What Happened to The Ammo

[cherrypointmarine]

I've been visiting my favorite go-to sight for ammo for a couple of weeks . Georgia Arms has been shut down for more than a few weeks . They posted due to the lack of components they are trying to catch up and fill orders . I've been buying ammo from them for over 20 years and have never seen them in this situation .

Another one I go to , Southern munitions , is still taking orders . Their prices reflect the problems they are having .

I remember some years back when this happened , you couldn't even find .22 . I know they've been selling guns like mad and all those people are buying ammo , but they don't buy it like some of us do , 1000+ rounds at a time .

Someone out there must have an idea of what's going on . Or even if it's just a SWAG , I'll take it . And what about you reloaders ? I know you must be having a rough time finding components .

Anyways , just had to vent . I still have plenty of ammo stashed , but that's how I like to keep it .You would think companies would have seen this coming and prepared for it . But then we are not living in normal times . Hope all of you stay safe .

 

[quikdraw67]

Just like toilet paper. People freaked out and started hoarding. Supply was outstripped by demand. Add in the unrest around the country. and you have The Great Ammo Shortage of 2020.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have been accumulating a few rounds now and then. Buy enough guns at your LGS and they will also hold back some ammo for you to add to the depot even in rough times.

 

[Donn]

Due respect to the OP, the current situation shouldn't be any surprise. If you've been shooting for 20 years, you were around when the Sandy Hook tragedy took place. Same thing happened, popular ammo disappeared for years, 22lr in particular. All we heard then was, "Damn hoarders." 2020, here we go again. I've done a lot of business at my LGS, know the owner very well. That said, he doesn't sit on guns or ammo for me, nor do I expect him to. They're in business to make money, not wait for me to come thru the door. MHO? Someone who's seen lean times and prepares for when they come again, (as they always do), is thinking ahead, not hoarding.

 

[tlawler]

My go-to place for ammo is my garage. Thankfully I'm pretty well stocked on components, but I have been considering getting into melting lead and molding my own bullets if things get any worse.

 

[gonerydin]

There is plenty of ammunition for sale on gunbroker.com If you can afford it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kmyers]

I have been accumulating a few rounds now and then. Buy enough guns at your LGS and they will also hold back some ammo for you to add to the depot even in rough times.

That has been quite true for us here. I can't recall the number of firearms bought from the local place here and I don't think we have ever made a visit to the place without buying something whether a firearm, a few boxes of ammo, magazines, optics, etc. to help the business and it helps to be on first name basis with those working who can give you a call of "we just got in some of whichever caliber, want me to hold a box or so for you?".

 

[AJ]

I reload for handgun, but not for rifle (yet). I have enough componets stock piled to last several years. When I bought factory ammo for rifle or handguns, I bought two boxes for every one I shot. One for the range and one for times like this. Is this hoarding or stockpiling? No matter what you call it, I have enough to shoot whenever and how much, I please.

 

[quikdraw67]

I used the word hoarding in my post above. Maybe that wasn't the best choice, but it's possible. I can't find 380 ACP anywhere in the LGS's. That was a caliber that was always available during other shortages. I know a lot of new gun owners bought. 380 pistols, but I can't imagine that they all bought a case of ammo. So what else would you call it?

 

[kmyers]

I used the word hoarding in my post above. Maybe that wasn't the best choice, but it's possible. I can't find 380 ACP anywhere in the LGS's. That was a caliber that was always available during other shortages. I know a lot of new gun owners bought. 380 pistols, but I can't imagine that they all bought a case of ammo. So what else would you call it?

I call it stockpiling, Semper Paratus. Hoarding, possibly, but mainly being prepared. Some one buys up thousands and thousands of rounds, to me that is hoarding, someone buying up hundreds of round is just being ready.

 

[dmar]

What Happened to The Ammo
It's in my garage...! .

Not my first shortage/scare. I learn that history repeats, so I've accumulated plenty of Ammo over the years to enjoy shooting whenever I want. I'm a reloader, and have plenty of components, that's my range fodder. The store bought ammo is set aside for a rainy day, or apocalypse, so I'm not concerned about this shortage.

Things will get back to normal eventually, may take a couple of years. Ammo prices will remain higher than in the past, you can count on that... Like many things the time to buy is when things aren't in demand.

 

[H Richard]

All my life I have believed that I needed a minimum of 1,000 rounds per caliber for any gun I owned. The more I shot the more I needed. Despite the shortages, I have no ammo needs presently, until I start to dip into my reserves.

 

[quikdraw67]

I call it stockpiling, Semper Paratus. Hoarding, possibly, but mainly being prepared. Some one buys up thousands and thousands of rounds, to me that is hoarding, someone buying up hundreds of round is just being ready.

Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of ammo, bought over time. I didn't run out and load up during the pandemic.
The only 2 calibers I do not have a lot of are .380ACP and 40S&W. The only reason being is that I recently bought a Walther PPK and a 4006TSW. The .380's I had I never shot, so I only had a few boxes. And I never had a .40 until now.
I found a LGS that had some .40 at pre-pandemic prices and bought 10 boxes. Shot 2, 8 left. Not a lot, but it's the only pistol I have in that caliber.
No luck on the .380.

 

[kmyers]

Other than .357 SIG and .38 Super which are calibers we like, me with .357 SIG and her with .38 Super I believe we do have 1000 plus of most of the common pistol calibers we both like a lot and with those two calibers the numbers do approach 1,000 count. Much more than that on 5.56mm.

 

[mtgianni]

Factor in the $600 a week covid bonus + unemployment and many young people in MT doubled their wages. I am sure a lot went to ammo.

 

[Jack Flash]

In addition to the hoarding and first time buyers entering the market, I can't help but think that there are people who buy up all they can to exacerbate the shortage. They then resell it at exorbitant prices.

 

[redlevel]

In addition to the hoarding and first time buyers entering the market, I can't help but think that there are people who buy up all they can to exacerbate the shortage. They then resell it at exorbitant prices.

These people are called "Capitalists," or entrepreneurs.
They risk their capital. Sometimes they make big money,
sometimes they are stuck with inventory they have too
much in, and they lose money.

 

[Muddyboot]

In addition to the hoarding and first time buyers entering the market, I can't help but think that there are people who buy up all they can to exacerbate the shortage. They then resell it at exorbitant prices.

It's not hoarding, it's being prepared during the good times.....check the date of the post.
Ammo and good times...

 

[vt_shooter]

In January a 1,000 round box of 9mm CCI Lawman practice ammo was $180, now it's 4x the price, when you can find it. 'Wish I bought 10 or 20 thousand rounds of the stuff before the craziness started. When we get back to normal I'll view 20K rounds is a good number to try to keep on hand.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Supply can't meet demand. There are too many people that are "first time" firearm owners needing ammunition and many others that failed to purchase an acceptable inventory when ammunition was available.

Those not having forethought to stock a little ammunition during the good times is much the same as those that did not have toilet paper early in the Covid issue! A harsh reality......"Be Prepared"! memtb

Saw an elderly couple at a LGS this past week. I was close enough to hear some of the conversation they had with the guy behind the counter. Neither had ANY firearms experience nor had owned one before. The lady was looking at a semi automatic Ruger LC9 9mm. I wondered if either had the strength to even work the slide. In either case, they were scared of the unrest that is going on right now.

I think this pretty much sums it up.