Ammo Shortage merged threads, aka UberUltraMasterAmmoThreadOfPower

[RockyTop]

I finally scored 200 rounds of 9mm at Walmart. Then the next week a buddy of mine did some work for a nearby gunshop and received a tradeoff of goods in return. Part of that trade was 250 rounds of 9mm and he gave it to me and wouldn't allow me to pay him for it. So I'm finally good for a few weeks

 

[moewadle]

Mini-Mags today at

Fin and Feather in Iowa City, Iowa. The reason I point this out is partly because today a 100 rd box is $6.23 and they have been 6.99. That is nearly a 11% drop in the price. They had about 20 boxes on the shelf.

 

[rioalumni05]

local walmart was just stocking ammo when i got there. had everything pretty much except .22/380.... guy at the counter said they have had about 10 cases of ammo roll through in the last week..6 box limit so i grabbed 150/9 150/40...

 

[Six]

Shooting myself in the foot here...

But Sportsmans warehouse in Columbia, SC has hundreds of boxes of Blazer 9mm in stock for $10.99/50. Also plenty of 40 and 45 ($17.99). I think I saw some .380 too.

They also have CCI Small Pistol Primers for $25 (Max 2). I bought my two and might try again tomorrow morning for two more, just thought I'd spread the word first.

 

[moewadle]

Large Pistol Primers

at Scheels in Eastern Iowa today. They were down to one brick when I was there for my daily look-see. $30 for a 1000 CCI brand.

 

[christcorp]

A friend of mine asked me to look at one of his guns. It's an AMC Backup 380. Single Action Only. He bought it in 1982. He said he had a problem with it sometimes feeding. (I thought yea; the problem is that it's an AMC Backup 380 - But that's another topic). I said I think it's because he "Mixes" ammo in the magazine. He's one of those that believes a mixture of HP and FMJ has merit. (Again; another topic). I said let be tear it down and go shoot it. (I don't have 380 guns or ammo). He said I could fire off his 2 clips of Silvertip Hollow points. (OK, sure, if that's all you've got). Well I swung by one of my local gun shops on the way home from work today to pick up a holster they ordered for me. (Wrong one of course). But while there, I noticed the shelf had about 10 boxes of Blazer 380 TMJ. Price: $16.94 a box. They just received it yesterday. So I bought a box. Just goes to show that when someone is trying to sell you a box of 380 or whatever, for $40-$50 a box; and then tells you the story of how all the ammo is going up; especially 380; you know that they are full of crapola. I bought some at walmart last month for $15.96 and today at the gun store for $16.94. "Buying Power" of walmart can only go so far. It's not the manufacturers cranking up prices. It either the distributors or your local retailer. $16.94 might be a little high compared to a year ago, but it's definitely reasonable. Anyway; I guess I'll go look at my friend's POS this weekend. At least I have some ammo to play with.

 

[Mags]

Local place had a crap load of small pistol and small rifle primers today! Limited to 400 per customer and 4 bucks per 100

 

[Davek1977]

If it was that bare lead Federal Champion garbage, I recommend avoiding it.

Why? its never caused leading problems in any firearm I've ever shot it in, is extremely accurate out of many guns, and runs a whopping $1.47/50 or 14.70/500. I'd be damn hard pressed to find comparable quality ammo at comparable prices. 510's are my favorite load for plinking and informal target shooting. With My GM barrelled 10/22, one-hole groups at 25-30 yards are QUITE common if I do my part.

 

[outerlimit]

But Sportsmans warehouse in Columbia, SC has hundreds of boxes of Blazer 9mm in stock for $10.99/50.

Walmart sells it for $8.97/box.

Why? its never caused leading problems in any firearm I've ever shot it in, is extremely accurate out of many guns, and runs a whopping $1.47/50 or 14.70/500. I'd be damn hard pressed to find comparable quality ammo at comparable prices. 510's are my favorite load for plinking and informal target shooting. With My GM barrelled 10/22, one-hole groups at 25-30 yards are QUITE common if I do my part.

