No other commodity is in short supply except ammo.

[FFGColorado]

I have read the explanation of the current ammo shortage, and not sure I still believe it. No doubt COVID, shipping delays, political turmoil, etc, led to panic buying and temporary shortages, just like there were toilet paper shortages. But now everything except ammo seems to be available.

I am not sure what is going on, but I am not sure I am still buying the narrative provided.

Really? There is no 'ammo' shortage'. Go onto any of the 5 or 6(or more) ammo search websites and there is a TON of ammo..wikiarms, 9mm and over a dozen places that have 9mm ammo...BUT..it's expensive. So, manufacturers are deciding to supply THEM before the local Cabela's, BassPro, Sportsman Warehouse, Murdocs, Jax Outdorrs, etc, etc..Gotta ask why..at least, I do....Volume bought by these places? Price they pay? Some state they have 100++ 1000 round cases available.

So, it's 'available' but $.72 or so per round, $72-$75 per 100..plus shipping(that they make $ on too)...

Google-foo "ammunition search engines"

 

[psyopspec]

I have read the explanation of the current ammo shortage, and not sure I still believe it. No doubt COVID, shipping delays, political turmoil, etc, led to panic buying and temporary shortages, just like there were toilet paper shortages. But now everything except ammo seems to be available.

I am not sure what is going on, but I am not sure I am still buying the narrative provided.

If you don't believe that millions of new gun owners, supply line disruptions, and civil strife can impact the ammo market, then what do you believe?

 

[Rubone]

If you think ammo is bad try going to a lumber yard and get building materials. A little over a year ago I was paying around $6.50 for a 4x8 sheet of 7/16 OSB. That same material is running in the high $20s now. All sheet goods , dimension lumber, cement, etc are in short supply. The cost per square foot for new construction is through the roof. And even though it is considered an essential business a lot of the work force has disappeared.
Lucky for me I retired a couple of years ago so it isn't directly affecting me now.

 

[BigAlShooter]

You would think ammo companies would reinvest - all those new gun owners increase the overall long term demand. Sure, the demand now is temporary, let's all hope. But, I would think ammo demand as a yearly figure will only increase over the next few years.

But, think about it if you are an owner or CEO of an ammo company. With talks of all kinds of restrictions and regulations for ammo sales being proposed, would you take the risk of increasing capacity? What if all of the laws in California become federal? Not trying to make this tread political. What I am saying is there is lot of unknown scenarios and if it was my company, I would probably keep everything the same (if my bottom line is in the black).

I think this is why you aren't seeing new factories or production lines. This is not the same as toilet paper.

 

[vintovka]

If you think ammo is bad try going to a lumber yard and get building materials. A little over a year ago I was paying around $6.50 for a 4x8 sheet of 7/16 OSB. That same material is running in the high $20s now. All sheet goods , dimension lumber, cement, etc are in short supply. The cost per square foot for new construction is through the roof. And even though it is considered an essential business a lot of the work force has disappeared.
Lucky for me I retired a couple of years ago so it isn't directly affecting me now.

Around here its $8.90 for cheap 2x4, $37 for cheap OSB, $220/yd concrete and $125/hr labor!. Watch food and fuel go up.

 

[NuShootr]

Nah. There are plenty of things that are still in very short supply.
- Steel for knife making
- Skateboard parts like trucks and wheels
- Inline skates
- Free weights

Price gouging galore on those items all over the internet, if you can find them. Free weights especially.

 

[brewer12345]

If you don't believe that millions of new gun owners, supply line disruptions, and civil strife can impact the ammo market, then what do you believe?

What isn't stored in secret warehouses has been bought up by space aliens who look like Oprah.

 

[NuShootr]

You would think ammo companies would reinvest - all those new gun owners increase the overall long term demand.

Why would they re-invest? You would never do that if you were selling every single thing you could produce virtually before you produce it. Then when the market bubble bursts, not only will you be left with increase operating expense, but plenty of stock which you may not be able to sell as quickly, which eventually increases your storage expense as well.

 

[NuShootr]

What isn't stored in secret warehouses has been bought up by space aliens who look like Oprah.

Aliens don't use primitive things like bullets. They have laser guns, dontcha know? Pffft...

 

[brewer12345]

Aliens don't use primitive things like bullets. They have laser guns, dontcha know? Pffft...

They eat ammo.

 

[GEM]

The local Cabelas puts out a load of 9mm, 22 LR and 223 - if you happen to be there, you can stock up. There are guys who haunt the place. I stop buy when in the area and buy some.

Guns are nonexistant, except for sporting long arms. One LGS has a few 10mm Glocks. Fun for the newbie, I'm sure.

 

[3Crows]

I transferred an Alien yesterday........really.

Was he little and green?

The local Cabela's puts out a load of 9mm, 22 LR and 223. There are guys who haunt the place.

And there is a good portion of the problem again, the scalpers/resellers. I see them too. I recognize some of them from the last fandango.

 

[webrx]

I think a few others are in short supply also, not sure I understand fully why, but, while ammo and reloading supplies are definitely lacking, we have seen other things fly off the shelves as well.

Canned carrots, Cream Soda - any (I cant figure that one out, A&W root beer is on the shelf most days), quick frozen dinners - makes sense if people are scared, many canned items - again makes some sense.

