Grant Stinchfield has some predictions for 2017 (1:20 above). The NRA commentator reckons we’ll see a “slight” drop in gun sales thanks to Americans stocking up in 2016. But the numbers “will rebound as it becomes easier to buy and use firearms across the country.” Yes, well . . .

Shotgun and AR-15 sales have fallen off a cliff, with enormous supply chasing greatly diminished demand. Handguns aren’t faring much better. And while Constitutional Carry continues to find Red State favor, and national reciprocity is on the legislative horizon, somewhere, and a conservative Supreme Court Justice may eventually restore the bearing of arms in “slave states,” California and other anti-gun enclaves continue to move in the opposite direction.

I reckon gun sales will continue to crater and then rebound — slowly — sometime in 2018. Anyway, let’s go anecdotal. Are YOU continuing to buy guns like you did pre-Trump? Or are you slowing down your purchases, perhaps waiting for the Hearing Protection Act or, more likely, further price reductions? Is your [assumed] personal gun-buying binge over?

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79 COMMENTS

      • I always heard this as “Break Out Another Thousand” in relation to the price of maintaining boats.

        In saltwater they’re a hole in the water into which you pour money.

  2. I’m not purchasing guns for the sake of purchasing I have a short list I’m working on, some of which are not yet on the market. As to the HPA I’m not waiting for it to pass (yes I think it will) again a short list of cans I’m working on.

  3. Probably never, ever will be done purchasing guns. I just ordered a Ruger Mark IV.

    My desires have largely been sated, however.

  4. Absolutely! In fact I just bought two for my birthday last month. I like to shoot and last time I checked, having guns is how to do it. They’re tools and you know you can never have too many. :o)

  5. I am lucky enough that all of my “needs” are covered and then some. Really for the rest of my life, any additional purchases are strictly because I just want whatever gun. Hopefully prices will drop a bit to make that easier…divorce hasn’t been cheap!

  6. I got the last of my ‘need’ guns out of the way last year during the Hillary scare. Actually, I didn’t plan to buy another gun at all this year, but found a really sweet deal on a Springfield 1911 I just couldn’t pass up…so I think lower prices will at least keep inventory moving for a while.

  7. Nope. But I didn’t stop buying as a result of the election, but rather because I’m about where I want to be in terms of type and caliber selection.

    Although, Mrs.C has recently expressed interest in .38 Super .. so we’ll see where that leads. And our latest purchase (last month) was driven by her, so we have a matched pair of home defense pistols. And she has encouraged my purchasing a few used guns as learning tools for gunsmithing. And she’s also talking about suppressors if / when HPA passes…

    I married so well. 🙂

  8. I won’t do anything differently. I bought another “last gun new gun I will every buy” last November and bought another “last new gun” again in December. I never plan on buying another gun and I have at least half a dozen “last guns” now. The political climate makes no difference to me because Virginia lets me buy the guns I want and the magazine capacity I want.

  9. I won’t do anything differently. I bought another “last gun new gun I will every buy” last November and bought another “last new gun” again in December. I never plan on buying another gun and I have at least half a dozen “last guns” now. The political climate makes no difference to me because Virginia lets me buy the guns I want and the magazine capacity I want.

  11. less guns now, and more parts. I no longer have to rush to acquire the parts with the serial numbers.

  12. Got into guns late in the game. Was always a ‘someday’ thing where I would buy the typical MSR, bedside pistol, and shotgun at some nebulous future date. Sandy-Hook changed my mind on that reminding me of how fragile our rights are in this country. Spent most of 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 establishing a ‘collection’ in case I never got the chance. Now I am more relaxed, but still have items/calibers I don’t have to make a true ‘collection’. E.g. Don’t have any lever guns and no revolvers. Got a little time, though so it’s not a panic.

    • “Don’t have any lever guns and no revolvers.”

      My unsolicited .02¢ is when you finally do, you will think “I shoulda got these first!”
      Highly recommend.357 in both lever and 4″ revolver.
      They will also both shoot the .38/+P’s.

      • Yeah, I know. I’ve shot other people’s bolt guns (old Krags and SMLEs), some lever guns, and revolvers in .38 special. :). But I figured bolt guns, revolvers, and levers would be safe for a little while even under President Pantsuit. (Fudd-appeasement.). Now that the tacticool stuff is no longer five minutes from a ban, I’m looking seriously at lever-guns. Currently looking/jonesing for a Winchester 1895 in 7.62x54r for historical value. They’re pricey, though.

    • “Spent most of 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 establishing a ‘collection’ in case I never got the chance.”

