D.B. Cooper
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I was paying more for that before all the craziness.
What Are You Willing To Pay For 9mm?
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I was paying more for that before all the craziness.
D.B. Cooper
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FOR SURE!!! Before the AWB in the 90s, almost no one had an AR. Now, I'm almost the only household I know that doesn't have one. In the 80s-90s, two boxes of 30-30 or 30-06, or perhaps one box per rifle you owned was normal. My dad thought I was crazy for having one ammo can full of ammo. I think, for the maority of folks, in the 80s, it was the 1 rifle, 1 handgun (most likely a revolver), and 1 shotgun kind of thing.
Basic Econ 101. You're buying alternative goods. On a side note, at the risk of being off topic, food prices are climbing. Now that ammo is unavailable, I'm transferring my ammo budget to my food budget. Although, to bring it back around...when beef prices went up, I ate caribou. (an alternative product). If you were to ask me how much I'm willing to pay for hunting ammo...that might be a whole other discussion.
lsudave
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John, it must have hit differently where I live. Sandy Hook, presidential elections- things got hard to find, but not impossible. As I remember it; 9mm fmj went up to around $14 a box or so, for a little while. We saw 22lr vanish awhile, but stores and online would have nearly daily morning "catch it if you can" sales. And things eventually came back to about the same price.
Maybe it's because it's overlaid with total restriction of movement (can't go walking around the mall, go to a movie, dinner etc), and it feels longer. But it feels like the crunch hit hard in April (right after toilet paper
), started to ease back, and then with the riots everything just... disappeared. I guess it was that second wave (riots) that took everything offline. I could be wrong, I hope I am. But like I said, this one feels different, like it may last a LONG time and come back with a new pricing structure.
I wasn't taken totally unprepared, I had a couple cases of S&B, a case of Fiocchi, a large (1450) case of Yavex, a case of MEN NATO white box, and a few boxes left from old cases (Blazer Brass, Aguila, PPU etc) from good deals. If something ever dropped to $170, I'd add a case over the years. And as I've said, I sensed a run on ammo (when everyone was hoarding toilet paper) and picked up anything I could get under $200 a case to add to the mix.
.455_Hunter
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I would add 70's to that mix, at least. My Father could go years without buying a new box of .308, maybe firing 2-3 shots to check zero on a stump for elk hunting each year, and 1-2 shots if he got something.
I think the change really started "in mass" in the '89 Stockton School aftermath, and slowly started to expand with Clinton's election, the '94 AWB and then Columbine in '99.
The cheapest I ever saw WWB 115 gr FMJ was $4 - 5 a box at Gart Brothers / Sports Authority in the mid-'00s.
lsudave
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I feel ya on that one. I'm in Louisiana, where things are lot more relaxed about shipping, but I just can't seem to find ANYTHING. Of course, with Walmart removing most calibers I use, that's one big "buy it in person" location gone. But places like Academy, etc... gone when I look, and a hassle to enter with the current covid stuff so I don't go a lot. There's a big gun store in town, Jim's (if you ever saw the movie Failure To Launch, it's the store from that movie, where Zooey Deschanel goes to buy a gun to take care of the mockingbird).
That place has been stripped whenever I go in.
Firearms have been largely depleted, too. If it's new and under 1k, good luck finding one. If it's used, unless you want a Spanish revolver in .32 Long, ditto. To put it in perspective, this is the same place I bought 2 Para Expert .45 acp 1911's LNIB, for $399 apiece not very long before. They were in the Used case, and there were so many other guns that people passed them over.
Can you imagine getting a like-new 1911 in a shop for that price today, Para or not?
I asked about AR's, last month. I knew there were budget guns. They told me they were out of everything under 1k, with nothing incoming. So I was able to find a Radical for about $500 online, and felt lucky to do so.
Edit- I suppose a BIG part is, I'm stir-crazy from being cooped up. I go to work, but it's a hospital and things are pretty stressed out right now. We're now the nation's per-capita leader in covid cases. And other than that, I come home, can't go anywhere, and end up hunting for ammo deals all the time
. At LEAST we have baseball now, I need a distraction!
