Ending the Panic

[Buford57]

I stopped at a local Cabelas Wednesday and noticed that they had a display of CCI .22LR and .22 WRM ammo. I picked up a 100 Ct box ($7.99) of the LR, then picked up a second. I had given 4 50 Ct boxes to family members who were short this week and wanted to replace it.

A vigilant (and not overly polite) salesman informed me that the ammo was limited - one box per customer. I put both boxes back and told him thanks, but I prefer to wait until the craziness ends. He scoffed that "no one knows when that will be". I told him the craziness would end when more people were willing to do what I had just done and walk away from a "scarce" commodity they really didn't need right then.

My thoughts:

1) It's good to see ammo on the shelves.

2) In principle I agree with Cabelas' rationing policy - the hoarders and resellers would clean the shelves otherwise; I just wish they had posted a sign.

3) In normal times I would have purchased 200 rounds to replace the 200 that left my inventory this week. Placing voluntary limits on purchases helps speed the day when normalcy returns.

4) Working at Cabelas has always looked like fun, but I wouldn't want that man's assignment.

Your thoughts?

 

[pownal55]

I agree with everything you just said.

 

[phillyfan21]

Yeah I agree my lgs had a bunch of bricks of 525 22lr with a ten box limit. Most people are only buying two or three bricks at a time only a few were buying cases or the max amount 10 and most of those people are resellers or small lgs or pawn shop owners.

 

[wyccad915]

I agree it seems there is more ammo on the shelves. I see it all the time at my sports academy, but only because I go when they open their doors. Today for only the 2nd time did I find 22lr at walmart. So I can't really say much about them getting more ammo or not. But I have noticed sports academy getting a lot of Monarch ammo and it is nice since I know they distribute it besides a few online distributors. Every day they got ammo this week they brought out big boxes of 9mm which is great since I just bought a sd9ve. It is the same restriction there as at cabela though (you can get 3 boxes but it has to be 3 different calibers).

 

[M3Stuart]

I agree.

I've seen some at super-high prices and just laughed. I've seen some at regular prices and thought; "I've got enough, let the other people have some".

In my case I could see the shortage coming like a freight train - just like after the last election, though this 'shortage' was delayed by a month...

 

[Maximumbob54]

I just wish I could be there when they have at least that one box on the shelf.

 

[Silvergoose]

New to the forum, just bought my first wheelgun, a S & W model 66-2 4 inch. Thanks for allowing me to join and to learn more about S & W from the people that own and use them.
Moving to the Ammo shortage: I stand firm with most of the forum members, stop the panic. I am reminded of the gasoline shortages, people lined up for hours to get a few gallons of fuel, some people were killed over fuel. I am a strong believer in standing up for what is right, the prices gouging must stop starting with me.

 

[Smitty357]

Ammo and Gun panic will end after the next election. Until then, u guys may as well buy up whatever you can. It's only a matter of time before all of this starts over again.

 

[Wheeler57]

I agree with the thoughts already expressed here. I have lately been adding to my 22lr gun collection because they are cheaper and just plain fun. Actually I feel I have enough larger calibers but only a couple thousand 22 rounds. We all know that is a small amount of 22 for plinking. I have not partaken in the 22 rip off prices but I have also stopped shooting 22 or my other calibers in case I really can't get more. I am not adding to the problem but I am not shooting either. I just hope it will get normal soon.
Keep the faith

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So let me get this straight. They have a 1 box limit so you could buy only 1X 50 round box but if you bought 1X box of 525 rounds that's OK? That seems a little strange to me.

Yes, I agree with you. Everyone keeps quoting "supply and demand" for the price increases but forget if everyone refuses to pay the inflated prices the prices would come down. That's the other side of supply and demand, when demand drops so does the price. If everyone keeps paying the higher prices the prices will remain high.

 

[wyccad915]

So let me get this straight. They have a 1 box limit so you could buy only 1X 50 round box but if you bought 1X box of 525 rounds that's OK? That seems a little strange to me.

Yes, I agree with you. Everyone keeps quoting "supply and demand" for the price increases but forget if everyone refuses to pay the inflated prices the prices would come down. That's the other side of supply and demand, when demand drops so does the price. If everyone keeps paying the higher prices the prices will remain high.

yep. it sucks. When I go to academy it's great when your one box is 300-500 rd box. But when you can only get 1 50 rd box it is dissapointing.

 

[Buford57]

So let me get this straight. They have a 1 box limit so you could buy only 1X 50 round box but if you bought 1X box of 525 rounds that's OK? That seems a little strange to me.

