Will you help a new gun owner or reloader that is caught short?

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FROGO207

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There have been different threads that have touched on this but not specifically this topic. Also we all should already know that selling reloads without a license is illegal and giving reloads away is just asking for a lawsuit if something bad happens and this topic has been thrashed to death already.

So otherwise have you in the past, or this time around will you help someone that has no ammo or out of primers to get by until things turn around?

I will often give a box of factory ammo or some primers/propellant to a friend or acquaintance to get them to the point that they at least have something to load and shoot in it. That is, unless in the past they were accusing me of being a hoarder or laughing at me for adding to my stock of ammo (because you can just go to WM and buy a box anytime). Still some do try to take advantage of ones goodwill and those that do need to figure it out the hard way IMO.
 
I gave a box of 308 subsonics to my son in law a while back so he could "test out" his new custom rifle and suppressor.
He was greatly impressed.
Other than that, I'm like the ant and the grasshopper.
If you can't stock up, or don't plan ahead, when you can, I find it difficult to give away any of my stock.
Now, if it was a SHTF situation and people needed ammo to survive, then that would be a different situation.
But, just so you can shoot, no, plan ahead and get yourself prepared.
 
Recently I sold 150 rounds of .223 factory ammo to a guy I know who was doing a charity shoot. He wouldn't take it for free so I sold it to him for what I originally paid for it (still had the price sticker on it).

Gave 150 rounds of factory .380 ammo to a girl who needed to practice before qualifying for her CCW. She passed the course, in her words: "with flying colors"!

Anytime family or friends need ammo I'm more than happy to help them out.
 
Already have, yes, and have promised another one to get him started with 500 primers, brass, and bullets for .223 since he just bought a press etc a couple of weeks ago. Should (hope) hold him until things calm down. Will likely be helping him with some 9MM as well.

Helped folks during "the big one" too.
 
A retired buddy runs some CCW classes and after Sandy Hook he couldn't get 22s for his classes. He wouldn't take it free and I let him set the price (bulk 550 round Federal stuff).
I try to stay a little ahead in good times so I may be able to help a little in bad times.
 
YES, have done so a few times. Many years ago when we were in one of these panic shortages buddy I work with found a deal on the at that time new Sig AR. You of course could not buy .223. When he told me I brought in around 8 boxes of Win WB .223 I had found at the back of the safe one day and had no use for. Told him price was what it was MANY years ago when I bought it. So he could at least sight the new gun in. He looked like he wanted to kiss me :rofl:
 
Had a friend interested in reloading. He read 2 manuals, and I had him over to my place to reload some 45 Colt, whilst I supervised. Then we went out back behind the barn and he fired his fresh reloads.
When he left, he had a press and a scale, a pound of RedDot and a packet of primers, also a supply of projectiles. All supplied by me. He already had the 2 manuals.

So, yes I would help a newbie.
 
Yep, just last weekend set up my bud with a hundred rounds of .224 projectiles for his .223, and 100 .308 projectiles for his .300 Blackout. Also a pound of W748 and (I think) a pound of AA1680.
Offered him primers and cases, but he had those covered. :)
 
Nope. I'm a "hoarder". Besides I have no factory ammunition in the house except 12 Ga. and .22. I have enough trouble keeping my supplies up to snuff because of other hoarders without giving it away.
 
I've stil got 5 boxes of 525 Champion 22lr and some commercial ammo that are missing boxes that I've determined I won't shoot but hold to give to others in need. Had more, but gave away two 525's in the last mess to new shooters.

I was reasonably new to shooting prior to 2012 and had to take anything I could find in the last panic to shoot and to reload. Now I've got enough "target stuff" I can afford to let the cheap rounds go.
 
I generally try my best to help folks new to firearm ownership, whether they're friends/family or not. Likewise, I've got some friends/family I won't help at all. Whether it's ammo, supplies, encouragement, or just letting them shoot my stuff...if they're attentive and appreciative I'll do what I can to try to keep them engaged.
 
My all-time favorite baseball player is Roberto Clemente. My favorite quote of his: "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth."

I figure I'm blessed to have what I do, and if my generosity can make a difference for someone, then what I have is an even bigger blessing.

I also understand that I've received so much in the past from others who took the time to care, I don't think I can ever get even.
 
Always happy to help fellow shooters out, and help train those new to the sport. I may ask that they replace the ammo when things ease up so I can help others, or I may donate to a worthy cause. Only ammo I might sell would be an extra spam can or two of 7.62x54r that was purchased for less than half the going price.
 
I've shared ammo and components with family and friends in the past and will likely do so in the future. I'm sympathetic to folks new to the sport or are starting out and can't afford to lay in large amounts. (I remember all too well being in that situation when young.) The exception is the person who sneered that planning for shortages is foolish and/or I'm a hoarder causing the problem. I know a few of that type although they are very much the exception. They are on their own.

For folks going through their first shortage, I take the opportunity to explain the benefits of simple reloading, looking for sales and buying in bulk when supplies are good, and learning to scrounge, especially brass. No need to hammer them about it, just serve as an example.

