Prices on current kits?

[ChrisPCook]

So, I am debating if I should get another parts kit from BRP....I bought a couple kits about 18 months ago for 450$ each, renumbered and lined out of course, but nice nonetheless. BRP's are obviously priced more than that, but do you guys think they are still an OK deal? I may build on it, or may just sit on it, from what I've seen in the short couple of years I've been buying things nothing goes down, it just keeps going up. The current prices might seem cheap in another 18 months...just fishing for opinions. I also like the short stub piece in front that is included, that alone will help make my build easier with the pieces I currently have (nice overlap). Chris...

[Bil]

I would check with Kirks-he mentioned a while ago that he might be selling kits that would go with his receivers.The problem I see with the BRP kits is that although they include some of the receiver pieces,there are also sections missing.Then you are in the situation of finding those bits ,there is already someone here looking for the rearmost piece with no luck so far.The BRP kits are mixed parts,although some of them are very nice.I think right now they are overpriced,except for the low priced ones.If you get one of these for @800 plus,then you need a rear receiver-$850 plus,you are looking at over $1600.I think you can do better,especially if you are doing this as an investment.BTW-have you checked out their 34 kits-some of them look real good,the prices are in the ballpark,and some include the receiver front.And no competition from yugo made stuff either. ---bil

[Wondering]

We have to face reality that the regular supply of kits has dried up. It had to happen sometime, with WWII having ended 62 years ago. There may yet be some dribs and drabs which will flow in, but I'm not counting on that. I did most of my "shopping" already.

Two to three years ago, I used to regularly find kits in the $450 to $550 range. (Excluding a recent purchase from BRP, out of all of the kits I purchased over the years, only one had any receiver parts.)

The prices have been steadily rising since then. BRP is the only vendor I am aware of that is still selling kits at all. The only other ones I have seen for sale lately are kits posted on boards or auction sites. The prices on gunbroker have creeping higher and higher, with some exceptions every now and then in the $600-$700 range. I've seen really average kits go for $900-$1,100 with no receiver pieces. But you know what? People have been buying them at that price so it appears that the market is heading in that direction right now, absent an influx of new kits. Take a look at the buy-it-now prices on gunbroker. Some sellers are asking $1,500 to $1,800 for a kit with scrapped receiver pieces, sometimes $1,100 for a kit without them.

Brian/BRP knows MG34's and their parts VERY well. In the past, he would cherry pick the parts kits for import prior to the other vendors. As a result, he's been known for having some pretty sweet parts kits. Brian also describes the kits EXTREMELY well. Most vendors will simply send you whatever came in the box and won't bother to tell you anything about it (if they know anything at all). Brian will give you detailed info and pictures on his latest batch of kits. If you are a connoisseur, Brian has parts and codes that collectors drool over.

If you want a good solid kit and aren't looking for something super rare, then BRP's lower priced kits are a good deal in this market, in my opinion, particualrly if you don't want to spend the next 3 months bidding on auctions trying to save $50. With his descriptions, you will know exactly what you are getting. If you want something super rare, he occasionally posts some pricier kits. For example, you should expect to pay more for a kit with 1937 or 1938 BSW, early pattern 4 hole barrel shroud. If you don't care about such things, then buy a lower priced kit.

Some additional words of advice--look closely at the for sale ads you find. A lot of people are puffing the descriptions of their kits to garner higher prices. Beware a listing for a matching number kit unless you receive excellent pictures or you are comfortable with the seller's knowledge and honesty. I have seen blatant refinish and renumber jobs being sold as "all matching, new old stock, WWII original". Once you've looked at lot of these kits, you can tell when they've been monkeyed with. There are a lot of period correct renumbers, and a bunch of post war renumbers. However, you don't expect to see high polished (and gloss blued) buffer rings with "matching numbers" that aren't even in the right font. Also make sure that you are not paying for original matching numbers when it's actually a bunch of questionable electric pencil numbers, or post war scrub-and-renumbers.

Also, if you are paying top dollar, insist on good pictures, not far away, out of focus pictures. Even with nice pictures, though, there are still some sharks out there. One guy on gunbroker was selling an "unissued" parts kit with an exceptionally beautiful stock. The pictured did show a stunning wood stock. The only problem was that the picture was lifted from BRP's website and that particular parts kit (a rare 1938 BSW kit) was still sitting in BRP's shop. Can you believe that?!?!?! The seller was someone named godave so beware if he relists it somewhere else.

Good luck and happy hunting.

[Bil]

You are right,the supply is running out.Especially for the original German guns.I think we will still see some bargains on the yugos,under 300.They will also go up.I think that we will be seeing some of the yugos coming to the markets like gunbroker,as some of the folks that bought them decide they are either too much work or the rear receivers are too much.There were a lot of them sold,much more than will ever be built[re-built,actually.As for the BRP kits-very nice.It is nice to see clear pictures,pics of the markings,and fair descriptions of each set.It takes extra time to set up an ad like that,but personally I would pay a little more knowing what I am getting ,rather than buying a 'pig in a poke'.There are still some bargains out there,just harder to find and not as cheap.Happy hunting! ---bil

[Wondering]

You are right,the supply is running out.Especially for the original German guns.I think we will still see some bargains on the yugos,under 300.They will also go up.I think that we will be seeing some of the yugos coming to the markets like gunbroker,as some of the folks that bought them decide they are either too much work or the rear receivers are too much. ---bil

Bil, are you talking about 34's or 42's? I do not believe that there is such as a thing as a Yugo 34. The Yugos made copies of the 42 (the M53) but I do not believe that they ever made 34's. A ton of the 34 kits we see on the market came out of Yugo arsenals, but they are former German WWII guns which were used/owned by the Yugoslavs. With a couple minor exceptions, they do not have Yugo parts like a lot of the mixed MG42/M53 kits that we see. One exception I believe to be the case is that some 34 wood butts may be postwar, but the buffers and collars are German. The other non-German 34 part that I've seen is a post war Czech bipod. Other than that, my MG34 parts kits have always had WWII German parts. I have never seen a 34 part with a Yugo makers mark.

[Bil]

You are right-I was unclear about that.I know the yugos didn't make any 34s,I was refering to the availlability of all the kits.BRP has both,but the 34s are the real nice ones.I didn't see that I was in the 34 section.OOPS!! Still,I think now is the time to get your 34 kit,I was thinking of selling one but I am afraid if I did,I wouldn't be able to afford another. ---bil

[Wondering]

Bil, as I look back over your first post I see now that you were thinking of 42's there, too. Doh! Oh well, we cleared that up so at least the newbies won't be even more confused. Don't you wish we still had the edit function? ha ha

So to answer the original question, yes, BRP has nice 34 kits and the prices are decent for the run of the mill kits. You at least have the option of purchasing a kit from BRP with more rare parts, but you don't have to shell out the big bucks for rare parts if you don't want to. If you are looking for a specific makers code or year, BRP may be able to work with you on it. Be reasonable though; don't expect them to uncrate 50 kits this week just for you. You may have to wait until they work their way through the inventory. If you are an MG34 code whore like me, BRP has some heavenly stuff.

p.s. You also will get a good barrel from BRP. Brian is not going to send you a sewer pipe. He's pretty particular about that.

[jstrohm]

the kits at brp are nice i bouhgt one of the lower priced kits when they started getting them in and i am very pleased with mine and the barrel is in excelent condition as well as the rest of the kit. if any one is thinking about getting one i would, they are very nice.