Pistol Prices

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EnderW23

New member
I don't know if I am the only one that has thought about this or not, but i was wondering why a center fire pistol that is 1200 dollars is only 400 dollars in .22lr. It seems like they are the same pistol but I don't know, maybe this is just my lack of firearm mechanics coming out. it seems to me that the .22lr version should cost more for the reason it seems like there would be more empty spaces to fill due too the smaller cartridge (smaller hole in the barrel thicker barrel walls). One of the reasons that has popped into my head as to the fact that center fires are more expensive is that maybe the higher pressures require better quality in material ie. higher prices. The other reason i came up with is maybe that the manufacturers spent all there time and money developing the center fire version and the .22lr version is just an after thought to make more money. I honestly do not know why rim fire firearms are more expensive than they're center fire versions. i was hoping you guys could clarify this for me.
Thanks
Tyler
 
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Well, part of the answer is that everything about a .22LR is lighter duty than a centerfire ctg. The slide and firing pin springs are lighter duty, they use lower strength (and thus cheaper) alloy metals in the frame and slide, apply less rigorous tempering, and both of those make all the machining & fitting easier. A .22LR will also typically not have any (or less) hand fitting and will typically have more MIM parts than the larger bore siblings. In my limited experience with .22LRs I've also noted that they tend to have lower quality "extras": lessor sights, no mag well, lower quality grips, etc. I also suspect that they get fewer .22LRs returned with problems, simply because they are not subject to as much working pressure or stress, and returns are a cost of manufacturing.
 
I don't know if I am the only one that has thought about this or not, but i was wondering why a center fire pistol that is 1200 dollars is only 400 dollars in .22lr.
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I dont think that is really very accurate.

Bersa .380 vs Bersa .22lr are almost identical except for the obvious and the prices are darn near the same. In fact, if anything, I see the 380 cheaper.

A Ruger Single Six vs the Blackhawk. The blackhawk is clearly bigger/stronger but the new prices are pretty similar.


Can you provide a couple of examples? I cant really think of any that are 1/3 the price of the center fire version.
 
I think we need an example of the $1200 vs $400. Are you going model for model or just different models from the same manufactuer?

I agree with the others though, it's not always the case, but when it is, it's due to parts, materials and features.

The S&W 617 is not much different in price than my 686. Maybe $20 difference.
http://www.shoponlythebestfirearms....and-43oz-adjustable-sights-16419-p-26575.html

vs

http://www.shoponlythebestfirearms....nd-45oz-adjustable-sights-160578-p-26528.html


If you're talking Ruger SR22 compared to SR9 I think it's around $529 for the 9 and $399 for the 22?

I do believe there are some bigger differences in the prices of .45 or 9mm 1911s and their .22LR counterparts but there are a lot of things that can come into play. Match grade barrels, adjustable/night sites, forged parts, steel slide vs aluminum, even checkering.
 
Hello EnderW23,,,

Are you certain you aren't pricing a $1,200 centerfire pistol,,,
and a $400.00 rimfire conversion kit for it?

I have several (7) centerfire/rimfire pairs,,,
In all cases the rimfire version was as costly as the centerfire.

In some cases even more.

When I bought them 2 years ago,,,
The CZ-75B in 9mm cost me $499.95,,,
The CZ-75B Kadet in .22 LR cost me $599.95.

Or maybe you're looking at good 1911 pistols in .45 ACP,,,
Then comparing their prices to the cheap 1911 knock-offs in .22 LR.

Anyways, in my personal experience,,,
The rimfire versions are just as expensive as their (same brand) centerfire counterparts.

Aarond

.
 
That is definitely a good example, but that comes down to the model.

here's a 5" .45ACP sig 1911 for under $900.
http://www.shoponlythebestfirearms....gs-match-grade-adjustable-sights-p-28843.html

here's the 22 at $400.

http://www.shoponlythebestfirearms....wood-10rd-fixed-sights-191122fde-p-31028.html

So sure, of course you can find a 22 at $400 and then a center fire much more, but I can show the same thing with two .45 ACP chambered weapons.