      Jomo’s comment reflect’s my situation to a tee.

  15. Bought a 9mm Shield last weekend. Kept looking at it at the gun range, telling myself that if I had really wanted a Shield, I’d have bought one by now. Then, they went and pulled a trick on me. They marked it down $40.00. SOLD!

  16. I made some pre-Hillary purchases, which pretty much covers everything I wanted to buy. Living in NJ, my gun purchasing environment is probably more restrictive than Hillary would ever have created in the rest of the country (though California seems to be really pushing the envelope, moves that I can only hope NJ does not try to mimic), I was only buying early enough to avoid the extra high prices in case she did win. I can only hope that Trump and what his election promises for SCOTUS and legislative initiatives will break the current anti-gun laws in NJ and elsewhere, but not holding my breath…

    • Hey Leon,
      NJ is bad but nowhere near Cali. We don’t have a restricted list of pistols. Maybe we are limited to a 15 round max but just look at Armslist and see all the “off list” pistols being dumped by Cali shooters. We don’t have a Mass. trigger restriction or a magazine safety restriction and we can still buy Glocks.I try to take a “half-full” frame of mind and hope for National Reciprocity. If that becomes law a lot of the penny-ante restrictions will disappear in time.

  17. Slowing down? Quite the opposite. I’m way behind and now I have a (somewhat) steady income. I also have a gunshop who indulges me with layaways and great service. And a wife who approves of my purchases?

  19. I don’t trust the RINOs, the insane left or the low IQ voters, so I’m still buying — and if you’re in a position to buy but you’re not buying, you are living in a dream world.

  20. This is like asking my wife if she has all the shoes or pocketbooks she wants. I don’t “need” any more firearms but with many deals out there I have purchased several since the election.

  21. It’s my wallet stopping me not politicians. Also I am waiting for the hpa though I will probably stop collecting striped lowers at this point and start actually building them.

  22. Overall pretty set, I have enough lowers I need to buy uppers and parts but maybe another wheel gun or Savage 1907 or something…………………..

    • I had the opposite problem. Over the last twelve years I’ve either purchased or put together one upper every year, but only had three lowers. In 2016 I almost got all the lowers I needed. I’m trying my hand on 80% for the last three. No rush though. Primary Arms has had some great deals on parts.

  23. I’ve put together two uppers since November 9th. A 300blkout and a light weight 5.56. Bought one of those 80% lowers easy gigs to tryout. I will still be buying, but I’m done with AR stuff. Will be going back to old Eastern Block stuff and WW2 era. I’m going to wait a bit though to see if import restrictions will be eased.

  24. No more guns. Ammo and mags, mags and ammo, and the occasional spare parts order.

    The Globalists will not go quietly, and the former Nazi George Soros and his paid Antifa fascist armies are only going to escalate.

    Prepare accordingly.

  25. I only have a few that I really want to buy anymore. My only election prep was buying standard capacity magazines for those (I have a pretty good supply for the guns I already own). Right now my purchases mostly revolve around bulk ammo.

    • …ditto that!

      I see no need to add more firearms to the collection. Ammunition is more important right now due to the looming internet-purchase ban.

  27. I still have a laundry list of stuff I want but since I have a year or two to get to it when I actually have the money for it, no, I’ve slowed down some.

    I want an AK-12, PLZZZ bring down the stupid import restrictions…

  28. I made several purchases based on, time to get these “pistols” and file Form 1’s on them before July 13, 2016. No additional purchases made since. I am set, unless the NFA/Hughes act gets removed or an amnesty period is granted.

  29. Why on Earth would anybody be done buying with the prices that are out there now? Every store in America stocked ’em deep and now they are selling ’em cheap. Like I need another AR, (I’m so over them now it’s not even funny) but those pesky emails I get everyday from eleventy billion online gun retailers hooked me yet again. A Del-Ton in FDE or black for $399?…..yep. Send me one in each color please grabagun. Too bad Liberty or Cannon aren’t slashing prices too. I’m seriously needing more room to park all these pesky guns. My wife even jumped on the gun buying bandwagon. She bought me a Winchester 101 made in 1964 for Valentine’s Day.

    • Yeah I saw that… Grabagun does layaway too. THAT’S crazy low for a reasonably good Ar!

  30. LGS Owner 2 cents: Sales were very good in January, but so far, February sucks. Badly.
    Suppressors sales are very slow but we are stocking up in anticipation of the Great Suppressor Scare.
    Looking to buy an AR15? Great timing for the Consumer, prices seem to drop every week.

