Depleted inventory across the board?

[Arthury]

Is there a large spike in the demand for guns across the board or most manufacturers are slowing down their manufacturing at this time of the year?

I seem to see a rather low inventory level across all gun types in large online places like BudsGunShop.

What's going on?

[StatesRightist]

Originally Posted by Arthury

Is there a large spike in the demand for guns across the board or most manufacturers are slowing down their manufacturing at this time of the year?

I seem to see a rather low inventory level across all gun types in large online places like BudsGunShop.

What's going on?

Obamaphobia--remember 2008?

[GF]

Lots of internet chatter about ammo shortages too, I've not seen any of that.
I've ordered ammo from four different suppliers last week and found some pretty fair deals.

As far as new gun sales, I don't know as I don't but new guns very often. There are so many high quality older revolvers at half the cost of new retail that I just don't see the need to participate in paying the inflated prices of an election year rush.

If you remember the Clinton years the same thing happened with black rifles.
After everybody in the country bought 'em for two grand, a year later you could buy 'em from them for half money.

Some rich guy once said "be fearful when others are bold and be bold when others are fearfull", he was talking about the stock market but it goes the same for guns.


GF

[DCWilson]

When I was at my LGS last week, they had signs posted that Ruger was not accepting any more orders until further notice. The company had shipped a million guns in the first quarter and was behind on production for existing orders.

The store itself has been doing land-office business since late November -- "Black Friday." They will order anything for anybody, but have only a few S&Ws on the shelf; Smiths are not big sellers there. They move a lot of Glock, SIG, CZ and Taurus units. Some Colts and Springfields too, and a few Wilson and Kimber .45s. There are some other polymer semiauto lines whose names I don't recall.

[McBear]

An article in Yahoo/GMA from April 4, 2012 attributed it to three things. 1)Obama, 2) Doomsday Preppers and 3) Zombie Apocalypse.

So, it boils down to an awesome marketing campaign by the firearms industry and Reality TV.

Gun Sales Booming: Doomsday, Obama or Zombies? - Yahoo!

[alphabrace]

Well lets see...we have an idot in the WH who just may get to stay another 4 yrs. He will have more flexibility if elected as he shared with his Ruskie brother. Do you think he will be more or less supportive of 2nd amend?

[Nico Testosteros]

Idot?
Political much?

[GaryS]

Ruger took 1,000,000 orders for the first quarter of this year and so stopped taking new orders until production catches up. I imagine other manufacturers have similar backlogs.

Concerns about a lot of things, including Obama, are prompting an increase in interests in firearms. I know a number of people who previously had no interest in firearms who are not getting their concealed carry licenses. Many more are considering purchasing firearms for self defense at home.

There is great unease in the country right now, people are starting to think seriously about having to take care of themselves because the government might not be there to do it.

[GF]

Originally Posted by Nico Testosteros

Idot?
Political much?

Yep.

Mods will drop in shortly... lets not make this guys thread disappear.

GF

[mr.jbk79]

I'm not sure about the big box stores, but some of the smaller LGS do seem thin on Handguns, mostly autos. Ammo seems to be stocked ok, but turns over quick.

[GaryS]

One other thought. The new shooters I've seen all want to buy new guns. None of them are interested in "old" guns, which it seems that experienced shooters prefer.

Has anyone else noticed that?

[mr.jbk79]

GaryS. I would agree that is what I've noticed overall, but not entirely. This is good for some of us who like the old stuff, anyway. Prices are steep and going up all the time, don't need it going up any faster.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by mr.jbk79

GaryS. I would agree that is what I've noticed overall, but not entirely. This is good for some of us who like the old stuff, anyway. Prices are steep and going up all the time, don't need it going up any faster.

More good stuff for us! Although right now I'm more inclined to concentrate on ammunition and parts than on complete firearms.

[fxntime]

Originally Posted by GaryS

One other thought. The new shooters I've seen all want to buy new guns. None of them are interested in "old" guns, which it seems that experienced shooters prefer.

Has anyone else noticed that?

They are worried they will have issues with something used and older and would rather buy new with a warranty. Can't really blame them as a new shooter, once they get a few rounds under their belt along with a little experience and get to handle and shoot some of the oldies but goodies, they open up their horizons a bit save for the "one gun for self defense" types.

[m1gunner]

Depleted inventory, not from what I am seeing.

The "good deals" on guns and ammo will be gone for a while, but there is plenty of everything to go around.

The sellers ran out of inventory during the last panic, and most won't be caught short this time. What they are already doing is adjusting prices to meet demand (done too late last time to maximize profit).

If you want something today, you can buy it, but it will cost. Any gun, ammo, piece of gun equipment, they are all going to the highest bidder.

I have seen several gun dealers that are absolutely bulging at the seams with new guns and ammo. Prices are above retail, and they aren't budging. They are all saying price is for "today only", may be higher tomorrow.

I can't fault these guys, they are in business for only one reason, and that is to make money. They are in the right place at the right time now, and they will ride that pony till it drops.

I can still buy 300 rds of new 223 bulk for less than I can reload that amount (having to order primers, powder, and bullets), but that won't last long.

