I second the assessment that ammo is being bought like crazy whereas guns are back to normal prices.... you can find ARs at most dealers for nearly pre-craziness prices and pistols are back down as well... paid $550 for a Glock a few weeks ago and the Steyr M9-A1 goes for just $480 (with 2x 17rd magazines) on buds. Now... finding affordable 9mm is another thing...
More people buying ammo instead of another gun?
- Thread starter Ignition Override
- Start date
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km101
Member
My firearms needs are pretty well covered at present, (unless something on my Grail list shows up) and I don't buy much commercial ammo. But I am increasing my supply of reloading components so that maybe I can weather the next year or 18 months. That is what the industry people I have been able to contact say it will take for the supply chain to recover.
So I guess I am not buying guns or ammo, but I am buying the equivalent cost of ammo in reloading supplies!
So I guess I am not buying guns or ammo, but I am buying the equivalent cost of ammo in reloading supplies!
huntsman
Member
That's where I'm at, I don't see a new gun in my future just ammo, .45acp and .45C to be specific.
ericbc7
Member
I would love to explore high power competition but I only have a good deer rifle and can't find powder, primers and brass at what I recall we're reasonable prices for the tikka I have. I might have to change my perspective on what is reasonable, before I look at a new rifle.
Last year was a gun-buying year. I bought two nice revolvers and four long guns - though I sold one as well. I'm pretty tight on room in my small safe and still have the parts for one more AR to assemble (300 BLK - why not give it a try?). So at this point I'm redirecting my spending to bulking up on ammo and taking the step to start reloading for my firearms. I'm not 'hoarding' as my purchases are on the order of 500 rounds of the standard cartridge type every month or two.
Other than an upgrade here and there (sell one and buy one) I plan to keep my new buying down to about one per year. But having enough ammo (and supplies) to ensure I can keep going to the range is the 'new normal'.
B
Other than an upgrade here and there (sell one and buy one) I plan to keep my new buying down to about one per year. But having enough ammo (and supplies) to ensure I can keep going to the range is the 'new normal'.
B
WestKentucky
Member
For me it's a gun a year, two if they are cheap enough. They get bought around thanksgiving and sit in the safe until my birthday or Christmas. I have put more effort into reloading lately, but I always have plenty on hand, especially the 38/357 I like to shoot. Only thing I'm short on is 44 but that's because I haven't bought a pile of cast bullets to load with. I do see some screaming deals from time to time and if possible pick things up, but the days of deals are passed. No such thing in the world of eBay and smartphone.
Ignition Override
Member
My recent hypocrisy must be exposed, even though ammo is (now) 100% of the objective.
Last December I barely noticed a rare Yugo M59 (not 59/66) in the left rear corner of the gun show. Called my lady "Admin Officer" at home, told her that it could be from Santa Claus. The same seller allowed a trade weeks later on my common Chinese SKS (+$50) for a Second M59, also matching and in exc. condition.
A few cases of 7.62x39 were bought over the time span from weeks before, and into the days when Russia invaded Crimea, because there was a shortage of basic unconv. Saiga 5.45 rifles. Seemed like a good time to buy more Russian ammo before people began to Think, and go to their internet "Delphi Oracle" to ponder whether their 7.62/5.45 ammo from Russia or Ukraine would become cut off. No sign of it yet on Gunbot. None at all.
Last December I barely noticed a rare Yugo M59 (not 59/66) in the left rear corner of the gun show. Called my lady "Admin Officer" at home, told her that it could be from Santa Claus. The same seller allowed a trade weeks later on my common Chinese SKS (+$50) for a Second M59, also matching and in exc. condition.
A few cases of 7.62x39 were bought over the time span from weeks before, and into the days when Russia invaded Crimea, because there was a shortage of basic unconv. Saiga 5.45 rifles. Seemed like a good time to buy more Russian ammo before people began to Think, and go to their internet "Delphi Oracle" to ponder whether their 7.62/5.45 ammo from Russia or Ukraine would become cut off. No sign of it yet on Gunbot. None at all.