  31. I have a wishlist. It hasn’t changed too much since before the election, and I’m still working on acquiring the various guns on it at the same rate (“urgency” isn’t the right word) as I was prior to the election. Pretty much the only “panic purchase” made was an AK receiver. The price I paid for the receiver is still the same price it’s going for now..

  32. Still buying. Bought 2 since the election. Have a couple for sale that haven’t made the cut. That’ll be the kernel to fund the next purchase.

  33. There are a few pistols that will be dropping this year that I want. Lots of “assault weapons” that I’d like to get that I can’t, though maybe that will change with the USSC.

    Right now I’m concentrating on upgrades, customization, etc.

  34. No, largely because I have what I need. My money is going to accessories and food now.

    If the NFA is gutted though, all bets are off.

  35. I really didn’t buy any guns based on the election, only ammo which I invested in heavily. I’m looking to add a carry gun but I also would like to unload two others before I do so. There’s a couple of other gun purchases I wish to make but there in the future. So I guess the election hasn’t changed my buying habits.

  36. I buy when I’m interested. Never bought in a panic before, and I won’t now either. So my habits are unchanged.

  37. Pre-November 8th I bought a carry pistol, got permitted, and built a 300 Blackout rifle, on top of my AR-15 purchase and customization the previous year. Aside from ammo, I’m mostly satisfied, but I am open to finding a tactical shotgun to further protect my new home when budget and time allow.

  38. Nope, still trading though. Just swapped a GSG5 SD and 1000 rds of .22 for a JTS AK12 Shotgun.(NIB) Plan on using the AK12 for those dam Zombie Turkeys! (gotta shoot em in the head) Using tru glo gobblestopper choke. Was using a MKA 1919 XN but the 3 inch turkey magnums (1.75 oz) were hammering the crap out of the action. The AK12 has a zero gas setting perfect for the #6 Federal Turkey Thug magnum rounds. C’mon March 16th!

  39. Also, I think there is one or maybe 2 AR15’s out there already! 😉 Looks like the used market is booming……..

  40. No, I haven’t given up buying, I live in California. I need one or two featureless magazine fed, Maybe MIni 14 or M1A so they can outlaw these next. Also need to work on a non-detachable magazine semi, maybe tube fed thatt can be topped of like a Benelli M4 or maybe a old school Ruger 44mag carbine. Maybe a tube fed pump.

  41. Looks like I’ll need to buy a suppressor ready M17 with Romeo sight once Sig starts rolling those out, but honestly I’m about gunned out. All gaps have been filled, and I don’t really feel up to random range only toys I wouldn’t carry. Focusing on ammo and saving up for any NFA changes coming down the pipe.

  42. I became an AR-15 owner last year, partly due to pre-Hillary concerns. Of course now that I know how much fun a modern rifle can be, I want more.

    Wife and I have already blown this year’s wad, adding a sweet Beretta shotgun and Ruger revolver to our inventory. They were our annual anniversary gift to ourselves.

    Still lots on the wish list but will wait until 2018 to buy more guns. Still stocking up on reloading components though.

  43. I’ve admittedly slowed down a bit. Didn’t think I would but, after talking to some folks in the firearms industry, many recommended waiting until the 2nd half of 2017. The thinking was that dealers stocked up prior to the election and now have lots of inventory to clear, so prices will drop a bit as the year goes on.

    So my gun budget, for the moment, has been redirected to buying ammo for the guns I already own. And, of course, I’m also buying more reloading supplies so the shotgun won’t run dry.

    So, unless something really appealing comes along, I’m probably out of the market until June or July.

  45. No. Instead I’ve been buying ammo, now that ammo prices have dropped. Bought 4000 rounds of .22 and another ~3000 rounds of 10mm/9mm/.45/.44 mag just yesterday.

  47. I don’t base my firearms decisions on who is sitting in the White House, I base it off needs, wants and budget. I’m not going to max out my credit cards or drain my savings just because X gets elected vs Y.

  48. I completed my most urgent purchases during Obama’s tenure. At this point I am looking for two or three specific firearms for specific reasons — and I am in no rush to purchase them.

    What surprises and concerns me is how few revolvers I see on the lower end of the price scale in the used market. If you want a quality used Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 Magnum for $900, you can find those. If you want a quality used Taurus large frame revolver in .44 Magnum, they do not exist at any price statewide!

  49. I’m still buying at the same pace. Tax return should be in shortly, I’ll be heading to the gun store.

  50. Nope. Just as poor now as I was then.

    However, if prices go down significantly, there’s a chance I might actually be able to afford a budget AR-15 this spring. So my gun purchases might increase post-Trump; from zero to one, but every gun counts, right?

