Police Face Ammo Shortages

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I kind of like these shortages now and then. As it did for me, it makes believers of many: in the future, smart guys will stock up, and many will learn to reload, stocking up on components as they can afford. I woke up back during the Clinton era. I reloaded before that, but a shortage of primers had its effect. This is much worse now, due to lots of new gun buyers scrambling to buy guns, adding a big demand to an already big demand from the regular ammo purchasers. So, be patient, and learn from this. You will not be short in the future if you supply yourself. You see what happens when you take things for granted. The more of us that reload, the less society or the government control what we do with our shooting needs.
 
I kind of like these shortages now and then. As it did for me, it makes believers of many: in the future, smart guys will stock up, and many will learn to reload, stocking up on components as they can afford. I woke up back during the Clinton era. I reloaded before that, but a shortage of primers had its effect. This is much worse now, due to lots of new gun buyers scrambling to buy guns, adding a big demand to an already big demand from the regular ammo purchasers. So, be patient, and learn from this. You will not be short in the future if you supply yourself. You see what happens when you take things for granted. The more of us that reload, the less society or the government control what we do with our shooting needs.

I agree. This is the first shortage/craze that I have been through. I was not ready for it. I will be ready for the next one.
 
I understand this. I get 'free' ammo from my dept. I get to use it at our departments range to shoot through my duty gun. The post that I quoted implied that cops get free ammo to shoot through their personally owned firearms on their free time. So if that is true, sources please (if the two cops you know do in fact fit the quote that i replied to, i highly doubt they are representative of the hundreds of thousands of LEOs in the US).

You're fortunate that you get "free" ammo for practice, many departments I know make their guys buy it from the department at a discount or limit "free" to a couple of boxes a month. Also, departments that I know don't let you bring your own for duty, so I guess that ammo is free... It still amazes me what some people think...
 
I was flat footed in 2008 - 2009 ammo wise. I would buy if it were available, but I'm not paniced and I'm not paying panic prices.... (yet)

For the record, I do believe the very large gov't order is impacting supply. I think its both record public demand, but such a huge order, even if it is a standing order (indefinate) the manufacturer has to meet their demand, and I would think that they are putting at least some of their ouput to meeting that order. (I'm not a stranger to purchasing). After all unless you or I are going to plase the equivelant of a 30 year order, they are the biggest single customer.

I also dont think it was a mistake, and I dont think the results were un-known.
 
I was flat footed in 2008 - 2009 ammo wise. I would buy if it were available, but I'm not paniced and I'm not paying panic prices.... (yet)

For the record, I do believe the very large gov't order is impacting supply. I think its both record public demand, but such a huge order, even if it is a standing order (indefinate) the manufacturer has to meet their demand, and I would think that they are putting at least some of their ouput to meeting that order. (I'm not a stranger to purchasing). After all unless you or I are going to plase the equivelant of a 30 year order, they are the biggest single customer.

I also dont think it was a mistake, and I dont think the results were un-known.
When a smart businessman gets a standing order large enough to dedicate equipment, they will purchase that equipment and build a dedicated line, That is just good business sense, because they cant increase profits if they have no product to sell.

We have seen record numbers of people getting their CPL and purchasing handguns over the past 6 months. Along with each of those handgun purchases goes ammo. The most common hand guns sold are 22LR, 380ACP, and 9MM.

Along with the added need for ammo due to those new gun purchases came the PANIC BUYING created by the news media. The NRA says that there are what, 250 million guns in America, If people went out and bought just one box of ammo for each of those guns, it would put a massive strain on the ammo supply. The trouble is the hoarding started and some people were buying hundreds and even thousands of rounds.

Ammo manufacturers do not have dedicated lines for each and every caliber of ammo, to do so would create an unsustainable production cost overhead and put them out of business, therefore they share some production lines and only produce certain calibers of ammo based on expected sales numbers.

If there is a government conspiracy, why is shotgun ammo still so readily available. Shotguns are just as deadly if not more at close range?

Look at what happens to store shelves each time a natural disaster strikes, are those empty shelves due to a government conspiracy? Why is the ammo shortage any different?

Just my thoughts,

Al
 
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I know the Feds get free ammo to shoot in what ever weapon they want. My friend's brother in law in the U.S. Border Patrol gets cases of .40 S&W. So many cases, he can't shoot it all, not by a longshot, so he gives it to my friend, who also can't shoot it all, so the cases sit in his basement. And this was BEFORE the billions of rounds recently acquired by the Feds.
 
On some other forums , folks are saying that large Government ammo orders are impacting ammo availability in that primers are unavailable for civilian use production.
My neighbor, an avid shotgun shooter, cannot find shotshell primers at this time to bear this out somewhat.
I stockpiled components after the last "crisis" so I'm in good shape for this years shooting.
 
