I was at the gun show last month the Chinese ones are going for 250,I remember when you couldn't give them away.

Anyone have an idea why?

scary military looking rifles are becoming more accepted, people are afraid the democrats are going to win.... people want an ar15 but can't afford one.

They're about 170 now.

When the zombies attack I'm not going to stake my life on that gas system.

I own about 8 semi-auto rifles and my M&P15 Ar-15 is currently at the 2nd to the bottom of the list and is likely to stay there forever. My Bushmaster M17s which is ugly but it does run 100% all the time on any ammo, with some mods the Bushmaster could displace the M&P15 as the basic potential in the gun is much greater(longer barrel, bullpup and Ar18 action).

Of the 8 semi-autos I own I'd rank them like this. Based on a mixture of fun to shoot, coolness, rarity, and reliability.

#1 M1 Garand
#2 Sterling AR-180
#3 M1A1 Carbine
#4 Romanian AK47
#5 Romanian SKS
#6 Romak PSL
#7 Smith Wesson M&P15
#8 Bushmaster M17S bullpup

I know several guys that have sent their rifles to him and have been VERY pleased with the results.<ul><li><a href="http://www.kurtskustomfirearms.citymax.com/catalog/item/29585/1134.htm">KKF M17 page...</a></li></ul>

Shortened the big nasty aluminum tube all the way to the gas port and lengthened the barrel tensioning sleeve. Fitted a clamp on AR-15 front site to that, but I have yet to get the rear sight and scope rail fitted. I need to rework the tension sleeve so that I can index it and the foresight to keep them aligned. Also fitted a folding fore grip under the front reciever. The front gets very hot there because the gas port vents right up front there. Next step is to make a charging handle that folds down onto the side like an FG42.

Also plan on making a leather padded cheek rest with a reflective aluminum backing to deflect the heat coming off the reciever after alot of firing.

Piston operated uppers are available and then you'll have the system you want on an AR platform.

Or you could go with the XCR that we talked about in AWOT or the Sig 556 (these are not AR's).