Ammo shortage

[joko104]

With the election of Biden, the run on ARs and ALL ammo is severe. At the weekend gun show, there was NO .223 or self defense load shotgun shells. Some old boxes of pistol ammo was about it. I went to Rural King (a chain) and their 20 foot shell entirely for bullets and shells was empty - meaning zero ammo. I called around to gun shops looking for ordinary 12 gauge OO - or anything similar - and all had nothing. Nearly every online store also is sold out.
While I have a mountain of ammo, what I don't have much of is 2.75 12 gauge with personal defense loads. Plenty for myself but none to give away. A friend asked me to find a suitable home defense firearm and I bought a Remington Model 870 12 gauge pump - the same model the military used in Vietnam and Gulf War 1 plus otherwise. 11 million Model 870s have been made since 1950. You won't find a more durable 12 gauge pump. Thought I'd buy and include 20 NEW buck shot shells - and couldn't find any. I finally found some online and ordered a few, but will just give 20 of mine to my friend. $1.50 each plus shipping for off brand .00 2.75s.
I remember the panic buying when Obama was elected the first time, but it is far moreso this time. At the gun shows with Obama's election, barebones AR15s were going for $1000 plus = but were available. At the local gun show last weekend there were a total of 2 AR15s - both used, but completely barebones off brand with the cheapest everything and no magazines - for $1000+ - a total of 2.
I've never seen this level of ammo shortage, particularly for shotguns in terms of personal defense.

 

[Killer Clouds]

With the election of Biden, the run on ARs and ALL ammo is severe. At the weekend gun show, there was NO .223 or self defense load shotgun shells. Some old boxes of pistol ammo was about it. I went to Rural King (a chain) and their 20 foot shell entirely for bullets and shells was empty - meaning zero ammo. I called around to gun shops looking for ordinary 12 gauge OO - or anything similar - and all had nothing. Nearly every online store also is sold out.
While I have a mountain of ammo, what I don't have much of is 2.75 12 gauge with personal defense loads. Plenty for myself but none to give away. A friend asked me to find a suitable home defense firearm and I bought a Remington Model 870 12 gauge pump - the same model the military used in Vietnam and Gulf War 1 plus otherwise. 11 million Model 870s have been made since 1950. You won't find a more durable 12 gauge pump. Thought I'd buy and include 20 NEW buck shot shells - and couldn't find any. I finally found some online and ordered a few, but will just give 20 of mine to my friend. $1.50 each plus shipping for off brand .00 2.75s.
I remember the panic buying when Obama was elected the first time, but it is far moreso this time. At the gun shows with Obama's election, barebones AR15s were going for $1000 plus = but were available. At the local gun show last weekend there were a total of 2 AR15s - both used, but completely barebones off brand with the cheapest everything and no magazines - for $1000+ - a total of 2.
I've never seen this level of ammo shortage, particularly for shotguns in terms of personal defense.

One thing I'm glad I did years ago was learn to reload and I stocked up on the tools and supplies. At first it was to load ammunition for my .308 target rifle. Now I reload all my ammo except for 22LR for obvious reasons. I personally have no use for a shotgun.

 

[Common Sense 1]

Seems like many are in a panic mode buying much more than needed.
It's a simple supply and demand issue. Kinda like the T-paper shortage when the pandemic hit.
Eventually the manufactures will catch up with the demand or more than likely the demand will
drop a bit. When that happens then it's time to stock up. Remember properly stored ammo will
easily keep for many, many years. Buy a few extra boxes each month and you won't get caught short.

 

[TurtleDude]

Seems like many are in a panic mode buying much more than needed.
It's a simple supply and demand issue. Kinda like the T-paper shortage when the pandemic hit.
Eventually the manufactures will catch up with the demand or more than likely the demand will
drop a bit. When that happens then it's time to stock up. Remember properly stored ammo will
easily keep for many, many years. Buy a few extra boxes each month and you won't get caught short.

I have several reloading machines and thousands of primers. Primers are the weak link. Because I load shotgun shells, the powder I use for them-clay dot, clays and 700X can be used for pistols as well. An online dealer advertised 1000 CCI small pistol primers for TWO HUNDRED FIFTY dollars! I just bought a thousand at a local independent gun shop for 34 dollars. A bit high but not gouging.