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lsudave
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I did get extremely fortunate with that; someone on another forum (S&W) posted about Gold Dots at Targetsportsusa. $399 a case at the end of May. I went ahead and grabbed a case of 124gr 9mm; figure with proper storage I'm now set for a long time regarding SD ammo.
BC17A
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Here's some in stock 9mm ammo for the desperate shooter, at a price that has to be seen to be believed.
9mm ammo CDT
...and if that's too steep for you, they've got steel cased at a bargain price of $29.89
9mm ammo CDT
...and if that's too steep for you, they've got steel cased at a bargain price of $29.89
D.B. Cooper
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Yeah, I should hope you never need a case of ammo for SD purposes.
Well, that would be pointless since:
1. I don't live in your area and neither does the vast majority of the people in the U.S. So the fact that local shelves are empty in your area means nothing to the vast majority of the people who will read your post.
2. Since I specifically stated that I was talking about online purchasing, I don't see how the condition of shelves in your area is relevant to my comment.
Well, that's another matter. I must say that I would find that situation very unpleasant and I feel badly for you. Things get a lot more problematic if you can't buy online. So, FOR YOU and others in your situation (which is fairly unusual in the U.S.), your statement is true. For people in most of the U.S. the statement that "there is no ammo at any price" is demonstrably false as they can get ammo if they're willing to poke around a bit.
Well, if they can't find range ammo, they should say they can't find range ammo instead of saying that they can't find any ammo. "There is no range ammo to be had at any price" is very different from "there is no ammo to be had at any price." That said, both statements are false. I just checked the same online supplier I normally use, and, today, they are listing FMJ 9mm for sale in case quantities and at prices that are acceptable to at least some of the people who have stated what they would be willing to pay on this thread. $14 a box of 50.
Well, what you're describing is the way things are now. And I expect that things will eventually come back down to the same price--maybe even lower as they did after the past panic.
I will not EVER buy from "Cheaper Than Dirt". Their name is a lie, unless you interpret "Cheaper than" as "Treat you like".
I just don't get this. We've seen all this happen before--not just once, but many times. I'm not sure what it is that drives people to conclude that THIS time (that's exactly like all the past times) is going to be really different somehow.
Ammo is still coming in to suppliers. Just from last night to today, I can see that my normal online supplier's stock has changed. Just like in the past panics.
It's hard to find because people are snapping it up quickly when it appears. Just like in the past panics.
If you really need ammo, you can get it (as long as you can buy online). You may have to poke around a bit and you may have to buy JHP instead of range ammo (although that's not a given based on what I saw from about 30 seconds of checking online) and you may have to pay prices that are a bit higher, but ammo is out there. Just like in past panics.
When people stop panicking, the prices should come back down and availability should come back up. Just like in the past panics.
Just ride it out. No need to work to make it seem worse than it is. We've seen this happen before and, sadly, we'll almost certainly see it again after this one is over.
D.B. Cooper
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I can't imagine buying a like new 1911 at that price at any time. Not even from the Philippines.
NedNederlander
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Ouch, but considering the source I'm not at all surprised. It's the ammo from the employees who went home and looked through all their range bags, bench drawers, and under the couch cushions to see what they could find to bring in and sell for mucho dinero.
.455_Hunter
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$40 for a bag of 50 miscellaneous rounds salvaged out from under the couch cushions, along with this caveat gem...
This ammunition is not Returnable for any reason, heck at this price why would you even think about returning it.
Lovely...
Well, it does add up over time. I purchased a case of self-defense ammo awhile back and having that much provides several benefits. I've tested my SD guns with it and since all of the ammo is from the same case and lot, I have a really good warm fuzzy that any ammo out of that case will work in my SD guns. You always wonder (or at least I do) when you go buy a 20 round box of your SD ammo whether it's really exactly the same as the last 20 round box you bought a year or two ago or if they've changed something and you need to test it again.
And although I haven't had to shoot any ammo in SD, I do use it up over time. I try to shoot some in my SD guns from time to time, and I will also rotate it out for range use after it's been loaded up for a significant period.
rb288
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I currently, have about 500 rounds of Federal 147gr HSTs, and over 600 rounds of commercial 147gr fmj as my "backups".