[mr.jbk79]

My observation is also that here in WI, since back in Nov '11 when CC was passed, the demand has been brisk for handguns. I've seen older and younger men and women purchasing firearms, so I'm sure this explains some of the regional inventory shortages that I'm seeing/hearing about. I do know that when I've gone to Cabelas, you'd think they were giving stuff away with the lines of people at the firearm counters. Just my two cents.

[ladder13]

Funny thing, this is one area of the economy that is booming and no one wants to take credit for it

[Penmon]

I visited three LGS over the last week, all located in MD- PA and what I'am seeing is fair stocks of Glocks, AR's,AK's and hunting rifles.I am also seeing an increase in curio type guns like Lugers,P-38's and the like.
The revolver cases in all three stores were almost empty, with the exception of the standard Ruger fare and the mandatory S&W 500.
S&W must have shoved those down the dealers throats.

One interesting thing I noticed is at one of the stores known for it's indoor range, training facility and large well decorated showroom with a large assortment of guns was that judging from the tags on the guns nearly 40% of their handgun stock was consignment.When I commented on this the manager said "got fill the case, everything on back order".
Penmon

[5Wire]

I've had an LC9-LM on order through my LGS. Most distributors are out of them. Some retailers, including a well known online, GS have the model but I'm convinced it's old inventory. I don't mind waiting because I believe there are mods underway for the next production run, whenever that might be, and mine is not a new order. Money sent in November and received on account.

Same GS says it's the same for HK, Sig, and others.

[joeintexas]

I haven't noticed any less handguns or ammo for sale in this area but what I have noticed lately at the indoor range is an increase in female shooters and younger folks in general shooting.

[cracker57]

I for one love seeing younger shooters along with the female shooters. Most of the LGS around here now have the take a number sign up, something we never saw before. Gun sales are booming, I went to a gun show this weekend and finding a parking place was next to impossible. I did notice a lot of women trying on guns and it was good to see them handling them with a very good two handed grip. Never once did I hear them ask does this gun make my butt look fat?
Cracker

[NYlakesider]

Best bet I'm older than a lot on here as I purchased my first pistol in 1972 after two years of fighting political chicanery by the bureaucrats in the people’s republic of NY.

I can remember quite clearly after the Dirty Harry movie came out how hard it was to get your hands on a S&W 29. That was new or used.

In fact many dealers in my area were putting you on waiting lists and unless you were a very good customer tacking on a (as the auto industry calls a ADP) Additional Dealer Profit of a $100 or more on new and not willing to negotiate on good used! It took me 6 months to get my first 29 and as I was a good customer the dealer gave me the gun at ONLY MSRP. It was a cased 29 8 3/8 blue and I still have it.

That era also had a problem getting good snub noses ,19 2 1/2s, 15 2s, 36s were hard to get and 60s were priced and listed like the 29s I mentioned above. That interesting time lasted about 5 years. It took S&W that long to get inventory up to where a dealer actually had some of those desired guns in stock.
Different story today!

[Beaver]

My gun buying and trading is almost 100% old revolvers/autos/bolts/and a few shotguns. The trading seen is very active and gun prices in Central Oregon are low.

[old bear]

As of last week my LGS was well stocked on the typical supply of auto loaders, and only two or three Smith and Wesson revolvers. As of yesterday all three of my on-line ammo suppliers had generous supplies of ammo for sale. As for my purchases I'm still on the lookout for one more .357 Magnum, I also have 2,000 rounds of assorted ammo on hand.

[H Richard]

S&W stock has gone up over 70% this year. I understand Ruger stock is up just as much or more. One local shop that deal's in mostly used guns can't find inventory to sell. His gun cases look like a plague of locusts have gone through

[McBear]

I have seen no depletion of inventory on anything. When I went shopping for a 9mm a few weeks ago I had a spreadsheet of 12 options that I wanted to look at. The shop had 11 in stock, with the options I wanted on the pistol. Only one was a 92 Compact that had grown legs over the previous weekend and walked away. Box and paperwork were there, just not the metal part.

And the prices were all discounted off of MSRP and used weapons were available at 20-25% less than the discounted new. Overall, I was very happy.

Only thing I believe I have "overpaid" on was a Mod60-15 last year. And it shoots so well I can't complain too much.

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Don't know. Don't care. Got mine.
Except for a 638-2

[Wolfrage]

Originally Posted by Arthury

Is there a large spike in the demand for guns across the board or most manufacturers are slowing down their manufacturing at this time of the year?

I seem to see a rather low inventory level across all gun types in large online places like BudsGunShop.

What's going on?

I had to wait about 3 months for my replacement M&P45c from S&W (arrived today) -- they said they had nothing in stock and weren't starting production again till this month. They had a 40c in a couple weeks ago so i guess production had started up for those earlier.

[ACP230]

Guns and ammo are in good supply in the U.P., so far.

A local dealer even got two of the Ruger 10/22 takedown rifles in last week.

Quite a few used guns locally too. Nothing I was intensely interested in last time I made the rounds though.