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I bought a gun - a S&W 442 - a couple weeks ago. I could have bought it months ago, but I'm between jobs and didn't want to until I had something else lined up. So I kind of just bought based on my needs when the time was right - got a new job lined up, moving, and wanted a small CCW gun.
Locally at least, there's more ammo around than I could afford to buy anyhow. Not much in .22LR, but both local gun stores had some before they started their big three day sales yesterday. My friend at the one store had 60 cases - cases - of .22LR set aside for the first day and figured he'd sell it all easily... again, on the first day of the sale. But you could buy all the 9mm, .40, .357, 5.56, 7.62x39, or 7.62x51 you want where I live.
I don't think the idea of import restrictions on Russian ammo has hit that hard yet, but I do expect it to eventually. There are some buyers for it - I know someone who divested himself of a significant stash of excellent Yugo 7.62x39 last week to finance another project. The buyer was happy to get it.
Speaking personally, I'm also always on the lookout for reloading components at a good price. I picked up some excellent .38 158 grain SWC's in a private sale and actually paid the seller a little more than his asking price. I guess he'd been disappointed by them, but they fit .38 Special casings just fine, make out the end of the barrel, and punch holes through the target. I've got no complaints!
Locally at least, there's more ammo around than I could afford to buy anyhow. Not much in .22LR, but both local gun stores had some before they started their big three day sales yesterday. My friend at the one store had 60 cases - cases - of .22LR set aside for the first day and figured he'd sell it all easily... again, on the first day of the sale. But you could buy all the 9mm, .40, .357, 5.56, 7.62x39, or 7.62x51 you want where I live.
I don't think the idea of import restrictions on Russian ammo has hit that hard yet, but I do expect it to eventually. There are some buyers for it - I know someone who divested himself of a significant stash of excellent Yugo 7.62x39 last week to finance another project. The buyer was happy to get it.
Speaking personally, I'm also always on the lookout for reloading components at a good price. I picked up some excellent .38 158 grain SWC's in a private sale and actually paid the seller a little more than his asking price. I guess he'd been disappointed by them, but they fit .38 Special casings just fine, make out the end of the barrel, and punch holes through the target. I've got no complaints!
heycods
Member
I have ratholed ammo for years, so I am different than mos, looking more to upgrade some of my guns to higher grade.
BSA1
member
+1 on a occasional gun purchase though now it is more for kids to inherit.
Some factory ammo mainly for calibers not worth me reloading for.
Always on reloading supplies.
Some factory ammo mainly for calibers not worth me reloading for.
Always on reloading supplies.
teetertotter
Member
Yupper!
I have one LH CZ452 American, one S&W 22a, one Marlin 39a, and all .22's. These 3 scoped guns are all I will ever need. Just to have more guns, does not impress me, you know what I mean? With some, it is their bragging rights and need more collecting dust......you know what I mean?
I keep on top of ordering a case at a time and allow 8 months delivery from local LGS the way shortage has been for 1-1/2 years. It was 8 months delivery last year and have figured the same this year. If I get my case every year by August, I'm good. Last year, I sold some 50/boxes to two fellow competitors, at my cost, so could keep them shooting with us every week.
I have one LH CZ452 American, one S&W 22a, one Marlin 39a, and all .22's. These 3 scoped guns are all I will ever need. Just to have more guns, does not impress me, you know what I mean? With some, it is their bragging rights and need more collecting dust......you know what I mean?
I keep on top of ordering a case at a time and allow 8 months delivery from local LGS the way shortage has been for 1-1/2 years. It was 8 months delivery last year and have figured the same this year. If I get my case every year by August, I'm good. Last year, I sold some 50/boxes to two fellow competitors, at my cost, so could keep them shooting with us every week.
P5 Guy
Member
Well I bought a new rifle this year in a caliber I did not previously own so now I'm stocking up on ammo for it.
theotherwaldo
Member
I've bought six more molds, four more die sets, another bucket of lead, another melter, more caps and powder, a muzzle-loading 12-gauge double-barrel, and a Hawken .50.
