RE: Walmart and guns- I don't see how they were making much profit selling the guns at the prices they do. When they can sell them for less than Joe Gunshop can buy them at their wholesale. Then add in the time they have to spend with the ATF going over their books 'cuz they sell so many....I can believe there's not much profit.
RE: Gun Prices. I have seen the high asking prices for used guns (like price is new price) and don't understand it either. It's probably always been that way, just maybe easier to see now with all the internet stuff.
There's probably a lot of uneducated people with money (a fool and his money...) out there buying what they want, and not shopping for it.
Look up any new gun on gunbroker.com and you will see prices ranging $100, or more, on the same thing. I can't figure that one out. They are on the same site with vastly different prices. I can't see how the guys with the high prices sell stuff, other than the fool and his money are soon parted.
I can see "asking" a price of what I have in the gun, (new cost, accessories, ammo, etc) but I don't expect to get it.
I think some people pay it, but these forum classifieds in particular, I think it's a starting point. Most folks will entertain offers.