Lessons learned from the recent Guns/Ammo Shortage

[BCDWYO]

I'm ashamed I didn't learn it well enough in 08....stock up on reloading components. In 08 the primers seemed to be in shortest supply, so I did stock up on those in the past few years, and I'm pretty well set for primers and brass. This time I can't get bullets and I'm running low on powder, so I'll have to be better about stockpiling ALL components moving forward. Also considering learning to cast my own bullets.

 

[MP1983]

I learned I was right

I was barely turning 30 in 1994 when Clinton pulled all of his tricks on gun owners....I knew there would be a "round 2" some day, it was just a matter of time....

So, about a decade ago I started concentrating on buying the things I knew would come under scrutiny by the gun-grabbers again...I just kept a slow & steady course (and after a while I even allowed myself to indulge in a revolver here and there)...by the time this last try for our 2nd Amd Rights came around, I was pretty much content with what I already had...

 

[H Richard]

I wasn't really affected by the shortage, as I always maintained a "sufficient" supply. Mostly all handloaded, of course except the 22RF. I do keep a couple cases of that on hands. My Trap/skeet load I keep about a years supply on hand loaded then about another years worth of shot & powder to reload another years supply. I am down to only about 75 lbs of shot presently. Since I have been loading a 1 oz load for awhile not that means I can reload about 1200 rounds, which should take me another year. I'll just continue to keep my stock on hand at the same levels.

 

[LTC]

I learned I made a few smart decisions a few years ago.
1. Reload all centerfire you shoot.
2. Stock up on enough components to last several years of planned shooting.
3. Start stock piling range lead.
4. Helping friends has its rewards.
5. I slightly underestimated my .22lr needs.

Foresight has its rewards.

LTC

 

[Dezfan]

In his mind, he gets a deal.

In your mind, you make a healthy profit.

Willing buyer + willing seller = capitalism at it's finest.

You gouging, profiteering, no-account, flipping, scrounging, thieving, hoarding, (have I left anything out?) prepper!

You left out the fact that it was "unfair" and that the guvemint should be doing something(which started all of this BS) about it!

 

[V996]

If you stockpiled, you're "the problem"
If you bought at the new higher prices, you're "rich and stupid"
If you ran out, you're "a victim"
If you're new to the sport, or felt the need to buy because of the political climate, you're also the problem, so don't buy ammo but please write your congressman and support the gun owners' cause.
Some freedom lovin 'Merican patriots get their panties in a bunch when they're inconvenienced.
If you believe in SHTF, or like to shoot, there's a good chance you underestimated your preparedness.
And.... My wife fell in love with shooting and this is the first hobby we've been able to share. She asks me when we are going to the range. <-- Can't put a price tag on that.
$1/pop at the range still beats The Lone Ranger

 

[gdnagle]

I learned to buy as much as you can afford and keep it in a safe place clean and boxes in perfect shape.
Next shortage sell and take up fish'ín.
Capitalism at it's best. if people are so stupid to pay my price hey I'd be happy and after the shortage buy more with the profits...

Kinda like the stock market buy low sell high, and if no more shortages have fun shooting, and fish in the off times.

 

[Muddyboot]

I am bringing back this old thread to remind those who have not learned a lesson from the last couple of times, that an election is coming in November. Bad things may happen in this election, people may panic, shortages may happen again, if you are low on anything you do not wish to be low on in a guns and ammo panic, now is the time to do something about that. You have been warned.... best of luck to you.

 

[LVSteve]

I am bringing back this old thread to remind those who have not learned a lesson from the last couple of times, that an election is coming in November. Bad things may happen in this election, people may panic, shortages may happen again, if you are low on anything you do not wish to be low on in a guns and ammo panic, now is the time to do something about that. You have been warned.... best of luck to you.

Really, did you have to say it out loud?

 

[Warren Sear]

I learned that when the panic buying begins, you are presented with a great opportunity clean out your dead wood in storage. Greedy hoarders will buy anything and everything you have, and pay a lot of money for it.

Other than that, the "shortage" didn't affect me in any way at all, and although I did get low on primers a few times, I never ran out.

