Ammo shortage easing or not?

[hueyville]

I had over 600,000 factory loaded rounds of mixed calibers before this started. Now down to half that. Not a single round was purchased online. So worst case scenario if online sales are banned in your state it provides you with an opportunity to finally build that lasting relationship with your LGS. In 35 years of shooting and reloading, less than 15% has been purchased online. My LGS appreciates it and shows it.

 

[Ignition Override]

hueyville:
The panic still baffles me.

Fear sells, especially when $calpers always help to Promote fear. Many of the sheep don't seem to realize this.
In July 2009, a single seller in Keene, NH listed over 45,000 rds. of Russian 7.62x39 on GB. I counted at least that much.
Interesting how he ended up trying to sell so much at once...maybe several months too late, long after the election.

The human mind chooses anxiety and negative feelings before it chooses confidence and positive thoughts.

 

[Spymaster]

hueyville:
The panic still baffles me.
Many people are no smarter than "monkey see, monkey do", yet we all laugh at zoo animals.

Fear sells, especially when $calpers always help to Promote fear. Many of the sheep don't seem to realize this.
In July 2009, a single seller in Keene, NH listed over 45,000 rds. of Russian 7.62x39 on GB. I counted at least that much.
Interesting how he ended up trying to sell so much at once...maybe several months too late, long after the election.

The human mind chooses anxiety and negative feelings before it chooses confidence and positive thoughts.

Baffled you are? Let me guess, voted Obama, twice didn't you!

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

hueyville:
The panic still baffles me.
Many people are no smarter than "monkey see, monkey do", yet we all laugh at zoo animals.

Fear sells, especially when $calpers always help to Promote fear. Many of the sheep don't seem to realize this.
In July 2009, a single seller in Keene, NH listed over 45,000 rds. of Russian 7.62x39 on GB. I counted at least that much.
Interesting how he ended up trying to sell so much at once...maybe several months too late, long after the election.

The human mind chooses anxiety and negative feelings before it chooses confidence and positive thoughts.

It's not 2009. Its 2013 and the ammo shelfs nationwide are empty. People are lining up to purchase ammo from anyone who has it. Long lines form long before the doors to gun shows open. Some ammo like 22lr has gone the way of the DoDo bird. There is a nationwide shortage of ammo and it will be a long time before we are back to normal as far as supply goes. Prices will not retreat to pre crises levels.

 

[readyeddy]

About a year ago there was a shortage of Chinese cabbage in Korea. They use it to make a type of coleslaw called kim chee. One head of cabbage was going for $100. I like coleslaw but I am not paying that much for one head of cabbage, same as I will not pay $100 or even $50 for a brick of 22. I just wont shoot if that's the case. There's other things one can eat and other hobbies to occupy free time.

 

[MattShlock]

I dunno... If the coffee supply were cut by 90% I'm pretty confident the price would go up by at LEAST the same amount. Meaning people would be glad to pay it. Kim Chee is coffee and steak roled into one in Korea. In fact, just announce the coffee supply'll probably go down due to a drought in South America and it'll go up that much almost overnight...

 

[Warp]

I had over 600,000 factory loaded rounds of mixed calibers before this started. Now down to half that. Not a single round was purchased online. So worst case scenario if online sales are banned in your state it provides you with an opportunity to finally build that lasting relationship with your LGS. In 35 years of shooting and reloading, less than 15% has been purchased online. My LGS appreciates it and shows it.

Most of us cannot afford to purchase ammo in the quantities neccessary to have tens of thousands of dollars in ammo.

But it's nice that you told us how much money you have.

 

[exbrit49]

Nice surprise this morning

What a great surprise this morning, The LGS called this morning and advised they had 1000 Small pistol primers for me. Went to pick them up immediately and was very pleased to find that the price was the regular price before all the panic buying started. Last week he called and let me know he also had 2lbs of Unique for me.
As far as I am concerned this is the way it should be! The LGS knows he doesn’t get all my business but that I am a regular customer. He had promised at the start of the panic that he would try and keep me stocked. He does know the amount and calibers I shoot on a weekly basis and he has kept his word. He has kept me supplied except for 22LR. I have not had to curtail my shooting at all! Still shooting 200 to 500 rounds a week, a mix of 38Spl, .357 mag, 45colt, 45 ACP and 9 MM
The LGS owner had some harsh comments about the ammo runners ( his term, not mine)that visit his store several times a week and grab everything they can. He went on to say that since the shortage started, he limited purchases to one box of ammo a day, ditto primers etc. Then he found that many were coming in with their wives and kids and each trying to purchase the max. He has now posted a NEW SIGN “One Unit per family per day! “ He said he has had a few negative comments, but he doesn’t even put all the primers and ammo out on the shelves, he is allocating to his regulars and reserving their needs first.
My type of LGS, it works both ways!

