38SPL HV
Member
...any inside track where all the primers are? No ammo, no primers...what next?
Small Pistol Primers?
- Thread starter 38SPL HV
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The way it was explained to me, because of the pandemic and social distancing, the manufacturers are only running about one quarter capacity. My LGS says they are getting partial orders that were placed a while back. As the shelves started getting bare, those people who went in for one box, saw fewer on the shelve so they picked up three or four boxes instead of the one. After a week or two, we have a shortage.
What I have heard is that manufacturers are keeping for themselves to make their own ammo.... aside from that they are dust in the wind I check every day 3 times a day, all over to no avail.....
DWalt
Member
I don't know at present if SR primers are any more available than SP, but if you can locate any SR primers, just use them instead of SP. Fortunately, I am one of those who stocked up on primers some time ago.
Sorry, I am no help. I have only purchased a brick of small and large magnum pistol primers in the past 18 months. The last time I bought pistol SP was about 5 years back when Cabella's had S&B primers for $22 a brick and then they applied a 10% military discount. I made 3 purchases of $325 a week for 3 weeks before they ended the sale.
Moe Mentum
Member
Most likely was the slow down from the covid scare. Everybody is behind the curve. Things should get back to normal when companies start full production again.
OP
38SPL HV
Member
I hope so Moe...I have enough for now but one never knows. I’m a single stage press low volume reloader compared to many here.
This shortage seems different than 2013/14. In 2013/14 (as I recall) primers AND POWDER were at least pretty much equally scarce - maybe powder was more scarce. I was starting reloading then and I recall having primers but not powder.
Now primers are gone, but powder seems to be very available. My key indicators are availability of H335 and HP-38. Both, for example, are in stock in 8 lb quantities at Powder Valley right now.
If I was a CCI, for example, and assuming selling loaded ammo is more profitable than just primers, I'd absolutely direct my primers to my ammo production lines.
The availability of powder (and bullets - one just has to wait a few weeks) aligns with the likely dynamic the shelves are bare because of all the new gun buyers needing ammo. I wonder what sort of inventories the average new gun person will think they need to have in order to not feel paniced. My guess is, by our standards, not much. Case-in-point: I have a good friend that is about to buy his first pistol. Me and another friend will help him out with some ammo in the immediate term. But I can't IMAGINE him thinking he needs more than a couple hundred rounds in house after he is able to buy his own. He'll practice a little and get comfortable, but he isn't going to shoot much. I just don't see these kinds of folks feeling like they need thousands and thousands of rounds to have on hand. (I'm not arguing that's a smart perspective......I'm just saying I could see this scenario unfolding with other new gun buyers.)
Now primers are gone, but powder seems to be very available. My key indicators are availability of H335 and HP-38. Both, for example, are in stock in 8 lb quantities at Powder Valley right now.
If I was a CCI, for example, and assuming selling loaded ammo is more profitable than just primers, I'd absolutely direct my primers to my ammo production lines.
The availability of powder (and bullets - one just has to wait a few weeks) aligns with the likely dynamic the shelves are bare because of all the new gun buyers needing ammo. I wonder what sort of inventories the average new gun person will think they need to have in order to not feel paniced. My guess is, by our standards, not much. Case-in-point: I have a good friend that is about to buy his first pistol. Me and another friend will help him out with some ammo in the immediate term. But I can't IMAGINE him thinking he needs more than a couple hundred rounds in house after he is able to buy his own. He'll practice a little and get comfortable, but he isn't going to shoot much. I just don't see these kinds of folks feeling like they need thousands and thousands of rounds to have on hand. (I'm not arguing that's a smart perspective......I'm just saying I could see this scenario unfolding with other new gun buyers.)
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Huskerguy
Member
Have you watched a video on making primers? Appears they are in a room by themselves. Ammo plants are very automated these days so the social distancing thing is fairly easy to do.
Its similar to the 22 ammo shortage. They were cranking it out faster than ever only to still have a shortage. The shortage wasn't because of production but was due to people hoarding it. I agree with the statement that if someone sees it they will buy more than they need. That's how most all of these go.