I don't like getting lead all over my hands, my firearms, or gumming up the inside of my magazine loader. If these things don't bother you, that's great. The stuff did function okay for the most part in my firearms, if a tad weak. It's not for me. I'll pay the few extra dollars for American Eagle, it seems loaded a little stronger as well, though I haven't been able to verify that. It is better quality overall than the bulk stuff, bare lead or not, which I like.

 

[CoRoMo]

So... am I supposed to post that I was in Wal Mart this morning and they had .223, .38 Spl, and most everything else, but they didn't have 9mm, .380, or .45acp? Is that what this thread is for?

 

[Six]

Walmart sells it for $8.97/box.

Which Walmart has it in stock?

 

[rshackleford]

my walmart still has shelves full of 223, but nothing else.

 

[outerlimit]

Six,
mine almost always has Blazer Brass in stock.
WWB on the other hand...
Federal Champion comes in occasionally as well.

 

[Six]

Interesting, mine has WWB frequently, I haven't seen Blazer since last fall.

 

[TooTaxed]

Columbus, GA update

Our local WalMarts, which used to be one of the prime ammo soiurces in our area, is still short on ammo...talking to their manager, they get in supplies and sell out within a couple of days. Pistol ammo, including .22 LR, is almost always out. Rifle ammo is somewhat better...but come back the next day or so, and their stocks are different. Most of the ammo I see there is from Federal.

Ditto with our Ft. Benning Rifle and Pistol Club. Last month they got in 1,500 rounds of .223...sold out in two days. Last week they had a small stock of .308 Mil Surp (non-reloadable) and 7.62 x 54...period.

Here's the kicker...although the club has perhaps 750 members, virtually no one is shooting these days...apparently everyone is hoarding their ammo stocks. The club is cutting back on staff and is now closed two days/week. Reloadable fired cases are collected promptly.

Visiting the main gun store in Columbus, although they were previously low on stocks of common cartridges and gun powder, they have restocked...but the prices are UP THERE! Some are rationed. Primers are still out of stock.

Can't comment much on guns, as the local stores seem to have adequate stocks of pistols, and the many purchased through the club (FFL dealer) are mail order. I know there have been considerable waits, because the wholesalers were out or low on stock, though they continued to advertise.

Some of the gun purchasers were by families who previously had no guns...I know because as Range Safety Officer I've taught them how to use their guns safely. They say they bought them for family protection. Many more shooters are women, and the entire family, including kids to 5 and 6 years, are training in shooting.

Frankly, I'm concerned. In these extremely tough economic times, people are willing to spend their scarce funds on guns and hoard ammunition...and the guns being purchased are mostly the ones the current administration has announced intention to ban or severely restrict..."assault weapons" and semi-auto pistols capable of using magazines over ten rounds capacity. If those restrictions are put into effect, these people are not going to simply turn them over to the police to be confiscated and destroyed. Then we are creating a new class of law-breaker, who will now be leery of the police. As they are now lawbreakers, they may question adherance to other laws. This does not bode well for the future of our civilization... What are people scared of?

Am I getting unnecessarily concerned?

 

[chuckusaret]

Here the cheapest .380 FMJ I have seen since the Obamanation took office was $23.95 and 20 .380 HP was $29.95. We never really had a real shortage HERE but what we do have is a lot of cheap ammo at outrageous prices. WWB .40 cal at Gander Mountain is $39.95 for 50 rounds. Wal Mart has not screwed their customs as has all the local gun shops and the national stores like Gander mountain. I just bought two boxes of 40 cal FMJ, 500 rounds total, for $129.00 plus tax. I could have gotten the WWB 100 round value pack for $25.95. What we have seen in the past was the local gun shops sending their employees to Wal Mart to buy ammo to be resold in their shops at a much higher price. I was told that that was the reason Wal Mart placed limits on the number of boxes per customer per visit. At one local WalMart the manager stated he was tempted to stamp Wal Mart across each box to discourage the resale of Wal Mart ammo by the local gun shops. I believe the buying to stockpile has ended, either the majority of people feel confortable with the quantity of ammo they have on hand or they are fed up with paying the outrageous prices and will do without. I stockpiled my ammo long before the "Gun Salesman of The Year" was elected to office. In fact I have had some of the ammo since my Army days at Ft. Benning in 1970-74.