 

[MattShlock]

Most of us cannot afford to purchase ammo in the quantities neccessary to have tens of thousands of dollars in ammo.

But it's nice that you told us how much money you have.

I had seen that too and waived it off as playful fancy -- an individual doesn't shoot 100,000 rounds a month and anyone who needs to buy in that quantity sure as heck isn't going to the LGS, who isn't stocking that, and is nuts if they somehow are. By the way, if not alot of .22 LR it's a coupla hundred thousand dollars in inventory.

 

[Warp]

I had seen that too and waived it off as playful fancy -- an individual doesn't shoot 100,000 rounds a month and anyone who needs to buy in that quantity sure as heck isn't going to the LGS, who isn't stocking that, and is nuts if they somehow are. By the way, if not alot of .22 LR it's a coupla hundred thousand dollars in inventory.

And if they are doing it through the LGS...check that...whoever they go through...when you buy in that kind of quantity there are price breaks, discounts, and deals to be had that generally don't apply to those of us who don't buy more than maybe a case or so at a time.

 

[texasgun]

I think it's actually getting worse.... just came back from the WalMart in Factoria, WA.

this time: NOTHING but shotgun shells. nada.

last time I went there they had two 20rd boxes of defense .40 rounds.

this time. nothing. except shotgun shells.

 

[Warp]

I don't think going from 40 rounds of .40 to zero, and no other (noted) change, is enough of a difference to qualify.

It's slowly getting a little better. As it should. Manufacturers are still making plenty, supply is going to catch up to this demand eventually

 

[MattShlock]

No, I don't think so. Manufacturers will max out their capital equipment and skilled-employee overtime as well as inflated payments to suppliers only to the point of making as much profit margin as they deem reasonable based on market elasticity to pay more for the end product. They know this is a run. They will not invest much in new manufacturing capabilty.

Demand will slow down to production, eventually, and increased prices will help speed this up and fix the manufacturing levels!

 

[OilyPablo]

....just came back from the WalMart in Factoria, WA.

That's a heck of a drive back to Texas! I shoot at WCA in the winter (other side of the 90 right there). Don't even bother looking at Walmart. WCA had some ammo a few weeks ago, but WA state sucks in the distribution scheme of guns and ammo. We may as well be in the sticks. All the other stores east of the Rockies get filled up and nothing much even makes it here.

I have not seen any 9X18 for weeks. No 9mm either.

No it's not easing here. Not much anyway.

 

[Deer_Freak]

The Walmarts in the central NC area receive ammo shipments on Tuesday night. When the trailer is unloaded is up to the warehouse foreman and the priorities set by the store manager. Ammo shipments are so small that they can be transported in any trailer. It is possible that the store has ammo on the property but it is sitting behind seasonal products that require shelving to be set up before they can be unloaded. If you get in the store at 7 am on Wendsday and Thursday in few weeks you should have the ammo you desire. Find out about store policies. Corporate has set a three box limit but some stores have additional restrictions. The store manager at the Walmart in Louisburg, NC has the keys to the ammo case. If he is not on duty, no ammo will be stocked or sold. Ask the sporting goods employees about ammo stocking procedures for that store.

 

[baz]

I had over 600,000 factory loaded rounds of mixed calibers before this started. Now down to half that.

Seriously? Are you a dealer? Ignoring, for a moment, the $$$, that would work out to about 75,000 rounds a month, since the election (which is more or less when "this" started). About 100 rounds an hour, 24/7. Hard to imagine that for a single shooter.

Even if all of this were 22lr (and you said "multiple calibers) at $10 a brick, that would be $12,000, of which you say you shot up $6,000 in four months. Assume only half 22lr, and the other half at $20 per box of 20, now we're talking $306,000 invested in ammo, of which $153,000 went up in smoke in four months.

So, the numbers are a bit unbelievable, right? If not a dealer, then a typo? Maybe math is hard? Please clarify, inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Coyote3855]

Good news from Cabela's!

