Is the ammo companies selling ammo to dealers at the same price as prior panic or has the ammo companies raised their prices therefore the dealers has to retail ammo at twice the normal retail ?

Good question but I have no idea. Many may be buying from whoever they can get it from when it comes to the local dealers. If that is the case there may be a middle man and they may be paying more but I have no idea. The online dealers may very well be making more per box and selling less as they don't get the volume they did before.

Hello fellow Coastie! I believe the prices will be similar to the gasoline wars, two or more gas stations slashing prices to woo in customers from the other stations.

When I was a teenager a gasoline war had people buying enough empty new 55 gallon drums to fill up a pickup and head to the station.

__________________
U.S. Coast Guard, retired CPO

I was looking at a link to some 9mm that TargetSportsUSA had for sale and under their Question/Answer tab, found this response by TS to a query about why the price had gone up significantly since that ammo was in stock the last time.


"Hello J..., this is a brand new SKU and we do have to pay premium to get the product. Its almost like a auction style buying and who ever pays more gets it. We call the process, whoever has it is the king. Thank you for visiting TargetSportsUSA.com"

By the response, it appears the distributors, in this case TSUSA, has been having to bid against other distributors in order to win possession of certain ammo. If this is true, I would think criticism of these distributors would be unwarranted since they are making the decision to either stock some and pass on the increase from the manufacturer or simply not have it in stock.
If it is not in stock, it helps no one.

I went to a LGS in Jacksonville FL today to look around. I have done business there pre-corona virus and their prices were always the lowest in the area. I was shocked at the prices they are now charging for guns and ammo. I looked at a Taurus G3C....MSRP is $306 and they are tagged $449. I mentioned the outrageous to the counter guy and his replay was "I don't set the price, I just sell them". I inquired about some 9MM 115gr FMJ on the shelf in plain white boxes, no manufacturer name on them and was told $50 for a box of 50!!
You can't tell me there isn't price gouging going on at some stores.

My old dad used to tell a story about driving into a town and looking for a place to fill up the gas tank. Two stations, right across the street from each other, one has a sign announcing $0.24 per gallon and the other has a sign for $0.39 per gallon. Pulled into the first station and was told they were out of gasoline. Drove across the street to the other station and complained about the price discrepancy. Station attendant smiled and said, "When we're out of gas we sell it for $0.19".

Moral of the story: when you need it and someone has it you must pay the price to get what you want.

We aren't talking about price gouging, we are talking about the realities of a competitive marketplace. When a commodity is in short supply the retailer would be foolish for selling at less than he can replace the inventory for, and that segment of the buying public willing to pay the higher price will get what they need while everyone else must do without.

It makes no difference what I paid for a box of ammo last month when I set my retail price for today. What matters is whether or not I can replenish my inventory for less than my selling price, and if not I am just too stupid to be in business next month.

Supply and demand. Like it or not, those are the rulers of the marketplace.

If a dealer sells 9mm for $10 now, one person can buy it all and flip it for $20+ online, then the dealer has none to sell to his other customers who actually need the ammo. Because of that, I don’t blame them for setting a price that ensures they keep some on the shelf. Further, they probably have trouble replenishing right now, so they can’t afford to sell it too fast.

I know of one dealer who can’t get new stock through their normal channels, so they’re buying it online at auction just so they can have some for those who desperately need it and are willing to pay that inflated price.

I've been able to find a little 9mm here and there for under $15 a box. It has been nice, because I haven't had to break into my stash.

You are very fortunate to find 9mm for $15 a box. That is a smoking hot deal these days.

__________________
Mighty 90's,Trying 4 a 100!

Last year I paid 4 cents per round for .22's. I see Midway wants 13 cents per round for the same stuff. God knows what they're charging for center fire rounds. Might be time to switch to an air gun.

I just pulled up Midways web site and the cheapest .22LR I saw was Eley Edge at 26 cents a round. Larry

I found 2 boxes of federal .22 333 box in Hew Hampshire last week for 17.95/box

It might be fun to look at the date codes,
We have one LGS, that, I am pretty sure, is selling his personal inventory of 5.56 FMJ 20 round boxes,,

Several years ago, this stuff was under $4 a box,,
I bought "some", at that price.

Well, the LGS is selling it as of a week ago, for $35.99 per box.
He had two cases of it sitting on the floor.

Another LGS wanted $11.95/20, limit two boxes per day.
I guess the "low price loss leader" is bringing in customers.

He also had SPP's for $9.50/100. And LRP's for $5/100.

I guess there would be little chance of knowing.

Anyone who is buying ammo now at these inflated prices is stupid, unless it’s buying one box just to be able to load your new gun so you can protect yourself or family. If I didn’t reload my own ammo, I wouldn’t fire one shot of anything other than .22 since I have tens of thousands of rounds of that.

Yeah, the market sets the price and if somebody can get $35 for a $4 box of ammo, then good for them. It’s the stupid people paying that price who allow it to be sold.

If prices go up much more most folks will be willing to accept the ten round magazine limit for economic reasons, not crime control reasons.

Agree. But, think of all the first time gun owners, who just bought their guns in response to the impending election, social unrest, etc. Yes, they were foolish for waiting so long, but it doesnt change the fact that they did, and now have guns they've only shot 50 to 100 times total. I know multiple folks who JUST got their CCW permits and are carrying guns they are new to, and at $40/box of 9mm can't afford to train(that is, if they could even find it!)

This ammo shortage sucks and mfgs need to fix it, soon!

Buds has 1080 rounds of 30 carbine for $386.00. That's the best price I've seen in many years.

terry

'I hear the train a comin', it's rolling 'round the bend....'


"...will enact legislation to prohibit all online sales of guns and ammunition...."


Stroke of the pen, law of the land.



What panic?

As long as guns and ammo are legal products, I'm not sure if the can ban internet sales on a national scale. Though I'm sure they will try...

__________________
OGCA Member.

Not sure if serious...

Midway is ripping people off on ammo process right now. If you're paying more then 20 bucks for 50 of 9mm, you're contributing to the problem. Step back and breathe.

I got a notification from Midway for Fed Syntech.
1000 rds for 569 in 4 250 round buckets. Those 250 round buckets are 99.00 each typically.

I passed - all gone now. Paying 600+ for 1000 round of 9mm is insane and that 30.00 a box of 50 range ammo. I can buy individual boxes of the same ammo for 18.00. And no, I won't tell you where. ***....

I bought 1 box limit 9mm $25 to replace the two $12 boxes I shot at the range today . Not buying anymore going to ration the several hundred rounds I've hoarded.

More like GASP!

Which is what I did on Wednesday when a shop I visited had 115 gr FMJ 9mm range ammo in stock for a mere $50.00+Tax per box of 50.

$1/round for 9mm range ammo. I think that's a new record. It has to be.

I've got 1 bullet for each gun, I'm good

So if ammo or primers is taken to a local auction house and 9mm goes for $.75 a round for FMJ and the primers go for over $100 a 1000 is this considered gouging? Is this adding to the problem? Asking for a friend.

I'm sure California shooters thought it could never happen to them too

That was done by the State of California, I'm not sure if the feds can do the same nationwide without running into second amendment issues.

It would not doubt end up in the Supreme Court..

__________________
OGCA Member.

Our Massachusetts AG had effectively banned Internet sale of ammo to MA license holders simply by vendor intimidation. Didn't even need a specific law... just a bunch of cease & desist letters threatening costly lawsuits, which no sane vendor would ever want.

Fortunately, one gutsy ammo vendor eventually called her bluff and that was followed by one or two others, but the vast majority still "obey" her ban. It didn't matter so much as long as Walmart was a giant in the ammo sales business. Now it matters a lot.

Could a nationwide ban on Internet ammo sales ever happen? Based on the GCA of '68, the (expired) Federal AWB and other Federal anti-2A laws we've seen, I say yes. It absolutely could happen.

Nothing in the 2nd amendment about ammunition, not a single word.

Its not gun control that will change overnight, it will be ammunition control

I wonder who the California AG was that pushed microstamping through....oh, her

A year ago people were saying what a waste of time it was to reload 9MM since it was so cheap. I just came up from the basement, where I loaded 100 9MM rounds. Total cost maybe 13 bucks. I’ve got enough components to keep me busy for the next year but when this starts to die down I will be sticking up on primers and bullets. Powder is still easy to get near me.

I was at an auction yesterday. Bricks of .22 were going for $80 a piece. 9mm ball was bringing $45 a box. Cases of .38 Spl went for $550. A single box of Herters .45 Colt brought $65. The gun prices were on average a little under retail, but most of the ammo was over retail. Can’t wait to see what they want for ammo at the gun show next weekend.

__________________
Wheel guns are real guns.

I bought a Taurus G3C out of curiosity and as a range toy at Rural King yesterday and bought 2 boxes of Geco 115gr 9mm for it for around $13/box.
They were only selling it if you are buying a gun too.
I’ve had no experience with Geco and only vaguely remember hearing the name.
Anxious to hit the range with the Taurus.

__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy

If you think the price of ammo and reloading components are high now, sadly, 11/04 will simply see them disappear. I contacted a ammo supplier about 38 special ammo and told me he had a deal for me. 250 rounds of jacketed ball for only 399.95 + shipping !!!! I passed on that bargain, however come Wednesday, I may regret that decision.

I have bought 50 BMG ammo for half that amount probably 15 years ago.

If 11/4 breaks against us, people will look back on the $1.00 per rounds days as the good old bargin days. Ammunition will be unobtainable to the public. Military and police will get first dibs with public getting what little is left over.

This past week end at the ATL Expo show a buddy was selling Federal 9mm FMJ for $35/50 rnds, and GA Arms reloads for $30. And getting it, all day!!

One dealer was selling Winchester M855 for $180/200.

Just saw an ad on ArmsList for 8x20 boxes of Black Talon. Price $480
I get the feeling people are getting stuff out of the back of their closet that they sold the gun for it and never did anything with it. Now, they are dragging it out for attempted sale.

