It's going to be for fun, and if you're willing to drop over 2000$ for an AR15 with more expensive ammo, restrictive magazine limitations and shooting location requirements, then surely you won't mind paying ~800$ for a (likely) non-restricted rifle with cheap ammo and no magazine or shooting location limitations.
Why do people buy AR15s at all then?
Well MY $800.00 is already put aside...
Now where exactly did you guys (boys?) get $800 from? Where? Can't hear you... where?
I would love to sell stuff to you guys...
You walk in:
"how much for that rifle?"
Me:
"Yes, sir, they are going for ..."
You:
"$800 OK."
Me:
"No, sir, they are..."
You:
"$900. well they are worth ever penny"
Me:
"Actually, sir, they are only..."
You:
"$1000? I figured about that. I'll take two."
Me:
"Actually, sir, they are only... ya... $1000... how did you know? But only because you want two and don't tell anyone OK?"
You:
"Thanks man! I won't mention it to anyone. What a deal!"
Me:
"Visa or Master Card, sir?"
Me thinking: hmmm... glad we hadn't posted the $500 price tag yet. And they say a sucker is only born every minute...
Now think about it boys. If it is currently $500 in the USA why would it be $800 in Canada? This gun is not coming from the USA but from Europe. The wholesale price for buying/ordering 1,000 guns versus 10,000 (whatever) is not a 2:1 ratio. Ya there would be a
bit of a difference. Can't see it being more than 10% or so.
Other factors:
The dollar. The US and Canadian dollars are at about par right now but I wouldn't doubt if TSE and others have already paid for or moved cash into Euros for the purchase when the dollar was even higher. (Canadian dollar was up to about $1.10 US) In the past when our dollar was at $0.80 US you could figure there would be a big difference in gun prices from the US but not now. This is a new gun and no Canadian dealer needs to keep the price high until old stock is sold.
The guns going to the USA (for the most part) will be with 16" barrels because of US law. Canada has no such law although some will want a longer overall length of 26" to be non-restricted. As such guns going to the US require more barrel thus more money. Especially if the barrel is made extra thick to have a suppressor look. How long will the barrel have to be in Canada with a fixed stock to make 26" overall? And of course a shorter restricted version (that I want) like what they show on there web site should cost less. That's the size they will likely be making the most of (for other non US countries) so the cost again should be less. Likely shipped in a smaller box too so more boxes per transport ship container so again lower costs.
Now if Canadian dealers were to charge too much compared to the US shoppers will buy from the US. Same as is being done right now with everything from food to cars and boats, etc. Ya, there would be a bit of paper work but it can be done whether you want one gun or ten for you and your friends. The more you buy the less this paper work costs per gun. Shoppers could also buy from other dealers in other countries where export paper work isn't required or is of even less cost.
It is better to sell 10 guns at $500 than 3 guns at $800. Say the gun (any gun or product for that matter) costs the dealer $350 (whatever) so there is $150 to be made at $500/sale and $450 at $800/sale. Sell 10 guns = $1,500. Sell 3 guns = $1,350. Would there be that much of a difference in number of sales? Hard to say but as some here have said that it is only a 22LR. Would there be ANY difference in the number of sales? Most certainly. (all numbers made up so calm down it's only an example.)
Canadian dealers while they do see dollar signs for bringing in these guns don't want to screw you big one time but at the same time loose you as a long term customer. Customer loyalty means dollars in the long run. Have you ever driven across the city, an hour out of your way to buy something from a store and people that you like and respect even though there was a local store selling the exact same, maybe even for less? A loyal customer is not something you want to loose.
My 4 cents...
Fudd