I reload 9mm, so I also have over 1500 rounds of fmj reloads, 1500 rounds of jhp, and the supplies to make around 5000 rounds more if/when needed.
So, for the immediate future, 9mm prices, and supply, don't affect me in any way.
I reload 9mm, so I also have over 1500 rounds of fmj reloads, 1500 rounds of jhp, and the supplies to make around 5000 rounds more if/when needed.
So, for the immediate future, 9mm prices, and supply, don't affect me in any way.
lsudave
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I think it's multiple effects. Part of it is definitely the covid craziness; a lot of us literally have nothing to do for distraction, so these days seem to drag out. I thought a purchase was "awhile back", checked, it's a week. Sure felt longer.
Part of it is the increased prices from trusted sellers- I don't recall sgammo going way up the ladder, not like they are now.
Part is the level of desire to purchase- after a mass shooting, or going into an election, I glance at what I have, what might get restricted, and decide "do I want one of these before they get removed?" And GENERALLY, I and a lot of other folk look at the stable, and say, nah, I'm good.
Covid restrictions pushed tensions up, and I started browsing around to "top off the tank". I didn't think anything would be either banned, or that I NEEDED more than I had. So I found a few decent deals, and was ready to stand pat.
The riots and utter lawlessness, coupled with the rush to defund police, that changed my mindset IN A HURRY. I live in a "Red state", but a "Blue city", one that had riots and a sniper shooting police in the not-so-distant past. We'd already had a perfectly competent city chief of police ran off, because he was targeted by certain political groups (which are now in favor with our current mayor). Same thing happened to the head of the State Police, they found a bunch of "scandals" that nobody had ever cared about before, got rid of him too. Funny thing about the new city chief, he was supposed to be a lackey, but he's got enough "cop" in him to stand fast on certain measures...
Anyway, once THAT crap all started, it wasn't just about "riding out the storm". I decided I needed an AR afterall, was willing to pay the current price ($475 + s/h for a Radical Firearms 16"), and suddenly I needed a new caliber. Like you said, there's deals to be had if you get the timing right; I think I've done ok there. Case of IMI brass M193, $369. Tula 223 55gr steel, $250 case (twice). Silver Bear 62gr HP, $279 case (yesterday). That's NOT the price you will pay, if you don't look around and play the game. It's probably not a "great" price overall, but I decided, you never know. So I got enough to last.
to the OP if it gets under 10 cents per round I buy. Otherwise I reload.
this time it’s soccer moms and grandmas who think they’re going to have to shoot rioters, and they’re buying every cheap thing they can defend themselves with. That seems to explain why we don’t have a magazine shortage and why 22lr is still on shelves but 9 and 223 are hard to come by.
Last time could have been the last time. It was only by a miracle that trump won and further delayed what many people feel is inevitable.
It’s reasonable to believe that with the NRA effectively neutered by FWLP and his suits, that this election could finally be the one, if trump loses and takes the senate with him. Our gun rights will surely go the way of VA and NC. And that’s before you consider that pandemics and daily riots across the country have not been part of any prior panic.
Feels different to me. Specifically in the last big panic gun nuts thought ARs and anything black or with evil features would be banned. So they snapped everything up. Along with every magazine over 10 rounds.
this time it’s soccer moms and grandmas who think they’re going to have to shoot rioters, and they’re buying every cheap thing they can defend themselves with. That seems to explain why we don’t have a magazine shortage and why 22lr is still on shelves but 9 and 223 are hard to come by.
Last time could have been the last time. It was only by a miracle that trump won and further delayed what many people feel is inevitable.
It’s reasonable to believe that with the NRA effectively neutered by FWLP and his suits, that this election could finally be the one, if trump loses and takes the senate with him. Our gun rights will surely go the way of VA and NC. And that’s before you consider that pandemics and daily riots across the country have not been part of any prior panic.
357smallbore
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Amen to a fellow loader.
dh1633pm
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Nada. Got a good supply. And can reload. Also with a good supply.
