Ammo shortage/availability

[federali]

The self-fulfilling Prophecy

If enough people think we're headed for an ammo shortage, we can indeed bring it about. Once ammo prices go up, they tend to stay up even when supply and demand returns to normal.

I have several thousand rounds of ammo, some of it pushing 40 years old. Frankly, I can't imagine having to shoot that many people over the contents of my refrigerator, some of which may also be 40 years old.

 

[TTSH]

I have several thousand rounds of ammo, some of it pushing 40 years old. Frankly, I can't imagine having to shoot that many people over the contents of my refrigerator, some of which may also be 40 years old.

That's the part that confuses me as well. Are we really expecting things to get that bad? So far, I haven't even run into an impolite person during this virus crisis.

Don't get me wrong. Family and self-protection are 100% legitimate concerns. No question about that. But what has changed? What are all these anti's, nubes and 'bats suddenly running out and trying to buy guns & ammo for?

Do they know something I don't know?

 

[otis24]

That's the part that confuses me as well. Are we really expecting things to get that bad? So far, I haven't even run into an impolite person during this virus crisis.

Don't get me wrong. Family and self-protection are 100% legitimate concerns. No question about that. But what has changed? What are all these anti's, nubes and 'bats suddenly running out and trying to buy guns & ammo for?

Do they know something I don't know?

I can't recall a crisis in my lifetime (55 years old) that has affected us on a national level to this degree. Sure, maybe on a regional level (Hurricane Katrina). There have been things that have sparked shortages of ammo, like impending elections. But nothing that I recall that has sparked lockdowns, food shortages,and ammo shortages with no clear idea as to the overall impact on the economy. How many small businesses will not recover? It's a domino effect. Workers not getting paid, can't pay mortgages or car payments.

I've heard that many of the gun and ammo buyers are first time buyers. The good news is that the anti-2A crowd may be much smaller when this is all said and done!

 

[otis24]

Another "up side" to the surge in gun sales: crisis ends and a lot of first time gun buyers suddenly feel that they no longer "need a gun". Voila! Great second hand deals on that favorite firearm you could never afford! Until now!

 

[lrrifleman]

Gentlemen (and ladies), I can appreciate the bewilderment behind the current panic purchases, but I believe that you have all identified the motivation yet still don't see it.

It is the uncertainty of what will happen tomorrow or the day after. Short of the weatherman/weatherlady predicting a significant snow storm, when is the last time you have seen a run on the grocery stores for food, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies?

Many of the new buyers are mostly youngsters compared to many of us. The older members of the forum have either personally experienced shortages due to the depression or the war, or we listened to our parents/grandparents and their stories of hard times, which were reinforced in school. Many of the younger folks contributing to the panic either didn't listen, didn't have elders to listen to, or have been wrapped up in video games or disaster movies. Their panic is most likely fueled by images of the collapse of society's infrastructure, a la Walking Dead.

Honestly, we have never faced a viral threat of the magnitude that the media is selling. They don't have the confidence or experience to know that we will come out of this with relatively few major hits.

For many of us, we have lived through the: Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and only God knows how many other threats to our existence. For most, we have lived through numerous threats so we can see stability down the road, but for the younger generations, they have only the images conjured by Hollywood.

It is true that we don't know what exactly lies ahead, but we have seen adversity. This is the hedge that we have over those that have been led to anticipate mass entropy lies ahead.

 

[JayFramer]

9mm Makarov is still abundant, and very cheap.

 

[bushmaster1313]

My motivation for buying and accumulating ammo has been to create a stockpile to shoot off in my retirement when my income goes down. 2019 and the January-February 2020 were a good time to do this.

For home defense, a box of each caliber is plenty.

As to acquiring ammo to use as barter, the odds of my surviving to be able to do that are slim to none. Better to invest in supplies to help stay healthy for a few weeks or months of shelter in place.

 

[murf205]

What a great time to be a handloader!

 

[Goldstar225]

What a great time to be a handloader!

Yep, if you had the foresight to stock up.

 

[TTSH]

What a great time to be a handloader!

Nah, no thanks. Been there, done that, got bored.

Look at all the fun you're missing during this new crisis!

 

[Muddyboot]

What a great time to be a handloader!

That's true anytime, much more bang for your buck....

 

[Mister X]

I've always maintained a specific minimum amount that I never go below. If I were unable to get ammunition, I simply would stop shooting completely rather than exhaust my stored supply. I'm never going to forget how to shoot nor lose any amount of skill that would likely impact my ability to defend myself. Plus, I've honestly never felt the need or compulsion to go to the range constantly. Maybe others feel differently.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I've always maintained a specific minimum amount that I never go below. If I were unable to get ammunition, I simply would stop shooting completely rather than exhaust my stored supply. I'm never going to forget how to shoot nor lose any amount of skill that would likely impact my ability to defend myself. Plus, I've honestly never felt the need or compulsion to go to the range constantly. Maybe others feel differently.

I'd say I'm about the same. While marksmanship is a perishable skill, dry fire practice can do a lot to help maintain it. I like going to the range, but have had to curtail it for various reasons (finances, range availability, time, etc.). Once I took a 1-year hiatus from shooting, and when I came back I fired this 5-shot group from my 642, standing, 2-handed, at 10 yards (see attached picture). Another time I took a 3-year hiatus, and when I returned to shooting I was still able to keep all my rounds in the 8-ring of a B27 silhouette target at 15 yards with a full-size handgun (can't remember if it was my 3" 65 or Glock 23). I won't be winning any competitions, but I consider that acceptable for self defense purposes.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Shooting is my favorite non-family activity so I buy ammo when prices are low so I can shoot even when prices are high.
Since for me an ammo purchase becomes a sunk cost, going to the range costs me nothing.

 

[mrmike7189]

My LGS emailed saying that they are sold out of most ammo....dont bother showing up there!
I think any gun in any caliber is being put into home defense duty.

 

[Green Frog]

Forget ammo, forget toilet paper, I can't find any hot dog buns! This is really serious. Anybody want to trade buns for 22s?

Froggie

 

[bigggbbruce]

That's true anytime, much more bang for your buck....

I'm always asked.. "Isn't it cheaper to reload?"

and my answer "No, I just shoot more"

 

[bananaman]

During the last big shortage, I was very close on most ammo. Have been reloading for years. Components were hard to find also as you probably remember. So after that was over, I got while the getting was good. OK on ammo, but the gun club has cancelled many events. This should correct with time also. Bob

 

[Green Frog]

All kidding aside, I made sure after the last 22 fiasco to pick a type of 22s I consider the most versatile as far as accuracy, reliability and price are concerned and stocked up. In my personal stash this is Federal Auto Match for general usage. I have other, more expensive (and some cheaper too) 22 ammo in small lots, but the F-AM forms the core of my stash. I also felt a few hundred factory rounds each of 9 mm, 223, and 30-06 would be good to have... I can reload for them of course, but don't shoot them often enough to justify worrying about that process.

Thirty twos of various lengths and thirty eights on the other hand, are loaded here regularly with both home cast and factory swaged bullets being used. I keep a good supply of powder and primers to enable this process to go on undisturbed. Other calibers are bought or loaded in small numbers, but I usually have reloading capability at least for everything I shoot.

Am I a prepper or a hoarder? I don't think so; I'm just following the Boy Scout motto to "Be Prepared."

Froggie

 

[dmar]

My guess is the majority of people on this forum did, at least the ones that are long time members...

I'm all set. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me...!