Where are all the guns

[Research Nerd]

Guys,

I have no idea which forum to put this in, so I just picked one. So is the gun/ammo shortage ever going to end? I'm saving for a 44 magnum, but every shop I've looked at doesn't have anything. Gun Broker has a few, but not many.

I'm just wondering what the time frame is on when supply will catch back up to demand.

Enjoy March Madness, I certainly am.

Ryan Z.

 

[hatidua]

If the post-'08 ammo shortage is any guide, it'll be at least a year until 'normalcy' begins to return, and for some calibers it'll probably be longer. Bear in mind, depending on who wins in 2016, this will very likely happen all over again.

 

[AveragEd]

This time, the shortage could last longer than in the past. Numerous firearm manufacturers, and I'm told by two dealers that Smith & Wesson is one of them, are actually declining orders right now as they have a four-year backlog of them! That is unheard of.

Ed

 

[murphydog]

It may be several months to several years; the ammo price will come down more quickly than guns, I think. If you find a gun you like at a decent price be prepared to buy it ASAP in the current market.

 

[Research Nerd]

Four year backlog of orders are you kidding?? I've only been interested in revolvers for the last couple of years, so I'm new at this. However, this is nuts. Here's to hoping "normalcy" returns in 2016.

 

[luangtom]

IF, a big IF, the DHS stopped its purchase-order of ammo and IF ammo manufacturers were at peak output, then some sources have said it would take TWO years to get back to some semblance of order in the retail-market.

Conspiracy-theories abound............

 

[HoneyBadger45]

Texas Rifle Association Institute Had a information meeting about a month ago with reps from numerous firearms and ammunition manufacturers who all stated that the best timeline to expect would be a minimum 9 month dry spell, which includes and reloading supplies. Most maunfacturers are not making any reloading supplies because all powder, brass, lead, and primers are going to ready made ammo first, and that all machines are running full tilt in order to fill pre existing orders going in the order of, Government contracts, military, law enforcement, " private" purchase contract, and then civilian markets last. I hate to say it, but it looks like we are in it for the long haul .....

 

[LimaCharlie]

Unfortunately for my bank balance, I have been finding lots of non-tactical collectible Colt and S&W handguns at LGS recently with very good prices. Some of them were traded in on AR type rifles or handguns with over ten round capacities. One of them was a 4" S&W 29-2 in a presentation case.

 

[Dale53]

Most people do not think "long term". We NEED to remember these times of short supply and just accept the fact that it will happen from time to time (WW II, Korea, and Vietnam come to mind). The solution is rather simple.

Plan on casting your own bullets and reloading (thinking long term, now). "This too will pass". When things open up, have your list ready. Start buying what you will need for the foreseeable future. That means a good reloading outfit (and the books that will help you get up to speed - ABC's of Reloading, Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, etc.). Then get a good casting out fit (you can start stockpiling scrap lead and WW's NOW). When primers and powder become available, buy 10,000 or 20,000 (not 200 or 300) buy powder in caddies not lbs. Then, when the next problem occurs, you can continue shooting (like many of us do).

I don't want to hear that "I don't have time", etc. That falls on deaf ears, here. Just cut down on TV time. Money is always a problem but that is solvable too (get a part time job to supplement) if you are lucky enough these days to have a full time job.

Instead of thinking of excuses, think of solutions. These problems are solvable.

Don't wait - start as soon as possible and be self sufficient instead of blaming someone for YOUR lack of looking ahead. After all, in 2008 we AGAIN had a wake up call. No excuses!!

SFC Dale53

 

[Wheel Fan]

I'd keep saving. When the gun you really want shows up, hopefully you'll have the money. Maybe it's just me but where I'm looking locally, revolvers still are not 'cool'. I see people looking at semi autos and tactical this & that and buying up the ammo as well. But, .38 spcl, .357, .44 spcl & mag. seem to always be on the shelves at least for now. Of course, .22 lr is still pretty scarce. Good luck on your search for a .44 mag.