 

[PirateMk1]

With the election of Biden, the run on ARs and ALL ammo is severe. At the weekend gun show, there was NO .223 or self defense load shotgun shells. Some old boxes of pistol ammo was about it. I went to Rural King (a chain) and their 20 foot shell entirely for bullets and shells was empty - meaning zero ammo. I called around to gun shops looking for ordinary 12 gauge OO - or anything similar - and all had nothing. Nearly every online store also is sold out.
While I have a mountain of ammo, what I don't have much of is 2.75 12 gauge with personal defense loads. Plenty for myself but none to give away. A friend asked me to find a suitable home defense firearm and I bought a Remington Model 870 12 gauge pump - the same model the military used in Vietnam and Gulf War 1 plus otherwise. 11 million Model 870s have been made since 1950. You won't find a more durable 12 gauge pump. Thought I'd buy and include 20 NEW buck shot shells - and couldn't find any. I finally found some online and ordered a few, but will just give 20 of mine to my friend. $1.50 each plus shipping for off brand .00 2.75s.
I remember the panic buying when Obama was elected the first time, but it is far moreso this time. At the gun shows with Obama's election, barebones AR15s were going for $1000 plus = but were available. At the local gun show last weekend there were a total of 2 AR15s - both used, but completely barebones off brand with the cheapest everything and no magazines - for $1000+ - a total of 2.
I've never seen this level of ammo shortage, particularly for shotguns in terms of personal defense.

I am glad I can run loose powder and mold my own bullets and swage my own bullets. The tricky widget is the caps. I got plenty but I like to be able to get more and rotate my stock.

 

[PirateMk1]

I have several reloading machines and thousands of primers. Primers are the weak link. Because I load shotgun shells, the powder I use for them-clay dot, clays and 700X can be used for pistols as well. An online dealer advertised 1000 CCI small pistol primers for TWO HUNDRED FIFTY dollars! I just bought a thousand at a local independent gun shop for 34 dollars. A bit high but not gouging.

You are right about the primers. Holy shit are they scarce.

 

[joko104]

One thing I'm glad I did years ago was learn to reload and I stocked up on the tools and supplies. At first it was to load ammunition for my .308 target rifle. Now I reload all my ammo except for 22LR for obvious reasons. I personally have no use for a shotgun.

For an older person who hasn't fired a firearm for decades and specifically for home defense, a full size, medium length barrel Remington pump 12 gauge with 00 buck shot seemed the best choice. Most people couldn't hit a cow charging at them in a panic with a handgun - nor would want to pay the price of a big caliber pistol plus Crimson Trace laser grip. I didn't want to give him one of my shotguns since I know his will likely never be used and it likely more just a confidence thing to feel safe when at home.

Saw this at a flea market - a private sale. Didn't even need show an ID. Bought 4 firearms this weekend - all similar private sales - 2 revolvers, a rifle and a shotgun. The prices were a bit higher than usual due to the panic but none that expensive. The S&W .357 "combat magnum" stubbie as pricey at $900 - but in the box pristine always is at a premium. Nearly all firearms I buy were private sales. I'll pay a premium for a private sale and usually won't buy if a dealer sale. Sellers know what I'm asking when I say "the price is fine, but is this a private sale?"

The S&W Model 19/66 .357 magnum the most expensive, followed by a medium frame Rossi 2" stub stainless .357 magnum - a good enough brand and lighter/more compact. The Rossi will be one of what I call my "tackle box" guns - to just put in one of the tackle boxes, in a boat, motorcycle bag, or vehicle pretty much then forgotten. If it deteriorates TOO much to become serviceable I just throw the tackle box gun away (drop it in the Gulf of Mexico). In short, throw-away/disposable guns all are from private sales. My finger prints are not on the shells - although revolvers don't shed bullets. If stolen it's no big deal either since I don't have much into it. I will throw away 1 or 2 tackle box guns a year - just too rusted - and 4 or 5 have disappeared over the years. Likely stolen. There's 100 million stolen guns out there - so don't bother lecturing me about it.

I also have double action "antique" 38s and 32s loaded with custom load black powder cartridges revolvers as "antique firearms" because those can go where modern firearms legally can not under Florida law. The identical double action .32 or .38 revolver that is pre-1899 is worth double the identical revolver if post 1899. However, to qualify as antique they can not be loaded with modern ammo - even if the revolver could handle it - which the Colts can and the pocket flip opens can not. They also can not be modernized or altered (for example shaving an English double action .45 to take modern cartridges - even if filled with black powder. Antique means as manufactures with era correct ammo too. I have it made for me.

Although low velocity, they are plenty lethal with a well placed shot and something is better than nothing. The Colt .38 long black powder cartridge Army-Civilian double action revolvers are very viable in terms of velocity/muzzle energy, while the .32 and .38 black powder shorts are very low firepower - but still are better than nothing and have all the fear factor and noise of a modern firearm.

