So, is this reflective of a true problem?

[Muss Muggins]

I violated one of my generally unbreakable rules last week, a rule more unbreakable during the coronapocalypse ammo shortage. I bought a pistol for which I did not have ammo in stock. A Ruger 57 pistol, in 5.7 x 28mm, landed in my lap at one of my regular LGS’s. I could not resist.

He had 50 rounds of the FN stuff at less than $30, which I bought. Found another 100 of FMJ at a LGS that I do not frequent for less than $30, which I bought. Everywhere else, online, local, big box, no joy, unless you wanted to pay $2 a round. I do not . . .

Had some business to do in Poplar Bluff and Butler County today. Looked at Academy and Dunham’s (big box sporting goods like Academy) to no avail. Sat down at noon to have a beer and watch some Raiders football at BWW in the Bluff. Beer gets set in front of me, and a buddy sends me a pic of 15 boxes of FN at the Academy in Cape Girardeau, 82 miles away, for $32.99 a box (50 rounds). I was there yesterday, and that ammo was not. I tell him to buy three, I pay for a $6 untouched draft Budweiser, and head northeast. By the time I get there an hour and a half later (country roads and all), two more boxes have disappeared. I meet my buddy, pay him for his kindness, go into Academy, buy six, leaving 4 for the next guy, but if they’re still there tomorrow, I’m getting them too. I live 33 miles south of the Cape, and my business takes me there every day.

Hi. My name’s Muss, and I have an ammo problem . . .

[pasound]

LOL Muss Muggins. If you want to drive to West Virginia, I saw boxes of FN 5.7 at my local Cabela's yesterday. They haven't had a Ruger 57 for sale in months. Also less than $30.00.

[bigwheelzip]

Naahh, that's not a problem, just focused.
When you start dreaming about ammo shopping, it's time for therapy.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[SpikeIDMT]

Ammo is a helluva drug

[6518John]

I have always thought those were cool pistols and I believed they would do really well. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t run a gun company, well I guess I could run one—straight in to bankruptcy. The LGS were I am friends with owner got several and several cases of ammo. He could not mark it down far enough to get rid of either the guns or ammo. He did have the FN version which was sky high.

I think one of his daughters/sons gathered the guns and ammo up and sold it all online. I wrote it off to our somewhat rural and poor state, but I don’t think they sold well anywhere.

But again I think they are a very interesting concept.

[SpikeIDMT]

I saw a case of 1000 32 ACP $300

Should I get that then go looking for a Beretta Tomcat?

[SW Gun Guy]

Originally Posted by SpikeIDMT

I saw a case of 1000 32 ACP $300

Should I get that then go looking for a Beretta Tomcat?

Ah yes, the age old question: What came first, the ammo or the gun???

[Speedo2]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I violated one of my generally unbreakable rules last week, a rule more unbreakable during the coronapocalypse ammo shortage. I bought a pistol for which I did not have ammo in stock. A Ruger 57 pistol, in 5.7 x 28mm, landed in my lap at one of my regular LGS’s. I could not resist.


Hi. My name’s Muss, and I have an ammo problem . . .

Ah, yes. Much like the Lorilie; not far from St. Goarshausen, a grey cliff that towers 433 feet above the River Rhine. Atop the cliff sits a woman—or is it a trick of the light? Ethereal in the mists, she beckons, to the eventual dismay of the unwary traveler. The eternal conflict between culture and politics, of that between blood and country, indeed between good and evil. The gap between the haves and the have-nots. But my mind wonders.

I've heard it said that such a carriage is rather difficult to reload, let alone to acquire. I wish you the best of luck. -S2

[lrrifleman]

Muss, obviously you like the Ruger 5.7, how does it handle and shoot? I'm not trying to be rude or obnoxious, what mission do you see that pistol and cartridge fulfilling? I think it is an interesting concept, but I can't envision what niche it would fill. Thanks!

[SweetMK]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

Hi. My name’s Muss, and I have an ammo problem . . .

I too, have an ammo problem,, but, I handled it literally, in reverse.