Also, these same "stupid people", when prices go down and supply is plentiful, will NOT stock up, figuring that this will last forever and history does NOT repeat itself and get caught again when it does.

Ironically, it was Hurricane Andrew in the early 90s that drilled that home, because of the widespread power outages and resulting gas shortage. No electricity, no gas pumps, no gas and the stations that did have juice quickly ran out.

Had at least several hundred rounds for each essential firearm
I had, but it really got me thinking about long term shortages. I had already pared my calibers down to 4 by then, 7.62x51 (3 rifles), 7.62x39 (Milled receiver SLR95), .45ACP (several 1911s), and .22LR (rifles and pistols). These were my 'essentials'. I did not have a 'home defense' shotgun at that time, I do now, but 12ga is not a huge priority for me. @73, a 20ga, or even a .410 would be more in line with physical shape. Have the 20ga, a Pre War Remington "Sportsman" A5 copy and my Dad's .410 single. Neither of these are going to get altered. The .410 "Shockwave" that the LGS *used* to have looked promising, but no telling when it will be restocked. I do have at least 1 20ga single, hammer gun that I'd have no problem cutting down in the future, but, we'll see.

Anyway, right after Y2K wasn't and mil surp in particular and ammo in general prices were dropping, I decided no new guns for a bit and to stock up for what I had. AIM was stupid cheap for mil surp, but the best, in hindsight, was 2 cases of Wolf MT that was fresh from Germany in a SGN ad. I had ordered 1 case, then got a nice letter from the owners asking if I was sure if one case would suffice since prices would never be this low again. I doubled my order to two cases. It was either $183, or, $186/case, shipped. Soon after, it was selling for $45/brick and now, over $80/brick, IF you can find it. This is the same ammo as SK Standard Plus. Wolf MT is now made by Ely and I have no experience with it, but, all my .22s love the SK stuff. After all these years (15+?), I cannot remember a single ammo related problem with the SK.

If nothing "new" pops up, supply will increase and prices will decrease. Just have some $$ set aside for when they do.

OR, .... Don't and get caught again when the next shortage occurs. Your call.

Rob

Thankfully i have not had to buy any of my usual 9mm or 22lr as i had enough to last. Though my range visits th mis year with the virus limitations were greatly reduced. Sad but guess for ammo stock it was fortunate.
I am a newer AR owner and have paid $.50-60 per round to get some ammo in for some learning time with it. As I understand it that price is high (I have seen it much higher) but it is worth it to me to have something on the shelf.
I view it like having a gas guzzling muscle car when fuel prices are high. Still wanna drive it, just have to keep your foot off the floor lol

I was loading up some magazines with 223 yesterday. My ammo was from Freedom Munitions. Just decided to see if they had any as had not purchased from them since 2016. They have remanufactured (which is what I had bought from them before) and I liked. So, I ordered some. Afterward I went to ammoseek and see they were near the cheapest per round and the only ones near the cheapest that were brass casings. I ordered on Wed and it is scheduled to arrive here via UPS tomorrow. The other nice thing is shipping was only $10.xx for 500 rounds. Not like the $13 shipping I paid for one box of Critical Defense last week. Yes, the prices are stupid high, but if you need/want the ammo, this is one alternative. I have no affiliation with them, but thought the price and shipping would make them somebody to look at if you need/want some 223.

Some prices went up, some didn't.

__________________
Jorge

It creates a dilemma for retailers.

If they sell at their normal prices, then they will see these “flippers” hurry out the door with all they can carry to sell to some other person at a markup. Then that person adds a markup and flips the ammo again.
So, the flippers end up making more money off the ammo than the dealer who placed the order with his line of credit, pays rent, insurance, utilities, and wages for himself and any employees.
I have seen this **** happen with my own eyes, and I do not blame retailers for marking up their prices to slow down the opportunists, some of whom aren’t even shooters.

A lot of the price gouging is being done by the customers who find a gun store that is trying to hold prices down, come in and buy a bunch, go down the road to another store or individual who is out, and flips it for a 30 to 50 percent profit.
If I am the original store owner, if anyone is going to make a 50 percent profit, it’s going to be me. Not some opportunist that has no investment in a store front, electric bill, or payroll to meet.

There is no price gouging going on. If the price is too high, don't buy it, but there is no need to BMW (Complain, Moan, Whine).

I think that is Bitch, Moan,Whine

__________________
Dogs are better than people.

They will do anything they want, effective immediately, and let the appeals linger in the courts for years. In the meantime, . . . .

I didn't want to get dinged. AGAIN!

We are going to need a lot more people in the NRA as soon as possible.
It's the best organization to fight for us.

__________________
OGCA Member.

I lapsed for for couple years just rejoined NRA along with G.O.A , 2nd Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition. I've posted before bought most of my FMJ and JHP last year have bought a few boxes recently . Prices will not be coming down so get what what you can.

Yesterday I picked up 2 50rd boxes of 9mm ball for $12.97 each.

__________________
No baby we aint