I have heard many discussions on how civilian firearms were not available 1942-45 because the manufacturers were focused on filling military orders. Same with ammo? Was ammo unavailable to consumers during the war years?

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No life story has happy end.

I wasn't born until after my dad got home from the war. From what I have read and heard, ammo was hard to come by. RCBS got it's start with equipment that would make rifle bullets out of fired .22 cases. Rock Chucker Bullet Swage was the name.

It wasn't just "focus." There was a limitation order (L-60) by the War Production Board that made it illegal to sell most guns to civilians during the war. The same applied to ammo although WPB order L-286 made it permissible to sell small quantities of certain calibers to farmers and ranchers.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

My father was a teenager during WWII and had told me that ammo was rationed at that time. He said he had to make every shot count when hunting because of the shortage.

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SWHF #595

I saw this quote on page 36 of the April, 1945 issue of American Rifleman (talking about club .22 caliber match activities):
"Even the critical ammunition shortage did not slow down activities to any extent. Each club member was issued a ration card which entitled him to fifty rounds every two weeks. Team members received a "supplemental" ration of 25 extra rounds for each match."
So it sounds like some small ration of .22 ammo was available to club members for competition.

Peters, Remington and Winchester ammunition ads talk about "more" or "unlimited" quantities of .22s being available when peace comes at the end of the war. Remington's December 1945 advertisement mentions that target shooters have been waiting for Remington target rifles and match ammunition.

I don't know about centerfire ammo availability but it seems that plant guards and police were encouraged to use club ranges for training.

There was heavy "black market" activity on ammo during WW 2. I had a draft dodging uncle that would complain because he had to pay $ 6.00 for a partial box of Peters 12 ga ammo to go duck hunting while all of his brothers and brother-in-laws had all of the free ammo they wanted in places like Anzio, Normandy, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and other scenic locals.

My father in law’s Dad bought him a Winchester Model 62a pump .22 on December 8, 1941. He knew that guns and ammunition would be hard to come by, and he was correct. He and my father both told of .22 ammo being available but rationed.

My FIL gave that Winchester to my wife and I before he passed. It was by far his favorite gun and he said he knew we would take care of it. It’s still an amazing shooter and hopefully will remain in our family.

Dan

ammo was used for "Barter" in my area during WWII

I've read, and I don't remember where, that farmers during WWII were able to buy 3 calibers: .22LR, .30-30, and 12 gauge. These were looked upon as "using" calibers, as being necessary for the war effort. I don't remember anything more; I feel certain that these would have been rationed (coupons, perhaps?) as was much else in the U.S. during the war.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Any caliber was permissible as long as they did not exceed the allowed quantity.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Fascinating! Thanks for the photo of an actual document that illustrates the issue. And thanks for the backup! Be safe.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Goodness Gracious. Let's keep the idea of government-controlled ammo rationing to ourselves, OK?

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What, me worry?

Organizations & Clubs – History In New Braunfels
First picture and paragraph. Civil war though, thought it was interesting

Metal supply during WWII was critically short, and almost anything 'consumable' made of metal was rationed to some degree. Examples: toothpaste (which some of us will recall came in metal tubes) - you had to turn in an empty tube to get a new one. And typewriter (remember them?) ribbons, which came on metal reels in metal containers called 'tins', same thing, had to turn in used ones to get new ones. As for ammo, I recall hearing that there were restrictions based upon 'need' as defined by Uncle Sam. As we all realize, when restrictions on availability are imposed, a black market is instantly created.
And as a side note, consider how many old 'Pennsylvania rifles' were melted down during the massive war effort drives for scrap metal.....
These were times that only our parents and grandparents actually experienced as adults, and first-hand knowledge is lacking.

I come from a family of hunters they were all serving during the war. They are all passed on now no one to talk about it. Years ago the rural areas were called the sticks, or boonies, no one lived that far away so they hunted there.

My grandfather could get you anything during the war with the black mareket, the stories are he fed most of the neighborhood.

Years ago one of the neighbors he helped out had a lunch truck business. My mom told me to tell him who I was. He gave me a free breakfast. Funny the old timers never forget.

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Plant garlic in the fall

Me either...In my case 9 months and 10 minutes after......Ben