I never did understand why so many flipped-out over .22 ammo.

 

[josywales]

I learned a few things, but not sure I can change my circumstance.

Prior to all heck breaking loose, I was lucky to have just completed a detailed inventory of arms and ammo. Listing each gun and ammo by purpose. Listing which I'd sell if I had to and which should be carried to the grave. Thinks like that. The purpose of the guns and ammo really helped.

I found gaps in ammo, but not in arms really. As dumb luck would have it, I was low on rimfire and had heard rumors of a CCI price increase. As the model 41 loves CCI SV, I thought forget the brick and mortar, go online and go big. So I did. Years before, I had gone big on 17 Mach 2, but with the 22 I ordered cases for me and my children to shoot, perhaps for my lifetime. I also topped off other calipers, such as 5.56 and 9mm. I was, and still am, short on 243 and 357.

So why am I paralyzed now? I have plenty of 40, but don't care much for the round. I have two 40 pistols, both steel frames, which I really like. Still, my first thought was to consolidate. Now, I'm afraid to not have guns for as many calibers as I can, especially popular calipers such as the 40. As I recall, it wasn't as hard to get as 9mm, so I should keep my 40 S&W pistols and the ammo that feeds them. I had plenty of ammo for the 40, so I'll keep the pistols. I'm also frozen about reloading. I would enjoy it I'm sure, but gathering up the equipment and dedicating space for it seems daunting right now.

The OP posted the 9mm Makarov. At one time, I had 4 of those pistols. Stupidly sold off 2, but kept the 1,500 or so rounds. So I have two quality pistols with plenty of ammo for a nice backup pistol.

I recommend listing out what you have, it's purpose, etc. It's a great way to evaluate your situation and create a strategy.

 

[josywales]

My other thought about my Makarovs and my 40s is, what a nice package they would make, when the SHTF, and someone's looking for a pistol and ammo combo. I'll sell you a Makarov and 500 rounds. Better yet, I'll trade you a 40 pistol and 500 rounds for a generator. (I know, I should already have a generator, but that's looong story).

 

[LostintheOzone]

Actually there is still some shortages. 22 LR and some pistol powder have never made it back to pre 2014 levels. CCI 22 LR ammo is hard to find in any quantity larger than 500.

I'm not getting caught again. I've made a special effort to consolidate and stock up. I got caught the last time. Fool me once your fault, fool me twice my fault.

 

[italiansport]

I just took the time to read this tread in it's entirety and certainly agree with most of the sentiment expressed here. I've always bought 22s in case lots and had just stocked up before the SHTF in 2008. I still have enough 22s to last for several years. I reload all the common centerfire calibers and the only real problem I've had is finding replacement pistol powders.
The one thing I didn't see mentioned is food supply. Having all the firearms and ammunition necessary isn't going to do you much good if you're out of food and hungry. I am told that the typical household has at most a 3 day supply of food on hand. If we have a major political or economic disruption one of the first things that will be affected is the food supply. I have at present a six month supply on hand and plan on taking that to a full year as finances permit.
I do not consider my self a true "prepper" but I think it is prudent to be in the position where you can be self reliant for several months if necessary.
And an additional point: I have kept my planning low key as I don't want neighbors begging and pounding on the door if we have a major disruption. I'm fairly certain that none of them have thought ahead enough to do anything to be prepared when and if real trouble comes.
Jim

 

[venomballistics]

I wont fault anyone for having a 22LR.
However, holding one in any sort of vital role is an act of a fool.
it was, is, and will again be, the single most vexing thing to keep fed. It belongs in your safe while something else fills this position.

 

[SweetMK]

At the start of WWII,,, my father purchased three 55 gallon barrels,,,
he then filled them with gas when he could buy a few extra gallons.

Soon, he realized, if he used the gas, he would not have it.

At the end of WWII,,, he had to pay a guy to haul the bad gas away.

Ammo, is similar. If times get tough,,, move the old ammo out for sale,,,
except for what you REALLY need.
Who realistically need 15K rounds of anything??

I realistically need,,, Hmmmmm,,,, maybe 20 rounds a year,,,,??

