I keep putting off a purchase, but I’m assuming due to recent events prices have skyrocketed again and availability has tumbled.
Say I want an AR-15 clone, something similar to the original military version with iron sights and nothing special. How much would it cost and how long would it take to get one? I’ve also heard of some companies that refuse to sell to law enforcement in states where civilians are not allowed to have them, and I’d prefer to purchase from on of those companies.
I haven’t put together a new AR-15 in a while, but from a cursory glance supply still looks plentiful and prices low at the moment. A basic clone like the Smith & Wesson M&P15 can be ordered online for under $700.
As far as companies that don’t sell to law enforcement in states with more restrictive laws, I’m not sure I can help you there, the only one I’ve heard of adopting such a policy is Barrett. They do make an AR-15 style rifle, but the pricing on that starts at almost $3,000.
If you wanted to get the full experience and build one yourself, still looks like a pretty easy market right now. Some of the online retailers I’ve used before (Brownell’s, JSE Surplus, Palmetto State Armory) appear to have lots of in-stock lower receivers ranging from as low as $60 to $300 and up, depending on how fancy you want to get. You can probably get an inexpensive barreled upper receiver for as low as $350, and a basic lower build kit including the trigger, buffer tube, assorted pins and springs, buttstock, and grip around for $100, so $560 plus a little bit of home gunsmithing is probably your rock bottom price.
As far as I can see, the brands who don’t sell to LE like Olympic tend to not be the cheaper ones. Above $1000 brands as far as I see.
The lower is the part that is legally a firearm, so you can get those and buy the parts elsewhere. It won’t be 100% to your specifications, but mostly. The upper will allow you to pick your caliber.
Speaking with a local gun store about prices, I was told the market is somewhat “flooded” at the moment. Keeping in mind that firearms seem to cost more here in California, I just purchased a Smith and Wesson M&P 15. A month ago I was quoted $699.00. Couple weeks a go they had a limited number at $549.00. While I missed that deal, they did order one for me and I paid $599.00. I could have purchased a kit below $500.00, but wasn’t familiar with the manufacturer. Back to the M & P, it’s certainly a more basic model, but I’m very comfortable with the quality.
The guns themselves are cheap and easy to get. It’s getting the ammo at a decent price that tends to be the problem.
I suspect that may change; the commodity prices of lead, copper and zinc seem to be on a pretty long-term slide. Since the huge jump in price starting in about 2004-2005 seems to be the biggest driver for ammunition cost, this would indicate that ammo manufacturing cost should be decreasing, and since ammo’s a pretty price-sensitive good (i.e. for the most part, people buy the cheapest ammo they can get their hands on), someone will mark theirs down once they get some wiggle room in their cost/pricing structure, and the prices will fall to some lower equilibrium.
As for the AR-15 issue; like others have said- somewhere between about $600 and about $800 for a new one, depending on what’s tricked out and how. And like some have said, you can build one from parts for somewhat less.
AFAIK Barrett is the only one not selling to law enforcement based on the state laws that apply to civilians. I think maybe they do build some small caliber stuff lately, but their forte is .50 BMG and similar large caliber/long range rifles. Those are priced in the several kilobuck range.
It’s not too bad these days. Certainly not cheap, but easy to find priced as low as ~$0.35/rd for basic quality FMJ stuff like Federal if you’re buying in the 1000+ quantities. Even cheaper than that if you’re willing to put up with Wolf. 
As an ignorant to firearms, may I ask why you have this opinion? The way I read it, these companies want the law enforcement only armed to the *same *level as the civilian population. Is that it?
Wolf is fine, just Berdan and sometimes a little dirty.
Sort of. But the difference between the “levels” is arbitrary and not based upon any increased functionality or dangerousness.
How many Americans, like me, believe the AK-47 (or a reliable clone) gives you far more “assault” rifle for your money?
Why do the firearm suppliers care if the law enforcement are equally armed as the civilian populace or not?
If anything, wouldn’t they rather the law enforcement branches have superior armament to the teeming masses?
Many firearms manufacturers sell to everyone, including those in law enforcement. If a state suddenly makes it illegal for people to own/possess their guns with the exception of law enforcement, it upsets the manufacturer; the manufacturer believes everyone has a right to own/possess their guns, not just those in law enforcement.
Case in point: Barrett. When California made it illegal for people to own/possess their .50 BMG rifles with the exception of law enforcement, gun owners were pissed, as was Barrett. Barrett responded by refusing to sell their rifles to law enforcement in California. They also refused to service them. (Link.)
The gun store/shooting range where I do my shooting has not experienced a run on AR-15 clones or ammunition for them. The prices are as others have described, $600 to $800, and they have models from several manufacturers in stock.
OK thanks for the clarification. Can’t quite reconcile that with common sense in my mind, but each (company, state and person) to their own.
And there’s also fear of retribution by the gun manufacturers. If, for example, Barrett continued to sell to law enforcement in California (after possession of .50 BMG rifles was banned for non-LE citizens), gun owners across the country would label Barrett as “traitorous” and boycott them. It would result in Barrett getting bad press and losing sales. Such a thing is not without precedent.
Here in Indiana, a very 2nd friendly state, ARs are very available and reasonably priced. Ammo too. The only thing still in short supply is .22LR.
I have seen no panic buying at all, like after Sandy Hook.
ARs are readily available in stores, and from individuals advertising online where I live in Wyoming. I think even my local WalmArt has a couple.
I’m not an AR guy, but $600-900 seems to be the range.
Yes, dammit!
I still don’t understand how this is a thing. It’s been years since the .22 pinch started, and yet somehow you still can’t find it at a reasonable price or in substantial quantity. Are there still that many insane survivalists who won’t stop buying until they have a million rounds in their closet? 