It's going to get ugly on an unprecedented scale with 2A precariously hanging in the balance (think: SCOTUS especially)... but I really do believe that people are much better prepared this time around after what we've been though in recent years. This coming storm is no surprise. We can all see it coming and there is no reason for us not to be well-prepared.
Lessons learned from the recent Guns/Ammo Shortage
- Thread starter Double-O-Dave
- Start date
My guess is most members of this Forum won't get caught short again, ( at least I hope not.) But some never seem to learn, or just don't have the finances or space to build up decent stocks over time. It's not hard to see trouble may be coming, so anything purchased now will be a good hedge on an unknown future...
Huskerguy
Member
There may not be shortages in the future but there will likely be a higher tax and regulations. I dont think ammo or components will ever be cheaper. This election worries me more than the last and that is saying something.
Get to know people at the LGS where you frequent. I did this and picked up primers for 27/1000 when they were practically impossible to find. They will often let you know if there is a deal.
Buy in bulk. Cases of primers, 6000 bullets at a time. Price goes way down for each component. Find some reliable web sites and bookmark them.
Know the price you are willing to pay for anything. I was just in a Cabelas with my son who does not have a 22 and we were looking at their fairly decent stock of 22 ammo. He asked if I wanted any or needed any. I said not that price just as a young guy reaches for a 550 box for $55. A long time ago I set my price per round and now only buy if it is something I need or want to try. I am well supplied.
If you can find lead, pour your own. Get with a couple of guys and split up buying the pouring and mold equipment. Lots of money to be saved there and it is fun.
Experiment with new powders. You never know when the one you have used for 50 years is no longer around. I have at least two powders for each caliber with lots of crossover. If 231 is ever gone then I am ok. Powder could be one hit with all sorts of regulations and taxes.
Buy a ammo storage safe to keep all of this in. Organized and dry and safe.
Get to know people at the LGS where you frequent. I did this and picked up primers for 27/1000 when they were practically impossible to find. They will often let you know if there is a deal.
Buy in bulk. Cases of primers, 6000 bullets at a time. Price goes way down for each component. Find some reliable web sites and bookmark them.
Know the price you are willing to pay for anything. I was just in a Cabelas with my son who does not have a 22 and we were looking at their fairly decent stock of 22 ammo. He asked if I wanted any or needed any. I said not that price just as a young guy reaches for a 550 box for $55. A long time ago I set my price per round and now only buy if it is something I need or want to try. I am well supplied.
If you can find lead, pour your own. Get with a couple of guys and split up buying the pouring and mold equipment. Lots of money to be saved there and it is fun.
Experiment with new powders. You never know when the one you have used for 50 years is no longer around. I have at least two powders for each caliber with lots of crossover. If 231 is ever gone then I am ok. Powder could be one hit with all sorts of regulations and taxes.
Buy a ammo storage safe to keep all of this in. Organized and dry and safe.
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rburg
Member
Hah! time was, long ago, we had a club function on the same day as a gunshow. Kind of wanted to do both, as did 4 of my buddies. So we made an arrangement, where our wives and kids would carpool over to the club and we'd carpool downstate to the gun show. Of course our absence attracted a bunch of attention - we were always there. So we finally got back, happy but broke. We cooperated in getting each of our new stash to the correct cars, then went inside.
One of our buddies (its been maybe 30 years and he still is) asked what we needed at the gun show. Simple answer, ammo. He kind of smiled and said all counted, he probably had 400 rounds if you counted 22s. We didn't respond, just smiled.
Everyone has a comfort level. After you've been shooting and collecting for over 50 years, that comfort level seems to go way up even if our years are becoming short. I had a look while preparing for the gun show. There's no way I can ever shoot up all the ammo I've got. Nor can I probably reload all the components, much less shoot it. I've imposed a self discipline. I don't buy ammo unless I need something specific. I don't buy components unless its so cheap it'd be stupid not to. I still look at it at the gunshow, but I resist any urge to do as I did in my younger days.
chaparrito
Member
I learned to reload.
Regarding the gun shortage, I learned that after the panic subsides there is rampant buyer's remorse when the fancy truck payments are late and lots of good deals to be had.
Regarding the gun shortage, I learned that after the panic subsides there is rampant buyer's remorse when the fancy truck payments are late and lots of good deals to be had.
After 94's AWB....... stocked up on some single stack autos/mags and Revolvers/speedloaders.........if you can't beat them subvert them!!!!
After the AWB 04........... I bought magazines whenever I had a chance and the price was right!
After 08........I got a good deal on a used Sig 229 w/ both .40/.357 barrels and 4 mags ( added 2 more).... my only .40 or .357...... ammo remained available after SH.
After 08 would buy ammo every LGS/Wallyworld trip...... slow and steady.
Just before 04 and again in 08 and 12; decided I needed to buy a semi-auto rifle in .223/5.56.
After the first season of The Walking Dead........... I bought a knife with a heavy long blade!!!!!!
