Doesn’t have a date but does have their old logo and a price of $189.50.
Comments on the article estimate that ad appeared in 1964 so inflation estimates that is equivilant to roughly $1,500 in today’s dollars.
So yeah, we have it pretty good with sub $500 factory ARs or ~$800 Colt LE6920s.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/06/21/potd-sporting-colt-ar-15-ad/#comments
Comments on the article estimate that ad appeared in 1964 so inflation estimates that is equivilant to roughly $1,500 in today’s dollars.
So yeah, we have it pretty good with sub $500 factory ARs or ~$800 Colt LE6920s.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/06/21/potd-sporting-colt-ar-15-ad/#comments
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Deleted member 113831
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Thanks for that. That was exactly what I was looking for. I know that a statement of charges for the Army on an M-16A2 was $449 in 1995. That was the only price comparison I had to go on.
PSA regularly has full rifle parts kits for under $300, so it really is amazing to me how comparatively cheap AR's are now.
That AD was from before FA'68 that changed everything. Back then you could buy guns through the mail. After '68 prices spiked a fair bit, and I remember in '76 a new AR-15 Sporter was around $500 retail.
Yeah, not to be too “tinfoil hat” but now is the time to buy all the cheap black rifles, parts, and mags that you can and future proof yourself.
The industry is absolutely flooded with cheap ARs and parts. This is even driving down the cost of the top tier ARs as well.
Who knows what the future will hold, but I would like to have everything I need for it and not worry about $100 magazines and other bullshit like that with the last “ban scare” after a national tragedy.
Also funny to think now “man, back then I would have bought every full auto I could and register them”. But even back then they weren’t cheap and it wouldn’t be easy to bankroll multiple of them to register. Yeah full autos were cheaper than now, but it would be hard to know the prices they would be at 20-30 years later.
The industry is absolutely flooded with cheap ARs and parts. This is even driving down the cost of the top tier ARs as well.
Who knows what the future will hold, but I would like to have everything I need for it and not worry about $100 magazines and other bullshit like that with the last “ban scare” after a national tragedy.
Also funny to think now “man, back then I would have bought every full auto I could and register them”. But even back then they weren’t cheap and it wouldn’t be easy to bankroll multiple of them to register. Yeah full autos were cheaper than now, but it would be hard to know the prices they would be at 20-30 years later.
My first one in 69 was 175 out the door with Indiana sale tax. 1975 they were 190 a pop in Lakeland Fla, By 78 they were 200 a pop. I bought two an form 1'ed one the gun a stamp were the same money. Build a few more until 5-19-85, they are worth slightly more these day,... so I'm told. When Ray-Gun came in they jumped 25-30% over night.
Talk about depreciation, all the AR I bought from around 2002-2010 have dropped in value by about 50%. Not time to sell but buy indeed.
Cheers
Cheers
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Deleted member 113831
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I think the financial types call that dollar cost averaging.
Hahaha, I like that better, thanx bud.I think the financial types call that dollar cost averaging.
Bought my first one in 1981 (still have it) from the Army Rec for $250...that was probably close to wholesale at the time.
Bought my first Colt AR-15 in 1972 also. It looked just like the one in the picture, except it had the "birdcage" flash suppressor. Being a poor law student at the time I had to finance it - $20 down and $15 a month for 12 months ($200 even - tax and finance charges included). That local shop usually had bandoliers of 55 gr. LC 72 at a very reasonable price too.
Around the same time, a coworker of mine, a Vietnam Vet sold me his 1968 4 digit serial numbered SP1 he bought as soon as he came back from his tour of duty. It has the 3 prong F/H and all of the very early features (no chrome chamber, no notches on the bolt carrier for forward assist, old style buffer etc.).
Fortunately, I didn't booger up the rifle after all of these years, kept it original. I still have it. In excellent shape. Probably less than 500 rounds through it.
I got a Colt AR-15 sporter in 1973 for $149 ... this was in Jacksonville, FL on the West side ... looking at other people's prices, my dealer must have been "desperate"
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Deleted member 113831
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Thanks for all the replies gentlemen. Here is a little perspective.
According to those of you posting here, a slightly above average cost of an AR-15 in 1969 was about $200.
Since 1969, the buying power of the dollar has changed so that $1 in 1969 would equal $6.85 today.
If you multiply the 1969 price ($200) by $6.85, you get $1370. This is the equivalent price of an AR then, in todays dollars.
Now, take the price of an AR today. As I write this, PSA has complete rifles on a "daily deal" for $469 with free shipping. Add the transfer fee and the total comes to right at $500 delivered.
Take $500 and divide by $6.85 and you find that the price of an AR-15 today is equivalent to getting one for $73 in 1969.
According to those of you posting here, a slightly above average cost of an AR-15 in 1969 was about $200.
Since 1969, the buying power of the dollar has changed so that $1 in 1969 would equal $6.85 today.
If you multiply the 1969 price ($200) by $6.85, you get $1370. This is the equivalent price of an AR then, in todays dollars.
Now, take the price of an AR today. As I write this, PSA has complete rifles on a "daily deal" for $469 with free shipping. Add the transfer fee and the total comes to right at $500 delivered.
Take $500 and divide by $6.85 and you find that the price of an AR-15 today is equivalent to getting one for $73 in 1969.
