Shortage Of Reloading Equipment Question

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smitty1942

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Just venting but curious.

I have been out of the reloading for a number of years and decided to get back into it recently. Now I am quite aware of the inability of manufactures to keep up with the demand in firearms, especially handguns, but didn't think it had migrated to the reloading manufactures. Seems that I got that wrong big time.
On February 2nd I placed an order for a Lee Classic Turret press, online with a Lee authorized dealer, with all the necessary attachments plus various dies for my various firearms. Didn't think much about it and went to my local store for powder and primers......seems they run out of stock within a couple of days of receipt. Anyway managed to find enough primers and powder to last me for a couple of months and had no problem with brass(my collection) and bullets. Now when I placed my order everything I wanted was listed as in stock. I received an order on the 29th of Feb (not happy about the delay) but the press and all the dies were back ordered. Contacted the supplier and they indicated they were having "issues" and would be 10-15 days before the order would be filled. On the 15th of March received the dies but no press. Contacted supplier and was informed press was still back order, web site said 6 day delay (still indicates 6 day delay). In about 5 days it will be 2 months since I placed the order. Had decided that if press had not been shipped by Wednesday the 30th I was going to cancel my order and go with another supplier that indicated they had the presses in stock as of last Friday. Looked at their web page this AM and they were out of stock and back ordered.

So, I guess my question after all this venting is: Has the firearm hysteria migrated into the reloading arena or was I just placing an order during a busy period?
 
It's actually much better than I've seen it the past couple years.

I can walk into several shops and get the powders I need or a suitable replacement. I can get primers at either of the three every time. Never had died or any equipment on back order lately.

Things are getting better and better right now.

Have you checked to see if anyone else has what you're looking for in stock?
 
It's actually back to normal. For a while you were waiting months for any press. Your issue seems to be w/ that dealer. You can purchase the press at Amazon right now. Titan is showing out of stock so they must be on backorder. Titan is located by Lee and typically has the largest inventory of items. It's a popular press and stock seems to disappear every couple months. But it's not like it was. I know Magma had close to a year wait for their Star sizer at one point.
 
Supply is mostly back in full swing. Only thing I cannot find is varget powder.

I don't know who you ordered from but midway, brownells, and cabelas all carry Lee products and have done me well.
I have also used fs reloading a couple of times and very recently ordered from Titan who had my order shipped within 12 hours.

Forgot to add order a couple of square indexers for the press as they wear out
 
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Personally, the only "shortages or inability for a manufacturer to keep up" I've noticed is with ammunition and reloading components. I haven't had any problems with guns being back ordered, and get my reloading equipment in a matter of days (shipped from a vendor)...
 
The reason I didn't cancel the order to start with was I didn't want to pay for additional shipping and the price was lower than other sources that had the item. However, just after I posted I got an e-mail that said the press had been shipped.
 
Things in the Midwest are getting better, but still very spotty, for certain powders. Anything Lee, Titan has everything pretty much, in stock. Very hard to find 2400 and Unique, and when you find it, you better buy it as it won't be there long. Primers are alot easier to come by these days. You will find that things are very different across the country, as some will say there has been no shortages, and other parts can't find hardly anything yet. It does seem to be getting better lately.
 
Actually things have returned pretty good about now, less some popular powders.

That said when I order any reloading components be they dies, a press or whatever I make it a point to make sure the item(s) I want are in stock simply because, as you are experiencing, back orders can be a nightmare. For example if I want a Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press I find a retailer that has the item in stock.If no retailer shows in stock I will wait or only then settle for a back order and will only back order with the major key players because they will likely get the item before the smaller guys. As to price? I will pay $10 more if I know I will get my product and sometimes I like using Amazon Prime (actually my wife uses Amazon Prime) because shipping is included free in most items. Just ordered a Lead Sled Plus with free two day shipping and knew it was in stock when the order was placed on Saturday.

Glad your press is now On The Way! :)

Ron
 
Is this outfit FSreloading by chance? I had a somewhat similar issue recently with backordered items that had shown in stock, partial order ship etc. They are a great company to deal with and get all of my business for lee products. I was told they were switching to a new computer system which had their inventories all screwed up and supposedly they are busier now than they were when the main panic set in. Guy said that they are selling many items faster than lee is able to produce them.

but no, in general, things are more available now than they have in many years. Get it while you can. You bought enough primers and powder for a couple months? times that by 6 and then quadruple it. then double that.... you have seen the presidential candidates, right?
 
Yes it was FS Reloading. They were very understanding in their problems and offered to cancel the back order every time(twice) that I had a question. But since I had plenty of ammunition for the range I wasn't too concerned; however I did order an additional 500 rounds of 9mm and 250 rounds of 45acp to see me through (had enough 38special) but I was really running short (down to 400 9mm and 300 45 and was getting concerned. But with the press on it's way shouldn't have any problems.
I am satisfied with the service and the prices at FS Reloading.
 
Never have had trouble getting Lee equipment, lots in the pipeline. Have you contacted the seller?

Jeff
 
smitty1942, it's good to see they got your press on the way. FS Reloading is where I purchased the majority of Lee products. Never had to use their CS of yet. Glad to see they're willing to work with you. They always have competitive prices. :)
 
Smitty 1942 The way things are supply wise lately I would recommend obtaining at least what you expect to use in the next 6 years at a minimum and keep that much stocked ahead and replace as you use them when you can. If nothing else it is a good hedge on inflation. This last "speed bump" primers and then all propellants disappeared into unobtanium in a matter of weeks and it lasted for more than a couple years before there was any improvement. I swear we consumers are our own worst enemy.:banghead: I should have invested heavily in tin foil.:D
 
I have ordered from several places. Another you can check is Midsouth;
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/Dept/Reloading
I have always had good expeiences with them, their located in TN. I'm just now experiencing a back order situation with Midway. But it's not reloading equipment it's gunsmithing components. Another you can check is Cheaper Than Dirt, but you must check their prices and shipping. Order what you want if the price is right, then proceed to check out. If the shipping is too much, and it frequently is, just delete your products from the order and click the update cart button. It will all be erased. If the shipping is reasonable to you, you can complete the order. I have found some good deals on their site from time to time.
 
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