After the 3rd season I got a second knife with a long heavy blade................... LOL
..................slow and steady...................... I've won the race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After the AWB 04........... I bought magazines whenever I had a chance and the price was right!
After 08........I got a good deal on a used Sig 229 w/ both .40/.357 barrels and 4 mags ( added 2 more).... my only .40 or .357...... ammo remained available after SH.
After 08 would buy ammo every LGS/Wallyworld trip...... slow and steady.
Just before 04 and again in 08 and 12; decided I needed to buy a semi-auto rifle in .223/5.56.
After the first season of The Walking Dead........... I bought a knife with a heavy long blade!!!!!!
After the 3rd season I got a second knife with a long heavy blade................... LOL
..................slow and steady...................... I've won the race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I've been panic buying for 5 years...
Living in Kalifornistan is a bit different. Every year our state critters throw a whole pile of restrictions against the & see what sticks. This year is no different but we're losing Gov Brown and most likely getting a rabid anti gunner for Governor.
Ammo restriction laws have already passed and reloaders aren't under their radar anymore.
Good thing I've been stockpiling components plus about 300-ish pounds of lead, wheel weights, solder & tin.
Powder & primers are the big items. You can scrounge brass, cast bullets and trade through the mail. Doing so with ammo, powder & primers will most likely be illegal as will private transactions.
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the ringo kid
Member
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Glad for the revival. Since then, ive reformed and added several guns, several thousand rounds to the stash and about a dozen magazines too. I learned my lesson and will never be caught with my pants down again.
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Check your bullets, powder, brass, and primers for expiration dates.
Oh, they don't expire??? ??? Hmm.
Oh, they don't expire??? ??? Hmm.
blues7
Member
I'm still trying to figure out a reasonable method of determining just how much is enough and at what point the missus will think I've started to lose it.
(It was a lot easier before I retired from the job and just had to walk downstairs and ask our range officer for training ammo since we trained and qualified with duty ammo.)
I have enough of each caliber, (rifle, shotgun, handgun), to last me for a pretty good while but nothing compared to many of the old hands around here.
Faulkner
Member
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,,,,??
No disrespect intended, but I don't think it's similar to your dad's bad gas scenario at all. My 15K rounds of ammo won't go bad after three years, or 30 years, so I won't need anyone to come haul off any ammo that goes bad.
In the free part of America, it's not really anyone else's business how many rounds I think I "need" as long as I can afford to buy it with my own money. I think when times get really tough, ammo will be as valuable as cash money, maybe more so.
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For consideration: buying at your friendly LGS or gun show with cash. Yes, online prices are better, but no paper trail is a good thing.
blues7
Member
If and when the day comes that I have to worry about that we'll all be in deep doo-doo. Especially since the deputies that would come a lookin' for me are some of my neighbors (and occasional shooting partners) as well as my local FFL.
I don't know which way the winds are gonna blow but I don't see a big change coming to these rural mountain communities anytime soon. That said, your advice and point of view is duly noted.
Precisely. While some of us bought and reloaded ammo, magazines and the like, others bought new pickups, RV's, vacation homes, went on cruises and to Vegas. Then, when "The Panic" hit and everything either skyrocketed in price or disappeared, those of us with the foresight to be ready were taken to task for doing so. Well, the last few years have been pretty good, but the bottom line is there will be another "Panic." Was the lesson learned, or was that new F-150 too much to resist?
blues7
Member
I bought the 686+, followed the next month by the M&P15 TS, ammo...and then the new 4Runner. So I got that going for me...
susieqz
Absent Comrade
22lr is really important to some people, despite some negative posts above.
i've bot a centerfire m15, just in case rimfire goes away, but my 22s are my favs,
i shoot hundreds of rounds every week n hope to continue doing so.
i am competent with any handgun at any normal range due to 22lrs.
those are what i stockpile when i can.
i've bot a centerfire m15, just in case rimfire goes away, but my 22s are my favs,
i shoot hundreds of rounds every week n hope to continue doing so.
i am competent with any handgun at any normal range due to 22lrs.
those are what i stockpile when i can.
I purchased a new F-150 last year, but its used as a work truck.
I get paid by the mile, so it's a separate account from the gun stuff...
People don't need to give up having nice things to own a decent amount
of guns and ammo, a slow build up over time will get you where you want
to be.....
PS........ the timing of bringing back this post with the shooting down in Florida
was fortuitous. God rest their souls....
Always have at least two guns in each caliber. Having a bunch of ammo and nothing to shoot it in just creates a different shortage. Buy a lot of different calibers, so if there's any ammo on the store shelf you can use it. Try to have a minimum of 500 rounds for each gun owned. Buy guns at low prices when available just to sell or trade when prices go up. 9mm, 38 and 45 caliber guns are always in high demand and 40's are cheap right now. FYI, I currently have guns in 31 different calibers.
I think it is safe to say that today begins the newest round of panic buying. Look for prices to skyrocket.
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