Are you still having trouble finding ammo at your local gun store? The ammo shortage continues to be an issue all across America. You may even struggle locating the ammo you want in online venues as well. That can be very frustrating to deal with, especially if you like to hunt or participate in shooting sports. Obviously, it presents a personal defense challenge as well.
Many people want to stock up on ammo for their own home defense with continued shortages causing anxiety among gun owners. Gun control efforts by lawmakers in Washington, DC are also driving up the demand for ammunition.
How much longer is this going to be an issue for manufacturers? Let’s explore the specifics of the situation.
2020 Was a Record Year for Ammo and Gun Sales
2020 was a huge year for gun sales and ammo. It broke record after record with people wanting to stock up for many reasons, leading to a record number of new gun owners. Needless to say, the industry wasn’t exactly prepared for it at first. Once the influx of new gun owners settles down, the ammo supplies should come back up to more normal levels where you can find the ammo you want to buy again.
Gun and ammo sales were so popular since the combination of the Covid-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and the fact that 2020 was an election year produced a buying frenzy. Sales soared sure enough, but this put a strain on an already strained supply line. As it turns out, 2021 is starting to look like a repeat of the previous year.
2021 is still seeing a record number of gun sales, and if you can find the ammo you want, consider yourself lucky. In January alone, the number of background checks performed by the FBI was around 4.3 million. Gun sales continue to rise each month.
So, When Can You Find Ammo Easily Again?
In general, ammo manufacturers are saying that you probably won’t see the supply come back on your local shelves until the end of this summer. Supplies are down in general because many gun makers weren’t able to run their factories with full force during the pandemic.
Some of the most popular pistol calibers that are hard to find right now are the .22 LR, 9mm, and the .357 MAG. It does help to call around to your local gun stores to find out when they get their shipments in. This may just require you to be a little more proactive about calling and visiting your local dealers.
You can also visit your online stores each day to find out if they have supplies of ammo available. They get shipments in all the time and usually are able to open up sales almost instantly on their websites. Unfortunately, they sell out in a few minutes. Getting lucky enough to find some ammo might just mean routinely checking these websites a few times per day, which we know can be a little annoying, but it’s better than being out of ammo.
When does the price gouging end? Last year I could buy Red Army standard AK ammo at $200.00 for 1000 rds. Now it $500 or higher.
I bought Winchester steel case 9mm at 500 rds for $100.00. Now you can’t even find it.
It’s known as ‘supply and demand’. In short…as a product gets scarcer the more it will cost. It’s not necessarily due to price gouging.
Not completely true bud, speaking with a good friend who owns a local gun store the price hasn’t gone up THAT much. With more people buying online as opposed to buying from local stores the online purveyors of ammo can basically charge what they want driven by panic buying by people who mistakenly think they will never be able to buy it again so purchase it NOW at an exorbitant msarkup. The online marketers sell more so are restocked before the local stores. So, in a nutshell, if we all bought local the drought and crazy high markups would ease up to a tolerable level. But like the old adage goes “ you can lead a horse to water”
“It’s known as ‘supply and demand’. In short…as a product gets scarcer the more it will cost. It’s not necessarily due to price gouging.”
Wrong.
Supply and demand IS in fact price gouging just the same as Social Security IS a Ponzi Scheme.
I’m NOT against capitalism and the free market system. I’m simply stating a fact for those who refuse to see things for what they factually and actually are is all.
Went to cabelos in Glendale AZ. No cartriges on the shelf. No powder, no primers
no brass and no bullets. There weren t even any reloading press or dies. The shelves are completely empty
I know this may not help some people but I reload every caliber I shoot with the exception of rimfire. 9mm, 8mm mauser, 30-30, 38 spec., 12 and 20 ga. If you don’t already have the equipment it can be costly at first. Fortunately I got into reloading years ago and each time I aquired a new caliber firearm I purchased dies for that caliber. I also cast my own bullets for each caliber except for shotgun of course. I have also gotten priming compound and have been rebuilding primers because of the shortage of reloading components . I have collected a lot of brass from people who do not reload and have been able to produce a sufficient supply of ammo for myself. I understand the frustration of not being able to find what you need but stay vigilant and keep calling and checking on line . Ammo is out there but you have to be persistent . I AM A PATRIOT AND DAMN PROUD OF IT . GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR FREEDOM. FREEDOM FOREVER. ps. for priming compound check out Sharp shooters .22 reloading Prime-All. It is a four component compound and can be ordered online. the chemical components come in four small plastic bags with instructions and a double ende d dipper . They are running about a month behind on their orders as of two months ago.
