black friday nics checks down

What goes up, as they say, must come down. The FBI reported a record 203,086 NICS on Black Friday 2017. This year’s total of 182,093 represents a drop of 10%. While not a perfect indicator, NICS checks are a good thumbnail picture of gun sales volume.

As the McPaper reports . . .

This year’s numbers would make it the fourth highest day for background checks, slightly higher than the number of checks done in the days after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012.

The FBI told USA TODAY its peak hour for background checks this year was between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. where there were about 4.76 transactions per second and more than 17,000 requests poured in.

That roughly tracks with the year-to-date decline in NICS checks versus 2017. It’s also possible that with Black Friday sales starting as much as two weeks before the actual day this year, the purchases are distributed over more of the month now rather being concentrated on the day after Thanksgiving.

What did you buy this Black Friday (or thereabouts) and when did you buy it?

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33 COMMENTS

  1. Probably a fair number of folks who *bought* a firearm on ‘Friday of color’, but the NICS check won’t happen until the firearm is delivered to the local area. Suggest you revisit the numbers again in 30 days.

  2. More people have CCW licences now and do not require a NICS when buying a gun. Also, gun delivery times from online purchases will skew the numbers like Tim said

  3. Not really many guns I wanted were on sale truth be told.

    I did get a CMC trigger for $85 shipped though. That was sweet.

    • Yeah, ain’t that the damn truth? Why is it that the guns that always go on a mind-bogglingly good deal on Black Friday are never the ones I would actually want on any other day?
      🤠

  4. Been looking at pictures/road tests/You Tube of the Bond Arms Bullpup for the past year+ — never able to see one in person. Local gun store called me (I had put myself on their call list) and said they got (2) in on Wednesday — one pre-sold and one extra available for sale. I decided I better go see it while I had a chance that morning. After finally inspecting one I decided to buy it since they have been essentially non-existent on shelves around here, and I wasn’t entirely sure it would last ’til Black Friday.

  5. Waiting on a few guns to get released:
    Tavor TS-12
    Avidity PD10
    Schmeisser SLP 9
    And a price drop on one:
    FoldAR double FoldAR

  7. Didn’t buy anything. Just live vicariously through friends as I will get to shoot their stuff anyway, then hand it back and go home.

    I’ve looked at .300blk pistols for the last two years but obviously if I’ve waited this long I’m not that enthusiastic. If the military decides to go 6.5 Creedmoor some awesome stuff will come out downstream from that eventually, so gonna wait.

  8. Most of the good sales I saw were ammo or accessory related. The only deal for a gun I saw was a .38 LCR for 290. The rest of the sales/deals were for the usual schlock of Heritage revolvers, Savage Axis/Ruger American, 10/22’s, AR’s… either cheap guns or guns people already own.

    I have yet to see a Black Friday price for a gun I am looking at buying be lower than other points during the year when certain retailers have a blowout sale. From what I’ve seen, if you want to buy a gun that’s not a cheapo or super common like the AR or 10/22, don’t buy it on Black Friday.

    Unless it’s some sort of killer deal a lgs is doing. Mine had a price reduction of $50 on all used firearms they have, which sounds great, but every time I’ve gone to that place the past 3 years, I’ve seen the same used Hi-Point on the shelf with a $200 price tag on it. Even with a $50 off sale, that’s still more than what I would pay for a brand new one online.

  9. Stopped at Cabelas in Pa. yesterday and they had to put extra help on the paper work for purchasing firearms. Maybe the FBI’s report on background checks is as skewed as the FBI seems to be in general.

  10. This is the backlash from the recent “mass” shootings. If we had a different president with a gun control agenda, sales would probably be throught the roof.

  11. 1. Sales this year are down, mostly because there is no urgency to buy-(soon to be banned).
    2. Almost every Iowan has a perrnit to acquire or carry so no NICS needed.
    3. Don’t believe any figures government related.

    • Had a recent scare here in Florida. I think the biggest threat to gun rights is not at the federal level. There is no reason every state can’t be like California. I did my part and bought the last gun I wanted recently. I’m sure i will find another must have though

  13. ” 3. Don’t believe any figures government related. ”

    Always remember– nothing is true until the gubmint denies it.

  14. My store had deeper discounts on guns before Black Friday than it did on Black Friday.

    Guess when we sold the most guns?

  18. I would have considered exercising my 2nd Amendment right. But unfortunately in my “Eastern Bloc Socialist Police-State.” Our Local /State Law Enforcement Community and the State of Massachusetts have ursped our U.S. Constitutional/Bill of Rights, and have dictated to the MA residents that they DON’T have a 2nd Amendment Right–only a “Police issued privilege at THEIR discretion…” Let me remind everyone one from a News Article. Something that the Liberals want for the nation….Awaiting restoration of OUR rights…
    *********************************************

    Liberal Vox news exclaims that US Constitutional Infringements and Authoritarianism are the way to go for nationwide gun control. Points to Massachusetts Draconian gun control schemes that discourage gun ownership as best for the nation.

    https://www.vox.com/2018/11/13/17658028/massachusetts-gun-control-laws-licenses

  19. My refrigerator broke, the vehicles radiator started leaking, then the water pump went out, plus 4 new tires. Bathroom floor rotted out (X wife wouldn’t listen, ” Keep them gaddamn wet towels off the floor)”Winterized this shack somebody calls a house. Propane’ was $1.35 a gallon when I locked in. Grocery’s went up. New pair of boots, new grandson, the cat got fleas.. Broke my glasses. Still paying off my assault and battery charge,aint sposed to have guns until that’s done. So no guns for me this year.

  20. It is so liberating telling all my fellow POTG that I am a gay man. Thanks for letting embracing me for who I am! Especially you, Dan. I don’t think you’d be so cool letting others know how vigorously I toss your ample salad ;-).

    • Doppelganger, I don’t end my comments with ;-)., I end them with 😉 .

      *snicker* 😉

  21. Didn’t get anything that required BC. Just an LR-308 upper receiver. (Aero Precision M5 Upper, 20” Ultra-Match 416R Stainless .308 Win 1-10T barrel with 17” Slim M-Lok Handguard) I like to buy my AR stuff piecemeal and assemble it myself, but for $240 shipped I couldn’t resist.

  22. Funny how gun Major share holders {Democrats} motivate gun sales and profits by espousing tighter gun Control with profit from increased sales going right into their back pockets!
    Buyer’s awaiting next round of Gun Control; of course when you have 10 or 12 stashed firearms and 10k rounds per firearm, budget might be a little tight

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