 

[huntsman]

Local WW has stocked up on rifle; even a few boxes of .223 for $25.00 a box. There was .44mag .45acp and .40S&W.

I bought $40.00 worth of .30/30 and 12 gauge slugs, meager but all I can afford.

 

[Tob]

Frankly, I'm concerned. In these extremely tough economic times, people are willing to spend their scarce funds on guns and hoard ammunition...and the guns being purchased are mostly the ones the current administration has announced intention to ban or severely restrict..."assault weapons" and semi-auto pistols capable of using magazines over ten rounds capacity. If those restrictions are put into effect, these people are not going to simply turn them over to the police to be confiscated and destroyed. Then we are creating a new class of law-breaker, who will now be leery of the police. As they are now lawbreakers, they may question adherance to other laws. This does not bode well for the future of our civilization... What are people scared of?

I suspect they are scared of the advancement of criminal activity throughout society. Our laws are rarely enforced to their fullest potential primarily due to overpopulation of prisons. I hate to use the term "soft-hearted" judges, but it appears many judges prefer to sentence convicted criminals to the minimum rather than the maximum allowable sentence.

Should regular citizens be more afraid of others buying/hoarding weapons and ammunition, or should they be more afraid of a criminal population which is growing exponentially?

The answer seems obvious; Some people prefer to be their own protectors, and some people readily allow that duty to be carried out by others.

 

[huntsman]

I suspect they are scared of the advancement of criminal activity throughout society. Our laws are rarely enforced to their fullest potential primarily due to overpopulation of prisons. I hate to use the term "soft-hearted" judges, but it appears many judges prefer to sentence convicted criminals to the minimum rather than the maximum allowable sentence.

Should regular citizens be more afraid of others buying/hoarding weapons and ammunition, or should they be more afraid of a criminal population which is growing exponentially?

The answer seems obvious; Some people prefer to be their own protectors, and some people readily allow that duty to be carried out by others.

I can only speak for myself but I'm not concerned with gun bans or crime, it’s the devaluation of the dollar that scares me.

When it hits the stuff I bought for $40.00 today will only be $80.00 next year if we're lucky

 

[Rob360]

^ exactly.

 

[christcorp]

Went to sports authority today. (I almost NEVER buy anything there; definitely not gun/ammo related). But while I was looking, I saw quite a bit of ammo. They had a lot of UMC 380 auto. Probably 20-30 boxes. And it actually wasn't too bad of price. $20.75. (Still high in my book, but better than most of the other price gougers. They also had more 9mm than I could count. (Didn't ask the price on that). I did notice a lot of 45acp Winchester FMJ White Box. I really wanted to Bitch-Slap the dude when he told me the box of 50 was $37.50. I politely mentioned that I KNEW that he didn't set the price, so I wasn't questioning him. But how in the world could they justify such a price. Of course, he had the traditional canned uneducated/ignorant answer of "The Price of All Ammo has gone up. That price is normal everywhere". I had to politely tell him that their price was about twice as much as normal or anyplace else.

So, in less than a week, I have seen just about every known pistol caliber of ammo available some place. And except for sports authority for 45acp and a local pawn shop for 380acp; most places seem to have somewhat acceptable prices. There will be a little higher higher at some places because they don't have the buying power of Walmart or similar; but $16-$20 for 380 (3 different places this week); $15-$22 for 45acp (4 different places); $13.95 for 40sw (2 different places and more cases of the stuff than you could shoot if you wanted to). And the list goes on. I can't speak for anything other than the Rocky Mountain States; but in Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico; the prices aren't that bad and the availability seems like it's picking up.

