Primer availability?

[Otterbein]

I don't understand why primers are still unavailable... I can see small rifle primers going into military ammo, but where are all of the others going? One article I read a few weeks ago stated that all the manufacturers are at full production and are cranking them out as fast as they can. But where are they? We had a "meeting" the other night and late into the evening various theories came out, mostly conspiracies, ranging from government control to mfg price gouging.
Any thoughts or rational theories about the continued shortage?
Thanks

 

[acl864]

The last show here was sold out in an hour. Guys who slept in their car with handtrucks, wagons etc bought them all.

That explains the primer shortage right there. Hoarding and price gouging.

 

[perrazi]

primers have started showing up in bigger numbers lately,still not normal quantities,but better than earlier. ammo showing up also. remember the companies that make primers also load ammo and that is their primary business. they will fill an ammo order before components are sold. you should see things getting better after the first of the year. that's when the new prices take effect.

 

[thomashoward]

Sacramento Gun Show

They had primers at the Miwall tables. 1000 limit 34.95 per
which means there will be some left on Sunday.
I got some .40@ 74.95 per 250 new 180 gr
.45 ACP @ 87.95 per 250 reloads

 

[H Richard]

Check around with lots of reloaders and part time reloaders as to how many primers they have on hand now and how many they used to keep. I know of some that have 50,000+ on hand and buying more and stockpiling them. I always liked to have about a years supply on hand, but am finding that difficult to do.

 

[indiandave]

In North East Pennsylvania I've been able to find both Winchester and Federal at times. When going to a gun shop I always ask. Bought about 5,000 since June locally. Never more then 1,000 at a time. I want to leave some for the next guy.

 

[Herb686]

Last weekend the gun show in upstate SC had pistol primers at $36 to $40 per 1000. I didn't buy any.

 

[hopperb]

I saw primers SP/LP at a gun show in Hickory NC yesterday ranging from $65 per thousand Wolf to $35 per thousand for CCI. I have been finding them on occasion in gun stores for $29 to $30 still $11 to $12 higher than I paid in January...

 

[shovelwrench]

In North East Pennsylvania I've been able to find both Winchester and Federal at times. When going to a gun shop I always ask. Bought about 5,000 since June locally. Never more then 1,000 at a time. I want to leave some for the next guy.

Good on ya, only buyin what you need is part of the reason why my local shop always has primers.

But then, nobody I know is tryin to buy the store out as soon as they come in. The real shortage is created by people buying way more then they need, instead of purchasing in the quantities, and frequencies, they always did.

 

[Emerson]

Primers are becoming more available and the prices have fallen since the peak of the madness. My buddy told me they had all you wanted yesterday at the gun show in Dallas for $35 / M

 

[Otterbein]

Thanks for the reports, thoughts and comments, I feel better now.

 

[Bat Guano]

Had 5K small rifle, ordered long ago, show up about a month ago, somewhat to my surprise. On a trip I found more (didn't need them so left them) and did pick up 1000 large pistol primers, which I did. Paid about $29 per M in both cases, which was ok with me. Would have liked to get some small pistol primers but those they didn't have.

Also picked up a couple of bricks of economy .22s which I needed, so the trip was a success from that standpoint...

Looks like things are easing up but you have to be alert.

 

[MTKTM]

For a time in the late spring/early summer it looked like primers might be coming back, but those brief and small supplies quickly dried up and now I will occasionally see only pistol magnum primers, both large and small. And the prices run $30+ per K. Hoarding and some price gouging is the deal as best I can tell, no big government conspiracies.

 

[bnewc75]

many shops have them here in oregon ......... prices still a bit high

 

[scattershot]

I was in Dallas reently, and didn't see any at the big Market Hall gunshow there, but I found some large rifle at a sporting goods store that was priced at $109.50/1000!!!!! I'll pass, thanks very much.