Yes this ^^^^^. I recall in the early 80's while in the Army at FT.Carson going to pawn shops and it being just like you mentioned above. I recall one shop literally having rows of M1 Garands on one side of the isle and M1 carbines on the other side of the isle in cosmoline your choice $99.99 OTD.I'm going the old guy route...I remember in the 80's when you could walk into pawn shops in the Louisville, Ky area, and find 94's, and 336's for $100-200....dang to have a time machine! (plus go back farther and buy surplus M-1 Garands)
By comparison, that $100-$200 in 1980 would equate to $380-$760 today, so...I'm going the old guy route...I remember in the 80's when you could walk into pawn shops in the Louisville, Ky area, and find 94's, and 336's for $100-200....dang to have a time machine! (plus go back farther and buy surplus M-1 Garands)
Well when you ask an obvious question, you'll get an obvious answer. Not that you did...generic you.
FifySearch around and you’ll find what you want at a price you'll have to live with.
There are only a couple that I wish I'd kept, and none that me awake at night. But there are definitely some that I wish I'd bought. I watched a buddy trade a Win 94 in .30-30 at an LGS for $200 one time...he offered it to me first but I was a broke college kid and couldn't afford it at the time. Still wish I'd found a way to come up with the money. I shot that gun a lot before he sold it, and it was probably what sparked my interest in levers in the first place." I should had kept that gun" I am sure we have ALL been there.
Pawn shop is the plan, thanks. While they do seem to catch on quick when market prices increase, I figured they’d be the best source of a rifle in rougher shape, that may be less desirable to most folks.Pawn stores can be good places to look also. A friend of mine picked up a .44 Mag Winchester 94 at a garage sale.
You might be pleasantly surprised if you troll Gunbroker long enough.Pawn shop is the plan, thanks. While they do seem to catch on quick when market prices increase, I figured they’d be the best source of a rifle in rougher shape, that may be less desirable to most folks.
Picked 1 up last week. A genlfied though for 550. I didn't think it was terrible. Plus really like the deer in stockYou might be pleasantly surprised if you troll Gunbroker long enough.
There are serious deals to be had.
They are just few and far between.
Rossi's get an undeserved bad reputation as far as I'm concerned.I got a brand new Rossi R92 .44 mag in stainless steel a couple months ago for $664, granted they are the bottom end of lever actions and I had to do some slicking up on it.
But yes I have noticed the same thing, but that said Marlin for example in 2019 was owned by Remington, and when Ruger took over the prices about tripled. But I also hear the quality went way up as well.
When the "tactical lever gun" fad dies out, prices will be back to normal.