 

[Frank46]

Some of the older members here well might remember the anti freeze shortage. Within weeks just about any place that sold the stuff had nothing but bare shelves. And what was available was sold at outrageous prices. My brother worked at a gas station and his boss would hide the anti freeze and only when a customer needed it after getting the cooling system flushed out and replacing the old anti freeze. I was lucky and got 3 gallons to hoard. Back in the late 80's early 90's there was the primer shortage, I managed to get about 10k assorted primers lr,sr and some pistol primers. Come to think about it just about any firearms or shooting supplies have all started just before national elections. You would think that based on that track record the common sense thing to do would be to stock up prior to such an event. But this isn't dome by a lot of people so the bitching and moaning starts in. That is personal responsibility. Be responsible and slowley start to stock up on what you think you will need. Magazines dammed by the politicians so everyone runs out and buys what they need wrong time to do so. Magazines are expendable items so have plenty. What about cleaning supplies buy patches in the 1000 package, by brushes in the 12 pack,cleaning solvents good old hoppes in the quart jugs. Or make up a bunch of edd'd Red the directions are over at the castboolit forum. Firearms maintainence keep them well maintained and operable. get the ones that don't work anymore and have your gunsmith repair them. What would you like to hear when the trigger is pulled a click or aa bang. Frank

 

[Irn-Bru]

Gun prices are as low as I've seen them. S&W AR's for $500, XDS 9mm for $379. At these prices these are great items to stash and hoard until the next panic.

 

[rwsmith]

IF an inheritance comes through.....

IF an inheritance comes through, hopefully before November, I will pay off some bills, buy some necessary items and STOCK UP and hunt for deals. I have learned not to count chickens though. I'll feel better when it's in my hands instead of 'pending'.

 

[vito]

While its easy to get caught up in the panic mode that seems to precede most national elections, and then continues when an anti-gun candidate wins the election, it needs to be balanced against other practical considerations. For me, that includes my age. Just having turned 73 I find that I shoot much less frequently than I did just a few years ago, in part because after about 45 minutes at the range my much injured shoulders start to really affect my ability to hold a handgun steady and comfortably. So a trip to the range for me might involve about 100 rounds of 9mm or 40S&W or 45acp fired rather than the 200 to 250 that I might have fired just a few years back. With that in mind, and the reality that I probably go to the range more like once every month or six weeks rather than every other week, a smaller supply will last me a longer amount of time. And being in an anti-gun family, I know that should I drop dead today, my guns and ammo would be sold off at minimal prices, just to get rid of them, by my wife and/or grown children (and my grandkids are too young right now to designate them for individual guns in my will).

I also find that shortages, or impending shortages, affect many of us in another way. I ran into a man about my own age at my pistol club recently who, when he saw me shooting my S&W 617 (10 round 22LR revolver) mused that he used to really enjoy shooting his 22 pistols. I asked him if his problem was that he had no ammo, and he stated no, he had about 20,000 (!) rounds stored at home, but with his fears about more anti-gun laws he was not about to start shooting it up! I could foresee this guy dying and leaving tons of unused ammo that he kept in storage just to feel ready in case he made it to 100 or beyond. Just like the old timers who lived through the Depression and saved and saved and saved for "a rainy day" but even when reaching 80 or 85, it never seemed to be "raining" quite hard enough to start spending their stash. More than one of these folks ended up in one of the nursing homes that I managed, using all of that hard-earned, hard-saved money paying as a private-pay resident while their less thrifty neighbors were being given the same care in the nursing home but paid for by Medicaid (read, taxpayers).

Personally I've thinned down my small number of firearms to what I think I really need, or really enjoy shooting, and think that when it comes to handguns I could well end up with just two 9mm semi's (one large with large capacity for home defense, one small with lower capacity for concealed carry), my trusty S&W 617 for target shooting, and a couple of 38 Special revolvers for back-up. That would mean only stockpiling three types of handgun ammo. And if I really needed to do so, I could cut back on range time to three or four times a year, just to maintain my comfort level with shooting them, and make my smallish ammo stockage last me the rest of my shooting life.