After the huge rise in costs from 2007 to 2010, both from inflation and an anti-gunner in the White House, I was relieved when prices went back down from 2010 to 2012, even better than 2008 prices in some cases. That was at least true for a lot of things. One thing right now that I think will have a big impact on prices is whether or not the feds really curtail ammo importation and what affect the small arms treaty will have in the international ammo market. The Russian ammo may be pretty cheap, but they have stuff that goes bang fairly reliably. The domestic manufacturers will have to stay honest with their prices a little more because of the imported ammo cheap cost, availability, and the improved lines that go bang a little better than their dirty stuff.
The end is near and you're already seeing 2012 prices on a few things. Those are mostly sales prices now compared to retail prices of 2012, but that's a really good sign. How about all of those $2,000 DPMS AR's out there