 

[weatherby]

Unfortunately for my bank balance, I have been finding lots of non-tactical collectible Colt and S&W handguns at LGS recently with very good prices. Some of them were traded in on AR type rifles or handguns with over ten round capacities. One of them was a 4" S&W 29-2 in a presentation case.

Same here I've already bought two and have another on layaway

 

[JNewell]

Plenty of good advice from Dale53, I'll just add: PLEASE don't try to run your progressive loader while watching TV...

Most people do not think "long term". We NEED to remember these times of short supply and just accept the fact that it will happen from time to time (WW II, Korea, and Vietnam come to mind). The solution is rather simple.

Plan on casting your own bullets and reloading (thinking long term, now). "This too will pass". When things open up, have your list ready. Start buying what you will need for the foreseeable future. That means a good reloading outfit (and the books that will help you get up to speed - ABC's of Reloading, Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, etc.). Then get a good casting out fit (you can start stockpiling scrap lead and WW's NOW). When primers and powder become available, buy 10,000 or 20,000 (not 200 or 300) buy powder in caddies not lbs. Then, when the next problem occurs, you can continue shooting (like many of us do).

I don't want to hear that "I don't have time", etc. That falls on deaf ears, here. Just cut down on TV time. Money is always a problem but that is solvable too (get a part time job to supplement) if you are lucky enough these days to have a full time job.

Instead of thinking of excuses, think of solutions. These problems are solvable.

Don't wait - start as soon as possible and be self sufficient instead of blaming someone for YOUR lack of looking ahead. After all, in 2008 we AGAIN had a wake up call. No excuses!!

SFC Dale53

 

[Frank46]

Dale53, seems to me that some folks don't remember the primer shortage some years back, the election of obama #1, re-election of obama #2 and the pending election mid term due in 2014, and the outcome of the 2016 elections. All were and are causes of shortages. But methinks that this one will be with us for awhile. Stock up and start reloading this is one way to stop getting "caught short" and I totally agree with you. Frank

 

[BobR1]

I was thinking that revolvers would be filling the display case at my local gun store as the Hi Cap Bottom Feeders went out the door. I was thinking I might need to do some handyman work on the side to help pay for the ones I hauled home.

I was wrong on that one. Any revolvers that came in, went right back out.

My local gun shop has all kinds of revolvers, and they say Charter and Taurus on all the double action ones. He has a few single action Rugers on the shelf.

A dealer in the next town West has a New 4" Nickel 29 on the shelf. Must be one of the Classic Series. I thought it was high, but he is probably asking retail for it.

Went to a Gun Show in Mountain Grove Missouri Saturday after our IBS Bench Rest Match was over. One table had a couple 686-4's in very clean condition. The only issue they had was being priced between $250 and $300 too high.

Saw the same 2 beater Model 60's that were at the last Gun Show still priced at $600 each. I would not pay $300 for either one without checking the function on them first.

Surprisingly my local dealer still has an XD or XDm on the shelf, and I believe a full size M&P, and I believe a Glock of some kind last time I looked. All seemed to be priced reasonable. I think he still has a few 1911's also.

I have no idea why the K, L, and N Frame size S&W and Ruger Revolvers are gone from the shelves. We have really had an increase in Concealed Carry Licenses in the last 4 months, so J Frame sales could be understandable.

I did get caught short on components. My brother and I just got a couple Cheap to Feed combination Tactical/Target/Varmint Rifles completed. They are both chambered in 223 with Long Throat 1/7 barrels. Build by a Bench Rest Gunsmith. Both are using AI Magazines that let you seat the bullets long. They are set up to run with either 90 grain Bergers or 80 grain Hornady A-Max bullets. We were in load development when this mess started. I am down to around 800 Hi BC bullets before I would have to go with my supply of 77 Sieras. I have Notify Me When In Stock at Midway, Mid South and a couple other sources. Sooner or later I should be able to get another 600 count Box or two picked up to tide us over till O'Boobas huge Gun and Ammunition Sale is over.

