Modern Varmint What IF?

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alberta tactical rifle said:
Can we please get this thread back on the rails? Some useful responses would be appreciated in order to help us decide which way to proceed.

To recap, we are asking if dropping the match grade barrel to a milspec type barrel and captured buffer to a conventional buffer and spring that would result in a price drop of our Modern varmint rifles by $500.00 to $600.00 would make the rifle affordable enough for more folks to own one?

These 2 changes would be the only changes we undertook.
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To answer the question you asked: Yes. Obviously it would make it more affordable for more people to own. The less you can charge, the more interest you will get from people. However, would the proposed reduction in price make a substantial number of people more inclined to purchase one? More than likely no. It's still going to be double or perhaps even triple what your average Canadian gun owner shells out on average per gun they own. It's just not enough of a price drop to grab the attention of most people. Even most NR black rifles in your proposed price point in Canada are only owned by the most hardcore of gun owners. Or a few with more money than brains. But your average guy scoffs at the idea of a 3000$ rifle, black or any other kind really. And there are plenty of them on the market. What would make your rifle any different? What would make it stand out over the other choices in that price range? What would make it stand out compared to those that are even more affordable? What would make a random guy say "I should drop a months wages on this particular rifle" when one that will cost him less than half of that will do him just fine?

If you could make your rifle compete in price and accuracy with something that your every day gun owner would think about buying (those 1.8 million canadian gun owners who aren't on this site and don't eat, sleep and dream about guns all the time like we all do) then you will hit a home run with it. Until then, your rifles are only going to be for the most dedicated, hopelessly addicted gun nuts found here.

TL;DR: If all you can do is drop it 500$-600$, don't bother. You won't gain nearly enough business with such a marginal reduction. Stay Gucci.
 
I like the idea, for me $2,000-$2,500 would be perfect. I understand that's likely a pipe dream though...

A stripped down gun that I can add the parts I want to would be awesome. Hand guards would be the hardest part to fit from my understanding due to how the barrel attaches to the MV is that correct?

Thanks for even considering doing this.
 
I'd consider getting a second upper for my MV for plinking with cheap ammo. It would be a nice option for those times when I'm introducing people to shooting.
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
Can we please get this thread back on the rails? Some useful responses would be appreciated in order to help us decide which way to proceed.

To recap, we are asking if dropping the match grade barrel to a milspec type barrel and captured buffer to a conventional buffer and spring that would result in a price drop of our Modern varmint rifles by $500.00 to $600.00 would make the rifle affordable enough for more folks to own one?

These 2 changes would be the only changes we undertook.
Click to expand...

I think realistically the answer is yes. A few folks will not be happy for some reason but who cares, you will sell way more rifles. I work in the firearms industry, and since you do too you should know that kind of a margin makes a big difference in sales. The thing is, if you just make a base model you can sell them in batches to other retailers in Canada and increase your sales substantially. Made in Canada at the average black rifle price point? Yes please.

Keep it simple to start. One base model in 5.56, and one in .308.
 
If you could possibly build one to be in the $1200-1500 range you would dominate the black NR market. I'm sure you could lower your cost to do it.
 
If you want to do it why not just add the barrel, forend, and buffer option to the build list? Short of changing the upper/lower the price won't come down enough to make much difference in sales numbers and since you already seem to have a hard time keeping up to demand I wouldn't worry much about it.
I see these as a high end product that you have to pay for if you want it. Kinda like Lamborghi making a $30000 econobox, sure it says Lambo on the hood but it's not what the company is known for producing.
There are already "cheap" options out there for the guys on a budget, why lower the bar to compete with the run of the mill when the product you currently make is on backorder due to the demand for it.
 
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Anything you can do to offer different price range options. Is a great idea. Sell lowers, complete uppers, no furniture models maybe?. They are gorgeous rifles in my opinion, and if I had that kind of money to spend on one, I would in a heart beat.
 
If I can spit ball here, here are some things you might be able to concider to drop the price more: what about deleting the ejection port cover? How about an a2 gas block sight with simple a2 handguard and lastly what about instead of a intricate folding handle requiring alot of machining a simple round suby handle( like a vz58 or a shotgun)?
 
i really think this will blow open peoples pockets. mine for one i say make it so as soon as possible before more legislation comes down the tubes
 
maybe a monthly payment option to spread out over 6 or 12 months is all that is needed for the working man can get into a new MV
 
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3K is a mental price block, as is 2K and 2.5K. That's the biggest issue for the possible life of the project.

Maybe duracoat the barrels or something a set colour to make them stand out and harder to confuse with the top tier, but there goes the price point again.

Ive wanted an ATRS built rifle before the MH/MV came out. An assembly line built AR, restricted, might be an affordable route to give the masses something ATRS. But for several reasons I can see ATRS not too interested in that route, either.
 
18 pages later.... and you know there is interest.

I would say the magic number you should try to hit is around $2500 in the range of XCRs.

Porsche makes Boxsters and Macans, Ducati makes ####ty Monsters. If you want to survive the economic cycles of Canada you better have a bread and butter line to stay a float. I fear economically things are going to get worse before they get better.

Having a entry level product will often be a gateway for higher margin products when people become more affluent later in life. Take advantage of the Non-restricted status and pump out the volume. Who knows what will happen down the road with the Liberal gov't.
 
@ATRS

Instead of putting cheap components in, why not consider a simpler "base" model that customers can add onto at their budget pace? For example if the base model was delivered with:

No stock, no grip, no handguard, no muzzle device (or TP), stainless narrow profile barrel, no Ambi controls , no installed dustcover, maybe no buffer, and basic black finish.

Then the buyer could "finish" the rifle at their own pace and budget but still have a quality build.

But to not devalue the MH & MV that are fully built.by you, this slim package would need to be stamped Modern Hunter VP (value package) or something else to ensure ppl cannot buy the cheaper version and then Masquerade it as a full shop build.
 
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