Buying a Gun: The Average Prices Explained

Are you shopping around to buy a gun? It could be the right move.  Buying a gun is a source of pride. It offers a degree of security in your home.

However, as any gun enthusiast would understand, you should never purchase a gun for the listed price. Like any other major purchase, there are safe ways to get a bargain on your gun.

Not sure where to start? Here are the average gun prices to help you shop around.

Handguns

On the low end, basic pistol models can cost between $300 and $400, while on the high end, collectors and utilitarian models can cost over $1,000. Vintage firearms may cost even more.

Certain brands are also more expensive than others. Commonly, firearms cost anywhere from $500 to $800 for a new model with basic features.

If you’re wanting additional features, such as lightweight polymer frames, custom grips, sights, extra magazines, etc, this will increase costs.

The most important factor when considering cost is to be sure that you are buying the gun for the right reason and that you can safely and legally use the firearm in your state.

Rifles

Average prices for rifles can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, such as the model and make. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 for a lower-end model to $2000 or more for a top-of-the-line model.

There are many types of rifles available such as bolt-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, pump-action, and more, so prices may vary depending on the type. Finally, the ammunition used with each rifle will also have an impact on the overall cost.

Gun accessories such as scopes, slings, and cases should also be taken into account when budgeting for a new gun. Check out this article about the benefits of buying used scopes instead of purchasing a brand new one for your gun. This will help you save money.

Shotguns

The average cost of a shotgun is $250-$1,500, and among them are the pump-action models that are popular for hunting and home defense.

Prices can vary dramatically depending on the type of shotgun and manufacturer, but at the very least, an entry-level shotgun can be purchased for a few hundred dollars.

Pump-action models offer a greater range of fire and accuracy, so they typically cost more, but semi-automatic models are available at lower price points.

Additional factors that can affect the price include additional accessories, e.g. camouflage, scope mounts, and the addition of special barrels for shooting rifled slugs and sabot ammunition. 

Machine Guns

Average prices range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the gun. For example, Original military M-16s, which are highly sought after, can cost anywhere from $10,000 to over $15,000.

Original civilian AR-15s, which are similar to M-16s but modified for semi-automatic fire, typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000. Bargain “knock-off” versions of these guns can be found for significantly less.

Most machine guns other than AR-15s and M-16s will cost substantially more than civilian versions of those guns. So if you’re looking to buy a machine gun, you can expect to pay top dollar for it.

Learn the Average Prices of Buying a Gun Today

Overall, guns are an expensive hobby but the cost is manageable if you do a bit of research. Consider renting a few guns before committing to buying a gun as a trial run. Prices will vary, so be sure to consider both online and in-store prices for the best deal.

If you’re ready to buy, shop around for the best deal by comparing prices today!

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