5" .45ACP under $800 from Springfield.
http://www.shoponlythebestfirearms....ss-rubber-mags-hlstr-pouch-right-p-26005.html

And here's another .45ACP from Springfield for over $2600.
http://www.shoponlythebestfirearms....e-wood-mags-fired-case-37oz-ambi-p-25874.html

Basically it's just the model, which means certain features like I said before. Maybe a match barrel, forged internals, even front strap checkering is only on the models over $1K. Plus on top of that the .22 model will not need to be built as strong so the materials and maybe even fit and finish (I never picked one up so I'm not sure about that part) is what would make the price difference.
 
No one would buy a .22 for $1100.

Sigs are overpriced and Colts are overpriced. They are charging for the name. With the .22 you get closer to the actual cost as they sell with less profit margin.

I'm sure the mechanical aspects play into it as well, but I suspect the bulk of the difference is their choice to make less profit on them since they wouldn't sell otherwise.
 
Still at the prices you posted they are twice as much ... I would consider that significant
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absolutely. I agree with you there, I was just trying to show why (maybe) there would be a difference. But it's not always the case. in fact most manufacturers it's about the same price.
 
sig 1911-22 $419
sig 1911 $1100

colt 1911-22 $319

The two 22's you mentioned are straight blowback designs, and neither is made by Sig or Colt.

The Sig being made by GSG, and the Colt by Umerex.

I’ve had my eye on a couple 1911’s chambered in 22lr. … the Colt/Umarex and the Sig/GSG 1911-22.
At first glance, I like the Sig better. They offer a variation of finishes (FDE being my favorite) and nicer grips. They also look to be more similar internally and in take down to the “real” 1911. However, I have read about recent recalls and don’t want to purchase one just to turn around and send it back for a recall. So I guess I need to know what to look for, whether it’s serial numbers, upgraded parts, or both.
Based on some reviews I’ve read, Colt/Umarex 1911-22 owners are claiming their gun is made from “aircraft aluminum” while the Sig/GSG is made of some sort of “pot metal”. On the other hand, many say that, side by side, the Colt/Umarex looks and feels “cheap” in comparison. I’d like to be able to make this comparison for myself, but unfortunately none of my LGS’s have these models in stock at this time.
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You can go to this thread on TFL to read a comparison of the two: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469327
 
No one would buy a .22 for $1100.
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I think this response is the closest to being accurate. SOMEONE may pay 1100 bucks for a .22 but that market is pretty small.

We make a mistake in thinking that the cost of materials is the main driver of price. The cost of materials helps set the price FLOOR (along with tooling, production and shipping costs). But the actual price you pay is set by what everyone in the market will pay for that gun. Manufacturers don't sell it for less just because it's cheap to produce.
 
premium quality .22's ...are not uncommon at $1,000 and higher...

like this S&W model 41 on gunbroker..today ....

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=277884995

--------------------
a lot of "Bulls Eye" shooters will invest well over $1,000 in .22's from companies like Hammerli, etc.....here's a site...as an example...

http://www.larrysguns.com/Departments/New-Pistols/FONT-SIZE3-COLORBLACKB--HammerliBFont.aspx
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But to the OP's point....there is some simpicity in mfg'ing for a .22, differences in materials, etc ...in a lot of .22's where mfg's can get the prices down ...vs larger caliber guns...

and all of it is "market" driven..../ if you can get $ 3,000 for your guns ...why would you sell them for less...??
 
I'm pretty sure that's the Umarex with Sig Sauer name on it

That 1911 is not a made by Sig Sauer gun,,,
It's a UMAREX.

That answers the OP's original question,,,
In most cases it's because the gun is a cheaper rebranded pistol.

From the Sig Sauer website:

Sig P226 - MSRP of $993.00

P226 Classic 22 - MSRP of $626.00

That a difference of $367.00,,,
More than I would have expected.

Every other brand of pistol I know of,,,
The price is almost identical,,,
Or the .22 is a bit higher.

Aarond

.
 
Thanks

Thank you for all of the replies i really appreciate it. It had just been a question that had been burning in my mind.
 
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