"The Ammo Shortage Of 2013"

[Geo99]

It really annoys me that I can't find any 32ACP for my Mauser 1914 to shoot. I mean who shoots 32ACP anymore? I used to get it for $13-14/box shipped before all this nonsense, but I didn't save it.

[Patronen]

Originally Posted by Geo99

It really annoys me that I can't find any 32ACP for my Mauser 1914 to shoot. I mean who shoots 32ACP anymore? I used to get it for $13-14/box shipped before all this nonsense, but I didn't save it.

Welcome to the world of reloading. People are out there now today reloading for calibers 10 years ago they never would have dreamed of bothering with .25,32,380? etc. Pretty hard to reload for a .22LR if not darn right impossble so hence the further frustration out there.

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Geo99

It really annoys me that I can't find any 32ACP for my Mauser 1914 to shoot. I mean who shoots 32ACP anymore? .

With the big push in purchasing CCW/pocket pistols, most of the ammo used in these small caliber handguns has been bought up. There are a number of the new pocket handguns in 32ACP caliber. i.e. Berreta, Keltec, Autuga, etc.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Geo99

It really annoys me that I can't find any 32ACP for my Mauser 1914 to shoot. I mean who shoots 32ACP anymore?

I recently sifted through the entire full-to-the-rim 40gal brass barrel at my local gun club [literally - with a sieve!] and the result was approx 50% .22 casings and 25% each 9mm Luger and 380ACP...

That's like six five-gallon jugs of each caliber...

Who shoots that much 380ACP??? My LGS tells me our State Police/Sheriff/City Police all use 40 S&W now...So who's shooting that much 9mm???

Out of that barrel, I got ~40+ of the 40 S&W cases...My club president gave me a couple hundred more...

[sheepherder]

In a related thread, rhuff said -

Originally Posted by rhuff

I sure will be glad when ALL of the gun/ammo related suppliers can get caught up and actually have some inventory. This mess has dragged on for waaaaay too long in my way of thinking.

Here's a funny...One of my two LGS's will actually order ammunition/brass/powder and pay [pass on] the $20 UPS shipping surcharge (on top of the actual S&H charge). NYS now requires a NICS check for every powder purchase. But there is no infrastructure for it - no guideline on how/where to log the NICS check, no actual log book. No special permit requirement for the buyer. No way to show the NICS check was ever conducted. Only a bylaw that the seller can not charge more than $10 [extra!] for the NICS check. When I was in buying primers (they didn't have the powder I wanted) they told me they would sell powder as they always had until they received the proper paperwork & instructions from the state.

Governor Michael Cuomo passing 'executive legislation' (bypassing the state legislature) without having the means to implement it. At last check, the State Police (who he entrusted with regulation of the magazine/assault weapon enforcement) still didn't have the paperwork to register 'assault weapons' or 10+ cap magazines as he has mandated...

My tax dollars in action!!! I feel so safe now!!!

[rhuff]

I just can not imagine putting up with all of the "mickey-mouse" crap that you must endure to continue on with your hobby/fun. We here in Az. and other "free States" really forget about what other shooters/reloaders must endure in certain States. You have my deepest sympathy!!

[DavidJayUden]

rhuff:
So can you go into a store and buy .22 LR or all the usual reloading powders, or are they rare down there too?
dju

[lew1]

Purchased 2 bricks of 22lr last week @ $30 per brick. (CCI std vel.) On sale - normally $40.

[DavidJayUden]

Are they always available or did you happen in at the right time?
dju

[lew1]

So far, they have been available at the $40.00 price. This is the second time they have been on sale. (There is a limit of 2 at the sale price.)

I prefer Remington target as my pistol seems to like it better. But Remington target is hard to find.

[Sergio Natali]

What are the real reasons for this ammo shortage?

[ithacaartist]

Fear, speculation, and hoarding which were sparked by the legislative (non, as it turned out)flurry to "do something"--generally, to add more restrictions to everything. It never happened nationwide (but NY passed this odious S.A.F.E. Act. Background checks to buy ammunition! 10-round limit on mags, but only permissible to load 7 rounds unless at a competition or a range. Broader definition of "assault rifle", to include MANY more models, etc, etc.) I have seen no evidence that production rates were manipulated, but this also is suspected.

[Schutzenbob]

There was an ammo shortage about twelve years ago, and then I went to visit friends in Prescott, AZ. The gunshops there had whatever you wanted; powder, primers, 22 RF, etc.

[318is_Parabellum]

.22 long rifle is difficult to find now, and when one does find it, quantities are extremely limited. Another major firearms forum has come up with an amusing (if somewhat derogative) nickname for the same handful of guys that seemingly go from store to store, buy up all the .22lr, and flip it on Gunbroker and/or gun shows: "neckbeards".

