Topic: Ammo Shortages

[Libertas]

Problem is I am a working dick.  7am?  I've been at work for over an hour already, and what are the odds stuff comes in on a Saturday or Sunday morning like that?  Unless I take a day off (which I do occasionally) and get lucky that morning, I could still miss the boat.

 

I miss the good old days when online and in-store inventory was plentiful...but those days could be gone, forever.

And I was poised to get my reloading equipment, now with runs on those components, here I sit empty-handed.   

As for the latter I might just put my order in and tell them not to send me anything until it ALL can be ready for pick up.

[AmericanPatriot]

I went to the local gun shop yesterday to pick up an item from the gunsmith.
This store has only been open a year, or two, at most.

The place is barren.
They had only 2 pistols and the walls and shelves were empty of guns and accessories. Almost no ammo.

I asked about a couple quick loaders for the revolver that was lost in the boating accident, some 38 ammo for plinking with that revolver (if it ever got dredged from the river), a holster for the Hi Point 45 I got a couple weeks ago.

Nothing, nada, zip!

They said they just can't get stuff

[Libertas]

I'll check Cabelas tonight and Fleet Farm again tomorrow...it has to be going somewhere, when I drive by the Federal plant in Anoka that sucker is humming 3 shifts...wtf is it going?!?!?!

[charlesoakwood]

Wouldn't they fill their biggest orders or supply
their biggest vendors first?  Even if they did it
perfectly proportional with sales exceeding manufacture
and distribution capability the big vendors are being
short supplied. That would cut independent shops down
to a minimum delivery.

[Libertas]

All things being equal and that was happening, wouldn't there be reports of massive lines at big suppliers cuing up to get some?

Perhaps Trap's example is really material here, friends of friends network in the outlets themselves getting  advance notice and by the time Mr/Ms Joe Blow Public find out the sh*t is gone.

And I think some of these super-hoarders are re-selling at higher rates, taking advantage of the situation.

Not necessarily opposed to impromptu capitalist opportunism, but heck, I am not clued into either of these circles, I want in!

 

[benb61]

All things being equal and that was happening, wouldn't there be reports of massive lines at big suppliers cuing up to get some?

Perhaps Trap's example is really material here, friends of friends network in the outlets themselves getting  advance notice and by the time Mr/Ms Joe Blow Public find out the sh*t is gone.

And I think some of these super-hoarders are re-selling at higher rates, taking advantage of the situation.

Not necessarily opposed to impromptu capitalist opportunism, but heck, I am not clued into either of these circles, I want in!

 

I'll slap a "Me Too" onto that last sentiment.

[Glock32]

I also think that in earlier times you would see upstart manufacturers entering the market in response to the demand. Our whole economic model is rather different now. Collusion between government and large legacy corporations keeps small upstarts out, whether it's automobiles or what have you. Who are the really big domestic ammo makers now? ATK (Federal, Speer, CCI), Winchester/Olin, and Remington/UMC. The Ford, GM, and Chrysler of ammunition.

Now it could be that the highly ephemeral nature of the ammo craze combined with constant uncertainty about future viability of the market due to threats from government is enough to dissuade any new factories springing up. But I don't know. Right now if you have something that will go bang and hurl a chunk of lead out of a barrel, you can sell it hand over fist. I really wish we had at least one more major manufacturer in the market.

And the foreign manufacturers, what about them? If I were them, I'd be devoting all my output to the US export market right now. I'd put other markets on the back burner. I checked on Sportsman's Guide the other day and a lot of ammo is showing a backorder date until September. This really is just ridiculous.

[trapeze]

Just to set the record straight...I have no friend in Walmart.

I went in and asked how to get my hands on some ammo and they told me what to do and when to do it.

It might be horribly inconvenient (it certainly is for me with the Walmart being 60 miles away)...I was in town for a rare business meeting...but there is this: Walmart has not raised their prices on their stuff. I noted the prices I paid for the .22 but everything else they had was in line, too.

And another thing: Sooner or later the demand is going to dry up. Sooner or later people will decide that they have enough of whatever round(s) they want or need and that will be the end of it. It's not like ammunition is food or water where there is a constant and never ending demand. It is simply not possible to keep selling the stuff like this day after day and not have demand satisfied at some point.

And when that point is reached, this will be a country that is armed to the teeth. Just speaking for myself, since the beginning of the year I have increased my ammunition reserves by something approaching 15% and I have added three guns. And when my AK47 build is done I will have another with another one following on its heels. Then I will begin my AR15 builds. And when that happens I will be building more than one or two of those because I will have to invest in jigs and some minor machining tools. I will almost certainly build half a dozen AR15s. Maybe more. My brothers-in-law will get some very nice Christmas presents this year or next.

Who knew that one of the side effects of electing a socialist/Marxist to the presidency would be an unbelievably well armed society?

[warpmine]

Picked up another case(200) of .30 06 yesterday for a $170 from supplier in Tenn. Good people at Robertson Trading Post. Flat rate shipping even on multiple cases.

22 rd. mags for Glock 22 came yesterday as well with the M-1 clips arriving today.

[Glock32]

I have recently ordered two commie spam cans of ammo.  Received one can of 1,080 rounds of 5.45x39.  According to its markings it was made in Frunze, USSR in 1979; today that is called Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan -- I think that's the country name John Kerry, who served in Vietnam, was stumbling for.  Still waiting for the 440 round spam can of 7.62x54R, supposed to be 1970s production from Bulgaria.