 

[Bw2k2000]

I would have to agree with you Christcorp I was in wal-mart this evening and made a stop by the ammo cabnet and I was amazed at how much 223 they had, 25-30 boxes of the federal 223 bulk pack. only one box of 25 auto and 380 though. They had probably 12 boxes of winchester 30-06 ammo for 17.95 a box. Only one box of 30 carbine though. 9mm and 45acp I still havn't seen in about 7 months now.

 

[DammitBoy]

I went to the gun show in Jackson, Ms this weekend and picked up eight boxes of 50 count 45 long colt and eight boxes of 50 count 45 auto for $30.00 per box. I also found one box of .454 casull, 20 rounds, for $36.00.

Gun prices were still very high in my opinion. Ammo seems to have dropped a little, but there were still some crazy prices out there.

 

[doc2rn]

I know my supply problems are over thanks to Viking One here in town. Our bail bondsman got a liscence to make and sell ammo. Now I can get anything I want and Wallie World just lost all my business.

 

[christcorp]

Haven't really checked the price of long colt; but there's plenty of 45acp available for under $25 a box of 50; that includes shipping. I've ordered/seen at least 4 places this weekend alone.

Personally; my primary purpose for guns and ammo (for a handgun) is self defense. I only NEED probably 1 box of self defense ammo for each caliber/gun. I don't need to shoot all these guns to stay proficient. I shoot a lot more 22lr ammo now for practice/fun/proficiency. I also picked up a 9x18 makarove CZ-82 because ammo is abundant, extremely cheap, and it's a great concealed carry weapon. (FMJ is about $10.50 box of 50, s/h included). Even cheaper, is a 7.62x25 tokarev. It's about $6 a box s/h INCLUDED. And not only is it a good self defense round, it will go THROUGH car doors. And considering that you can pick up a gun in either caliber for $150-$200, it's a great deal.

I haven't gotten rid of any guns, but I'm not shooting the 45acp, 357 mag, 38 spl, or 32acp as much. I plenty of ammo for them to last, but instead of shooting each of those calibers every time I go to the range; I might shoot them every 4th time. In between, I shoot the makarov and tokarev ammo; as well as 22lr. You stay proficient; it's fun; there's plenty of ammo; it's cheap; and you don't have to hock the kids. And it's a GREAT WAY TO BUY ANOTHER GUN. Simply tell the wife that the $200 you spend on the gun will be PAID FOR in the first 10 boxes of ammo that you buy.

I know it sucks; but as long as we are willing to PAY $30-$50 for a box of ammo that "Walmart" normally sells for $15-$20 (Walmart is the bulk standard to gauge by); then we are encouraging the price gouging and the prices will REMAIN high. I know there are some that believe that they HAVE to have the ammo. You don't. You only HAVE to have 1 box of personal defense ammo for self defense. You don't HAVE to shoot that particular gun every couple of weekends. There's also some that money isn't that important to them. I saw a person pay $37 for a box of White Box Winchester 45acp and $48 for a box of Magtech 380. And they didn't think anything of it. It was for plinking. As long as there's those that will pay these prices, the prices will remain high. And you can tell who they are, because you hear them at the gun store and places saying things like: "I can't find such and such ammo at "ANY PRICE". This weekend, I bought 45acp at $15 a box of 50; there was 40sw at $14 a box of 50; 9mm at $12 a box of 50; 223 at $10 a box of 20; etc... Besides the 45acp; I bought a couple of boxes of 380 at $16 a box of 50. I guess my state is different. Walk into a store, see a couple of boxes of 380, 45acp, or whatever, and you CHOOSE to only buy 1-2 boxes. That's why we always seem to have ammo available. And at decent prices. And our local gun dealers can see the Out of State buyers coming a mile away. They specifically tell them they CAN'T buy all the ammo they want. With the cost of gas, it keeps them from driving here for just a few boxes of ammo.

Anyway; shoot 22's; order ammo online; look into getting military surplus type guns/ammo that is real inexpensive to shoot, very abundant, and quality weapons. You'll sleep much better at night.