Eddietruett
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There are a lot of "new" shooters out there as well as "new" reloaders. I feel for them. They have never been through a shortage like a lot of us have and it has caught a lot of people by surprise. I saw a few of the signs so I started stocking up on components about 6 months ago. I normally don't shoot much 9mm but lately have been shooting more due to a little competition we do every week at our range. I've had a set of 9mm dies for well over 10 years and never opened them. In the last month, they have been put to some good use. With the price of 9mm around here being $20-25 a box, it finally is worth the time and trouble to load 9mm as well as .223/.556. I don't expect this to be over anytime soon and I think the high prices will be around for quite a while. I hope I'm wrong, but my step son is a friend of a commercial ammo loader and their problem is getting components just like us as well as being slammed by orders. He is paying premiums on components just to get ammo loaded and of course the price goes up. Of course there are always the people that go up just because they can and will keep the prices up as long as people pay. I thin one thing that has had a big effect on the "shortage" is people that normally don't even keep any quantity of ammo are buying huge quantities if they can. I have a buddy who has 1 AR rifle and might shoot 200 rounds a year. He has bought over 15k rounds since March. Why? I asked him. His response was I want to be ready in case I need ammo for defense. AS stupid as that sounds and is in reality, a lot of people are thinking the same way.
grammontS
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I make my own 9mm now , but I was paying $180 for 1000 rounds of 124gr round nose reloads from a man who manufactures pistol cartridge reloads. I bought a case of 1000 rounds when this pandemic nonsense wasn't completely out of control yet and I paid a little over 300 with the shipping. I won't buy anymore , I'll just keep buying reloading components.
Not every panic has had a .22LR shortage, in fact that was kind of specific to the last one. And gun panics don't always go along with ammo panics--the specific details vary from panic to panic. In that sense, I guess one could say that EVERY panic feels different than any other one. I'm not claiming that this panic is the same in every respect to every panic that came before it--it obviously isn't.
The key is that they all have several things in common and that makes them all feel the same in more ways than they feel different.
Sure, they could ALL have been the last time. But none of them were. I'm not saying there won't ever be a last panic, but the odds are against this one being it. There was a furniture store in the area that had "going out of business" sales (EVERYTHING MUST GO!) just about every other month for years. The fact that it finally did go out of business wouldn't have justified freaking out every time it had one of its regular going out of business sales. I'm not saying that things are great or that we have nothing to worry about, but just that maybe it's not quite ready to throw in the towel and assume that everything is lost. For one thing, if this isn't the last one (and the odds are good that it is not) then that kind of talk just makes the panic worse and keeps it alive longer.
If withdrawing support from the NRA really ends up losing us our gun rights, then it sounds like it would have been better to suck it up and keep supporting what you're implying is the only effective organization standing between us and the loss of our rights to buy guns and ammo.
You can't have it both ways--"Down with the NRA!" AND "OMG--the NRA is now too weak to save us and they are our only hope!"
I will add this. If a person was to be caught unaware in this times. Be diligent in your search, whether for ammo or reloading components. There have been some trusted suppliers that didn't raise their prices in times like this. Know them and watch their web sites daily, sometimes hourly. Know what you need, sign up to be notified.
I paid some decent prices after the Sandy Hook kick off. I found it better, for me, to search online, rather than drive all over the place. Much wasted gas and mileage back then.
Wishing you all the best.
I paid some decent prices after the Sandy Hook kick off. I found it better, for me, to search online, rather than drive all over the place. Much wasted gas and mileage back then.
Wishing you all the best.
Shanghai McCoy
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I found a box of the 115 fmj Fiochi 9mm at a farm store yesterday for 14.99. Bought it cause it looked so "lonesome" sitting there and it's down meeting some new friends in the basement...
lsudave
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Wow...
Just browsing around. Do you realize you can get a case of 10mm from sgammo for less than the price of 9mm? $329 for Blazer aluminum, $359 for Blazer brass. Sure, it isn't full strength. Probably still beats 9mm by a good bit.
Just think, a few years ago at a gunshow, I looked at a parkerized Witness in 10, for $399, and passed...
Just browsing around. Do you realize you can get a case of 10mm from sgammo for less than the price of 9mm? $329 for Blazer aluminum, $359 for Blazer brass. Sure, it isn't full strength. Probably still beats 9mm by a good bit.
Just think, a few years ago at a gunshow, I looked at a parkerized Witness in 10, for $399, and passed...
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