Cosmetics are irrelevant to function and I don't want to worry about scratches or surface corrosion for ready-access firearms. Beyond my CCWs, I doubt I'm ever more than 10 feet from a loaded ready-to-go sufficient firearm at any time. Revolvers are VASTLY better than semi-autos for that purpose because of deterioration. There are no brown bears here, so a .357 or even 38 special is sufficient for a viable tackle box gun. They are just tools to me. If they become too deteriorated they are discarded. I better seal around where the bullet is at the brass to keep the powder dry - nail polish and then a light coat of grease (repels water). Humidity is nearly always 80 to 90% here - very destructive to firearms.

 

[Killer Clouds]

For an older person who hasn't fired a firearm for decades and specifically for home defense, a full size, medium length barrel Remington pump 12 gauge with 00 buck shot seemed the best choice. Most people couldn't hit a cow charging at them in a panic with a handgun - nor would want to pay the price of a big caliber pistol plus Crimson Trace laser grip. I didn't want to give him one of my shotguns since I know his will likely never be used and it likely more just a confidence thing to feel safe when at home.

Saw this at a flea market - a private sale. Didn't even need show an ID. Bought 4 firearms this weekend - all similar private sales - 2 revolvers, a rifle and a shotgun. The prices were a bit higher than usual due to the panic but none that expensive. The S&W .357 "combat magnum" stubbie as pricey at $900 - but in the box pristine always is at a premium. Nearly all firearms I buy were private sales. I'll pay a premium for a private sale and usually won't buy if a dealer sale. Sellers know what I'm asking when I say "the price is fine, but is this a private sale?"

The S&W Model 19/66 .357 magnum the most expensive, followed by a medium frame Rossi 2" stub stainless .357 magnum - a good enough brand and lighter/more compact. The Rossi will be one of what I call my "tackle box" guns - to just put in one of the tackle boxes, in a boat, motorcycle bag, or vehicle pretty much then forgotten. If it deteriorates TOO much to become serviceable I just throw the tackle box gun away (drop it in the Gulf of Mexico). In short, throw-away/disposable guns all are from private sales. My finger prints are not on the shells - although revolvers don't shed bullets. If stolen it's no big deal either since I don't have much into it. I will throw away 1 or 2 tackle box guns a year - just too rusted - and 4 or 5 have disappeared over the years. Likely stolen. There's 100 million stolen guns out there - so don't bother lecturing me about it.

I also have double action "antique" 38s and 32s loaded with custom load black powder cartridges revolvers as "antique firearms" because those can go where modern firearms legally can not under Florida law. The identical double action .32 or .38 revolver that is pre-1899 is worth double the identical revolver if post 1899. However, to qualify as antique they can not be loaded with modern ammo - even if the revolver could handle it - which the Colts can and the pocket flip opens can not. They also can not be modernized or altered (for example shaving an English double action .45 to take modern cartridges - even if filled with black powder. Antique means as manufactures with era correct ammo too. I have it made for me.

Although low velocity, they are plenty lethal with a well placed shot and something is better than nothing. The Colt .38 long black powder cartridge Army-Civilian double action revolvers are very viable in terms of velocity/muzzle energy, while the .32 and .38 black powder shorts are very low firepower - but still are better than nothing and have all the fear factor and noise of a modern firearm.

Cosmetics are irrelevant to function and I don't want to worry about scratches or surface corrosion for ready-access firearms. Beyond my CCWs, I doubt I'm ever more than 10 feet from a loaded ready-to-go sufficient firearm at any time. Revolvers are VASTLY better than semi-autos for that purpose because of deterioration. There are no brown bears here, so a .357 or even 38 special is sufficient for a viable tackle box gun. They are just tools to me. If they become too deteriorated they are discarded. I better seal around where the bullet is at the brass to keep the powder dry - nail polish and then a light coat of grease (repels water). Humidity is nearly always 80 to 90% here - very destructive to firearms.

I've had shotguns in the past. I agree they have a place. I just don't have a use for them personally. For outside the home I like an AR 15. For inside the home I like a handgun. That's just what I'm comfortable with. All my rifles are custom built.

 

[joko104]

I've had shotguns in the past. I agree they have a place. I just don't have a use for them personally. For outside the home I like an AR 15. For inside the home I like a handgun. That's just what I'm comfortable with. All my rifles are custom built.

Your custom builds are ARs?

