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Post by steiny on Feb 22, 2009 14:16:35 GMT -5
Ammo prices have sky rocketed in the last couple years, and very few stores are carrying much inventory. Places like; Gander Mtn, Sportsmans warehouse, etc. look like their ammo shelves are about 75% sold out. Places like Cabelas and Cheaper than dirt are "out of stock" of many different types of ammo.
When the prices started going wild, they said it was due to all of the metal price increases, which was believable at the time, but metals have stabilized and gone down in price, so that can't be the case anymore.
So with the economic issues we are having in this country, why aren't the ammo manufacturers stepping up production to meet demand and keep the price in check? Looks like this would be an opportunity for some American business growth?
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Post by Decatur on Feb 22, 2009 14:20:54 GMT -5
They can make more money by simulating a shortage.
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Post by steiny on Feb 22, 2009 14:41:23 GMT -5
I am not saying you are wrong Decatur, because I don't know, but I do find that hard to believe. I'm stumped.
Seems like there are way too many ammo vendors and manufacturers, so you could never get them all to agree and simulate a shortage. Seems like someone (foreign or domestic) would step in and use this as an opportuniity to gain market share.
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Post by danf on Feb 22, 2009 14:44:15 GMT -5
I think many people are worried about the current adminstration. Buying ammo when and where they can find it.
You also need to keep in mind that business inventory tax time is coming up, so manufacturers and suppliers may be keeping inventory artificially low. Combine that with the worry and, bingo, you've got the shortage.
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Post by drs on Feb 22, 2009 15:22:29 GMT -5
I think many people are worried about the current adminstration. Buying ammo when and where they can find it. You also need to keep in mind that business inventory tax time is coming up, so manufacturers and suppliers may be keeping inventory artificially low. Combine that with the worry and, bingo, you've got the shortage. This is what I also believe. Panic buying by the public.
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 22, 2009 16:59:41 GMT -5
Hoarding - agreed.
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Post by Decatur on Feb 22, 2009 18:25:26 GMT -5
I'm sure, it's probably a combination of all of these factors.
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Feb 22, 2009 21:07:29 GMT -5
Self induced shortage by people stocking up. I'm on another forum related to guns (stop posting because people were getting way out of hand with the Obama comments way pass what should be allowed) any how on this forum there is a running thread listing when ammo is on the shelves at Wal-mart and other stores. So a day or to later there is another post about how someone went there an bought up all the ammo. Multiple this behavior across the country and you can see why prices are so high.
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Post by drs on Feb 23, 2009 7:07:53 GMT -5
Last time I was in our local Wal-Mart, there was plenty of ammo for sale.
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Post by Old Ironsights on Feb 23, 2009 9:31:27 GMT -5
...(stop posting because people were getting way out of hand with the Obama comments way pass what should be allowed)... "allowed"? By whom? The forum owner is the only one with the right to "allow" anything. Beyond that, noone should be in the business of "allowing" anything when it comes to Free Speech.
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Feb 23, 2009 21:35:01 GMT -5
Last time I was in our local Wal-Mart, there was plenty of ammo for sale. That is good to hear. I haven't really stocked on anything. I mean if they come after our guns does anyone really thing having stockpile of ammo is going to help anything.
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Feb 23, 2009 21:37:05 GMT -5
...(stop posting because people were getting way out of hand with the Obama comments way pass what should be allowed)... "allowed"? By whom? The forum owner is the only one with the right to "allow" anything. Beyond that, noone should be in the business of "allowing" anything when it comes to Free Speech. Really? Let us test that out. Go on a street corner and start making threats against the POTUS. Let us see if your definition of Free Speech doesn't land you in jail. :-)
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Post by Woody Williams on Feb 23, 2009 22:04:51 GMT -5
"allowed"? By whom? The forum owner is the only one with the right to "allow" anything. Beyond that, noone should be in the business of "allowing" anything when it comes to Free Speech. Really? Let us test that out. Go on a street corner and start making threats against the POTUS. Let us see if your definition of Free Speech doesn't land you in jail. :-) You don't have to go that far.. Just whip yourself up an anti-Obama bumper sticker.. www.nbcwashington.com/news/weird/Anti-Obama-Sticker-Brings-Secret-Service-Cops-Running.html
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Post by mbogo on Feb 27, 2009 12:48:53 GMT -5
If you think finding ammo is hard, try buying some small rifle primers.
It is kind of hard to defend your rights/freedom without ammo for your guns.
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Post by dbd870 on Feb 27, 2009 13:40:49 GMT -5
If you think finding ammo is hard, try buying some small rifle primers. No kidding. I found a box of 1K and grabbed it.
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Post by TagTeamHunter on Feb 27, 2009 15:11:03 GMT -5
If you think finding ammo is hard, try buying some small rifle primers. It is kind of hard to defend your rights/freedom without ammo for your guns. I plan to do battle in the Courts, Public Opinion and within the Political arena. If I was given the order to disarm civilians or kill them, unless you have anti-tank rounds, your little pile of ammo isn't going to stop a military attack. So from my view it does no good to have a stockpile of ammo. All this stockpiling is doing is driving prices up. Just clearing up the point I was trying to make and not an attack on anyone else views.