There's something kind of cool about the spam cans. They're a pain to open, but perfect for long term storage. I'm just collecting them one at a time and leaving them sealed.

[Magnum]

I am happy for some of you who have recently secured ammo. For me nothing,  I went all about town the past couple days and there is nothing. I even tried cheaper than dirt, again nothing. I am getting frustrated. How am I going to control the population of tree rats up at the lake.

From what I been told from the various gun shops I went to is that in April things should start getting better. I have not gotten a good reason why they are optimistic for April but that is what I am told.

As far as guns go.........not much in the way of selection. It makes me wonder if the guns that they have left to display are maybe the guns that are not, shall I say quality guns. For example I am looking for a 1911. The gun shop I went to had a Remington R1 1911. I liked the gun and was considering it. The salesman took me aside and told me Remington has had trouble with the milling of some of the components and there has been a lot of dissatisfaction with this gun lately. In fact the salesman told me in no uncertain terms do not buy this gun at this time. Again he like the others I talked to told me to wait until spring/summer..........

[charlesoakwood]

Doesn't Cabella's, Bass Pro Shop, Academy, WalMart etc. do mail order?

[John Florida]

I am happy for some of you who have recently secured ammo. For me nothing,  I went all about town the past couple days and there is nothing. I even tried cheaper than dirt, again nothing. I am getting frustrated. How am I going to control the population of tree rats up at the lake.

From what I been told from the various gun shops I went to is that in April things should start getting better. I have not gotten a good reason why they are optimistic for April but that is what I am told.

As far as guns go.........not much in the way of selection. It makes me wonder if the guns that they have left to display are maybe the guns that are not, shall I say quality guns. For example I am looking for a 1911. The gun shop I went to had a Remington R1 1911. I liked the gun and was considering it. The salesman took me aside and told me Remington has had trouble with the milling of some of the components and there has been a lot of dissatisfaction with this gun lately. In fact the salesman told me in no uncertain terms do not buy this gun at this time. Again he like the others I talked to told me to wait until spring/summer..........

Carolina Camera: The Sling Shot Man

[Dan]

I've recently purchased some stuff mail-order (which surprised me in MA), but it took, literally, over 1 month to get the orders.
They said they have it (not the issue) but they don't have the manpower to actually fill the orders! And they claim to be workin' 'round the clock!
My local shop has almost no pistols on the shelf, and they used to have at least 4 6' display cases near full at all times!
I have plenty of 5.56, .40s&w, .38spl +p and .22lr, but could use more 7mm Rem Mag, since I want to work on my distance shooting.
Ironically, the $ on that has gone down, when available.
But as far as April goes, my guess is it's just to keep you coming back. Everything else I've heard (which is no more official than your guy) is that it's hit or miss for who knows how long.

[Glock32]

Yeah I have observed that the rush is mainly on things perceived as having military utility, so stuff like 7mm Magnum is still available. I see it as an opportunity to focus on some of those great rifle cartridges. It's almost comical, they focus on demonizing the .223, meanwhile cartridges like the 7mm are several times more powerful and easily capable of taking large game beyond 1,000 yards.

I had the same experience with a month long wait. I placed an order with Ammo To go on January 14th and it didn't arrive until February 21st. They had a disclaimer that they were running 24-26 days behind and they weren't joking. Pretty much all the online vendors are in that predicament right now.

[Alphabet Soup]

Doesn't Cabella's, Bass Pro Shop, Academy, WalMart etc. do mail order?

I remember the run in '08. I ordered through Cabela's with the expected back-order. What I wasn't expecting was that they would notify me that they had shipped, billed me, then canceled the order saying that they could fulfill it. I had to argue with several CSR's before they gave me my money back. They're off the list - at least for me.

[trapeze]

Anyone looking for .45 Auto?

500 rounds of JHP by Remington for $375 delivered.

How about .40SW?

500 rounds of Speer 180 grain hollow points for $599 delivered.

[ChrstnHsbndFthr]

More than a BUCK a ROUND!!?? !!! that seems sinful to my cheapskate tail!!

Anyone looking for .45 Auto?

500 rounds of JHP by Remington for $375 delivered.

How about .40SW?

500 rounds of Speer 180 grain hollow points for $599 delivered.

[Glock32]

I remember being at gun shows between 1998 and 2002 seeing 50 round boxes of Sellier & Bellot 9mm for $4.99, and that's even brass cased with Boxer primers.  1,000 round cases of Wolf 7.62x39 for $65.  I wish I could have bought dozens of those.  When you can find them at all they're going for over $300 now.

[charlesoakwood]

Doesn't Cabella's, Bass Pro Shop, Academy, WalMart etc. do mail order?

I remember the run in '08. I ordered through Cabela's with the expected back-order. What I wasn't expecting was that they would notify me that they had shipped, billed me, then canceled the order saying that they could fulfill it. I had to argue with several CSR's before they gave me my money back. They're off the list - at least for me.

There was a bit of confusion at the Cabala's Sporting Goods store this morning.
          When I was ready to pay for my purchases of gun
          powder and bullets the cashier said,
          "Strip down, facing me."
          Making a mental note to complain to the NRA about
          the gun control whackos running amok,
          I did just as she had instructed.
          When the hysterical shrieking and alarms finally
          subsided, I found out that she was referring to
          my credit card.
          I have been asked to shop elsewhere in the future.
          They need to make their instructions to us
          seniors a little clearer!
          I STILL DON'T THINK I LOOKED THAT BAD