Imagine if all the ammo companies fill big government orders, and then the government doesn't pay them (or on time) later. They fold. Then the government easily opts to buy from foreign manufacturers when they finally exhaust those billion round orders from previous years. THAT would also impact civilian availability of ammo.
 
When a smart businessman gets a standing order large enough to dedicate equipment, they will purchase that equipment and build a dedicated line, That is just good business sense, because they cant increase profits if they have no product to sell.

We have seen record numbers of people getting their CPL and purchasing handguns over the past 6 months. Along with each of those handgun purchases goes ammo. The most common hand guns sold are 22LR, 380ACP, and 9MM.

Along with the added need for ammo due to those new gun purchases came the PANIC BUYING created by the news media. The NRA says that there are what, 250 million guns in America, If people went out and bought just one box of ammo for each of those guns, it would put a massive strain on the ammo supply. The trouble is the hoarding started and some people were buying hundreds and even thousands of rounds.

Ammo manufacturers do not have dedicated lines for each and every caliber of ammo, to do so would create an unsustainable production cost overhead and put them out of business, therefore they share some production lines and only produce certain calibers of ammo based on expected sales numbers.

If there is a government conspiracy, why is shotgun ammo still so readily available. Shotguns are just as deadly if not more at close range?

Look at what happens to store shelves each time a natural disaster strikes, are those empty shelves due to a government conspiracy? Why is the ammo shortage any different?

Just my thoughts,

Al
Shotgun ammo is not available.

How can one horde ammo when all you can get is a box or two. There is not a single supplier of ammo I know of that is not limiting ammo purchases to the 1-3 boxes a day level.

There is no ammo to horde.
 
Yes, the DHS ammo buy was "debunked," knowledgeable people have done the math, and it breaks down to the amount to train and practice needed, per agent, per year. The numbers look big because the public hasn't a clue. The math hasn't circulated because people like to spread fantastic rumors rather than do their own homework and think. Apparently crumpling more tinfoil is easier than cogitation.

Ammo shortage? Look again - just like last time, the shelves are only empty if all you focus on is military calibers. That is the point - the panic buyers are trying to get the same calibers as military and LEO, to be just as good as them. It has a lot more to do with sociological locker room measuring than an actual need for ammo. Plenty of shooters can go out, buy a box of stuff they would denigrate as "Fudd" and shoot that. But it would be a loss of self esteem to stoop so low.

It also goes to what is everybody trying to do? Buy a few boxes of ammo? Recreational shooter, not a committed gun guy. Those who shoot and do so regularly reload, have all they want, and can make more. It's the .22 shooter who's stuck, they have no way to reload. Might take that into consideration for the future - what good is rimfire if you are forced to buy new only?

The ugly truth is that the panic buying of recreational shooters will sort out who is really serious, and who's just an onlooker. Those who decide to fix their issue will have ammo in the future, unlike those who are just complaining or standing in line for their rationed amount. If you like showing up at WalMart or Academy with 250 other guys for a couple of boxes, go ahead.

It's happened twice now in four years. What are you going to do to fix it?
 
Look again - just like last time, the shelves are only empty if all you focus on is military calibers

What world are you living in? For three months, no Walmart, no LGS, and the local Cabelas have had NO bulk 9mm, 22LR, 223, 5.56, 380, or 45. FYI 22LR, 380, and 45 are NOT military calibers these days. This week, at Cabelas, I was shocked to see that even the target 22LR, the 22 shorts, and the 22WMR were gone. 22 Shorts????? Military caliber? In what universe?
 
Yes, the DHS ammo buy was "debunked," knowledgeable people have done the math, and it breaks down to the amount to train and practice needed, per agent, per year. The numbers look big because the public hasn't a clue. The math hasn't circulated because people like to spread fantastic rumors rather than do their own homework and think. Apparently crumpling more tinfoil is easier than cogitation.

This!!!^^^^^^

All of the DHS ammuntion contracts are IDIQ. When the DHS needs ammunition of a specific caliber a delivery order is issued to the ammunition company holding the contract. The delivery order lists the quantity to be delivered, the contract price, the cutoff date for delivery, etc. No delivery order=no ammunition sales to DHS.
 
This must vary by agency, as some State Police that I know in NY State have more ammo than they know what to do with. Maybe it's the local LEOs that are feeling the pinch more than anyone because they don't have the buying power that State or Federal agencies have.

In the army, we've never gotten to shoot as often as we'd like, even in a combat environment. Twice a year to zero and qualify if we are lucky.
 
