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Re: FYI: Steyr Manufactured Aug Pricing?

Posted By: ACE (ppp-69-219-180-80.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: 1/27/07 11:25

In Response To: Re: FYI: Steyr Manufactured Aug Pricing? (bpjunkie)

: the new augs are never going to be a steyr aug. i don't see prices dropping
: dramatically.

Agreed.
It's also wise for us to take a step back and realize that the market prices for original Steyr AUGs as well as most other black guns have been impacted by bigger trends than just the potential for newer, U.S. made versions of the same rifle.

The broader question is what has happened to demand and supply in all categories. Has the "total market" of potential customers which shapes demand been growing? How many of our younger generation are interested in these cool toys? How many of the older generations of gun owners are dying off or trying to get out of their guns in retirement because they can't afford to feed them? The moral: share the fun. Take your friends and relatives out shooting with you, and do whatever it takes to make it a positive experience. It's a great legacy.

From the supply side of the equation, the expiration of the AWB created a huge opportunity for U.S. made models from many manufacturers. Nowhere is this more common than the AK category because it simply takes less gunsmithing to make those models work. So Galil prices are probably under the most pressure. In the bullpup category, the FN90 has probably had an impact on the value of Steyr AUGs and many potential customers have simply never had the chance to hold and compare them side by side. Further, there are an increasing number of high end options in a 5.56mm rifle like the SIG 556 that will take market share from the Steyr AUG.

Now the Bad News and Good News:
We've watched the pendulum of political favor swing to and stay on the right for many years and gun owners have benefitted through more relaxed regulation then we saw during the Clinton administration. But now it appears that times will change and we're likely to see overall control of our nation's government swing to the left and that may bring us more restrictions on gun ownership. That means the AWB in some form may be coming back and the current legal structure that allows sales of US made "black rifles" will change and then supply will again be tightened. When that happens, we'll see prices go up again.

With all that said, it is important to note that the orginal Austrian made Steyr AUGs are unique. Supply is fixed and there will be no more. It was/is a great design. For example, the Steyr rifle barrels have superior metalurgy and are hammer forged. This is rare today.

While there were a few weakenesses or wear points in the Steyr AUG, the rifle works. Similarly, only time will tell if there are bugs to work out in the new US-made AUGS.

Sorry to go on for so long, guys.
Long live the AUG!
Best regards!

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