Ammo scarcity

[MariusDP51]

Here in SA it has become difficult to get your hands on SD ammo.

I popped into my local gunshop this morning to find out whether they have received any Gold Dots or Golden Sabres, or anything else in fact.

Nothing.

I asked why, and got an answer that simply does not sound logical. I was told that the American market is gripped in a fear that Pres. Obama is going to change laws on firearms and ammunition and this will make it more difficult for Americans to purchase ammo. So now they are buying everything they can get their hands on and exports (that will be us ) are suffering.

Is there ANY truth to this?

 

[MariusDP51]

SA = South Africa.

 

[gwnorth]

There was an issue here in the USA some time ago. Many put it down to panic buying after the election. But, the fact is that the military demand for small arms ammunition was extremely high, so much production had shifted from civilian to military production. Ammo plants were expanded to try to meet demand, but it has taken some time for things to level out. I have noticed that several makers have come out with new or rebranded lines, or repackaged old lines (Winchester's PDX line, Remington going from the green Golden Saber boxes to the grey Ultimate Home Defense boxes , althought the rounds are still golden sabers). I think this is marketings way of re-gaining brand recognition as the shelves fill back up now that expanded production is keeping better pace with military and civilian demand.

Here in the USA (Virginia) I have not noticed any major difficulty finding ammo in any of my calibers for at least the past 12-15 months or so (I shoot .380acp, .38spl/.357, 9mm and .45acp). That's for both ball ammo and JHP (SD) ammo. Going by posts on this forum and others, there may still be shortages, at least in some specific calibers, in some parts of the country. I think these are just vagaries in the distribution system used by the civilian manufacturers.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

I actually see more ammo, powder and primers now than in the past several months.

Aren't there some current issues in SA that may have caused the ammo to be bought up? Especially the SD ammo? This could be the case.

You may have your supplier order some for you, at least you would be on the list when it arrives.

 

[rimfireriot]

Could it have anything to do with the Nigerian Elections next year?

I've hear those elections are pretty rough, and the opposing sides tend to stock up on guns and ammo. Could the same supplier be supplying much of the continent thus shipping the majority of the supply to Nigeria where it is selling quickly and for premium prices?