On some other forums , folks are saying that large Government ammo orders are impacting ammo availability in that primers are unavailable for civilian use production.
My neighbor, an avid shotgun shooter, cannot find shotshell primers at this time to bear this out somewhat.
I stockpiled components after the last "crisis" so I'm in good shape for this years shooting.
Tell him to do an internet search. I happened upon some last evening when I was wasting time doing searches. It may have even been the Cabella's site, can't recall though
 
What world are you living in? For three months, no Walmart, no LGS, and the local Cabelas have had NO bulk 9mm, 22LR, 223, 5.56, 380, or 45. FYI 22LR, 380, and 45 are NOT military calibers these days. This week, at Cabelas, I was shocked to see that even the target 22LR, the 22 shorts, and the 22WMR were gone. 22 Shorts????? Military caliber? In what universe?
The most popular rounds, fear mongering, panic buying, record new gun sales, hoarding. According to the NRA there are what, 250 million guns in the USA, if everyone only bought 100 rounds the market would be drastically affected, yet some are buying thousands.

This mess is no different than the empty shelves one finds at the grocery stores after a natural disaster hits. I suppose those empty shelves are a government conspiracy also, eh?

Al
 
Yes, the DHS ammo buy was "debunked,"

That's why DHS has stated the DID buy the ammo? Because it was debunked?? Interesting.

Ammo shortage? Look again - just like last time, the shelves are only empty if all you focus on is military calibers.

More nonsense. Yeah, that big hefty 'military caliber' .22LR can be found everywhere.... sure. It is far from the only thing missing on shelves...

Those who shoot and do so regularly reload, have all they want, and can make more.

It just keeps getting better... nonsense overload. But perhaps this is a good example of why those who like shooting are losing the fight against the anti-gun crowd, because even among the ranks of people with a similar hobby/sport, there are those that think they are better than others, that make bold and grand statements about how some are 'serious' and some are not...
 
Has no one heard if blanket purchase orders? They spread an initially high volume across an extended multi year time frame.

That is what DHS does. Standard practice in purchasing, not conspiracy.

I used to be a buyer so I can tell you this is how purchasing works.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
It was on my local news last night, that the local PD said they are short on ammo..Said they made a order in January and the order is not expected until next year. Which they then stated they qualify 2 times a year and now they will only be able to 1 time this year. Also, Ft.Smith PD the bigger town near us also said the same thing.
 
Has no one heard if blanket purchase orders? They spread an initially high volume across an extended multi year time frame.

That is what DHS does. Standard practice in purchasing, not conspiracy.

I used to be a buyer so I can tell you this is how purchasing works.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
So has the DHS ordered like this before? If so it never caused a shortage..
 
So, if it all is tin foil hat conspiracy theory drama...
Where is the ammo?
Personally I could care less if the Local Police can't get it, at best they are 20 minutes away when I call. To be honest that ammo isn't for them to defend me, it is for them to defend themselves. If you believe that mindset, they are no more "In Need" of ammo than I am.
I wont argue that there is a lot of wild speculation out there, but again, where is the ammo?
 
Yes, the DHS ammo buy was "debunked," knowledgeable people have done the math, and it breaks down to the amount to train and practice needed, per agent, per year. The numbers look big because the public hasn't a clue. The math hasn't circulated because people like to spread fantastic rumors rather than do their own homework and think. Apparently crumpling more tinfoil is easier than cogitation.

Ammo shortage? Look again - just like last time, the shelves are only empty if all you focus on is military calibers. That is the point - the panic buyers are trying to get the same calibers as military and LEO, to be just as good as them. It has a lot more to do with sociological locker room measuring than an actual need for ammo. Plenty of shooters can go out, buy a box of stuff they would denigrate as "Fudd" and shoot that. But it would be a loss of self esteem to stoop so low.

It also goes to what is everybody trying to do? Buy a few boxes of ammo? Recreational shooter, not a committed gun guy. Those who shoot and do so regularly reload, have all they want, and can make more. It's the .22 shooter who's stuck, they have no way to reload. Might take that into consideration for the future - what good is rimfire if you are forced to buy new only?

The ugly truth is that the panic buying of recreational shooters will sort out who is really serious, and who's just an onlooker. Those who decide to fix their issue will have ammo in the future, unlike those who are just complaining or standing in line for their rationed amount. If you like showing up at WalMart or Academy with 250 other guys for a couple of boxes, go ahead.

It's happened twice now in four years. What are you going to do to fix it?


Actually between Arkansas, Oklahoma and North Texas, its all handgun ammo. None! 22 rimfire none. even most the time buckshot and slugs are never seen on the shelf. The only thing that is somewhat findable is birdshot and duck and turkey shots, even those are picked slim..

Please find me some plinking ammo on the internet for 22LR, I also would like to get some Remington YellowJackets in 22LR...If you guys have a link IN STOCK, please post it for me.
 
Good Point! And there pants are getting bigger all the time. There growing faster than roaches..
 
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