E, respectfully disagree on your outlook. In my opinion there's no bubble set to burst isolated to the gun industry. If/when it bursts it will be when everything else tanks along with it. The rarer and harder to get rifles are showing a solid base of consistent pricing. As just an example the trying to get rid of prices here locally on things like a Rem 760 308, or a 5 diamond 300 Savage is around $950. If they want to get retail they will ask $1250, and will get it if they're nice condition.
Isolated to your Marlin example, you could very well be right and maybe people will come to their senses. Gotta be millions of those out there, and there's no reason for the prices being paid in the last couple yrs for something like a JM stamped 30-30.
Spring of 2020 I paid $600 for a real nice Rem 788 carbine in 7mm-08. I bought it because A: it's the only one I'd seen in a 7mm-08 plus it was a carbine, and B: I had witnessed regular rifle length 788's in 243, 308, go for as high as $900 at local auctions in that same time frame. Too high at the time, but that's what they brought.
Just watched a 788 Carbine in 7mm-08 go for $1650. I wouldn't say mine is worth more, but if that one brought $1650, the wood on mine is better condition.
The 788 Carbine 7mm-08 started out at $1. The Ruger M77 Ultralight I mentioned above that sold for $1900 started out at $300, so it wasn't ridiculous gouging asking prices, it's just what they sold for.
Isolated to your Marlin example, you could very well be right and maybe people will come to their senses. Gotta be millions of those out there, and there's no reason for the prices being paid in the last couple yrs for something like a JM stamped 30-30.
Spring of 2020 I paid $600 for a real nice Rem 788 carbine in 7mm-08. I bought it because A: it's the only one I'd seen in a 7mm-08 plus it was a carbine, and B: I had witnessed regular rifle length 788's in 243, 308, go for as high as $900 at local auctions in that same time frame. Too high at the time, but that's what they brought.
Just watched a 788 Carbine in 7mm-08 go for $1650. I wouldn't say mine is worth more, but if that one brought $1650, the wood on mine is better condition.
The 788 Carbine 7mm-08 started out at $1. The Ruger M77 Ultralight I mentioned above that sold for $1900 started out at $300, so it wasn't ridiculous gouging asking prices, it's just what they sold for.
! When I was looking for a 45/70 to play with last fall, I remember all the old tryed and true 1895 Marlins "pre COVID" that were at all the gun shows here in Maine were fetching $5/700 .
OMG. So my money went to an import instead of to Ruger ......... For the same money as a new Marlin I was able to procure a 1886 Pedestoli with NO extra safety, same as an original Winchester in the highly sort after Extra Lite configuration, in a Deluxe PG model with great wood. Very pleased with it. I am a Marlin collector for last 35 years. BUT I am 
not doing business with the GB gougers. This phenomenon won't last......... In the meantime I will just have to put up with this 45/70 till this foolishness is over
