Yep, right now is a buyers market.
Printable View
When I had the chance to play with a SPAS-12, I'm not sure if I could of figured out the manual of arms without instruction. I'm still not even sure how it worked. I just did what I was told.
The rising price of semi auto belt feds (and parts kits) is very interesting to watch. I am wondering if we will ever find the ceiling. I've watched 1919 parts kits go from $800 in 2012 to $2600 today. I'm told around the year 2000 they were $150. Lack of supply is driving some businesses to machine new 1919 parts. I think I see more new made parts becoming available every year.
Meanwhile, the average price of a full auto 1919 (non C&R) was basically stagnant for the first half of that same time period, and only in the past few years has the price gradually increased from $18k to $24k, but even then I see many sell under $20k. Percentage wise, I think a parts kit or semi auto 1919 has outperformed the full auto transferable 1919.
The price of water cooled belt fed parts are high as can be, yet the transferable water cooled machineguns (vickers, maxim, etc) are stagnant, possibly about to drop. I guess no one wants to drag those guns and their tripods out, fill them with water, and blast away. This doesn't apply to the 1917 though, collectors prize them.
It's actually kind of funny that it's so highly regarded in movies and games. If you have it loaded and set to semi or pump you're good to go. I couldn't imagine being in some type of firefight and trying to actually load rounds. It's definitely a learning curve between getting rounds loaded without jamming then making sure you've got everything set right so you can chamber a round and actually shoot it.
The water cooled guns aren't "cool" as the others, that's my thoughts. The people today that are collecting are younger than me, they want the cool stuff. That's one thing I fked up on were the parts kits. I never bought any. The belt fed 50 cal will always be cool and in demand. That's one gun I'm glad I bought, because I wouldn't be able to afford one today.
The minigun is what I always wanted, and the quad fifty. If I ever hit the lottery, I'm getting a 20mm vulcan or the 35mm.
For now, I'm going to take the fifty out this spring/summer for the first time in over ten years. I have about 900rnds or so I want to get rid of.
The shit just sitting around has a bigger chance on fouling then unloaded. And nobody likes to buy reloaded ammo.
I tend to buy both....EDC guns are Glock or Sigs it's cheaper to replace than an HK...1911s tend to be higher or mid level quality.
Since I generally consider a $500.gun as "quality," I will humbly admit to quantity, since I have no $1000+ purchases.