In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

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

FrogdogFrogdog Member Posts: 2,761 ✭✭✭✭
edited December 2008 in General Discussion
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.

Comments

  • toolsforfoolstoolsforfools Member Posts: 1,285 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    1976 30-30 marlin G C muphys dept store $130.00 brand new ONE BOX OF 30-30 AMMO 20 ROUNDS $6.30
  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674
    edited November -1
    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".
  • breakerdanbreakerdan Member Posts: 364 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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.
  • chaosrobchaosrob Member Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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]
  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
  • wundudneewundudnee Member Posts: 6,099 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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.[:)]
    standard.jpg
  • footlongfootlong Member Posts: 8,009
    edited November -1
    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[;)]
  • AnonymouseAnonymouse Member Posts: 4,050
    edited November -1
    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.
  • footlongfootlong Member Posts: 8,009
    edited November -1
    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
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,868 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • e8gme8gm Member Posts: 1,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In the late 60's I could buy 16 gauge shot shells for .12 each at our local hardware store.
  • o b juano b juan Member Posts: 1,941 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    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-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,453 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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.
Sign In or Register to comment.