plastic and aluminum, as well as being so cleverly designed that if you were buying it in pieces at the grocery store, you could use the "less than 12 items" line. I paid $375 delivered from Bud's Gun Shop for that gun and feel like I got my money's worth. But are they making that gun for $75 or $50 as they must be with the Marlin 795? Perhaps I am just an old fart who simply has no idea of how modern manufacturing works nowadays. But $100 for a Marlin 795 just seems a little strange. Three magazines for the gun would set you back 60% of the price of the gun. Finally, I think that some of our gun manufacturers, such as Remington, have missed the boat by not bringing out new models of guns every year or so. We like guns and like to buy them regardless of how many we already have. It seems that Ruger brings out a new pistol model every few months. Yet, Remington has three nonbolt action 22's, (597, 552 semi and 552 pump), that it has been making for years and years. CZ, for example, just revamped its 22 line. Wake up Remington! You have this name that can sell guns, but you have to bring out some new ones. I've got my 552 and my 597 VTR, and am down to trying to justify a pump. Don't make it so easy for me to pass you up for all these other neat offerings, like the Sig 552. OK, Rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Perhaps they are selling them below cost to get rid of them. From my recent travels some handgun, mostly high capacity 9's and 40's are flying out the door. Everything else is stagnant. At another site of mine guys are starting to acquire complete 308 AR rifles for what uppers were going for a year ago. My local dealer says he's happy to make $50 per gun.I think part of the issue was manufacturers ramped up during the Obama craze, even casual shooters bought a lot of hardware and now those people are set, the market is flooded. Then there's guns like the Marlin you mention which there is probably a declining demand. Im seeing the ISSC Glock 22 for $229 at a local dealer.Then theres folks hard up for money and not buying or worse selling guns to make ends meet. Friday a guy came in to the shop I was at with a Sig P220 he had bought back in december. It was unfired, still wrapped up. Dealer gave him $500 and was selling it for $550 plus tax. (Which I should have grabbed)Just some before coffee thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FS2KSTD Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Friday a guy came in to the shop I was at with a Sig P220 he had bought back in december. It was unfired, still wrapped up. Dealer gave him $500 and was selling it for $550 plus tax. (Which I should have grabbed)SOLD .... What were you thinking? ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 dude I was forking over $1536 already :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FS2KSTD Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 dude I was forking over $1536 already :laugh:(Thinks to self ... I know he's going to justify this statement anytime now?) >:DI need another P220, new style with the tac rail ... wish I came across that deal! ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 (Thinks to self ... I know he's going to justify this statement anytime now?) >:D I need another P220, new style with the tac rail ... wish I came across that deal! ;D besides I was distracted with that damn OD green HK USP ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdavison Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Academy here is selling the sig 2022 in 9mm for 399 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmurff Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I think these plain jane semi-automatic .22 rifles are having trouble selling now, because of all the tacticool ones out there, even though many of the plain janes or fudd guns are excellent shooters, the younger crowd who until recent years were the target consumers of .22s, now want bling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I think these plain jane semi-automatic .22 rifles are having trouble selling now, because of all the tacticool ones out there, even though many of the plain janes or fudd guns are excellent shooters, the younger crowd who until recent years were the target consumers of .22s, now want blingPart of that i feel comes from video games. The younger generation despises wood on a firearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21rides2rule Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 i like both on a firearm (wood/plastic) and i think that both have their place, my marlin lever action is a blast to shoot dead on accurate looks cowboy cool etc but she is heavy for what it is 7-8ish pounds, then you have my m&p15/22 it weights 5pounds or less and i would be more willing to abuse it in my various trecks though the woods than my marlin due to the fact it should show less wear than wood (scuffs scrapes etc) btw wish i could come across some of these cheap gun deals can not say that i have seen to many out here but then again i live in tx and everyone and their grandmother buys guns by the boatload lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 I like both as well. For me nothing prettier than a 1911 or a revolver with exotic wood grips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techmike Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 I believe one factor in the shift to synthetic materials is the cost of wood. Due to the enviro-wack-jobs, wood is very expensive. Most of our common construction wood in the midwest is imported - from outside the USA. Exotic woods are more difficult to obtain, must preserve the rain forests ya know, and this is all pushing the manufacturers toward plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmurff Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Even makers who still use wood are using less expensive types. I don't know enough to figure out if it would up the chances of of warpping. I do like some of the laminates I've been seeing also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdavison Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 I saw a CZ .22 bolt action rifle recently, and while its not "tacticool", it was by far the finest, most well made bolt action .22 rifle Ive seen in over a decade. It was Anschultz quality with Weatherby looks. Absolutely flawless perfection.Ive got to add one to the collection.....and the price on them is pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imschur Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 I saw a CZ .22 bolt action rifle recently, and while its not "tacticool", it was by far the finest, most well made bolt action .22 rifle Ive seen in over a decade. It was Anschultz quality with Weatherby looks. Absolutely flawless perfection.Ive got to add one to the collection.....and the price on them is pretty good.How much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdavison Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Ive seen them in the $350-$400 range here. They really would be worth every cent. I was shocked at how well they were put together. Id seen their website because im a Dan Wesson fan, and never gave them much thought because the small pics on the internet made me think they would be similar in build and quality to a marlin. Oh no....no...The reciever and barrel was blued perfectly. Even, and the perfect color and depth. The tolerances were tight, and there was no machining marks or burrs. Lets put it this way....it was to .22 rifles what the Aston Martin DB9 is to automobiles. The stock was walnut, high gloss, and checkered with crisp even checkering. Ive only seen stocks like it on anschultz, weatherby, and maybe a few rare winchesters.It will probably be the next gun i purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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