  51. I think I have most of my guns needs/wants covered, although I have been considering unloading a couple of them for other guns that may suit me better. But, I don’t feel like I need to make those changes quickly. There’s still some accessories that I’d like to get, but again, I’m in no rush. I’m also waiting to see how the HPA ends up before I consider suppressors.

    Now that it looks like PA will legalize semiautos for hunting, I may consider building a 6.5G or 6.8 SPC AR for that purpose, with the added challenge of making it NYSAFE compatible for those occasional trips back to my home state. And again, I’d be in no rush to start work on that project.

  52. Small safe combined with small gun budget means I need to sell some stuff before looking for something new. Plus, I thought the Hildabeast was a sure thing, so I made some impulse buys a few months ago. I make some room and pinch some pennies, and then, and only then, shall I be willing to buy another one, and it’ll probably be Ruger’s new GP100 in 44 special.

  53. No. The election had no influence on my buying decisions–but new California laws did. But after a lever gun, an 1862 Army, an AR15 lower and an AR10 lower (as a gi8ft for my son), plus as much ammo as I could afford, I am tapped out at this time. I did buy a kit to make faux ivory grips from Tombstone grips–lots of work, great project (that I will have to repeat when a new kit arrives because of discoloration in the right grip), a thread protector, and now need to buy a Thordsen stock to complete my AR conversion to featureless. (Thordsen just moved to a larger facility and is not filing orders quite yet.) Although there are at least three or four more guns on my “want” list, I suspect I will defer those desires in favor of more ammo. And maybe a variable scope for my .22 rifle (eyes getting too old for the fixed 4x scope that’s on it now).

  54. Yes I am still buying guns as I was under Obama. However, that’s probably due to the fact that I wasn’t panic buying before the election anyway.

  56. Yes AND No.

    It’s a work in progress spurred by our Washington state AG and the Party of Gun Control announcing a statewide Assault Weapon Ban (and magazine infringements). Fortunately, he announced this months and months ago. So I began planning. Getting my panic buying done ahead of time (makes me want to puke!).

    Strategery – Shifting “The Collection:”
    Before, I had a mix of a few pistols and a couple shot guns to go with my AR, HK USC, Sig MPX etc. (which is where my true gun interests are). However, facing a potential ban it would be best to pickup what I could of the ScaryBlackRifles(tm) and standard cap magazines.

    EVERYTHING else could wait for “later.”

    I’ve been VERY focused on my plan to the point where I’ve not bought extra ammo in months and I’ve been limiting range visits. Funds for that later. Focus on the plan now! Eyes on the prize and all that.

    Phase 1 – The Sell Off:
    First step was to raise funds by selling off guns I could pick up again later post-pan: revolvers, .22 target pistol, old Beretta Model 70 I never shot, unfired (inherited) SxS, a pump action 12 ga., my Robinson M96, etc. This inspired me so I raided my garage, selling off any tools or equipment I wouldn’t use. Lots of postings on craigslist and armslist.

    While doing this I did a lot of research on what to buy.

    Phase 2 – Rifle Acquisition:
    There was a bit of an overlap as I acquired new rifles as Phase 1 funds became available. I already had an AR, MPX, HK USC, and some other nice things. So I was looking to fill some gaps. What I ended up with was:

    – 1st Anderson AR lower
    – 2nd Anderson AR lower
    – PTR 91 (HK 91 clone in .308)
    – Bushmaster ACR
    – FN PS90
    – MP5 clone (9mm roller lock)

    Wanted to squeeze in a DS Arms FAL as well but couldn’t quite do it. Not enough fundage for Phase 3 if I did.

    Phase 3 – Magazines:
    With the PS90 just received and the MP5 “in process” the next step is to turn to magazine acquisition. I have a whole boat load of standard capacity mags I need to get: HK UMP (future conversion), G3 mags, more AR mags, MP5, PS90 mags, and some for my Beretta M9.

    The Future:
    In the future there are more guns I’d like to get (a nice bolt action, the Ruger Mk IV, um, Kel-Tec RDB Survival rifle, plus many others). But they are all things that wouldn’t otherwise be affected by an AWB. And I need to digest the recent acquisitions: Sighting in optics, breaking in the rifles, and that sort of thing. Plus, I’ve put off certain upgrades (PTR 91 wood furniture, red dot for the ACR, HK USC to UMP conversion, better rifle range bag, electronic ear pro, etc.) to focus on getting the rifles. Realistically, I’ll probably get back to those things before getting around to picking up new guns anytime soon.

