AR-15 Makers Going Bankrupt?

Longshot231

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  • Mar 8, 2018
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    Long video but interesting discussion. Given this information, one should plan accordingly.

    For example, stockpiling ammo while times are good is a hedge against a famine later, when people start panic buying during the next manufactured crisis.

     
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    Reactions: 10ring'r
    Honestly, most of them are little more than assemblers. Very few innovators in the gun world.

    DD, BCM, PSA, KAC and maybe a few boutique shops will survive.

    The REAL problem is the proliferation of lawsuits against manufacturers that Commie States are allowing. The SCOTUS needs to put a lid on that shit, ASAP.
     
    The UNO reverse card was played

    Cheap AK's are now expensive

    CNC equipment has made AR15s to be very inexpensive.

    The vast majority of gun owners won't shoot 1,000 rounds in their life.

    They buy a gun for defense, shoot it once and stick it in a closet.

    Hunters - shoot 10 rounds to zero their rifle and then shoot 2-5 rounds each hunting season.


    I say this as most people would be happy with an AR made from recycled bud light cans and don't worry about 6000 vs 7000 series alloys.

    When building/ assembling it's the cheapest parts.... they don't know the joy of bending a charging handle as they got a $15 part that is very soft.



    Like anything, the volume / commodity place is very difficult to be successful.

    The vast majority of shooters won't buy an expensive AR

    Not a surprise that the mid price point new brands are not going to survive.
     
    Serious question. How many AR-15 are presently owned in the US? Even hardcore AR-15 owners have all they need or want.
    Demand has definitely slowed.
    This.

    Plus several stripped lowers to build out or trade if the need arises; and most of our rifles have at least two uppers, so no lack of diversity or spares.

    I’ve just been concentrating on training, and feeding those platforms for the long term over the past couple of years.
     
    Serious question. How many AR-15 are presently owned in the US? Even hardcore AR-15 owners have all they need or want.
    Demand has definitely slowed.
    This.

    Plus several stripped lowers to build out or trade if the need arises; and most of our rifles have at least two uppers, so no lack of diversity or spares.

    I’ve just been concentrating on training, and feeding those platforms for the long term over the past couple of years.
    In the video it was said that there are at least 20 million AR-15s in the US.
     
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    Reactions: 91Eunozs
    Yeah, but what about outside my shooting group?

    :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:


    In 2013 while I was at the Colorado legislature, they were saying that the AR-15 had been the best selling rifle in America for over 15 years. In fact if memory serves, I believe that statement was used during the Heller arguments must earlier in 2008.

    So add another 12-16 years and I personally think 20 million is a ludicrously low number……
     
    This.

    Plus several stripped lowers to build out or trade if the need arises; and most of our rifles have at least two uppers, so no lack of diversity or spares.

    I’ve just been concentrating on training, and feeding those platforms for the long term over the past couple of years.
    Yep. I bet most "gun guys" already have the ARs they want and a few extra lowers in the safe just incase. Atleast that is my current situation. 10.5" 5.56, 8" .300blk, and 18" 6arc scratch all my itches for gassers. People that don't shoot regularly but like the idea of having an AR for whatever reason have probably already bought them.
     
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    Reactions: 375fan
    Honestly, most of them are little more than assemblers. Very few innovators in the gun world.

    DD, BCM, PSA, KAC and maybe a few boutique shops will survive.

    The REAL problem is the proliferation of lawsuits against manufacturers that Commie States are allowing. The SCOTUS needs to put a lid on that shit, ASAP.
    And Seekins isn’t going anywhere. They’ve also expanded into other platforms
     
    The UNO reverse card was played

    Cheap AK's are now expensive

    CNC equipment has made AR15s to be very inexpensive.

    The vast majority of gun owners won't shoot 1,000 rounds in their life.

    They buy a gun for defense, shoot it once and stick it in a closet.

    Hunters - shoot 10 rounds to zero their rifle and then shoot 2-5 rounds each hunting season.


    I say this as most people would be happy with an AR made from recycled bud light cans and don't worry about 6000 vs 7000 series alloys.

