It seems any new gun right now when introduced first goes through a 'gouging' phase, just like the 650.00 SPFD SA-35's going for over 1K. The Pythons started off high and now I routinely see them 150.00-200.00 under MSRP, you just have to be patient and know they are going to go through the gouge phase.It`s only gouging if it`s a necessity and the prices being run up are causing hardship and suffering. For a firearm, it`s simply supply and demand. Demand is much higher than there is supply to meet it.