Past ammo shortages

Dave Lively · Oct 30, 2020

How many ammo shortages do you remember and when were they?

I have been shooting since the early 80s and buying ammo mail order and later on the internet since it was made legal to do so in 1986. I recall a few shortages before but it seems like I am missing some of the less significant ones.

The first I remember was the great primer shortage of 1994. As a part of the AWB there was take of an "armory" provision making it illegal to own more than 1000 rounds of ammo or primers or requiring special storage, I cannot remember which. It did not become law but while ammo was available you could not buy primers anywhere for several months.

I vaguely recall some shortages in 2008 due to the elections but nothing that lasted long enough to be a real problem.

Then there was the 2013 shortage and this one.

Telecaster · Oct 30, 2020

2013 and this one are all I've lived through.

Valmet · Oct 30, 2020

Grew up shooting but didn’t start regularly until I was in HS in the late-90s. The two that stick out to me are the Y2K panic and Sandy Hook in 2012-13.

68Dave · Oct 30, 2020

2008 was the first one I experienced. A co worker said there was a run on ammo and I better get some. I was just starting to shoot and collect and was quite startled by this announcement. I stopped by the store on the way home and the ammo was gone. Only thing on the shelf was a box of .38 +p. I paid $27 for 20 or maybe 25 rounds. I called my dad that evening still concerned with the situation. He assured me that he had seen it his whole life. There was some kind of run every time they put a democrat in the White House. It would be a cycle.
I still have those .38s in the safe.
Maybe they are just my reminder to don’t freak out, just wait.
David

David.Hylton · Oct 30, 2020

I remember:
2008,- First Obama Election
2011-2012 - New Town - Obama
2015-2016 - Hilary
This is the fourth that I have gone through.

Golphin · Oct 30, 2020

The ones I remember are Obama related with the main problem being primers powder and 22 ammo. If I didn't know from the empty shelves and forums I would have no idea how bad it is now because I reload for everything I shoot included 9mm and have for years even while people told me I was wasting time as I could buy 9mm just as cheap. I have lots of components in stock but I might feel it in a couple of years if things don't get back more normal.

max503 · Oct 30, 2020

Each one seems worse than the last.

chief38 · Oct 30, 2020

I would have thought that after the last ammo shortage more shooters would have become Reloader's. If not that - then would have at least stocked up when the prices were normal.

I do get there are new shooters who were totally naive - but to see so many old shooters affected is a bit surprising.

31FordA · Oct 30, 2020

The first significant shortage that stands out was 2008-2009. I had to go to five gun shops in one night to scrounge enough .357 & .45 hollow point ammo to qualify. That experience taught me to make sure I had a decent stockpile of ammo. It also started me on reloading.

The next was after Sandy Hook in 2013. I was at the Oaks gun show the day of the shooting, should’ve bought more at the show. That panic was when all the .22 ammo disappeared. I already had a decent supply of ammo and components, but decided more is better.

I bought a bunch of stuff prior to the 2016 election, but that turned out better than expected.

This year I had a plan in January of what to buy before the election madness took off. Then the virus panic hit, followed by the riots, and now the election. This current situation is definitely the worst by far. I saw a guy at a gun show tonight asking $115 a brick for .22 ammo. Fortunately I have enough that I don’t have to pay the current prices, I can wait (and hope) for normalcy to return.

Bozz10mm · Oct 30, 2020

I somehow slept through the 2008 shortage. Wasn't even aware there was one. Sandy Hook made me decide I needed some new firearms and a lot more ammo, so 2013 was a pretty bad panic/shortage. The 2016 shortage was just a blip on the radar screen. Not much to it.

But this shortage, this shortage seems to be deeper and longer lasting than 2013. In 2013-14, I was able to watch the internet stores and actually find some ammo that was only double regular price. But the shortage of 2020, I see ammo prices that are quadruple regular price and it's much harder to find.

Dave Lively · Oct 30, 2020

Bozz10mm said:
I somehow slept through the 2008 shortage. Wasn't even aware there was one.

Me too. I vaguely remember a brief shortage but must have had enough ammo on hand for it to be over before it made much of an impression.

Bozz10mm said:
But this shortage, this shortage seems to be deeper and longer lasting than 2013.

I read an article that said ammo makers are not investing in new machines for making ammo because in 2016 they did that and then demand collapsed. Combine that with all that is going on this and you end up with what is the worst ammo shortage by a big margin.

Dave Lively · Oct 30, 2020

chief38 said:
I would have thought that after the last ammo shortage more shooters would have become Reloader's.

Were you reloading in 1994?

I remember being able to buy ammo without issue but could not find primers anywhere at any price. Whether you reload or not stockpiling a few years worth of ammo or components is key.

Charlie Foxtrott · Nov 1, 2020

I have been through a few, nothing like this.

This is the worst that I have ever seen it. On the off chance that Dopey Joe gets in it will be bad for a long time. If the president gets a second term. I expect things to ease up sometime next year.

If you did not see this coming and stock up accordingly, then shame on you. As for the new shooters. Part of me feels sorry for them and part of me feels that why did it take them so long to see the light.

I am still waiting for all of these millions of new gun owners that they are reporting to show up on the rolls of the NRA membership. If you are going to talk the talk, then you need to walk the walk.

Peak53 · Nov 1, 2020

W.E.G. said:
Unless you are still in junior highschool, a lifetime supply of primers doesn't take up a whole lot of room. It actually saddens me sometimes when I look at my primer supply, and I measure it in terms of my remaining lifespan.

Couldn't agree more. Following each of the aforementioned shortages, I stocked up when I could or when prices returned to earth. Can't tell you how many LGS I stalked asking about .22 rimfire, primers, or powder and getting a weak-hearted laugh.

In more or less recent good times I have stocked more than enough reloading components to last my ever shortening lifetime for all my calibers and even .22. This is not hoarding, just planning. I'll do my darnedest to shoot it all up, but given eyesight and wrist issues, I suspect my heirs may have a small trove to help them remember Papa.

Past ammo shortages

Dave Lively

Member

Telecaster

Member

Valmet

Member

68Dave

Member

David.Hylton

Member

Golphin

Member

max503

Member

chief38

Member

31FordA

Member

Bozz10mm

US Veteran

Dave Lively

Member

Dave Lively

Member

Charlie Foxtrott

Member

Peak53

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts