You Can Learn A Lot At The Gun Store

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CQB45ACP said:
That’s a popular comment during shortages/panics but it just doesn’t bear scrutiny. An entire reloading industry with powder manufacturers, bullet manufacturers, brass manufacturers, equipment manufacturers wouldn’t exist if primers were only incidentally available.
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That isn't true.

As an example, Vista is reputed to be 20 million behind in ammo contracts. They are running their ammo plants full tilt and use all the components that they produce. Occasionally run into shortages of materials...copper, brass, lead...and have to stop production. When that happens the components that don't need to missing material continue in production. That creates an overrun of that component, which is sold on the commercial market through their distributors. When their supply lines get caught up and they can produce more cartridges, the supply of components on the open market dries up
 
eddiememphis said:
Manufacturers have contracts with distributors as well as with ammo makers.
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Distributors can put in orders, but currently they get whatever the manufacturer sends them...and that's what they sell.

Do you really believe that distributors have the ability to be selective in what is produced?
Why would they request an item (components) with a lower profit margin?
 
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9mmepiphany said:
Distributors can put in orders, but currently they get whatever the manufacturer sends them...and that's what they sell.

Do you really believe that distributors have the ability to be selective in what is produced?
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The interesting thing about the firearms industry - versus automotive, medical parts, computers, cereal, and many others - is that the manufacturers are typically not also the distributor. Pharmaceuticals is similarly not typically both the manufacturer and distributor but that's a little different.
Before anyone brings up Hodgdon's, please keep in mind: they don't make a single flake of powder, they are a redistributor.
 
I'd get some if they had the nickle colored primers.

I've only loaded a couple of thousand so far, but they aren't too far from Federal SPP in sensitivity when run through my tuned revolvers. They have easily been as reliable as CCI SPP when run through my striker fired pistols...tuned M&P9 and SIG 320
 
MoscowMike said:
I stopped in to Weaponsmart in Lewiston last week, and mentioned that I hoped primers would be more available soon. The man behind the counter said it’s unlikely to change because the big three primer makers are all owned by the same company and have said they will no longer sell to the public.
After absorbing that, I mentioned that there was a new primer plant being built in Texas, to which he responded that it had been cancelled and wouldn’t be built.
All true, I’m sure ;)
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That new primer plant in Texas being "cancelled". How does he know that to be true? Curious.
 
MoscowMike said:
I stopped in to Weaponsmart in Lewiston last week, and mentioned that I hoped primers would be more available soon. The man behind the counter said it’s unlikely to change because the big three primer makers are all owned by the same company and have said they will no longer sell to the public.
After absorbing that, I mentioned that there was a new primer plant being built in Texas, to which he responded that it had been cancelled and wouldn’t be built.
All true, I’m sure ;)
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Was that immediately before he offered you his very last brick from his own personal supply for only $300?
 
I feel the ammunition market is still screwed up. Unless the government gets involved, when things return to similar levels as before the current administration, reloading supplies will be come more available.

Manufacturers will not want their equipment sitting idle when they can be making product that has a sales stream.

Got to keep the investors happy.
 
9mmepiphany said:
That isn't true.

As an example, Vista is reputed to be 20 million behind in ammo contracts. They are running their ammo plants full tilt and use all the components that they produce. Occasionally run into shortages of materials...copper, brass, lead...and have to stop production. When that happens the components that don't need to missing material continue in production. That creates an overrun of that component, which is sold on the commercial market through their distributors. When their supply lines get caught up and they can produce more cartridges, the supply of components on the open market dries up
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Sure it’s true. And your example may be true too but not what I’m talking about.

You’re describing why shortages of a component might or does occur. I’m saying if one has no confidence an essential related component is ever going to be available or has no way of knowing with any degree of dependability when it’s available, they wouldn’t invest their own time and treasure to produce a different but related and also essential component.

If an entrepreneur considers producing nails for local carpenters, he’s unlikely to even try if he knows they can’t get lumber.
 
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I'll bet to he was, and ultimately it was to drive up the price of tea in China.

Seriously, I'm wondering how the Ukraine situation is affecting our stock of live ammo especialy 9mm and 5.56. Has to have some kind of impact, I'm sure we are supplying them with live ammo as with everything else.
That could answer some of it.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
Seriously, I'm wondering how the Ukraine situation is affecting our stock of live ammo especialy 9mm and 5.56. Has to have some kind of impact, I'm sure we are supplying them with live ammo as with everything else.
That could answer some of it.
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Agree, it has to have some sort of effect. Wonder what caused the 22lr shortage a few years back?

OT, my LGS had powder, primers, and bullets last week. Not a huge amount, but enough to be encouraging. Guy behind the counter said they were just getting May/June orders in and had no idea when/if they would get more reloading supplies. Still, things are starting to show up on local shelves, and I look at that as a good thing.

chris
 
Primers are still tough around here in NW Ark. But powder and bullets are getting plentiful, and sitting on the shelf much longer. Loaded ammo has been around in large quantities for a while now.

Opened a box of my older stash of CCI BR2 LR primers yesterday, for loading 6.5CM. Price tag on a 100 count flat was $1.19. Those were the days! I still have plenty though.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
I'll bet to he was, and ultimately it was to drive up the price of tea in China.

Seriously, I'm wondering how the Ukraine situation is affecting our stock of live ammo especialy 9mm and 5.56. Has to have some kind of impact, I'm sure we are supplying them with live ammo as with everything else.
That could answer some of it.
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The Ukraine support does have an impact on our defense supplies but it’s hard for us to say how much or what percentage of course unless we want to do a crap pile of research.

Here’s an article from DOD News of September 9 discussing the contents of the 20th package for Ukraine. 1.5 million rounds of small arms ammo is included. That’s a lot but compared to what exactly?

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-S...s-quick-to-replenish-weapons-sent-to-ukraine/

Edit: and in turn, what’s the impact on civilians?
 
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CQB45ACP said:
The Ukraine support does have an impact on our defense supplies but it’s hard for us to say how much or what percentage of course unless we want to do a crap pile of research.

Here’s an article from DOD News of September 9 discussing the contents of the 20th package for Ukraine. 1.5 million rounds of small arms ammo is included. That’s a lot but compared to what exactly?

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-S...s-quick-to-replenish-weapons-sent-to-ukraine/

Edit: and in turn, what’s the impact on civilians?
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Numbers vary but several sources quote total ammo production around 9 billion rounds annually. 1.5 million to the proxy war is not a significant amount.
 
Take a peek at what Vista/Freedom Group/Cerberus etc owns....You'll be shocked. The gun counter guy wasn't completely wrong....
 
I know how to reload primers .

I have a few gallon zip-lok bags full of spent primers . My little girl would sweep them up while I reloaded ... then I paid her with a trip to DQ for ice cream . Never threw them away

Getting the priming compound isn't hard or expensive .

I'm retired now ... I need a new hobby .

Reloading Primers ... Yeah ... That's the Ticket !

Gary
 
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