Excuse me while I go pour some more bullets.
Excuse me while I go pour some more bullets.
Ten years ago, I figured I was done buying guns. Then I got a C&R. Bought most of what I want with it, and those that I do want are too expensive right now. Add in the fact that I'm out of safe space, and my gun buying is muted. On the other hand, ammo hasn't been going down in price since I've been alive - doubt it has for anyone else. I figure that if I have the money to buy it, I might as well do so - I'll always find a place to store it. I got into reloading in 2011, so I'm a bit behind the curve there. I'd like to keep 1000 primers for each size I use handy, but that's not always possible.
Nooooo, buying commodities has nothing to do with Obama or any other politician.
When prices are down, and there's a few spare bucks, grab some. Simple.
Ironically, last week I traded one of my 7.62 AK47s for a 5.45 AK74 to diversify my collection and not depend on any one single form of ammunition....I ordered a spam can of milsurp 5.45 on Thursday night. Then the ammo ban came lol. I am hoping I didnt do the wrong thing by getting into 5.45 but at least theres other options such as Wolf for now. Anyways, in regards to this post, I would definitely say ammo, at least for the foreseeable future is where I would invest my money. Ammo generally just keeps going up and its never a bad idea to stock up.
Gun Master
Member
Gun ? Ammo ? Etc. ?
I was considering getting a .22 SA revolver, for economy. Since .22 ammo is high/unavailable, why buy a gun you can't shoot ? Now I don't plan to buy .22 ammo or guns, until the .22 ammo price is reasonable.
Besides looking at other ammo to buy, I've decided to check my guns for function and reliability. I'll do what I can, then pay for gunsmithing, for what I can't.
Hey, I'm even considering BP guns and supplies, but then again, I may be too lazy. Too much work !
I was considering getting a .22 SA revolver, for economy. Since .22 ammo is high/unavailable, why buy a gun you can't shoot ? Now I don't plan to buy .22 ammo or guns, until the .22 ammo price is reasonable.
Besides looking at other ammo to buy, I've decided to check my guns for function and reliability. I'll do what I can, then pay for gunsmithing, for what I can't.
Hey, I'm even considering BP guns and supplies, but then again, I may be too lazy. Too much work !
Steve CT
Member
I will always buy .22lr when I see it (which is rarely) because it's
1) What I shoot the most of
2) The only caliber I shoot that I can't reload for
I'm supplied and equipped to shoot for a couple of years on 9MM, 45 ACP, .357/.38, .223, but .22 lr is starting to be a little bit of a concern, on hand supply is only going to see me through another six months or so
1) What I shoot the most of
2) The only caliber I shoot that I can't reload for
I'm supplied and equipped to shoot for a couple of years on 9MM, 45 ACP, .357/.38, .223, but .22 lr is starting to be a little bit of a concern, on hand supply is only going to see me through another six months or so
Ignition Override
Member
gungooroo: What ammo ban?
Right now, Russian 7.62x39 based on Gunbot's info, is widely "available" at .22-.25/rd.. Only a tiny fraction of sellers list it as "unavailable", and some of them might be holding 7.62x39 ammo back, just to create the impression of a shortage.
Even 5.45 is available at .24-.25/round.
If there Were a ban announced for any imported ammo, prices would have jumped up a lot by now.
Russian 7.62x39 is the same price it was six months ago. I've watched it -literally- every few days since March 2008, even from hotel computers.
Right now, Russian 7.62x39 based on Gunbot's info, is widely "available" at .22-.25/rd.. Only a tiny fraction of sellers list it as "unavailable", and some of them might be holding 7.62x39 ammo back, just to create the impression of a shortage.
Even 5.45 is available at .24-.25/round.
If there Were a ban announced for any imported ammo, prices would have jumped up a lot by now.
Russian 7.62x39 is the same price it was six months ago. I've watched it -literally- every few days since March 2008, even from hotel computers.
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