LOL - just saw this on amazon - $34.98 for a 12 pack



This has to be a typo right? this stuff goes for like $4 a 12 pack.

I have had an issue with specific powders for a couple years here locally - pretty hit or miss, and I associate it with the previous ammo shortage - people decided to start reloading, and most recently the pandemic and political environment and pre-made ammo shortages.

I dont know if it will get better or worse in the short term, with all the continuing political crap, pandemic, etc, but, for now, all we can do is adapt as best we can.

 

[webrx]

I wonder if it would be ok to start a thread where we show "gouged" prices so we know who not to buy from if and when this all ends. I am not talking about the 10 or 20% increase that can actually be attributed to vendor cost increases, but the absurd price hikes like $34 for soda that normally cost $4.

Of course, we would have to add every body selling ammo or primers on an auction site at 4x or more above normal prices

d

 

[brewer12345]

I wonder if it would be ok to start a thread where we show "gouged" prices so we know who not to buy from if and when this all ends. I am not talking about the 10 or 20% increase that can actually be attributed to vendor cost increases, but the absurd price hikes like $34 for soda that normally cost $4.

Of course, we would have to add every body selling ammo or primers on an auction site at 4x or more above normal prices

d

I don't understand what the point would be. Because you don't like the prices offered? Da, tovarisch.

 

[webrx]

I don't understand what the point would be. Because you don't like the prices offered? Da, tovarisch.

You're probably right, most likely a waste of time, so, forget it, I don't pay gouged prices, but as long as someone is willing to, or has a need that must be filled, then they will keep doing it. I understand the free market and supply vs demand, but, I will find a different cream soda or drink something that is not 10x what it should be.

 

[lionking]

I work parts logistics for a prestigious foreign brand car company with roots from Germany. I can tell you the back order list gets larger everyday. Waiting on vendors to make and supply items for said company to then fill orders. I personally have several customers with cars down for months now waiting for parts to be available again to include key fobs , engine control modules, high pressure fuel pumps and so on. Then there are the non essential accessory items like floor mats and such that are on back order also.

COVID has effected many different industries not just the shooting and gun industry.

 

[hanno]

What isn't stored in secret warehouses has been bought up by space aliens who look like Oprah.

Uh,.............................aliens who look like........................thanks for giving me nightmares for the next couple of weeks.

 

[Hartkopf]

Ammo is a perfect storm. Other goods seem to have less forces that effect price and supply.
This thread has just about every possible reason for our current problems but one point I haven’t seen is people in high places do get “influenced” in new and exciting ways these days. This is the age of doxing and billionaire activism so we don’t really know what goes on at or near the top of a large manufacturer. I don’t think aliens or lizard people are insisting on first shot at all the Gold Dots but I bet this situation is more complicated than simple supply and demand.

 

[dogtown tom]

Was he little and green?

Kinda grayish black on top with hints of gold, sits real low when you try and hold him, smells expensive.

 

[dogtown tom]

I wonder if it would be ok to start a thread where we show "gouged" prices so we know who not to buy from if and when this all ends. I am not talking about the 10 or 20% increase that can actually be attributed to vendor cost increases, but the absurd price hikes like $34 for soda that normally cost $4.

Oh please don't.
Wanna stick it to the gougers? THEN DON'T BUY IT!
Good grief what part of they don't earn a profit if no one buys do people not get?

Maybe ya'll should lurk in the WTS ads here on THR and tell all the sellers what they should charge.

 

[dogtown tom]

..... I understand the free market and supply vs demand, but, I will find a different cream soda or drink something that is not 10x what it should be.

An amazing concept.

 

[webrx]

Oh please don't.
Wanna stick it to the gougers? THEN DON'T BUY IT!
Good grief what part of they don't earn a profit if no one buys do people not get?

Maybe ya'll should lurk in the WTS ads here on THR and tell all the sellers what they should charge.

I did say forget it in the next post. I guess I am getting old and grumpy.

sorry if this ruffled feathers.

 

[brewer12345]

I did say forget it in the next post. I guess I am getting old and grumpy.

sorry if this ruffled feathers.

Eh, all of us here really would rather not have these periodic panics, scarcity, looming repressive actions, etc. To put it bluntly, it sucks and we care more than most people in the US, so it sucks extra hard for us. I'd say a good solution would be to get out a single shot rifle or single action revolver, get out a box of shells, and spend some quality time taking carefully aimed shots. I also like doing this with black powder. When I am really concentrating, all the nonsense that normally chatters around me just sort of fades away into the background. Good therapy.

 

[webrx]

I have plenty of ammo and reloading components for my needs and I also can go to the range with 50 rounds of 22, 22WMR, 6.5, or any of several BP firearms and spend hours putting holes in paper as accurately as possible and let the worries of the day fade away. I can also go into the garage and tinker on a car or project.

Had a neighbor the other day complaining about not being able to find .22 locally so I gave him a federal 550 pack because that’s what friends do. Guess I was raised differently then some. I am not typically one to tell others what they should or shouldn’t do, and I slipped above I guess as it appeared to ruffle a couple folks. Apologies for that. We have enough these days to get fired up about and that is not why I come to this forum.

Hope ya’ll have a good weekend.