Primer supply

[H Richard]

Even though I still have about 1500 Small Pistol Primers left, I thought it might be a good idea to get on the waiting list at my Local Gun Store. On-line you can enter to be notified of receipt of a shipment.

Thursday I got a text that primers were in and to call and reserve or stop by to buy them. I called and found out the price was $80/1000. I told them I didn't really need them that bad and sell to someone else. He said they will be gone by weekend.

I keep seeing posts of others in different parts of the country that LGS having primers in the $40 to $50 range P/1000. I'm wondering just what is the real story. Are they available to dealers in the $30 range and it is Price Gouging to charge more than $50 ???? I realize dealers may get different pricing due to the volume they sell, but $80 p/1000 seems out of line.

I recall a time quite a few years ago when there was a "run" on primers and you couldn't find them any where less than $50. (This was in the 80"s and normal price was in the $15 range.) After several months and the supply caught up with the demand, our LGS still hadn't raised the price above $15. That LGS got all our business, and another that had raised their prices lost out on thousands of dollars of future business.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Unfortunately I suspect that this will be normal for another year or so. I am GUESSING the new normal price will settle at about $45-50 per thousand. The last ones I bought were at about $29 per thousand, more than four years ago, and I bought a BUNCH so I am still working off of those.

 

[JDBoardman]

L was at Southwest Ammo Supply in Mesquite, TX yesterday and they had a fair supply of primers - SP, LP, SR, LR, but the price was more than I was willing to pay. It is good to find primers starting to reappear, but $128.00 is too rich for my blood. I guess if you really need them, then that price is OK - beats GunBreaker or gunshow prices, but at least I can work off my old stock.

 

[GypsmJim]

This is only my opinion, so it's not even worth 2 cents.

The gazillion new gun owners are willing to pay high prices for ammo because they need it and they don't know better. But, OTOH, I doubt any of them are going to be reloaders so they aren't interested in buying primers.

The primer shortage is, in part, due to using them to make ammo for the aforementioned gazillions.

Once the gazillion realize they didn't want a gun anyway, or they put it in a drawer and decide they have enough ammo, then primer supply will increase.

My prediction is that the price will eventually level out in the $40+- range.

Now, if the powers that be start enacting laws and extra taxation comes into play, then disregard what I just said...

 

[Culina]

Getting into the primer business would be a great start up opportunity, unlike smokeless powder, they aren't that complicated to make and apparently the margins are excellent.

 

[Univibe]

I'm down to about 7000 small pistol primers. I'm better set up on large pistol and small rifle.

A year from now they'll be $30 again. I've seen it all before. 2008 election, Sandy Hook.

 

[9mmPatriot]

Out of the multitude of notifications I've signed up for.....I've only received one and they where out of stock within seconds.

Small LGS around here are getting $10-15 per tray. Big box stores don't have them when I get there (30 minutes before they open).

Really tired of being disappointed.

 

[Green Frog]

If the prices continue to rise I'll have to consider stopping reloading and resorting to selling my stock of primers. I could pay off my mortgage and take up some other expensive hobby.

Froggie

 

[len917]

Cabelas has primers for $80/1000. Why would they charge that and the LGS a lot less. The LGS pays more for their products than Cabelas. Not to defend Cabelas, their prices may be a bit higher on most items, but not that much. I'm skeptical as where these LGS's are getting their primers so cheap.

 

[Golphin]

The $80. with no hazmat is probably as good as it will get for a while.

 

[max503]

Can you imagine a candidate running on the platform, "I will make primers affordable again!" "A Primer in Every Pot!"

(I hope I don't get banned for this.)

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

It did not take much more than half a brain to see this coming.`

Those that did see the writing on the wall. They prepared for it, just sayin.

 

[9mmPatriot]

Those that did see the writing on the wall. They prepared for it, just sayin.

Sadly I did not, but then again I wasn't reloading when the China Virus hit.

 

[filmmaster]

Sadly unlike some, i havent had the opportunity to purchase primers from a local store.