Like was said above if I run low on handgun bullets I have everything on hand to make more. I can round up everything and have my casting pot up and running in about 30 minutes in the back yard. Which just reminds me, I should probably check my 100 pound propane bottles used for casting and make sure both are still full. Unlike gasoline, propane stores very well for years. Better to have Full Bottles than Empty ones.

With luck maby a lot more people will stay stocked up after this time. I went by the ammunition cabinet in Wal Mart yesterday. They had 40 S&W, 45acp, and another handgun load in stock. I did not buy anything, as I do not need anything. I do not intend to be causing part of the ammunition availability problem.

Just My 2 Cents

Bob

 

[sodacan]

I don't know which gunbroker you're looking at, but there are plenty of
.44's out there. Try the other sites as well. gunsamerica, auctionarms and gunsinternational to name a few. Buy used from a reputable seller and you can get a high quality gun. The prices on the new stuff are so high, they make the older guns look bargains.

 

[SJshooter]

Four year backlog of orders sounds a little silly. Publicly-traded companies don't sit on four years of orders without expanding production capacity. What's more, they just had their quarterly conference call two weeks ago. The guidance was good and the EPS forecast was raised, but if there was four years worth of backorders, that certainly would have come up.

 

[andyo5]

They are all in my safe! ;^}

 

[oliveview]

Four year backlog of orders sounds a little silly. Publicly-traded companies don't sit on four years of orders without expanding production capacity. What's more, they just had their quarterly conference call two weeks ago. The guidance was good and the EPS forecast was raised, but if there was four years worth of backorders, that certainly would have come up.

Yeah! I was laughing out loud when I read that. A four-year backlog would be a disaster for their business, if it were even true to begin.

 

[finesse_r]

With luck maby a lot more people will stay stocked up after this time. I went by the ammunition cabinet in Wal Mart yesterday. They had 40 S&W, 45acp, and another handgun load in stock. I did not buy anything, as I do not need anything. I do not intend to be causing part of the ammunition availability problem.

Unfortunately people in general are used to waiting until they run out of anything, ammo included, and then just running down to the corner store to pick up what ever is needed. As our supply lines become more and more dependent on more distant and more often foreign suppliers, periodic shortages will become more prevalent. We will loose more and more control over the supply lines.

Even worse once there is a shortage of anything, ammo included, people tend to panic and try to stock up at that time. This only makes a bad situation worse.

Times have changed, especially from the times of plenty during the 50's and 60's to the current time. In the 50’s we had "gas wars" where gas would drop to as low as 19 cents a gallon as different gas suppliers competed to sell their product. Everything was manufactured in the USA an there was more goods than money to buy them. That is no longer the situation. Today there are many items the people need to stock up on when they are plentiful and ammo and firearms are just a couple of examples.

I had not even noticed the ammo shortage as I keep a large supply on hand and have not needed ammo. I had noticed the shortage in firearms as I was in the process of picking up some revolvers and an additional AR-15 upper. The upper will just have to wait, but good used revolvers (I have no interest in any of the new ones) are available if you look hard enough, but prices are going up on those as well.

I agree this will take at least a year and maybe longer for prices and supplies to stabilize again, if they ever do. If the current administration has its way, they may never stabilize. I think you need a crystal ball to know just how aggressive the federal government will get this time around in suppressing private ownership of firearms and ammo.

However, during a shortage is definitely not the time to stock up. Prices may well come back down in a year or two and then you have a lot of over priced ammo and probably not the ammo you really wanted.

 

[HLG]

Have any of you tried Gander Mountain lately? Not for ammo-there isn't any. But the two stores in Indianapolis have added a new large gun store that streaches across the whole back of the store, and they just got in thousands of guns, rifles, shotguns and the best supply of handguns I have seen in years-all makes and models. They must have been planning this for awhile and had a warehouse full.