Europe, & The Big Bear

[chasgrips45]

If it`s really worth their time, how many rounds do you think the Russians could produce? If there were enough money in it ,Spain,Croatia,Mexico,Hungary,but especially Russia . don`t you think that many of these once powerful ,but now broke ,countries would like to get their hands on some American Dollars. I notice that as this turmoil over ammunition progresses ,I now see ammo much coming from Russia, Hungary,Croatia ,Spain,Mexico,Egypt, Israel, Greece & many other countries needing American GREEN. These countries (especially Russia) . We produce a lot of Ammo here in the US,how much do you think the Russians alone could produce? Now combine some of these other countries in need of American cash. A lot of rounds? In many cases ,these countries don`t give a damn about the world`s socioeconomic problems . Political correctness ,really doesn`t mean a hill of beans to Russia ,at this time. This post is really more of a question ,than statement. It just might be that the revenue created by munitions production ,really is not worth the labor for some of these countries. Another question,how many rounds of 9mm bullets for instance, are still in some obscure location in a warehouse 70 Kilometers out of Moscow? What do they need so many rounds ? At this time ,they need money their economy is in shambles,we sure could use some of that ammo. Yes, No?

 

[Cosmoline]

There's been a constant flow of ammo from Russia, the former Yugoslavia and a lot of other countries for decades now. But they have to estimate demand and also don't want to overproduce now if the spike is going to evaporate. So it's difficult for all the suppliers to adjust.

And you have to remember that you don't just start up a munitions plant. It's a difficult process involving tons of red tape. So expansion is difficult.

 

[chasgrips45]

Cosmoline, How about Wolfe,Big Bear ,& the 100 other companies over there ? What red tape? These guys don`t do red tape. If you mean red tape here ,that I can`t answer. Some would get through, A couple for or five million rounds of various calibers. Enough to ease the pain for a while. As far as estimates ,remember WWII? The Russians did a good job there, no ? they just started producing. Almost as much as the US did.

 

[Cosmoline]

The existing factories have planned for a certain production level. If demand shoots past that level, they have to be careful about spending money to expand production or they may end up glutting the market and have idle factories with expensive equipment. And opening up a new munitions plant isn't something you can just go and do. Even in the US it's full of legal barriers. How many places are even zoned to allow it?

Really, our best bet is if the military consumption declines due to the draw-down and sequestration. That will release more production capacity for the civilian market.

 

[SilentStalker]

I thought one of the new laws blocked importation of such goods from these countries now. You know one of the orders the big O signed awhile back?

 

[OilyPablo]

I thought one of the new laws blocked importation of such goods from these countries now. You know one of the orders the big O signed awhile back?

Laws? Orders?

Wah?

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I thought one of the new laws blocked importation of such goods from these countries now. You know one of the orders the big O signed awhile back?

No.

The Russians did a good job there, no ? they just started producing.

The Russian were rather caught off guard. It took them a while to spool up production and they also got very heavy assistance from us and the Brits. They might have been in some major trouble without lend-lease.

They already do export an awful lot of ammo to the US but even that is being bought right up by customers here in the states. The only thing that's really going to stop the panic is for people to calm down and the market to settle back down to a normal pace.

Another question,how many rounds of 9mm bullets for instance, are still in some obscure location in a warehouse 70 Kilometers out of Moscow?

The Russians do have very large quantities of ammunition stashed away for a rainy day. We do see some of this sold off as milsurp when replace the stuff with new stock. You won't see them liquidate these reserves. See the aforementioned comment on them getting caught off guard during WW2. They now have rather a paranoia about such an event happening again (and who can blame them really after the massive losses they suffered).

 

[N003k]

I'm not an economist or overly read up on a lot of this, but...doesn't Russia have a comparably strong economy at the moment, in large part due to their available natural resources?

That aside, there has to be a benefit to ramping up production, a slight temporary increase in sales due to a temporary increase in demand in the US Market doesn't seem like a worthwhile reason to expand production to me.

 

[chasgrips45]

How about in storage? I `m starting to see some spam cans showing up. Maybe not enough. How about components? These are just answers for my own info. I have no info, but I still bet there are huge ammo caches in certain countries. It probably would be a PIA to get it here .

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I still bet there are huge ammo caches in certain countries. It probably would be a PIA to get it here .

That pretty much answers the question. It isn't worth the effort for a country like Russia to sell it's surplus to us beyond what they are already doing. As NOO3k also pointed out, Russia isn't exactly begging for scraps anymore (well the government anyways). They value their military reserve supplies very, very highly so it's just not going to happen.

 

[Wanderling]

Aren't they already selling here ? Why would they want to kill the current golden goose (which is IMHO a very temporary panic driven buying spree) by flooding the market ?

 

[Sol]

If I was some America hating country and the U.S. civilian population is buying unprecedented quantities of ammo and weapons because of pending legislation, I would export as much ammo as possible and pray for a civil war to break out...then move in and destroy the tattered remains of a fallen country....just saying.