I bought my first AR15 early last year. Private sale. Basic. Used. I gave it to a friend and ended up building 3 AR15s - with 6 barrel assemblies. .223/5.56, .300 blackout and a .22LR conversion set. The trigger groups are all hair triggers (1.5 lb) costing about $250 just for each trigger group. Barrels from 16 inch to 22 groved bull barrel, black and stainless, with one trick side cut-out lower for speed mag loading lower. Custom everything. Half a dozen scopes including infrared and night scope and lots of whatevers. Laser sights on the rails, side flip out hard sights in addition to the scope or red dot sight. Really got into it. They are an amazing design. All could be legally set up as pistols, but I see no value or reason to do so after researching the ballistics on 10 and 6 inch barrels. Then just have big caliber handgun.

Fired the ARs I built all a couple times as the range to sight them in, then locked them up likely to never been seen again. The only .223 I carry is in the toolbox of the truck I most often drive, but it is a Mini 14, not an AR. If I ever have to appear before a grand jury for a shooting, I don't want them looking at a scary looking AR15 when my wood stocked Mini 14 will perform exactly the same.

I have never fired most of my firearms, not once, though have plenty of ammo for all of them - even the antiques. However, if it is a CCW or tacklebox gun I will fire it once to make certain it actually does function. Despite so many firearms, I rarely ever fire one. If any become too humidity/neglect deteriorated I discard them. The humidity here plays hell on firearms.

For AR15 home defense, I would opt for a .300 blackout, not .223. It's just a barrel assembly swap. But damn the shells are pricy!

 

[Killer Clouds]

Your custom builds are ARs?

I bought my first AR15 early last year. Private sale. Basic. Used. I gave it to a friend and ended up building 3 AR15s - with 6 barrel assemblies. .223/5.56, .300 blackout and a .22LR conversion set. The trigger groups are all hair triggers (1.5 lb) costing about $250 just for each trigger group. Barrels from 16 inch to 22 groved bull barrel, black and stainless, with one trick side cut-out lower for speed mag loading lower. Custom everything. Half a dozen scopes including infrared and night scope and lots of whatevers. Laser sights on the rails, side flip out hard sights in addition to the scope or red dot sight. Really got into it. They are an amazing design. All could be legally set up as pistols, but I see no value or reason to do so after researching the ballistics on 10 and 6 inch barrels. Then just have big caliber handgun.

Fired the ARs I built all a couple times as the range to sight them in, then locked them up likely to never been seen again. The only .223 I carry is in the toolbox of the truck I most often drive, but it is a Mini 14, not an AR. If I ever have to appear before a grand jury for a shooting, I don't want them looking at a scary looking AR15 when my wood stocked Mini 14 will perform exactly the same.

I have never fired most of my firearms, not once, though have plenty of ammo for all of them - even the antiques. However, if it is a CCW or tacklebox gun I will fire it once to make certain it actually does function. Despite so many firearms, I rarely ever fire one. If any become too humidity/neglect deteriorated I discard them. The humidity here plays hell on firearms.

For AR15 home defense, I would opt for a .300 blackout, not .223. It's just a barrel assembly swap. But damn the shells are pricy!

Very nice. Yes I've built all my ARs. My favorites are my GPU 556 and my 264 LBC. The 264LBC is a 1200yd rifle. My favorite rifle of all is my custom built Rem 700. A friend that is a master gunsmith built it for me. That rifle is my baby. I've won a couple local tournaments with it. I use to go shooting at least once a week or more but due to physical problems I have been shooting for quite awhile. I miss it.

 

[CaughtInThe]

If everyone in the United States shot a viable, current bullet at someone else in the United States, how many people would be shot?

 

[joko104]

Very nice. Yes I've built all my ARs. My favorites are my GPU 556 and my 264 LBC. The 264LBC is a 1200yd rifle. My favorite rifle of all is my custom built Rem 700. A friend that is a master gunsmith built it for me. That rifle is my baby. I've won a couple local tournaments with it. I use to go shooting at least once a week or more but due to physical problems I have been shooting for quite awhile. I miss it.

Congrats! The Rem 700 is THE all time classic. I can't shoot worth a damn, other than for some reason with a shotgun I'm 24 of 25 consistently for trap, but piss poor on skeet. Very poor shot with a pistol due to flinching - unless a .22 and then am a crack shot.

