Federal HST

I think consumers in any market that provides options should shop around, keeping in mind no one in such positions is required to do so. With the advent of the Internet this is more easily performed by anyone with such access, including sellers benchmarking the competition.

I still see plenty of what I consider good options in factory SD/HD ammunition available at reasonable (comparable to pre-pandemic pandemonium) prices. Using AmmoSeek, here's the first return I got for factory Federal 9X19mm ammunition loaded with HST projectiles. I'l add I've seen Target Sports USA restock from 0 inventory in some imported PPU 7mm-08 rifle ammunition with zero change in price recently.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/fed...hst-jacketed-hollow-point-p9hst3-p-58888.aspx

It's the FMJ ammunition at considerably lower prices (including before the pandemic pandemonium) I've seen the strong upward price pressure on. But it's all still well below prices for (in good shootable condition) firearms, and practicing with what one chooses to purchase to use for SD/HD if required isn't a 100% negative thing, maybe especially for new shooters.

However those who purchase FMJ handgun ammunition for SD/HD expecting the same performance as from handgun ammunition designed for SD/HD are likely ill informed.

Before I turned 21, my SD/HD choice at that time was a highly affordable Universal M1 carbine loaded with also highly affordable FMJ ammunition manufactured in South Korea. After I turned 21 I purchased a factory new S&W Model 13 with one box of factory JHP 357 Magnum ammunition for SD/HD and purchased a preowned Lee Loader for 38 Special and components to make my own extremely affordable general practice ammunition. But I still shot a cylinder of that factory JHP ammunition every practice session.

Lots of prices are way up now due to supply and demand. They will go down again when all this silliness passes.

Walkalong said:

I had to wait years to buy some at a good price, but I now have 10 boxes stuck back

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The interesting thing about this "shortage" is that there is lots of ammo out there if you are willing to pay for it. Much of this is about priorities.
New shooters will accept the current price and availability of ammo as normal. Hardly anyone pays attention to this stuff as much as people on gun forums and, honestly, there aren't that many of us compared to actual gun owners.

This is definitely about supply and demand but with added craziness over who will be the next president. I personally think the Federal HST is the best bullet for self defense. I also try to prepare for this and stock up when prices drop and hold when they are high.

By the way, there is a special place in hell for panic price gougers. I was reading another forum and one member was gloating that he just sold 5 Glocks for close to $1000. He's an A$$!

My brother in law called me last night asking if I could find him an AR for under a grand. I told him months ago to get one before it got stupid and sent him links for plenty at 375-500. And he is a 19 year veteran and still serving as an mp.

I spent the past 4 years telling my friends and family to stock up. No one did. The first day a riot went through our town two people called me up and asked to borrow some firepower. Now my friend is desperately trying to finish his first AR build and is shocked to see the price of ammo. I warned all of them with time to spare. Now they gotta pay like everyone else.

SeanSw said:

I spent the past 4 years telling my friends and family to stock up. No one did. The first day a riot went through our town two people called me up and asked to borrow some firepower. Now my friend is desperately trying to finish his first AR build and is shocked to see the price of ammo. I warned all of them with time to spare. Now they gotta pay like everyone else.

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Indeed, “Forewarned is forearmed.”

Stay safe.

bullseye308 said:

My brother in law called me last night asking if I could find him an AR for under a grand. I told him months ago to get one before it got stupid and sent him links for plenty at 375-500. And he is a 19 year veteran and still serving as an mp.

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Can't he check his local PX?

s76 said:

By the way, there is a special place in hell for panic price gougers. I was reading another forum and one member was gloating that he just sold 5 Glocks for close to $1000. He's an A$$!

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If he really "just sold 5 Glocks for close to $1000" (@ $200 ea.) he is a dumbA$$!

If he sold them for $1000 each, good for him.

If people are willing to pay that much why should he sell for less?

If you had a Glock and sold it for $400, would that make you feel like a good guy?

What about after the guy you just sold it to flips it for $1000 five minutes later?

Would you feel like a good guy, or a dumbA$$?

They were 1k each he said.

You're right about value and worth. Anything is only worth what someone will pay. The fact that this person is preying on panic buyers is what burns me up.
I suppose it is like anything else to buy and hold until value goes up and cash in but this seems different to me.

No. New shooters focus on gun models first in my experience and then worry about ammo choice afterward.

I doubt ammo availability will negatively impact new shooters entering the world of gun ownership. But it may impact their enthusiasm for practice.

s76 said:

They were 1k each he said.

The fact that this person is preying on panic buyers is what burns me up.

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If he has the product and they have the money, there is nothing wrong. I can't wrap my brain around people that beat up on someone for making money. Isn't that the way our capitalistic society and economy is supposed to work. If there were no buyers, the price goes down. Most gun owners are typically fiscally conservative as well. Well part of that monetary policy is making money when money is to be made.

I put more value on my firearms right now than anyone could offer me. But I am not stocked like some that feel like they can unload some and make money.