SurplusRifleForum.org and a Rant thrown in for good measure

[1blue]

Well another great site is going away. What a bummer. The owner/admin for this site is closing down this November. Here comes the rant. As an old guy I appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a firearm that is made from metal/wood. These days if it isn't black plastic and cheap, then it receives no attention. I'm sick and tired of yet another Glock clone. I'm glad to see the High Power making a come back, also Rock Island's STK100 is interesting with an all aluminum frame. Really glad to see Colt bringing back some classic revolvers. I hope this becomes a trend. I'm so sick of yet another plastic piece of poop. Have to admit I own a few plastic firearms. But they are not favorites. Ok, now I feel better, thanks. Feel free to disagree.

BTW, this site is for sale... I could find out what he wants... Convert it to a brass trading site. Since the owner/admin here is AWOL.

[LEP]

Well, the fat lady, holding a Mauser, hasn't sung yet regarding that site, nor has she sent a last round downrange. :)
Note: You may recognize my handle there, as well.

[1blue]

Well, the fat lady, holding a Mauser, hasn't sung yet regarding that site, nor has she sent a last round downrange. :)
Note: You may recognize my handle there, as well.

From the owner, listed on the home page:

"Forum members: the hosting for the board ends on 6/1/2023 and the domain name registration ends on 11/11/2022

I've run the hosting/registration/software side of the forums, alone, for the last five years and with no one to step up and help. The wonderful team of active moderators have kept up the day to day running, and for them I am extremely thankful. I'm going to let the forum go gracefully if no one wants it. I'd rather see it go quietly instead of fight to keep it breathing another five years.

If you have a vested interest in keeping the content or keeping this forum running, and would like to make an offer to purchase it, please reach out to me, otherwise I will be letting the forum go when the hosting runs down."

***Actually, when the domain name runs out, the site will no longer exist. There will be no way to reach this site, whether the hosting systems are up and running or not... ***

[LEP]

Understood, however a new owner can step up & continue it. Hosting & registration can be continued, but the current owner is stepping back. Are you interested?

[Happyguy]

I wonder what it would cost to take over the site.

[LEP]

I've considered it, myself. Waiting for a reply from the current site owner.

[Happyguy]

Probably the right move.

[1blue]

I've been waiting for a reply for weeks...

[Happyguy]

You are the best.

[LEP]

Got a reply-anyone else get it?

[Happyguy]

Have we heard anymore on this?

[Happyguy]

Back to the top

[Happyguy]

Here we go again.

[LEP]

Here's the reply I got:
"It's probably going to be something along the lines of $800 for another couple years of hosting, and another $100 for the domain renewal for a handful of years.

But basically I would sell them the domain name/transfer the account over to them as it currently stands and they can be concerned about that later.

As far as an offer to take over the site right now, the last site I sold was for well over $15k, this one I would consider selling for a lot less. I've put years of work into it, as well as my own money, so I'm basically just trying to break even on the money I've invested. First person to come to me with an offer that does that, gets it. IN terms of a dollar amount, I'd like for them to decide what they think they should offer and then we can negotiate further."

[1blue]

I received the same exact reply. I think he has cut and pasted to avoid retyping replies. I don't blame him.

[LEP]

I replied a couple weeks ago, but no reply, yet. In essence I made the point of just continuing the site, but not purchasing it (as he hinted at) due to little or no income being generated.

[LEP]

Sight has been disabled by the owner. Let it die quietly, I guess.

[1blue]

Sight has been disabled by the owner. Let it die quietly, I guess.

The lights have been turned off and the door has been closed. There was a time when this site was a vibrant place... I've always loved holding a piece of history. Taking it to the range, even more. Times have changed. Has to be some black plastic firearm now...

[Happyguy]

I think we all love the old firearms, my collection is about 50/50 with modern and C&R guns.

[LEP]

My collection is over 95% milsurps. It may be noted in my sig line what I have. If the current owner isn't willing to let us continue, as is, without looking for a huge profit, so be it.

[1blue]

I might have been misunderstood. Here on this brass trading site, I would say that most, if not all here are interested in milsurp firearms. All of us reload and quite often for firearms where ammo is scarce or expensive or just as a hobby. But new firearm owners and younger buyers are more interested in modern firearms. You see it in every gun store, the shelves are full of modern plastic firearms. It is what sells. Therfore a website based on military surplus arms has an audience in decline. I recently came across 4 estate sales where I was able to buy lots of great reloading and casting stuff. However, this illustrates we are a dying breed. So I understand why SurplusRifleForum.org has closed "it's doors." Then as a side note. When I finally heard back from the owner, I believe he told me he wanted $15,000 to purchase it... No thanks...