 

[Jason Warfield]

With the election of Biden, the run on ARs and ALL ammo is severe. At the weekend gun show, there was NO .223 or self defense load shotgun shells. Some old boxes of pistol ammo was about it. I went to Rural King (a chain) and their 20 foot shell entirely for bullets and shells was empty - meaning zero ammo. I called around to gun shops looking for ordinary 12 gauge OO - or anything similar - and all had nothing. Nearly every online store also is sold out.
While I have a mountain of ammo, what I don't have much of is 2.75 12 gauge with personal defense loads. Plenty for myself but none to give away. A friend asked me to find a suitable home defense firearm and I bought a Remington Model 870 12 gauge pump - the same model the military used in Vietnam and Gulf War 1 plus otherwise. 11 million Model 870s have been made since 1950. You won't find a more durable 12 gauge pump. Thought I'd buy and include 20 NEW buck shot shells - and couldn't find any. I finally found some online and ordered a few, but will just give 20 of mine to my friend. $1.50 each plus shipping for off brand .00 2.75s.
I remember the panic buying when Obama was elected the first time, but it is far moreso this time. At the gun shows with Obama's election, barebones AR15s were going for $1000 plus = but were available. At the local gun show last weekend there were a total of 2 AR15s - both used, but completely barebones off brand with the cheapest everything and no magazines - for $1000+ - a total of 2.
I've never seen this level of ammo shortage, particularly for shotguns in terms of personal defense.

Sorry...have to roll my eyes. Seems like whenever a Democrat is voted in, there is a run on firearms and related items as if it were grocery story the night before a snowstorm.

And nothing happens.

 

[joko104]

Sorry...have to roll my eyes. Seems like whenever a Democrat is voted in, there is a run on firearms and related items as if it were grocery story the night before a snowstorm.

And nothing happens.

The real question is what do people think will happen? Government usually doesn't grandfather in ownership, though sometimes outlaws only new manufacturing. IF the government does outlaw high capacity magazines, AR style rifles, high capacity pistols etc, I'm NOT going to hide mine risking a felony conviction (losing all gun ownership and voting rights etc). If anything I have is outlawed I will not be keeping it, but wouldn't turn it in either. I would destroy it (really would, not just say I did).
If they outlawed pistols with high capacity magazines I lose no pistols as I don't like fat double stack grips and if they outlaw rifles that hold high capacity magazines it would not only hit my 3 AR15s and Mini 14 plus the Mrs' Microtech bullpup .223 with 42 rd magazine, but mostly all my ex-military WW2 and Korean era surplus .308 M1As plus a new in the box .308 M1A Springfield (as I call them). Probably have some Garand carbines somewhere too. But I'd still have my M1 Garand 30.06s and a lot of Colt 45acps - and I can't think of any fire fight where those are not still extremely viable - if not superior - anyway. There is no such thing as being under-armed with an Garand M1 30.06 and a couple of Colt 45acp (though my personal full frame 45 is a Remington.)

 

[Artymoon]

With the election of Biden, the run on ARs and ALL ammo is severe. At the weekend gun show, there was NO .223 or self defense load shotgun shells. Some old boxes of pistol ammo was about it. I went to Rural King (a chain) and their 20 foot shell entirely for bullets and shells was empty - meaning zero ammo. I called around to gun shops looking for ordinary 12 gauge OO - or anything similar - and all had nothing. Nearly every online store also is sold out.
While I have a mountain of ammo, what I don't have much of is 2.75 12 gauge with personal defense loads. Plenty for myself but none to give away. A friend asked me to find a suitable home defense firearm and I bought a Remington Model 870 12 gauge pump - the same model the military used in Vietnam and Gulf War 1 plus otherwise. 11 million Model 870s have been made since 1950. You won't find a more durable 12 gauge pump. Thought I'd buy and include 20 NEW buck shot shells - and couldn't find any. I finally found some online and ordered a few, but will just give 20 of mine to my friend. $1.50 each plus shipping for off brand .00 2.75s.
I remember the panic buying when Obama was elected the first time, but it is far moreso this time. At the gun shows with Obama's election, barebones AR15s were going for $1000 plus = but were available. At the local gun show last weekend there were a total of 2 AR15s - both used, but completely barebones off brand with the cheapest everything and no magazines - for $1000+ - a total of 2.
I've never seen this level of ammo shortage, particularly for shotguns in terms of personal defense.

Yeah, you know things are crazy when a used, bare bones 10/22 are selling upwards of $500+. OO and .380 seem to be the hard to get defense rounds at the moment - and when you can, they are expensive.

 

[joko104]

Looked for Winchester .357 Silver tips. Completely sold out including online.

 

[TurtleDude]

Sorry...have to roll my eyes. Seems like whenever a Democrat is voted in, there is a run on firearms and related items as if it were grocery story the night before a snowstorm.

And nothing happens.

tell us what happened in 1986
tell us what happened in 1994