I bought 1,500 once fired brass for two pistols that I did not have ammo for,,

I had the powder, and the primers,,

Then, with a little luck, I found some low cost jacketed pills,,

Amazon delivered the dies, and the shell holder,,

Now, whenever I want ammo,, I simply reload it.
BUT, to be honest, I only enjoy loading 44 MAG,, so that is the only gun I seem to take out and shoot.

Oh well,, at least I have a solution to my ammo problem,,

[Muss Muggins]

It’s gonna become an EDC for me. My clientele is challenging, to say the least . . .

Originally Posted by lrrifleman

Muss, obviously you like the Ruger 5.7, how does it handle and shoot? I'm not trying to be rude or obnoxious, what mission do you see that pistol and cartridge fulfilling? I think it is an interesting concept, but I can't envision what niche it would fill. Thanks!

[jc2721]

Be glad you don't have a cash flow problem--imagine looking at all that ammo and not being able to afford it! Reminds me of when I was a kid in a candy store with no money!

[Muss Muggins]

I’m going to hell. Had a couple beers at the Cape Girardeau BWW and went back and bought the last four boxes . . .

[robvious]

if an addiction... there are steps to take...
looks like you did the twelve box program already...
oops.. steps... 12 steps

[ISCS Yoda]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I’m going to hell. Had a couple beers at the Cape Girardeau BWW and went back and bought the last four boxes . . .

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Now that was funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[s&wchad]

I think you’ll like your 5.7, they’re a lot of fun to shoot! I bought a used FN Five-seveN about 5 or 6 years ago, because it was as new in the box and priced at $700. I couldn’t resist! PSA had sale on FN and American Eagle ammo a short time later and they were both priced comparable to 22 WMR ammo, so I bought multiple cases of each. I suspect the ammo will drop in price, once things calm down.

I wouldn’t recommend the American Eagle ammo, it’s pretty wimpy. The FN ballistic tip ammo is pretty good, considering the limitations placed on the civilian market. Given your LE background, you should be able to have some of your connections set you up with some of the good stuff! It goes for about $4 - $5 per round when it shows up on the commercial market, but it takes the gun to an entirely different level. LE/military prices are much more reasonable.

I originally thought about reloading for the cartridge, but everything I’ve read discourages it. Apparently, the manufacturers use an adhesive when seating the bullets and I’ve seen photos of guns that didn’t survive with reloads.

[jc2721]

12 step or 12 boxes? I know what I'd choose.

[pasound]

Seems the only Ruger 57's available anywhere are on GunBroken. For too much over retail. Now I'm kicking myself that I turned down a 57 at the local gun show three weeks ago that was priced $599... I was tempted...

Good for you, Muss Muggins!

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by jc2721

Be glad you don't have a cash flow problem--imagine looking at all that ammo and not being able to afford it!

That is one of the things I don’t have. My pension and my business provide quite nicely for my family and my gun money . . .

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by s&wchad

. . . Given your LE background, you should be able to have some of your connections set you up with some of the good stuff! It goes for about $4 - $5 per round when it shows up on the commercial market, but it takes the gun to an entirely different level. LE/military prices are much more reasonable. . .

Believe me, I’m calling in some chips . . .

[Eddie Southgate]

Muss ,

If you go to hell for not sharing the ammo I'll be waiting for you with a nice hot cup of Coffee and some hot Krispy Kremes .

[Dieseltech56]

I have a problem too. A nice milled AK and about 100 rounds of Barnaul steel cased ammo. Had I bought it last year it would have cost me 20 cents a round on a bad day. Now? Double that for bottom of the barrel Wolf. SG had some golden tiger in stock a few weeks ago but I just could not let go of the $400 to buy a case, now it’s gone.

Now mind you I am sitting on years worth of reloading supplies and none of it is worth a **** for an AK. All in the time of the most political unrest in my lifetime.

[Muss Muggins]

Originally Posted by pasound

Seems the only Ruger 57's available anywhere are on GunBroken. For too much over retail. Now I'm kicking myself that I turned down a 57 at the local gun show three weeks ago that was priced $599... I was tempted...

Good for you, Muss Muggins!

That's about what I paid for mine. Too good to pass up . . .