I know this may not help some people but I reload every caliber I shoot with the exception of rimfire. 9mm, 8mm mauser, 30-30, 38 spec., 12 and 20 ga. If you don’t already have the equipment it can be costly at first. Fortunately I got into reloading years ago and each time I aquired a new caliber firearm I purchased dies for that caliber. I also cast my own bullets for each caliber except for shotgun of course. I have also gotten priming compound and have been rebuilding primers because of the shortage of reloading components . I have collected a lot of brass from people who do not reload and have been able to produce a sufficient supply of ammo for myself. I understand the frustration of not being able to find what you need but stay vigilant and keep calling and checking on line . Ammo is out there but you have to be persistent . I AM A PATRIOT AND DAMN PROUD OF IT . GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR FREEDOM. FREEDOM FOREVER. ps. for priming compound check out Sharp shooters .22 reloading Prime-All. It is a four component compound and can be ordered online. the chemical components come in four small plastic bags with instructions and a double ende dipper . They are running about a month behind on their orders as of two months ago.
Manufacturing was shut down, everyone went home, from the miners to the cardboard box makers everyone went home.
This is how the far left will control every one of us in the future.
Your not to use up all your ammunition blinking, informal target shooting. Everyone should have a battle pak of 200 rounds for the coming insurrection. But you don’t because you shot that too last time you went to your favorite spot.
Be smart and plan for the invasion of the UN and they wear blue helmets, or continue to be dumb.
9mm- $57.00 a box of 50
I disagree, I think 200 rounds is nowhere near enough. The old saying is 1,000 rds. per caliber. Just imagine if ,and I certainly hope it never happens, a huge scale civil war or rioting occurs . There is heavy fighting in the streets and you must defend your home
and family or help defend your entire block or town. You will blow through 200 rounds in a matter of hours. Better to be well supplied.” I AM A PATRIOT AND DAMN PROUD OF IT. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR FREEDOMS. FREEDOM FOREVER.”
when this time has passed I would say sen. feinstein might be out of work maybe soup line yes
should be obvious sell more guns need more ammo so expand the ammo factory and yes i believe it is price gouging and now they know we will pay higher prices the price wont come back down imho the ammo shortage has been going on with each dem. pres. during last rep. pres the ammo was coming back until the virus and riots started just from what i observed
It’s all “supply and demand”.I’ve talked to my good friend’s at the local gun store. Seem’s the manufacturers have raised their prices just a little due to their increased supply costs and covid accommodation. But the “distributers” are taking the most of the increase.The retailer still adds in their margin,but it’s the normal amount (most retailers).The best way to get through this is to “bite the bullet” (pun intended) and buy a box here and there and spread out the pain,sorta’ like dealing with higher gas prices-drive less.Once the price starts coming down,buy all you can,before they restrict or tax the Hell out of it. Just a note: if you had bought or had a good stash before the shortage,it’s gone up faster than gold-Lead the new precious metal !
With gun and ammunition sales at an all time high, no one got sent home! Price gouging is price gouging and it’s all Booshit. We have been loyal to these businesses for years. I say when it’s time the shells, loads, primers, powder are back on the shelves, start using your hometown gun shops and forget about “Mr. I sell Everything from Guns to Flower Pots to Running Shoes to ……………………….”
What I’ve heard from my son (@ his workplace), is that the government has mandated that the ammo suppliers only sell a limited amount that will end up for sale at retail. The vast majority of the ammo is going to their (producers) warehouses. This is all being done under a GAG order. With demand up, and supply down there’s only on way prices to go. That’s straight up. Perhaps some one can verify this as rumor or truth. Thanks..
This shortage will take some say Fall but it will more likely next Spring. Firearms are selling at a pace never seen before. Folks who reload are for the most are the ones in good shape,but the folks who reload have a big investment 1equiptment 2 powder 3primers 4bullets 5 reloadeing dies. I am a FFL holder and i have reloaded for over 40 years. Yes at the moment prices for popular cal.are crazy along with firearms themselves but here again supply and demand are driveing this market.