Its similar to the 22 ammo shortage. They were cranking it out faster than ever only to still have a shortage. The shortage wasn't because of production but was due to people hoarding it. I agree with the statement that if someone sees it they will buy more than they need. That's how most all of these go.
I picked up 500 small and 500 large pistol primers today, the store would only sell me that much if I also got some powder. Since my one boy converted his 1911 to shoot 460 rowland I picked up a pound of longshot, that's the only powder that came up on the Hodgen's web load chart for the 460 rowland with 230 grain XTP. Now all the boys need to do is get the dies and some brass for what they want to put together and learn how to make their own, they both want more 9mm luger.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
Anymore, if one does not stock up on ammo and reloading components at least six months prior to a national election, they haven't been paying attention.
This year, with all of the uncertainty from COVID and civil unrest, was sure to be even worse than usual. As a result, those who weren't prepared 9-12 before the election were left out in the cold.
This year, with all of the uncertainty from COVID and civil unrest, was sure to be even worse than usual. As a result, those who weren't prepared 9-12 before the election were left out in the cold.
kbm6893
Member
Me too but I still grab some when I see them. Trouble is I rarely see them. At this rate I’m good for a few years but this shortage is making me nervous. Seems different this time.
...no guns if we ain't very protective of our 2nd Amendment rights!
Got caught off guard during the .22 shortage.
Now I have 8000 rounds of that stuff and only a single shot Crickett rifle to burn them all up...a lifetime supply.
So let's see, got lots of .40 caliber bullets, plenty of powder, and a few hundred small pistol primers.
Well I certainly can't be accused of being perceptive!
This shortage is a good thing in that I have been trying to get my 2 boys interested in reloading, with cheap readily available ammo their attitude is why bother. With 9mm going near $50 a box now their interested.
Rocket3
Member
If history repeats it self this will pass. If you do this long enough you will see the signs. Last time I got caught was the primer shortage in the early 90's. Never again.
Just have to wait it out and keep looking.
Just have to wait it out and keep looking.
Probably because...
Probably because I have really stocked up on powder because of the last shortage. Fortunately, I'm ok on primers right now, but there aren't any out there.
Probably because I have really stocked up on powder because of the last shortage. Fortunately, I'm ok on primers right now, but there aren't any out there.
Seems I remember.....
...people saying that 9mm wasn't worth reloading. During good times I saved a little by reloading 9mm. During the shortage I can make all I want.
...people saying that 9mm wasn't worth reloading. During good times I saved a little by reloading 9mm. During the shortage I can make all I want.
mmb617
Member
So far my LGS has been well stocked with powder and usually has some primers, magnums more often than standards and rifle more often than pistol. Brands may vary. I usually buy a brick of whatever is available that day when I'm there even if I don't need it immediately. I'm not choosy, I take what I can get.
To this point getting powder hasn't been a problem at all and bullets are available online, I just have to wait several weeks for them and pay more than I'd like. Primers are the limiting factor so I want to stock up as much as possible on them.
It's really hard to say when the shortage will end. Some say after the election, while others say once a vaccine is available for the virus. I can think of reasons it will go on regardless of which way the election goes. I think it's going to be a long one.
With the way rimfire prices have skyrocketed I can reload 9mm for what I'd pay for .22LR factory ammo. As long as I can get the components I'll just shoot more 9mm and way less .22LR.
To this point getting powder hasn't been a problem at all and bullets are available online, I just have to wait several weeks for them and pay more than I'd like. Primers are the limiting factor so I want to stock up as much as possible on them.
It's really hard to say when the shortage will end. Some say after the election, while others say once a vaccine is available for the virus. I can think of reasons it will go on regardless of which way the election goes. I think it's going to be a long one.
With the way rimfire prices have skyrocketed I can reload 9mm for what I'd pay for .22LR factory ammo. As long as I can get the components I'll just shoot more 9mm and way less .22LR.
Moe Mentum
Member
Funny, a few years ago my friends called me stupid for reloading 9 MM because it was so cheap and available. Who's stupid now ??
After that last shortage.....
...I don't take anything for granted. Things can change too quickly.
...I don't take anything for granted. Things can change too quickly.