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Post by mbogo on Feb 27, 2009 19:27:39 GMT -5
It is not the military you really have to worry about. It would be nearly impossible for the government to confiscate all of our firearms and ammo, but it is far easier for them to make it very difficult/impossible to get ammo.
Ammo prices are never going back down, certainly not to the levels of a few years ago, people are stocking up when they can before they go even higher or before new laws restrict our ability to buy ammo.
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Post by drs on Feb 28, 2009 8:47:16 GMT -5
It is not the military you really have to worry about. It would be nearly impossible for the government to confiscate all of our firearms and ammo, but it is far easier for them to make it very difficult/impossible to get ammo. Ammo prices are never going back down, certainly not to the levels of a few years ago, people are stocking up when they can before they go even higher or before new laws restrict our ability to buy ammo. While, I am certain you're correct concerning the price of ammo going up; I still think it's stupid to buy large quanities of ammo, out of fear. Especially when there are other more important things to buy or pay off like: Food, Car & Home payments, Insurance, etc. I don't think it will be impossible to buy or find ammo, if the "Scared-to-death individuals would quit PANIC BUYING.
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Post by greenhunter5364 on Feb 28, 2009 18:45:45 GMT -5
For awhile now the global prices of Copper, Brass, and Lead has risen alot. Then add to it the fact that we are wageing war on two fronts and next thing you know we have a shortage of material to make ammo with at a reasonable price. Imported ammo is also effected by this. If you can't find the ammo at a decent price, then stock up on components and start reloading.
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Post by drs on Mar 27, 2009 12:48:54 GMT -5
Received this "News Letter" today from Brownells:
March 27, 2009 Dear Folks, This month, let's take a look the two segments in the hunting and shooting world that are plagued with scarcity - the AR15 market and the ammunition market; specifically the .223, the .308 for your rifles and .45 and 9mm for your pistols. (As a side note, another product segment where we are seeing a huge increase in demand is the semi-automatic handgun, high capacity magazine market.)
In the AR15 market, it is mighty hard to find a rifle on the rack. Suppliers have extended lead-times and when they are able to deliver a few guns, there is a line of customers already on the list ahead of you. So what options do you have left? There are three things you can do to improve your odds:
Order standard - you can always accessorize later. Manufacturing is geared to deliver standard configurations. Products are produced in mass and the production schedules are already set. Anything custom will incur a delay. The AR15 is one of the most customizable firearms produced, it is easier to get your stock weapon and then you or your gunsmith can add accessories later on. Buy the components which have the potential of being banned. These are 30-round magazines, collapsible stocks, threaded barrels, and bayonet lugs. The huge demand for AR15s is predicated upon a potential reinstatement of the '94 assault weapons ban. The four items listed above are the items specifically called out in this ban. You could still buy your AR15 stock as long as they didn't have these components. If any legislation does come out with restrictions, which we are hoping won't, there is a high potential to include named components. Order these now or get in line to have these ordered. Brownells currently has the 20 and 30-round magazine available for purchase as well as many of the items banned in the '94 law. Purchase a used AR15 in any configuration as long as you get a quality upper and lower. Just like #1 above, AR15s can be accessorized and fixed more easily than any other firearm out there. The idea here is to get the core action in your hands and from there you can accessorize to your heart's content. These are quick and practical solutions when buying in a market of scarcity such as the market we are experiencing right now. We've made a list of some popular AR15 products currently IN STOCK.
Ammunition also has seen an unprecedented run in four calibers: the .223 and .308 for your centerfire rifles, and .45 and 9mm for your pistols. There are only two real solutions we can recommend in a situation of ammo scarcity. They are:
Start reloading. Reloading is an economical and easy solution which keeps you in charge of your own ammunition supplies. Sinclair International just launched their new website which includes entry level specials and many components to get you back to the range, shooting. I would strongly suggest you consider reloading as a way to keep your ammo stocks full as well as those of your buddies who may be shooting the same caliber as you. Purchase a .22 conversion. Most firearms and calibers in the market today have a .22 conversion available. The two most obvious benefits are the greater availability of rimfire ammunition and the much lower cost of shooting rimfire ammunition compared to shooting centerfire ammo. If you can't find the ammo you are looking for, seriously consider purchasing a .22 LR conversion. They are very fun to shoot and may be the only way to find ammunition in your area. (type "22 conversion" in the Brownells.com search window). The silver lining in all of this is: there are thousands of new shooters out there now familiar with the AR15 and their voices are being heard in the market place and in D.C. It is very hard to guess which way the AR and Ammo market is heading. The inevitable fact is that manufacturers will eventually catch up with customer demand, but we do not anticipate this happening for some time.
So the solutions left on the table are to go without, wait in line or one of the suggestions above.
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