Yes, I agree with you. Everyone keeps quoting "supply and demand" for the price increases but forget if everyone refuses to pay the inflated prices the prices would come down. That's the other side of supply and demand, when demand drops so does the price. If everyone keeps paying the higher prices the prices will remain high.

No, just to clarify - they had 50 and 100 round boxes, nothing bigger. You could buy 2 50s or 1 100 count. I was back there today to pick up a case of 16 gauge shells I had shipped to the store and all the .22s were gone.

 

[Arik]

My LGS just got a shipment of federal 5.56 in 500 round boxes, no limit @ $225. Yea the price isnt ideal but the fact that its not being rationed is a plus

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[CoronaDan]

Well, here in Austin, still no 22, 9mm or 38 special at my local Academy. Oh well, since there's no shooting to be done....I went to the driving ranges to find my old golf swing. Did amazingly well for not having swung a club in a year!

Maybe I'll take up golf again! Might be cheaper than shooting!

 

[BigBill]

I read there will be a really heavy tax put on our ammo by the government soon. I been stocking up on ammo ever since each shortage has ended. That's ever since the very first shortage of the Chinese norinco 7,62x39 happened. Soon after this shortage was over we had a flood of the imported Russian ammo for $59/1,000rds of 7,62x39. I been toying by my gut feeling looking at the future of shooting for my two sons. Hoping they will never have face an ammo shortage nor ever worry about one.

 

[Smokin' Iron]

I agree with much of what has been said in this thread.

There has been one thing missed that will help ammo availability. It will happen when the ultimate ammo hoarder finally tops out and slows his record buying frenzy......Uncle Sam.

 

[scwv67]

I read there will be a really heavy tax put on our ammo by the government soon. I been stocking up on ammo ever since each shortage has ended. That's ever since the very first shortage of the Chinese norinco 7,62x39 happened. Soon after this shortage was over we had a flood of the imported Russian ammo for $59/1,000rds of 7,62x39. I been toying by my gut feeling looking at the future of shooting for my two sons. Hoping they will never have face an ammo shortage nor ever worry about one.

The easiest way to enact "gun control" would be to make it too expensive to shoot.

 

[walkin' trails]

Agreed that the frenzy will end when everyone stops hoarding and panic buying. The problem is that I'm sure that there are quite a few speculators hoping that something restrictive does manage to get passed and allow them the opportunity to rake in the big bucks for stuff no longer available. I personally hope they lose their shirts on the venture. Inflation has been bad enough, but to charge what some of them are now asking for bulk packs of .22 ( or even single boxes) is just down right un-American. I was in a gun store in Dallas last week. The store was a popular one that also sells law enforcement equipment, and they had almost no ammo available. My gun shop/range I frequent in my area actually has .22 LR and other calibers available, but currently restricts the sale to range customers only. I haven't been up to Cabelas for a while, and I want to buy more than a 50/100 round box to make it worth driving my gas-guzzling truck up there.

 

[Steely Dan]

Ammo and Gun panic will end after the next election. Until then, u guys may as well buy up whatever you can. It's only a matter of time before all of this starts over again.

I just hope we get the results we want in the next election.

This last one left me speechless and totally depressed.

I'm buying what I can, when I can find it.

 

[arizona98tj]

2) In principle I agree with Cabelas' rationing policy - the hoarders and resellers would clean the shelves otherwise; I just wish they had posted a sign.

They have multiple signs spaced about 6' apart along the ammo shelves at the Cabela's I shop. They have a few simple statements on them outlining the current policy on restrictions of ammo. Maybe you could tell the person a sign would be helpful.

That being said, I've watched people grab a half dozen 100 round boxes of CCI ammo from the shelf that is just inches from the sign saying limit of one 100 round box. Either people don't see it, they don't care, or they can't read. They'll always be that 10%.

 

[eplacentia]

I received an email from Midway this morning alerting me that they had .cases of .223 in stock. When I checked, it was already gone. I panicked for a second or three then calmly erased the email and moved on. About a month ago, I would've been on the phone with Midway, frantically refreshing the page or checking all the forums for updates. I bought my .223 as a fun gun not for defense and not for training. I don't need thousands of rounds. I have plenty now. We all need to sacrifice that fleeting euphoric feeling we get when we "score" ammo and just say to yourself that "I'm doing my part to end this panic".

 

[str8liner]

I just hope we get the results we want in the next election.

This last one left me speechless and totally depressed.

I'm buying what I can, when I can find it.