Products Ordered
1 of 21-7744 CCI .22LR TACTICAL PER 1500 W/DRY BOX .22LR TACT/1500 W/BX
Shipped-02/26/13

Order placed December 27, 2012.

 

[CMC]

Local gun range is selling 50 round box of 22 bottom grade ammo for 10 dollars a box , as of yesterday, he will never get my business or a referral.
Thanks for the heads up on cabelas.

 

[Ignition Override]

Spymaster:
Oh, come on-we're on the same side. My comments about human nature must have been too subtle. It's a shame that people who had any extra cash didn't stock up on ammo before both of the last pres. elections, before our 'Politburos' were created.
Most folks must not have noticed the growing media spotlight during Tucson, Aurora and Portland. Those were good hints about the media/politicians' cravings to use Anything to exploit, take away more of our rights.

Queen of Thunder: With plenty for the SKS, Enfields etc and 1,500 .22, haven't needed to visit a store. The weather is not so good for shooting anyway. I sympathize with people who were complacent or had no cash.

It might be a bad time to drive to Tulsa's huge Wanamakers show early April and hope for modest waits around noon?

 

[Rancher5]

Not all of us did

I been shooting for decades and involved in politics, I never ever thought it would come to this, Ammo ,component shortage, lucky I kept rounds and powder on shelves nothing excessive but more than I can realistically shoot in 4 months or more, though one problem is I didn't foresee a pistol ammo shortage, being I thought this big fight would be over AR 15-14 ect, Yes I was very wrong though I thought we were in the United States, I suppose I had my eyes closed, Sad days talking about a fundamental right going to the Dogs,
We our loosing our rights you will eventually run out of Ammo, being this fight will go on for years if Conservatives don't get back some seats in 2014, Than we will be right at it again, a new fight as OB will say he has the mandate to take our guns, Unless we get back to fundamentals this is a loosing deal regardless of how much you hoarded in Ammo and components, good part is I will die in 15 years or so , though what does that say about the Untied States,

 

[12many]

Glass is half full.

I think it is great that so many people are taking up and becoming involved in shooting and arms. What a great way to promote and protect the 2nd amendment by having so many existing and new gun owners buying arms and making the makers/dealers stronger and more well funded to fight for the 2nd amendment. Shortages mean people are buying, interested, and want more. Bans mean lost revenue in taxes and a loss of jobs.

I would be more concerened if the anti's were trying to ban everything and no one cared, shelves were full, no one was buying, manufactures were going bankrupt and there was no money to fight the anti's.

 

[Rancher5]

Well 12many You have a very good point, and yes a glass half full answer is refreshing,Your right on the mark of New Gun owners , giving bigger credit to our 2nd Amendment, Still those same folks should all be proactive in the 2014 midterms, that is a make or break election, why allot of States are being a little bit tempered on Gun Bans right now, its the knowledge it Could backfire in mid-term elections if results are like 2010

 

[TheDaywalkersDad]

I visited two of the larger gun dealers in my area. This is a brief summary that is no doubt boring and similar to what you're seeing.

First store... lots and lots of M1911's in stock. A decent amount of revolvers in various flavors were present. Not a lot of hi cap pistols were present but there were a few less popular brands in the case. As for ammo, there was plenty of .40cal and just a little .45acp. A few boxes of .380 was present and all of the hunting calibers were stocked except for .308, .223 & 30-06. They even had a little 7.62x39mm. No .22lr was in stock.

The 2nd store had a few M1911's and revolvers. The only hi cap pistols present were Taurus's.
There were a few boxes of handgun ammo. They were all hollowpoints. No target ammo was present. No. 22lr.

So, is the shortage easing?

Not in the Richmond, VA area.

 

[YANKEE2500]

Local Walley World has mostly shotgun ammo and a few rifle calibers, no 22s or pistol ammo.

 

[MattShlock]

Well 12many You have a very good point, and yes a glass half full answer is refreshing,Your right on the mark of New Gun owners , giving bigger credit to our 2nd Amendment, Still those same folks should all be proactive in the 2014 midterms, that is a make or break election, why allot of States are being a little bit tempered on Gun Bans right now, its the knowledge it Could backfire in mid-term elections if results are like 2010

I'm sorry to say you guys' perspective is off. These aren't new shooters. And they don't much care about the 2nd Amendment. They are just scared. And not nearly enough. They ain't agin' us, but they ain't wit us either...

How many gun owners are actually NRA members!?