Personally, I find these "men" despicable, as they are purely profiteers, not shooters or even ammo hoarders. Usually, the "neckbeards" are guys drawing some sort of government check, thus they have the time and money to lurk around Wal-Mart/Bass-pro/Dick's/etc. and snatch the available ammo as soon as it is taken off the delivery truck.

I'm sitting on about 3.5k of .22lr ammo of different types, and I refuse to buy from these hucksters. I'll carry on shooting my .22 cb caps with my Browning A-bolt, or my Heym single-shot k98 trainer. My semi-auto StG 44 in .22lr stays in the safe. Sad.

ETA: I'm all for capitalism, but this is a new thing, and ugly. I don't begrudge those who've earned their 'check', either. My cousin, with whom I am very close, is a disabled Navy vet. That said, SSI Disability fraud is a way of life here in Appalachia and it engenders a lot of resentment from those of us that are more or less able-bodied but struggling, thanks to this crappy economy.

[lew1]

Originally Posted by 318is_Parabellum

Personally, I find these "men" despicable, as they are purely profiteers, not shooters or even ammo hoarders. Usually, the "neckbeards" are guys drawing some sort of government check, thus they have the time and money to lurk around Wal-Mart/Bass-pro/Dick's/etc. and snatch the available ammo as soon as it is taken off the delivery truck.

I'm sitting on about 3.5k of .22lr ammo of different types, and I refuse to buy from these hucksters. I'll carry on shooting my .22 cb caps with my Browning A-bolt, or my Heym single-shot k98 trainer. My semi-auto StG 44 in .22lr stays in the safe. Sad.

Well this country is supposed to be a country in which capitalistic principles are followed.

[DavidJayUden]

Charlie:
I'm about the biggest cheerleader for capitalism around, but when the Boy Scouts can't even shoot .22 because someone buys up every round in sight, I have to feel line some imaginary line has been crossed.
Personally I hope that production increases and overtakes demand, and that these speculative capitalists loose their rear ends on this one. Seeing some of these guys with a room full of .22 that they can't even break even on would bring a smile to this face...
dju

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by 318is_Parabellum

...are guys drawing some sort of government check, thus they have the time and money to lurk around Wal-Mart/Bass-pro/Dick's/etc. and snatch the available ammo as soon as it is taken off the delivery truck...

As one of those guys drawing a government retirement check, I can assure you we aren't lurking in back of K-Mart or Wal-Mart looking for available ammo...We're lucky if we can stretch a monthly check into 30 days worth of food...

[lew1]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Charlie:
I'm about the biggest cheerleader for capitalism around, but when the Boy Scouts can't even shoot .22 because someone buys up every round in sight, I have to feel line some imaginary line has been crossed.
Personally I hope that production increases and overtakes demand, and that these speculative capitalists loose their rear ends on this one. Seeing some of these guys with a room full of .22 that they can't even break even on would bring a smile to this face...
dju

If they were to lose on the ammo purchases, that would be capitalism at work.

Back during the panic during Clinton, I did gun shows. One table holder went thru the show and purchased all of the primers he could find. He purchased mine at $18.00 per box. (Before the panic I was selling them for $8.00 per box, so I was happy to sell all of mine to him.) He paid as high as $22.00 per box from others. So he had all of these primers and a few months later, the panic vanished. And he was selling primers at $8.00 per box. He was realistic about it as he said he took a gamble - and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Capitalism at work.

I had stopped doing gun shows in January 2006. But I had a number of primers left on hand (about 75 sleeves) sitting around here and there. Sold them at NGD (3 shows) for $40.00 per box (1000). Capitalism at work.

[318is_Parabellum]

ETA: I'm all for capitalism, but this is a new thing, and ugly. I don't begrudge those who've earned their 'check', either. My cousin, with whom I am very close, is a disabled Navy vet. That said, SSI Disability fraud is a way of life here in Appalachia and it engenders a lot of resentment from those of us that are more or less able-bodied but struggling, thanks to this crappy economy. (Quoted, because the point bears repeating.)

Having served active duty in the US Army as a combat medic, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the many military retirees (and retired govt. employees, for that matter) on this board that *earned* their 'check'. The 'neckbeards' I refer to are more the SSI/Disability fraudster types that are so prevalent here in Appalachia.

[lew1]

With this last panic, I will say that I have purchased about 6 bricks of 22lr only because of price, not that I needed it now (can't tell what the future holds). I don't have to pay the high prices as I have some on hand. Actually did not have to buy any ammo as I had some on hand.