[brucev]

Ammo. Gun food! Quality and quantity and demand drive price. Key to keeping gun food on hand ... buy cheap and stack deep. For my part ... have .22 LR and M-2 ball / AP on hand sufficient to keep all my guns well fed for at least a long while. Also have enough .38 Special, 9mm and .45 ACP for my pistols. Short of 12 ga. shotshells/buckshot. Oh well. Thought I'd learned since the last famine of gun food. Will have to try to rectify my shortsightedness. Sincerely. bruce.

[pawngal]

Muss, I did the same thing. 2 weeks ago saw a Ruger 57 in a gun shop when I was visiting my daughter in MN, bought it, no ammo, snagged 500 rounds on GB, not a bargain but about $1 a round.
I'm in MO right now, went to a shooting range in Ozark and shot 100 rounds. I really like the gun and normally not a fan of semi-autos.

[wetdog1911]

Originally Posted by SW Gun Guy

Ah yes, the age old question: What came first, the ammo or the gun???

I've bought ammo for a gun I yet didn't have, but knew it was in the future, a M1A.

Plus, the SAMCO Global warehouse was close to my work and they would allow a 'will call' if you phoned ahead. Snagged a battle pack or 2 every pay day till I could get the rifle.

"Focused" is an apt descriptor about ammo. Mags also, if a bottom feeder.

Rob

[wetdog1911]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

That's about what I paid for mine. Too good to pass up . . .

*I* would reall be looking for some extra mags right now, since it seems they should be easy(er) to obtain now. I'd bet they get really scarce, really fast.

I also have a hard time with what purpose it's intended.

Rob

[Muss Muggins]

I got three pretty easily, have five total now, for 100 rounds ready to use. Its purpose is simple. It’s my new favorite fighting handgun . . .

Originally Posted by wetdog1911

*I* would reall be looking for some extra mags right now, since it seems they should be easy(er) to obtain now. I'd bet they get really scarce, really fast.

I also have a hard time with what purpose it's intended.

Rob

[wetdog1911]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I got three pretty easily, have five total now, for 100 rounds ready to use. Its purpose is simple. It’s my new favorite fighting handgun . . .

Yup! Five will work, quite nicely.

Keep us updated on the pistol.

Rob

[Oracle]

I drove 202 miles each way from Selah, WA to Spokane, WA because the two White Elephant stores had 44 magnum 240 grain from assorted companies in stock. I bought it, not some, I bought it.

Hello, I am Don, I am an ammo addicted man.

[vigil617]

To answer the question asked in the thread's title:

Yes. Leaving a cold $6 Budweiser untouched after it was set down in front of you definitely indicates a problem.

Ammo: gun food. Cold beer: brain food.

Enjoy that 5.7 and your store of ammo, Muss. Sixteen ounces of American brewing heritage sacrificed for the greater good....

[Qc Pistolero]

Muss,you should be ashamed of yourself.Leaving without drinking a $6 Bud!
What kind of a world are we living in?

[TX-Dennis]

A fellow I know carries the FN 57 as his daily carry. It's a fairly large pistol, but very light weight. I have held it but have not fired it. He says it has very little recoil and achieves about 2000fps out of the pistol. That's a fast little bullet.

[Rudi]

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I’m going to hell. Had a couple beers at the Cape Girardeau BWW and went back and bought the last four boxes . . .

Good work! But you still need more.

[tops]

Originally Posted by TX-Dennis

A fellow I know carries the FN 57 as his daily carry. It's a fairly large pistol, but very light weight. I have held it but have not fired it. He says it has very little recoil and achieves about 2000fps out of the pistol. That's a fast little bullet.

I have shot one and I liked it. Light weight, low recoil and a bunch of bullets. I think it would be a good self defense pistol. Larry

[Turn4811]

Before buying a new caliber I will have reloading dies and brass. Upon purchase I will have bullets inbound. I am loading 6 pistol calibers which is about 3 too many.

[K Frame Keith]

just picked up a 5.56mm and bought a few hundred rounds at inflated price. Trying to balance my mania to stockpile vs. my need to conserve cash. Congratulations on your purchase. The shortage will pass.