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Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2023 4:14 pm
by srothstein
I was in a hobby shop yesterday when a couple other customers started talking about Drivetanks Ranch and Museum. One former paid employee and one former volunteer said that Drivetanks will be shutting down and selling everything soon. I don't know what a 105mm Howitzer goes for these days, but they said they expect the Crazy Eights M4 to sell for between 4 and 5 million. Unfortunately, they do require ATF clearance for these as "destructive devices".
I am not able to verify this in any way, but if it is true and you want your own armor or artillery, you might want to start saving up.
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2023 8:27 pm
by powerboatr
srothstein wrote: ↑Sun Sep 24, 2023 4:14 pm
I was in a hobby shop yesterday when a couple other customers started talking about Drivetanks Ranch and Museum. One former paid employee and one former volunteer said that Drivetanks will be shutting down and selling everything soon. I don't know what a 105mm Howitzer goes for these days, but they said they expect the Crazy Eights M4 to sell for between 4 and 5 million. Unfortunately, they do require ATF clearance for these as "destructive devices".
I am not able to verify this in any way, but if it is true and you want your own armor or artillery, you might want to start saving up.
i could use a howitzer,,,, that would drive my neighbor back to IL
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2023 9:57 am
by The Annoyed Man
Do they have any Carl Gustavs? I’ve long thought that a Carl Gustav and 10 rounds of HE would make an ideal truck gun.
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2023 3:35 pm
by PUCKER
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:22 am
by gregthehand
As cool as that place is, I was worried it wouldn't ever make it. The cost to operate those machines and actually fire a round is just too high to really generate a steady flow of customers. Add in travel for people that don't live in the area, and it gets even more expensive. I'm sure a tank round (not sure if their tanks have the 75mm or 76mm gun) is really dang expensive. Then add in the $200 tax stamp for each round. Then add in the fuel to drive the tank around. Then add in the crew and other costs to operate such an endeavor. I bet the tank is $1000 an hour to operate without firing a single shot. Actually.... I went ahead and looked it up and then circled back.... It's $3500 to drive and shoot one round from the tank.
https://www.drivetanks.com/tanks-tracks/.
Also, last I saw, they don't let you fire the tank from inside the turret due to insurance reasons. They run a lanyard through the pistol port and you stand about 20' away from the tank and yank the lanyard. You get to see the muzzle blast and impact, but you're not in the tank. Having fired and been in tanks (Abrams) when they fire, not being inside the tank just robs a lot from the experience. I've also fired smaller howitzers (M116) and it's fun. But, they want a lot to do it.
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:32 am
by Rafe
gregthehand wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:22 am
As cool as that place is, I was worried it wouldn't ever make it. The cost to operate those machines and actually fire a round is just too high to really generate a steady flow of customers. Add in travel for people that don't live in the area, and it gets even more expensive. I'm sure a tank round (not sure if their tanks have the 75mm or 76mm gun) is really dang expensive. Then add in the $200 tax stamp for each round. Then add in the fuel to drive the tank around. Then add in the crew and other costs to operate such an endeavor. I bet the tank is $1000 an hour to operate without firing a single shot. Actually.... I went ahead and looked it up and then circled back.... It's $3500 to drive and shoot one round from the tank.
https://www.drivetanks.com/tanks-tracks/.
Also, last I saw, they don't let you fire the tank from inside the turret due to insurance reasons. They run a lanyard through the pistol port and you stand about 20' away from the tank and yank the lanyard. You get to see the muzzle blast and impact, but you're not in the tank. Having fired and been in tanks (Abrams) when they fire, not being inside the tank just robs a lot from the experience. I've also fired smaller howitzers (M116) and it's fun. But, they want a lot to do it.
Thanks for the detail. And, wow. $3,500 to drive a little while and fire one round. I would
not have guessed it to be that high, but when you break it all down and include maintenance, it makes sense.
And, yeah. Even if the only plan was to try to break-even with as a hobbyist pastime, ya gotta wonder what the business model looked like.
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:52 am
by JustSomeOldGuy
That's the problem once you're "out"; Uncle no longer picks up the tab for the toys......
Re: Some interesting firearms rumored to be for sale
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2023 7:32 pm
by srothstein
JustSomeOldGuy wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:52 am
That's the problem once you're "out"; Uncle no longer picks up the tab for the toys......
That is my complaint.