I dont HAVE local stores to buy primers from, or even powder. Only had two, and one stopped the reloading stuff completely. And the other one just has boxes of bullets and over prices cases... example a 100 count bag of once fired 38 special selling for 35$

 

[Beemer-mark]

I've stocked up on primers in the past, and yes the price goes up and down like a yo-yo. I generally buy from the big internet stores an buy 5K or more to make the hazemat worthwhile. However I also buy from my local hardware store mostly to make sure he stays in business supplying reloading supplies. I've always considered his prices very reasonable and a lot of time cheaper than the big lot stores and internet especially with guns. To get to the point his primer prices have been $40 per 1K as long as I can remember. So I don't think primers prices will ever go back to that level. Besides demand and supply issues there is inflation. You had to live through the '70's and 80's to appreciate what that does to prices. At $80/1K ammo is still a bargain. If I could find it for that price I'd grab it. You will notice when someone has it at price it's gone like quick.

 

[6string]

The OP, H Richard, raises some excellent points.
Where is the mark-up going?
Looking at a primer and knowing what goes into it, I don't see 8 cents a piece. So, it's likely not the raw materials. It's likely not the manufacturing or tooling. After all, there are a few hardcore guys who've figured out how to reuse the cup and anvil and make their own.
So, that leaves wholesaling and distribution, and retail.
Keep in mind, without the big box stores or a few national online vendors, where would you buy primers? Here in SC, I can't name a one single proprietor of independent ownership that stocks (or even cares a hoot for) reloading supplies. It's virtually all plastic pistols and ARs, $1/round factory ammo, plus accessories (again, more plastic).
Great Outdoors LLC owns Bass Pro, Cabela's, and Sportsman's Warehouse. That's a big chunk of the retail market in the hands of one guy. (This is a privately owned business that is not publicly traded.)
Vista Outdoor owns Remington, CCI, Speer, RCBS, and a few others. They are publicly traded. Their stock price is over $40/share. Less than five years ago, their stock price was a third of that value. Yet, think of the shortages and consumer frustration. Ask yourself, if you are a business owner, how your stock price triples for doing a lousy job of meeting market demands.
The only thing that comes to mind is drastically limiting competition and jacking up prices.

Maybe I'm missing something?

 

[Skeet 028]

I truly see primer prices in the future at about 50 dollars. You may find a bargain every now and then but with the prices of everything going up I think they will settle about there. If inflation continues go north a bit more...but ammo prices will also continue to rise. So reloading will still be cheaper

 

[twodog max]

Fear and greed are driving the primer market and most others. The power brokers like it that way. No end in sight.

 

[342ti]

With the exception of a VERY few, Gun Shop owners I encounter are ruthless scumbags, that hurt our interests. They'll price gouge at ANY given opportunity, and lay a line of BS on every poor, potential gun buyer that walks through their door.

 

[22hipower]

With the exception of a VERY few, Gun Shop owners I encounter are ruthless scumbags, that hurt our interests. They'll price gouge at ANY given opportunity, and lay a line of BS on every poor, potential gun buyer that walks through their door.

Have to disagree, at least in terms of the proportions. In my experience most gun shop owners are guys just trying to make a living and scattered amongst them are a few "ruthless scumbags." We continue to buy products from the big stores (Cabelas, Bass Pro, Scheels, etc.) at about the same price as before the shortages. . . .when they have stock. Last primers I bought at Bass Pro were $6.50 a tray a few months ago. Powder is priced reasonably too. . . .when they have it.

The smaller shops I frequent are owned by folks who are friendly, helpful and generally knowledgeable or trying to be so. They can't pay retail for used stuff and sell it at the same price and stay in business. They also can't buy in the volumes of the big stores and consequently usually have to pay more for their inventory. I'm happy to pay them a fair price for the service they offer. If we don't, they won't be here when we need them.

The shysters I meet who might fit your description tend to show up at gun shows and the auction sites. And again, a relatively small percentage of folks offering products at both venues.

Merry Christmas.

Jeff
SWCA #1457