Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Private gun sales as an economic indicator?

I've always thought private gun sales were an accurate (if imprecise) barometer of the economy. Very little buying and selling from where I stand which leads me to think people expect an economic downturn and are hoarding cash. Gunbroker looks dead (as an example). Thoughts?

Hard to find a Fieldcraft anywhere. $4k isn’t even bringing them out of the safe.

Times are either good, or your barometer is whack.

🦫

I feel if people were really scared they would be dumping liquid assets and turning them into cash. I haven't seen that around here. Things here are typical of right after hunting season, the holiday money crunch and thinking about ice fishing.

I was in a LGS last Friday in Davenport, Iowa. The guy said that everyone is trying to sell but no buyers so the shops there have stopped buying outright. He said it was because Illinois has changed their laws so people were dumping guns.

I've avoided selling a few extra guns or ammo through 2 or 3 very lucrative markets. Even my wife said that if they're willing to pay that much, maybe you should keep it.

All indicators it "could" get ramped up.

I REALLY should be downsizing yet I just keep buying more. The bills are paid and they make me happy. Guns are like land, you never hear people say "Geez, I wish I had a lot LESS."

I'm done buying guns for the year.

Probably stock up a little more on 6.5 Creedmoor ammo but that's about it for gun related stuff.

I've noticed that too since last summer, a cool down from 2022 while 2020 and 2021 were the best ever 12 million new gun owners. I've seen many collectable pistols, rifles and shotguns come out of closets the last year never seen in prior years, just too many pick from. The high end collectable market was the first glue gun market slowing when deep pocket buyers were not bidding on American doubles, per-64 Winchesters and Colts. The hottest market has been M1 Garands, Carbines and WW1 & WWII 1911's that starting to down shift its demand.

Jeezus, "I'm done buying guns for the year" 30 odd days left. Hell I gone that long without drinking.

Next challenge?

I am noticing that some of us old collectors are all starting to thin the herd at the same time, and the younger generation doesn’t seem to be interested in What we have to sell, like sporterized Mausers…

Gunshop in Idaho Falls clearenced out all their chrisensen rifles at 50% off about a month ago. Mesas were $600 and Ridgelines were $900. They didn't even get them all sold. On Saturday they had a bunch of stuff 50% including a bunch of Hornady bullets and lapua scenars.

The place was packed but not too many people were buying the half price bullets. Me and one other guy took a lot of them but I was surprised they didn't all sell on Friday. They also had 8 pound cans of H1000 for $340. I got 2 of them and should have probably bought another. I was amazed to see it just sitting there. I was down to my last 8 pounder and I use h1000 in 243, 6.5 prc, 280ai, 7 wsm, and 7 prcand 300 win.

I couldn't believe the number of people who looked over the half price bullets and didn't buy a box. For example the 139g scenario were $24 and the 136g scenar L's were $26. The 200g 44 cal xtps were $15/1000 and 500rd boxes of 77g matchkings were like $85.

A few clowns couldn't resist making comments like are you going to buy it all but they bought nothing. I'm wishing I'd have bought more. I left a bunch of 208g and 195g eldms but took the 225s. Wish I would have bought more but I made the mistake of going to the coin shop first and loaded up on mercury dimes.

Not looking good on the economy when that many people pass up half price bullets and h1000.

Bb

Curious what shop this was in. I’m about 15 min north of Davenport and have been seeing similar things. Lots of shops even stopped taking trade in. No difference to me, but I hear a lot of guys on the Illinois side of river worried about the new laws they are enacting.

lol

Thoughts?

You are a broke dick cocksùcking Biden supporter.

Pawn shop/LGS says pawns are booming sales are declining. There’s your indicator.

People are selling everything including the kitchen sink CHEAP on facebook marketplace and craigslist around here. ATV's, snowmobiles, lawn tractors, trailers etc etc etc.. My brother has bought three good lawn tractors and a utility trailer off marketplace in the past two weeks because they were dirt cheap. He says he thinks people are just out of money, have maxed out their credit cards and are desperate for Christmas money.

Prices are sliding on rifles and revolvers. I am really seeing a decline on values for rifles valued over $1,000. Especially custom builds.

Not to disagree with you, but not everyone reloads. If they do, they may not need the match grade bullets or 8 pounds of H-1000, even at 50% off. I know the bullets would set on my shelf as I have no use for them. Powder, yes I could use it. As to the rifles. I'm not a fan of Christensen rifles so passing them up would be normal for me. The couple of stores I frequent seem to be busy most of the time. Seems they always sell firearms regardless.

B and B in Bett.