Times like the current

[BearBrimstone]

Does anyone else ever get so annoyed during times like this that they think about quitting shooting and taking up a new hobby? If I were to shoot the same as I did last year I have enough ammunition for a good 2-3 years so my problem isn’t the actual getting to go shoot. Things will likely be back to normal before I need ammunition. Call it being pessimistic, but it’s just hard to stick with a hobby that is so feeble it completely self-destructs every few years. Since I got into shooting around 2006 there have been 3 of these panics now that essentially neutered the hobby for a year or more each. I will never sell all of my guns, but I am seriously considering putting most of my extra cash into woodworking right now and just letting my guns collect dust so to speak. Am I the only one seriously thinking about something like this?

 

[reddog81]

Judging by the frantic pace people are buying everything they can get there hands on, I'd say you are in the minority.... But yeah, It is definitely annoying.

If thinking about selling anything gun related now is probably the best time to do.

 

[BearBrimstone]

Yeah, now is definitely the time to sell. Even if I do end up switching hobbies I’ll still hold onto my guns and ammo though. I would still be carrying and shooting enough to stay proficient. What I’m thinking about doing is finding something to replace the range trips I make just for fun.

 

[rodregier]

Alternatively, buy ahead enough that you can readily ride out the sporadic surges in demand. My definition of "enough"
for ammunition and reloading component stocks has evolved over the last 10+ years (at least 3 banics/panics).

n.b. Canadian retail is mostly at the mercy of US mfgr and distribution chains feeding into Canadian importers too.

The folks I really feel sympathy for are those US folks just getting into the shooting sports. They had no opportunity to buy ahead when inventory and prices were better.

 

[edwardware]

. . . but it’s just hard to stick with a hobby that is so feeble it completely self-destructs every few years.

Methinks you need clearer definitions. A hobby is an activity you do for fun; it can not "self-destruct".

People, mostly new-comers to firearms (not really hobbyists) are wildly distorting the market at the moment. . . so what? You do you, enjoy your hobby, and be thankful you're not economically dependent on an industry that's so politically volatile it makes coal mining look stable.

Also, for many of us, this isn't just a hobby. It's an obligation, imposed on us by the sacrifices of our ancestors. The implicit flip side of "shall not be infringed" is "do not be caught short".

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Not changing hobbies----just keeping a good stock in case Antifa decides to come to my neighborhood

 

[AlexanderA]

Judging by the frantic pace people are buying everything they can get there hands on, I'd say you are in the minority.... But yeah, It is definitely annoying.

Hoarding and shooting are two different things. Hoarding is continuing apace, but shooting (like every other social activity) will not return to normal until there is a safe and effective COVID vaccine.

 

[I6turbo]

The folks I really feel sympathy for are those US folks just getting into the shooting sports. They had no opportunity to buy ahead when inventory and prices were better.

They had the same opportunity as everyone else but they didn't recognize it or didn't act on it. Once they got a jarring dose of reality and a bit of news that they didn't read on Don Lemon or Chris Cuomo's prostate gland, they woke up in a panic. But at least they woke up.

 

[AlexanderA]

Yeah, now is definitely the time to sell.

I would think twice about that. If you sell now, you might make a quick profit, but you might have trouble later replacing what you sold. Wait until the landscape clears a bit.

 

[BearBrimstone]

Methinks you need clearer definitions. A hobby is an activity you do for fun; it can not "self-destruct".

People, mostly new-comers to firearms (not really hobbyists) are wildly distorting the market at the moment. . . so what? You do you, enjoy your hobby, and be thankful you're not economically dependent on an industry that's so politically volatile it makes coal mining look stable.

Also, for many of us, this isn't just a hobby. It's an obligation, imposed on us by the sacrifices of our ancestors. The implicit flip side of "shall not be infringed" is "do not be caught short".

My definition for a hobby self-destructing in this regard is to become unusable to the average person, which is essentially the case at the moment unless one had stock or pays 2-3 times normal price. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are others, but I cannot think of another hobby right off hand that does that. Regarding the market being distorted by new buyers, that is exactly what I mean by the hobby being fickle. Unlike most hobbies, supply can completely die for a year at a time just due to something like politics or a shooting.

 

[wankerjake]

No, firearm ownership is too important to me. It’s not something I’d ever give up. I have learned some lessons in the last decade though and have spent my time picking thru estate sales and retail sales so that I don’t have to slow down now (I actually sold 3k primers the other day). It’s important enough to me that my priorities about it are right. I understand not everyone thinks about it like that but a lot of people in this site do

 

[Merle1]

nope, never got that disgusted - nor willing to let the libs win!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Im enjoying working with some of the new shooters that have kinda glommed on to me. I guess I had that reputation as the guy you go to if you want to learn about shooting.

Ive been trying to show them the fun side as well as the self-defense/TEOTWAKI side so that hopefully they keep it up after all this passes.

Just yesterday took one fella from work to shoot his new AR for the first time. Brought an AK, M1917, and a couple of shiny handguns too for some "diversity," lol. He picked it up pretty quick and became shockingly effective with the AR after a couple hundred rounds. He even did really well with the older guns and is looking for a couple more of his own.

This fella is in his early 40's and had never really shot before save a couple of .22s and shotguns when he was a kid- turns out he has a natural affinity for it and never knew.

We had a blast! So, nope, still fun for me after all these years, even now.

 

[Odd Job]

1) Look after your equipment, your supplies and your family.
2) Adhere to your local laws.
3) Don't do anything to compromise the image of responsible gun owners.

If you can at least do that, you are already winning and need not be concerned!