How Do Gun/Ammo Prices Compare to the Past??

Frogdog

Say 50-75 years ago? I'm not talking comparing today's prices to then directly, but rather in a practical sense (i.e. was it more or less affordable to folks living in that time?)

I'd be interested to know. According to my grandpa, he and his brother would lucky to ever have more than a handful of shells between 'em growing up.

toolsforfools

1976 30-30 marlin G C muphys dept store $130.00 brand new ONE BOX OF 30-30 AMMO 20 ROUNDS $6.30

Nwcid

Well as for gun prices I think they are cheeper.

As for ammo I think now is is getting close to the point of what it use to be. From the mid 90's till 2005ish we were spoiled with SUPER cheep ammo on a level that I dont think had been seen before. The problem now is the supply and demand. One other thing that would level or keep prices down a bit would to lift the import restrictions and military surplus "bans/restrictions".

breakerdan

Some prices I know off hand:

Winchester 30-30 1950s new $80 approx
30-30 Silvertip ammo for 20 rounds in 1950s $3.50

32-20 blackpowder cartridges lead bullet 1920 60 cents
32-20 high velocity hollowpoints 1940s $3.50

S&W 357 revolver 1952 $125 compared to $70 or so for the M&P 38

Guns and ammo probably cheaper today. Inflation averages 3% a year and just last year I bought 30-30 ammo for 8.99 a box at Wal Mart.
Pretty cheap compared to wages in the 50s and a cost of 3.50 a box in those days. People didnt plink with big stuff back then, but they do now- I think that says something.

chaosrob

When I pulled my 10mm out of deep storage (I bought it in 1993)I had 2 boxes of winchester self defence ammo with it that cost 8.93 each box of twenty [:0]

JamesRK

In the late 1950s .22S was 45? for box of 50, .22L was 50? for a box of 50, .22LR was 55? for a box of 50. Shotgun shells were 10? each or a box of 25 for $2.00. The old man said shotgun shells were 5? each in the 1930s, but nobody had 5?. They would trade two eggs for one shotgun shell.

wundudnee

I have bought .22 shorts for $0.25 a box and shotgun shells for a little under $2.00 a box. Back when I was a children you counted how many shots you took and how much game was harvested. I still have qualms when I put a high cap mag in my AK and start shooting. I start wondering, "Ain't this thing ever gonna run out of boolits?"


Of course, back then ammunition had just been invented.[:)]

footlong

Here are some prices of Super Vel Ammo I have
This ammo was popular in the 70's and was the
pioneer of premium handgun ammo.
38Super 112gr jsp -11.50
357Mag 110gr jsp - 7.38
380Acp 88gr jhp - 8.49
44Mag 180gr jhp - 4.55
44 had 20 ctgs .rest 50
Also have a box of Winchester Winclean dated 09/11/99
230gr 45acp 50ct $13.94[;)]

Anonymouse

In the cowboy days, a Colt cost $50.00. A cowboy made about $35.00 a month. How would you like to spend a month and a half salary on one revolver?

As for now, they are cheaper than when my granddad and Dad where around, accounting for the ratio of what they would cost compared to the annual salaries back then.

footlong

228-I read somewhere once a Colt Peacemaker cost $20 when they first came out. I bought a Browning A5 12gauge recently NIB. Serial # says
it was made in 1967. Original price is still on the box at $177.50
I bought a Marlin 39A in 1968 from Sears. Paid $92 for it. Was working At the shipyard in Charleston as a first year apprentice in the electric shop. I was making $2.23per hr. Got drafted and after returning to the shipyard in 71 paid $72 for a new M36 S&W. Was up
$2.77 per hr then

bobski

a custom winchester model 21 in the 30's cost around 400.00.
that was almost 4 months income.
it would be like buying a 4 bbl san remo kreighoff k-80 today.

in the 30's, a model 12 would cost you about a months wage.

maybe thats why gun makers made them to last back then. no one would buy them if they didnt.

e8gm

In the late 60's I could buy 16 gauge shot shells for .12 each at our local hardware store.

o b juan

bought model 10 S&W 4" at hardware store when I was first hired as cop
in 1967 fo0r $65 new in box.. in 1972 bought chiefs special @ a Sears
for $83. remember payiong .25 cents for .22 shorts in early 50's

o b juan

select-fire

quote:Originally posted by e8gm
In the late 60's I could buy 16 gauge shot shells for .12 each at our local hardware store.


20 gauge low brass bird loads were 3 boxes for 4.99 on sale.