Gun buying panic over?

[UncleEd]

Was at my favorite gun pusher
this morning and noticed not
only a very decent number of
handguns (it's a pawn shop) but
ammo supplies are returning.

One of the clerks said things have
slowed down. A month ago
the place couldn't keep hardly any
handgun around.

So, everyone got enough? Decided
they didn't need that extra one?
Basements or storage areas already
bursting with ammo bought
10 years ago and was augmented
two months ago?

Will there be a glut of used guns
with falling prices?

Is it a wonderful day in your
neighborhood?

 

[Mistered]

Mixed messages where I live (PNW) but reports of ammo returning to stores are starting to show up on a popular, regional based forum.

Private sales of primers seems to have dropped off dramatically but private ammo ads are up - possibly from those who are hoping for a 'last ditch' grab at triple digit profit on it.

I am thinking many are still stocked up from the last shortage and bought just enough to fill the gaps - or came to their senses and decided paying $40 or more for a box of 9mm they were not going to shoot anyway was not a real good idea.

 

[Rudi]

Was at our local indoor range the other day. One of the owners said they are still not out of the woods in getting guns for retail sales. Hit and miss. They had ammo, but they are buying it from the same sites everyone else is.

 

[JJEH]

I hope it's over so my distributors can re-stock their shelves. Most handguns are gone, more rifles are available than handguns but also only a few shotguns. Ammo is the same... no 9mm, no .45ACP, no 10mm, etc.

If I see something available in the morning, I'll have to buy right there and then, or that afternoon it might be gone. Before covid there was plenty available.

Some prices have been going up as well. We'll see what the future holds, but I'm realistic enough to know that prices won't come down much if any.

Weatherby ammo on their website is still the same, so is Buffalo Bore. Good news is that this ammo is available, in case you really need some because you are out or super low.

 

[Telecaster]

.38 Special ammo is still cost-prohibitive from online retailers. I haven't bothered to check local stores.

 

[redlevel]

I'm thinking you ain't seen nothin' yet.

 

[Breakaway500]

Ammo supplies around here are tight. Small CC pistols and "riot" shotguns too. I actually bought a box of .50AE because at $37/box it almost seemed like a bargain! I bought a few boxes of 44-40 for the same reason. Glad I have my 544 to put them through.Never thought it would become a plinker..

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The "panic" is alive and well here and at my nearest Academy you count the number of firearms they have on your fingers, not models of firearms, total guns. Depending on upcoming events, it may take off again. The closest Cabela's gun library hardly has a single handgun and they were so interesting I do not remember what they were. My LGS with vintage Smiths has had the same antique's, collectibles and rimfire Smiths for a while. No shooters. I have not noticed any let up.

 

[vt_shooter]

Depending on what happens in early November, the panic will either get worse or will improve quickly.

 

[Golddollar]

Basements or storage areas already
bursting with ammo bought
10 years ago and was augmented
two months ago?

OK, who was peeking in my basement?

What do you mean "was augmented two months ago?" How about this week?

 

[JJEH]

Depending on what happens in early November, the panic will either get worse or will improve quickly.

I don't think quickly is the right word to choose...

 

[vonn]

I sometimes wonder who is hoarding , shooters or profiteers. You can get it if you're willing to be scalped. Even hunting ammunition is in short supply or not available here.

 

[MRB1]

The private outdoor range that I shoot at is still picked clean of any brass of any caliber. Only steel remains. If the election doesn't go our way, that situation will continue - couldn't get worse. If I see any return to previous stocking levels, I hope the new gun owners have a chance to stock up before us old codgers strip the shelves bare again. They can have my share - I'm good for my life, plus some.

 

[jmr986]

I stopped in my local LGS for the first time in a while. If you were interested in looking at a gun you were assigned a number. You stood behind the rope until called. I'd estimate maybe 70% to 80% of usual inventory. They had enough $1,000+ guns. A lot of empty spaces where the Glocks usually are. They did have the full Staccato line. A fair amount of revolvers. Forgot to look at the AR inventory. If you're willing to pay I think you can find the gun you want.

Ammo was sparse, and you were limited to one or two boxes. The exception was shotgun ammo. Plenty of 12g 7,8,9. Buckshot was a whole different story. I got the last 2 boxes.

I don't see it getting better for awhile.

Here's what $80 gets you in a shortage!


And the cupboards are bare.

 

[df06]

Check back Nov 4. It will get much worse immediately, or gradually improve.

 

[wood714]

I don't see it getting better for awhile.

Here's what $80 gets you in a shortage!
View attachment 476244

And the cupboards are bare.
View attachment 476245

That's insane!

Glad I bought that case of 12 gauge 00 a while back. Seemed like a bad idea at the time, just because 00 isn't something I shoot that much.

 

[BSA1]

It is really hard to get a firm grasp on how current events are affecting things here in the heartland.

I attended a Gun Show last weekend and there was a large selection of revolvers, semi-auto handguns and AR-15's. Prices were nothing to brag about and ammunition was way overpriced. For example $22.00 for a 20 round box of .223 PMC Bronze. I did talk to one dealer that had several tables of ammunition and sold almost all of it in three hours. He must of had good prices. I saw the same thing happen at a Gun Show doing the Great Obama Panic. People lined up four or five deep around his tables and he sold out in just a few hours.

My farm store where I get grain for our horses has a gun department. Today I stopped in and they are out of all rimfire and most centerfire ammunition. They only have a few handguns and long guns on hand.

Yet my usual LGS just a short distance down the road and they have kept ammunition and a good selection of guns in stock.

I live in the heart of Trump country so it may well be that we are far removed from the rest of the country.

 

[LVSteve]

.

Here's what $80 gets you in a shortage!
View attachment 476244

And the cupboards are bare.
View attachment 476245

I have to ask, but did you absolutely have to buy that ammo today?

 

[Art Doc]

Is there anyone in America at this point who doesn't have a gun? I heard 5 million first time buyers in 4 months.

 

[31FordA]

Here in southeast PA guns and ammo are still selling briskly. I was at a small gun show today and the ammo, what little there was, was expensive. The show at least had ammo, many shops have little to no pistol ammo or 5.56mm. Guns are more abundant, even shotguns are back in stock, but prices are way up.

I don't see anything improving until after Nov 3, and that's only if the election goes really well. If it goes badly, or more civil unrest breaks out, then it will get worse.