Same with me....Anyone who is waiting around for ammo to fill the shelves and return to "normal" prices is in for a rude awakening...

I liken it to gas prices...If it goes to 5.00 a gallon and they see demand stay steady you can bet the cheapest you will ever see it again will be 4.85...

The ammo mfgs have to see the current state of ammo prices and realize what people are paying for it...

 

[phillyfan21]

Same with me....Anyone who is waiting around for ammo to fill the shelves and return to "normal" prices is in for a rude awakening...

I liken it to gas prices...If it goes to 5.00 a gallon and they see demand stay steady you can bet the cheapest you will ever see it again will be 4.85...

The ammo mfgs have to see the current state of ammo prices and realize what people are paying for it...

I agree why would they lower prices when you see a 525 brick of 22lr for $49.99 selling out within seconds why lower prices. If anything they will raise prices.

 

[rwsmith]

I admire....

I admire your self control and presence of mind and you are very right on all points. If the guy wasn't acting like a *******, I probably would have gone ahead and bought a box, though.

 

[Hemi392]

store rations

Funny thing happened to me today, I was working in a small town in the Catskills and I stopped by a gun shop that was near my job so I figured I'd go in and see if they had 223, and sure enough they did, a lot of it, so I asked to get some and was told limit was 2 boxes IF I bought something else in the store (non- ammo). He then pointed out that I could get the 556 with no additional purchase, but only 2 boxes. WOW, crazy man... so I bought 2 of the 556, I just want some 223, what's a guy gotta do??

 

[Diablo982]

Same with me....Anyone who is waiting around for ammo to fill the shelves and return to "normal" prices is in for a rude awakening...

I liken it to gas prices...If it goes to 5.00 a gallon and they see demand stay steady you can bet the cheapest you will ever see it again will be 4.85...

The ammo mfgs have to see the current state of ammo prices and realize what people are paying for it...

I think the difference between gas prices and ammo prices is necessity. Because we are so dependent on our cars, the breaking point for gas is pretty high. At what point would you stop driving? $10 a gallon, maybe $15? Ammo on the other hand is a luxury. With the exception of law enforcement, gun range owners and professional shooters, nobody NEEDS ammo. If prices stay high or continue to rise, the demand will fall. Some will turn to golf. Others will shoot a lot less. Either way, I don't think ammo manufacturers can raise the prices significantly long-term and keep selling at this volume.

 

[forestswin]

I admire your self control and presence of mind and you are very right on all points. If the guy wasn't acting like a *******, I probably would have gone ahead and bought a box, though.

Wow I just read that

I admire your self control and presence of mind and you are very right on all points. If the guy wasn't acting like a *******, I probably would have gone ahead and bought a box, though.

Wow I just read that

 

[Old TexMex]

I think the difference between gas prices and ammo prices is necessity. Because we are so dependent on our cars, the breaking point for gas is pretty high. At what point would you stop driving? $10 a gallon, maybe $15? Ammo on the other hand is a luxury. With the exception of law enforcement, gun range owners and professional shooters, nobody NEEDS ammo. If prices stay high or continue to rise, the demand will fall. Some will turn to golf. Others will shoot a lot less. Either way, I don't think ammo manufacturers can raise the prices significantly long-term and keep selling at this volume.

I don't mean any disrespect, let me make that clear first off, please.

I can't agree with the idea that only law enforcement, military and sport shooters NEED ammo. The Constitution that I swore to uphold says I have the right to ammo, as that is part and parcel to being armed for the defense of my home, family, and country.
When seconds count, the police down this way might well be more than minutes away. Unfortunately.

 

[Buford57]

They have multiple signs spaced about 6' apart along the ammo shelves at the Cabela's I shop. They have a few simple statements on them outlining the current policy on restrictions of ammo. Maybe you could tell the person a sign would be helpful.

That being said, I've watched people grab a half dozen 100 round boxes of CCI ammo from the shelf that is just inches from the sign saying limit of one 100 round box. Either people don't see it, they don't care, or they can't read. They'll always be that 10%.

They had signs at the cash registers, just not by the ammo shelves. I am thankful the clerk mentioned it before I got clear downstairs and to the register.

 

[shortrange]

I really hate to be the messenger, but this is the new norm. Ammunition and the gun business in general will never be the same. Although the panic will subside to some degree, don't expect our country to ever be the same. I am afraid it is a little too late. That being said I will shoot and enjoy the shooting sports and try to not watch as our freedoms and way of life are destroyed. Shoot em while you can.