    When building/ assembling it's the cheapest parts.... they don't know the joy of bending a charging handle as they got a $15 part that is very soft.



    Like anything, the volume / commodity place is very difficult to be successful.

    The vast majority of shooters won't buy an expensive AR

    Not a surprise that the mid price point new brands are not going to survive.
    I think you are right. My AR-15 and AR-10 are not dirt cheap but they are not the most expensive. But I find them reliable for the job expected. I have the Windham Weaponry Dissipator M4 A3 in 5.56 and I have the R16SFST-308 in 7.62 X 51 mm NATO.

    Both have that 4150M chromed moly barrels.

    The M4 A3 is light and just about no recoil, it is like shooting a PCC.

    The AR-10 has a little more heft to it but I could easily hunt whitetail or hogs with it. More likely hogs.

    So, yeah, I have not gone through thousands of rounds. I carry my M&P 9 mm on my hip every day and usually practice with one of my bolt guns for hunting. And even that is more dry fire than live fire.
     
    frankly can't see how most are still active. eg small shows in my local area,say 30 tables,will show 200+/- for sale not counting walk around tries. most seem assembled by Bubba inc. prices seem to remain high with general inflation playing a part. still asking prices are silly high IMHO when one considers the huge #s FS. of course new trucks are all over and many go 80K or +,so. most guys in know that want 1 have 1-3,some 6. do they get shot? unlikely. mags i see,of all kinds,in multiple,multiple 100s. ammo is common but less volume than i would think and prices higher than one would think.
     
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    Freakin Seekins basically has the Vortex warranty too. Drop your rifle off a cliff……they got you.


    They have taken care of me since about 2009 or so. A 300BLK build I put together from parts on sale for Black Friday 🤣
    Didn’t run right. They paid to mail it to them with some ammo rounds I loaded and factory rounds too. Diagnosed gas block off center and fixed it. They’re too busy to do that now they’ve said but it really made an impression. I’ve supported em since. They’ve handled a few other issues or found me builders kits.
     
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    Reactions: Holliday
    Our son built me one. Nice rifle, but one is enough. If I had a Vietnam era M-16 that would be nice but I can’t imagine what I would do with it other than to say I have one. Too, no, FAR Too many other things I need/want even in these later years of my life that 40-50 thousand dollars would purchase.

    Getting to the original subject. Go in virtually any gunshop, anywhere, and the wall(s) is/are filled with AR’s. I cannot believe the market is saturated.

    Second thought, I really wonder how many rifles are being sold in the local gun shops. Sure, places like Bass Pro, and Simmon’s in Bastrop, LA sell plenty, but the local fellows who were the coner stone of the shooting sports. How are they doing.
     
    When everyone was panic buying, 100 manufacturers (assemblers really) popped up to make a profit, selling products that they put zero innovation into.

    When the panic subsides, those "manufacturers" have no market base to sell to. This has happened at least twice in the last decade. If they can survive to the next presidential election cycle, the 'need' will come back.

    The big writing on the wall for me, is all of the bolt gun innovation by the truly large and innovative AR manufacturers (that aren't counting solely on government contracts).
     
    car manufacturers solved this problem by building cars that begin to develop issues after 3-4 years and last 7 or 8 years before they die, so you have to keep buying


    ^^^THIS is the example of the American consumer victim mentality.

    Someone held a shotgun to this guy’s head and forced him to buy a car.

    It is unfathomable to me how the most powerful purchasing demographic in the world, continues to believe they must eat whatever is served up at the trough, like good little swine.

    We are victims though. Victims of our own victim mindset. WE are the “weak men”…….
     
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    Reactions: mosin46
    This.

    Plus several stripped lowers to build out or trade if the need arises; and most of our rifles have at least two uppers, so no lack of diversity or spares.

    I’ve just been concentrating on training, and feeding those platforms for the long term over the past couple of years.
    Just bought a 3 pack from PSA 2 weeks ago. There 3 more for me.

    I don't even know what calibers I'm gonna make them. Maybe a 300 BO pistol. But who knows yet.

    Doc
     
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    Reactions: Longshot231