Class III Purchase, anyone done it?

[RoyJackson]

The deal I missed out on was when Vector Arms had a few hundred UZI receivers (pre-86 manufacture). The built guns were $3500.
As soon as they ran out of receivers, the prices of those rifles doubled...
So, I could have bought two (at $3500), waited a year and sold one. I would have had a sweet 9mm SMG for (basically) free.
Of course, even if you got the rifle relatively cheap, you got to have a healthy income to pay for the ammo.
If you want a class III firearm now, it's about $5K-6K just getting in the door.

 

[Podunkadunk]

Great posts guys! I appreciate the feedback. I'm still looking. I was down in Florida today (Panhandle) talking to some Class III guys.

Right now, I'm trying to work off a trade, not a dead even trade, but one to help squelch the hurt on my wallet. I have a 2003 Honda VTX-1800 in excellent condition with really low miles (about 6500), garage kept and some aftermarket accessories. It's a great bike and runs like a champ. Anyhow, new it was almost 13k. I can get 8k for it (fair and balanced price). Anyhow, I was throwing that offer around today. One of the Class III's calls a friend in Tallahassee. They talk a bit, then he hangs up and tells me we may be able to work something out. It's not a definite, but hey, at least I know it can be done. Of course I always have the option to sell it outright and cushion the shock of buying a nice M16, without having to "settle" for an auto that I really wouldn't have considered sans the price factor. Still 8-10k on top of that is a jagged pill to swallow, but I'm willing to part with the bike and the cash for a piece of history that will only appreciate further over time, because like all my weapons, I will take care of it.

Podunk

 

[keving]

I have a Cobray M11 that is full auto. I bought it, legally, about 10 years ago. It has appreciated about 6 fold. The Class III weapons are fun to own, but the escalating prices are taking the fun out of it. I would be willing to sell mine if you are interested. Obviously via a Class III dealer.

 

[Soundguy]

If you have a class III dealer nearby, that's the best source of info. The big catch is make sure you have a law enforcement official that will sign off the form 4 for you or you cannot go any futher.

If you have a class III dealer in your area that is still in business that's a sure sign that somebody is signing form 4's. And FYI.. a non signing sheriff does not completely stall ownership.. you can always go SOT or CORP... just more expensive and more paperwork.

In the county I live in.. I've had no problems buying items on form 4's.. even from out of state dealers... some sheriff's have been easier to deal with than others... but as long as you answer their questions and jump thru their hoops... it's usually nothing more than red tape paperwork and $$$

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

Also.. getting one before any bans come into place may be a worthwhile move...

soundguy

Great posts guys! I appreciate the feedback. I'm still looking. I was down in Florida today (Panhandle) talking to some Class III guys.

Right now, I'm trying to work off a trade, not a dead even trade, but one to help squelch the hurt on my wallet. I have a 2003 Honda VTX-1800 in excellent condition with really low miles (about 6500), garage kept and some aftermarket accessories. It's a great bike and runs like a champ. Anyhow, new it was almost 13k. I can get 8k for it (fair and balanced price). Anyhow, I was throwing that offer around today. One of the Class III's calls a friend in Tallahassee. They talk a bit, then he hangs up and tells me we may be able to work something out. It's not a definite, but hey, at least I know it can be done. Of course I always have the option to sell it outright and cushion the shock of buying a nice M16, without having to "settle" for an auto that I really wouldn't have considered sans the price factor. Still 8-10k on top of that is a jagged pill to swallow, but I'm willing to part with the bike and the cash for a piece of history that will only appreciate further over time, because like all my weapons, I will take care of it.

Podunk

 

[Sigarms]

Amazing.

Less than 10% of the retail price of a product added back into that same product for parts, and you now have multiplied that products retail value 10 fold.

Amazing what the law does for supply and demand.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm not sure it is a supply / demand issue.

The supply is there.. It's the demand that has been low.. up until now, since the supply is finally starting to dwindle as pre-84 fully gransferable guns are slowly becoming more scarce.

I think it was the licensing issues that kept them out of most people's hands.. that and financial issues.. etc.

( not everybody has a pilots license and an airplane for just the same reasons.. etc.. IE.. people not willing to jump thru govt hoops or pay thru the nose for a fast one... etc.)

soundguy

 

[MossRoad]

I'm not sure it is a supply / demand issue.

The supply is there.. It's the demand that has been low.. up until now, since the supply is finally starting to dwindle as pre-84 fully gransferable guns are slowly becoming more scarce.

I think it was the licensing issues that kept them out of most people's hands.. that and financial issues.. etc.

( not everybody has a pilots license and an airplane for just the same reasons.. etc.. IE.. people not willing to jump thru govt hoops or pay thru the nose for a fast one... etc.)

soundguy

I think you are correct. I had the opportunity to "test drive" an automatic weapon that a state police officer wanted to sell me back in the early 80's. It was fun, but I ran through $30.00 of ammo in two squeezes. That was a lot of money to me back then (still is today). The price of the gun was pretty reasonably, but he started telling me about the licensing and such. That, coupled with the cost of ammo, and the fact that I was newly married, etc... and I just didn't have the funds.

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. on many of the gun subs I read.. most of the average working stiffs ( us.. or at least me.. ).. find the financial aspect probably the most restrictive aspect.. and the govt 'hoops' the next. with 'supply' being the least of the concern.

Soundguy

 

[Sigarms]

I'm not sure it is a supply / demand issue.

Look at all those "pre ban" guns that were sold at "smokin dope" prices when we had the assualt ban, and what happened to those prices when the assualt ban expired.

Take a $900 rifle and sell it for over 10k just because it can shoot on full auto?

There's a supply and demand issue in there somewhere.