As an example for what it costs to add a new caliber:
- Handgun: including tax, BG check, etc: $655.90
- Optic: Free, it was a rebate
- New Apex Trigger (I put an Apex on every M&P): $190
- 5 more magazines: $213.24
- 500 rounds of ammo: $626
Total cost to add a new caliber: $1,685.14
I figure it will cost more than three times that amount to add a 300 blackout with an integral suppressor to the stable. Man, shooting is expensive.
16 Comments
Steve the Engineer · March 4, 2025 at 3:36 pm
A&P?
Divemedic · March 4, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Oops. Typo
BT · March 4, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Why an integral suppressor?
Divemedic · March 4, 2025 at 4:19 pm
What’s the point of 300 BO unless it is suppressed?
Noveske Rock · March 5, 2025 at 5:17 am
I encourage you to simply purchase an AR15 integrally suppressed upper in 300BO (YHM or other folks offer them – even available used on Gunbroker). The geometry results in far better ergonomics when using the weapon indoors. Price is around a grand new plus the tax stamp. Since they moved the BATFE stamp processing office from West Virginia to Oregon the turnaround time has dropped to about 60 days. By just buying the upper you can mount this on an existing lower and save $$$
Divemedic · March 5, 2025 at 6:51 am
Thats the plan.
Divemedic · March 5, 2025 at 6:52 am
The other costs would be ammo, glass, and tax stamps.
SmileyFtW · March 5, 2025 at 10:20 am
A friend in the firearms trade has told me the turnaround time is down to a few days, especially on subsequent applications.
Danny · March 4, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Agree – shooting is expensive. I’m trying to decide whether to buy annual membership at a range so unlimited range time each month unless there’s a match, maintenance, etc. Then I would be expending ammo regularly, buying targets and so on. Of course it would provide regular, beneficial practice. And I guess you could look at arms and munitions as cheap insurance.
You’re well under 2K for all that gear so I think that’s pretty reasonable.
It's just Boris · March 4, 2025 at 5:21 pm
The magazine price seems rather high. GunMagWarehouse has them listed for $38 per. Even with shipping and tax, would it really come up to $71 per magazine?
Divemedic · March 4, 2025 at 5:30 pm
I got them from GunMagwarehouse. There were 5 more, not 3 more.
Dindu · March 4, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Nyet! Bear Creek Arsenal has 300blk uppers for around $250.00. Mags are not needed and dies to fabricate from 223 are cheap and easy. Can, well it IS optional.
JB · March 4, 2025 at 9:00 pm
At age 70 I am over buying new firearm calibers. 9mm remains my EDC in an M&P. My Colt series 70 sees range time occassionally. A Ruger Security 6 357 accompanies me to the woods for hikes. A wheelgun has somthing about it that autos lack, aside for the mechanics of it. A Sigma is my only .40 and remains a safe queen. I do have an M&P 45 and an FNX 9, but the M&P 9 is the daily workhorse. And a H&R 22 revolver rarely sees daylight. Do I need a 10 ? Nope. A decade ago in an defensive encounter requiring drawing on my attacker the barrel of an 9 mm pointed between his eyes was sufficient to induce his retreat. I have no room left in the safe for more Iron or polymer, and no room for another safe. My long arms are standardized in .22, 5.56, and 7.62 and a .30 M1 Carbine. A 12 ga when a scattergun is called for is in reach.
Don Curton · March 5, 2025 at 9:31 am
for that 500 rounds of ammo – $626, is that all self-defense ammo or a split of self-defense and practice? You’re talking $1.25 per round which is ok for a few boxes of high powered JHP, but for range ammo that’s pretty pricey. Or is it just that pricey for 10 mm period?
Divemedic · March 5, 2025 at 10:07 am
I always keep 500 rounds of “war shots” on hand for every caliber, at a minimum. Range ammo is not part of that. Range ammo comes in at about 35 cents per round. Before I will use a gun for defense purposes, I always run a good amount of carry ammo through it. Otherwise, how can you bet your life on it working when you need it?
Don Curton · March 5, 2025 at 1:28 pm
10-4. I guess I’m just cheap, I usually only keep ~100 rounds of defense ammo and ~1000 rounds or more of range ammo. If the range ammo works, then I just need to shoot a limited amount of the more expensive stuff to satisfy me. To each his own, your metric is definitely tougher but more expensive than mine.
I also assume that in case of zombie apocalypse, FMJ range ammo also kills zombies.