Anytime I hear someone talking about spending over $1000 on an AR, or over $400 on a 1911, or over $200 on a 10/22.

Damn. All of my ARs have been over $1000 and the 1911 that I want is around $1400 (SA TRP). Yeah, I can find a 1911 that runs at around $500-600 or so, but I would then spend money on stuff like grips, sights, action spring, etc. I'd rather spend more money up front than go through all that.

But I know what you mean. My first handgun was an HK USP compact that I bought for around $600 almost 15 years ago. Now they sell for around $1000. Everything is more expensive nowadays.

It's just that the dollar isn't buying as much as it used to due to devaluation. Look at the price of food nowadays.

Price, and an individual's perception of price or value provided by a certain product, depends on a number of factors, most notably the Buyer's perspective/preference, the Buyer's discretionary income, and supply/demand of the product.

I think we can all agree that while the price of a product may seem ridiculous to one individual, that same price may seem totally acceptable to another individual.

Now, go forth and start stimulating the economy... because god knows our economy could use the assistance!! 

See?  In my book, that's ridiculously overpriced! 

My most expensive gun to date is $800 on a secondhand Beretta 686 Onyx.  And, I have to admit, it was hard, hard for me to pull out the credit card for that, despite it being a screamingly good deal.

I must be a complete moron then because i've spent more than $1800 on just an upper 

KAC urx 3.1
noveske stripped upper
noveske 14.5" chf barrel
pinned fsc556
kac micro front buis
kac micro rear 200-600 micro buis
wmd NiB auto bcg.

The worst part about it is.....it's not even put together yet.  I still have to buy certain tools to put it together

I must be a complete moron then because i've spent more than $1800 on just an upper 

KAC urx 3.1
noveske stripped upper
noveske 14.5" chf barrel
pinned fsc556
kac micro front buis
kac micro rear 200-600 micro buis
wmd NiB auto bcg.

The worst part about it is.....it's not even put together yet.  I still have to buy certain tools to put it together

Izanagi, I don't think you are a moron.  It's your money and your prerogative how you use it.  dubya hit the bullseye when he said that it's a matter of perception.

For me, $1800 on half a gun is ridiculously overpriced.  I'd rather buy 3 more WWII battle rifles, or 2800 rounds of M2 ball ammo from CMP.  For you, it's halfway to a dream.  You probably don't understand why anyone would fill their safe with obsolete rifles and 70 year old ammo. 

We can both look at each other and roll our eyes, and try each other's "silly" guns when we meet at the range!