Jeff
 
I've been providing free instruction and one box of ammo to every new shooter of good character who comes to me for guidance. No one gets out without being able to recite the Four Rules verbatim, and understanding the safe manipulation of their newly acquired hardware. In addition to that I emphasize the principles of marksmanship, and they get a good grounding on the subject of mindset.

In the past month I've done this for three couples and several individuals. All have gone on to take the state mandated CCW classes.

I figure it's my civic duty to do all I can to get new people off to a proper start. If just a few of us did something like this, we would certainly have a larger circle of new, responsible 2A advocates. The pebble in the still pond sends ripples widely.
 
I don't know anybody just getting into reloading or who is a new gun owner. All I know are people who are now wishing they had stocked up on ammo or gotten into reloading but never picked up the equipment or supplies when they had the opportunity and money.

I have been telling friends for years that they need to stock up or get into reloading. Every time I go shooting with them I praise the virtues of reloading and self sufficiency. Every time we go shooting they express how awesome it is that my ammo costs are so low and how I have plenty of ammo when others do not. Not a single one of them diverted funds away from their toys, new guns, and projects to stock up ammo or buy reloading gear. Almost all have expressed regret at not taking my advice, now that much ammo is unobtanium.
I did give a buddy a few hundred rounds of 5.56 a month ago or so, because he has a family and doesn't have much funds to divert, and he promptly shot it all up at the range.

Those same people have watched silver prices soar these last few weeks, and many have expressed regret that they did not buy silver when I told them they should several months ago when they were flush with unemployment money and blowing it on TV's, vacations, fine meals, and other trivial things. Silver was at $15 then, now its at $23, and still going up.

I managed to stock enough powder, primers, lead, and casings to last a while if things get really scarce, but for now I'm keeping my supplies and factory ammo to myself. I do not have a huge surplus, but I do have enough to keep myself going if the current shortage is as long as the last one. I've limited my own range trips until we get some indication of how long this will last and how bad it will get.

If things get far enough out of hand that having a group of friends equally supplied as a fighting force is necessary, then I will act accordingly. None of my friends or family will ever want for ammo to put meat on the table or to defend their home. Right now we are talking about shortages affecting range trips though, not serious defense or food gathering.

But as things stand right now, no, I am not redistributing ammo to those who had the means and opportunity but chose instead to prioritize other things. I am perfectly willing to let others shoot my ammo through my guns during range trips in the meantime. My friends know who to talk to if things get really sporty, and if they do, my stance will change.
 
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I've stil got 5 boxes of 525 Champion 22lr and some commercial ammo that are missing boxes that I've determined I won't shoot but hold to give to others in need. Had more, but gave away two 525's in the last mess to new shooters.

I was reasonably new to shooting prior to 2012 and had to take anything I could find in the last panic to shoot and to reload. Now I've got enough "target stuff" I can afford to let the cheap rounds go.
Last shortage, following Sandy Hook my son called me from Columbus, Ohio. I am in Cleveland, Ohio two hours north. He had told his buddy that his dad likely had plenty of 22 LR so the two kids drove the two hours and I gave them a few bricks from stuff going back to the 90s. You would have thought Remington Thunderbolts were gold. During that shortage I also helped out friends and family with powder and primers. As of today I still have powder and primers going back to the 90s. I have about 8 boxes of .270 Win bullets I will never use since I don't even own a .270 rifle. I should sell those off, maybe here on the forums. :) Anyway, no problem helping folks out.

Ron
 
I don't know anybody just getting into reloading or who is a new gun owner. All I know are people who are now wishing they had stocked up on ammo or gotten into reloading but never picked up the equipment or supplies when they had the opportunity and money.

I have been telling friends for years that they need to stock up or get into reloading. Every time I go shooting with them I praise the virtues of reloading and self sufficiency. Every time we go shooting they express how awesome it is that my ammo costs are so low and how I have plenty of ammo when others do not. Not a single one of them diverted funds away from their toys, new guns, and projects to stock up ammo or buy reloading gear. Almost all have expressed regret at not taking my advice, now that much ammo is unobtanium.
I did give a buddy a few hundred rounds of 5.56 a month ago or so, because he has a family and doesn't have much funds to divert, and he promptly shot it all up at the range.

Those same people have watched silver prices soar these last few weeks, and many have expressed regret that they did not buy silver when I told them they should several months ago when they were flush with unemployment money and blowing it on TV's, vacations, fine meals, and other trivial things. Silver was at $15 then, now its at $23, and still going up.

I managed to stock enough powder, primers, and casings to last a while if things get really scarce, but for now I'm keeping my supplies and factory ammo to myself. I do not have a huge surplus, but I do have enough to keep myself going if the current shortage is as long as the last one.I've limited my own range trips until we get some indication of how long this will last and how bad it will get.

If things get far enough out of hand that having a group of friends equally supplied as a fighting force is necessary, then I will act accordingly. But as things stand right now, no, I am not redistributing ammo to those who had the means and opportunity but chose instead to prioritize other things. I am perfectly willing to let others shoot my ammo through my guns during range trips in the meantime. My friends know who to talk to if things get really sporty, and if they do, my stance will change.
Now that makes for a different story altogether. The classic "you have been warned" applies. I also won't fault those who need to put beanies and weenies on a table before buying ammunition. Been there and done that. :)

Ron
 
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