    Now, as a result of our AG’s AWB push, this one gun owner has more than doubled the number of ScaryBlackRifles(tm) in his collection and I’ve been prodding my friends to do the same. Several have picked up AR lowers, and another is working on his own impressive “list”, too.

  57. Yes AND No.

    When our Washington state AG and the Party of Gun Control announced a statewide push for an Assault Weapon Ban (and magazine infringements) several months ago, I started planning.

    Strategery – Shifting “The Collection:”
    Before, I had a mix of a few pistols and a couple shot guns to go with some of my MSRs of various flavors (which is where my true gun interests are). However, facing a potential ban it seemed best to pickup more ScaryBlackRifles(tm) and standard cap magazines.

    EVERYTHING else could wait for “later.”

    Phase 1 – The Sell Off:
    First step was to raise funds by selling off guns I didn’t shoot or that could be picked up again post-ban: revolvers, .22 target pistol, old Beretta Model 70 pistol, unfired (inherited) SxS, a pump action 12 ga., my Robinson M96, etc. Also raided my garage selling off any tools or equipment I didn’t use.

    Phase 2 – Rifle Acquisition:
    As Phase 1 funds became available rifles were ordered. I already had an AR, MPX, HK USC, and some other things. So I was looking to fill some gaps:

    – 1st Anderson AR lower (just in case)
    – 2nd Anderson AR lower (just in case)
    – PTR 91 (HK 91 clone in .308)
    – Bushmaster ACR
    – FN PS90
    – MP5 clone (9mm roller lock)

    Phase 3 – Magazines:
    With the last of the list due in soon, I have a whole boat load of standard capacity mags I need to get: HK UMP (future conversion), G3 mags, more AR mags, MP5, PS90 mags, and some for my Beretta M9.

    The Future:
    In the future there are more guns I’d like to get (a nice bolt action, the Ruger Mk IV, um, Kel-Tec RDB Survival rifle, plus others). But they are all things that wouldn’t otherwise be affected by an AWB. And I need to digest the recent acquisitions. Plus, I’d put off certain upgrades (PTR 91 wood furniture, red dot for the ACR, HK USC to UMP conversion, better rifle range bag, electronic ear pro, etc.) to focus on getting the rifles. Realistically, I’ll probably get back to those things before getting around to picking up new guns anytime soon.

  58. I bought threw this month. An 1899 Krag fake carbine, CZ 83, and EAA Windicator in .357 with a 2 inch barrel. I wanted a beater revolver and so far it’s been pretty good.

  60. I didn’t buy anything but ammo during the Obama years. Got my first new gun in years between the election and the inauguration. I had needs covered and my wants didn’t justify paying panic pricing during the last 8 years.

  61. This post is directed at the site owners and resident gun testers. With entry level AR’s priced between $399 and $499, can we have an article on “best” or “choosing” an entry level AR? I bought an entry level Carbon 15 in a private sale at a good price about a year ago, when it looked like HRC had the election sewn up and I wanted to be sure to have an AR that had not been purchased through an FFL. But when I see S&W and Ruger entry AR’s for $499 and lesser name brands for $399 I ask myself why not another. As an AR novice I would like some relatively unbiased information on the many other brands.

    Other than that, I have specific additions on a wish list. Sig 238 and a .357 lever action carbine. The prices on these don’t seem to be coming down.

  62. Already had several guns & only planned on one purchase in 2016, changed into six somehow. Only planning on one purchase in 2017, a Ruger Mk IV 22/45 Lite Bronze. See how it goes.

  63. The man determinant of how many firearms I buy in a given year is how much of my paycheck is left after taking care of necessities. The person living in the White House might influence what I buy (for example, picked up a Russian-made Saiga right before the import ban went through), but it doesn’t affect how many purchases I make.

  65. I upgraded the priority of the purchase of a Walther PPQ M2 Navy so I could get it before the election. The price difference between the standard PPQ and the Navy model was only $50 which was cheaper than buying a factory or replacement threaded barrel in the future. With the threaded barrel, standard capacity and +2 magazine it made sense to me to buy it before the election rather than waiting to see how the post election winds were blowing.

    Now I just need to snag a good holster for the PPQ and start saving for a suppressor. Besides those items, I am am mostly looking at buying accessories at the moment. A good weapon light, pistol night sights, etc. I am also kicking around some projects like an AR-10 build or if I can find an AK builder class near by. I am leaning towards the AR-10 so I don’t have to buy another type of ammo.

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