Have never seen ammo supply this bad

[madman4570]

Was at Walmart today (in Pa)killing time while our Schnauzer was getting a hair cut and went over the the Hunting/Fishing Dept.
OMG--------all they had was 3 boxes of 20ga #7 shells and 5 packs of the 12ga(5 pack slugs)

This was about it

Now, I was told last month by a Walmart District Manager at a Gun Shop(Walmart is not going to quite selling the gun/ammo stuff ?

Could have fooled me by looking at it today unless all the stock warehouses are completely empty???

Absolutely unreal

[Blaine]

The old guy at WallyWorld gun counter showed me as he scanned a tag for an empty shelf slot. Back-ordered at the warehouse, which jibes with MidWay USA when they say out of stock, no back order.

[Mac in Mo]

If no one is finding ammo, where is it going? Is it being doled out the back door at the factory?

Kevin

[Hobie]

For most dealers ammo is channeled through distributors. This doesn't include the big retailers like Accusport, Jerrys, Midway, Walmart, and so forth. All these primary recipients are getting their orders partially filled and are doling out to the next in line be it dealers or their stores. For the distributor to dealer chain, each salesman (who in turn handles the accounts of a given number of dealers) gets allocated just so much. This is to ensure a more fair distribution. The salesman in turn will allocate to the dealers. Most do give a bit of preference to their bigger buyers. At periods of high demand any given item can be allocated. In periods of low demand for any given item it is fair game to all. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar and I've no doubt that the personal relationships between all the various parties involved affect availability of whatever is available for distribution.

So, the distributors (and above them the manufacturers) were inundated with orders as the dealers were hit with demand following the 14 December shooting in Newtown, CT. The run actually started MINUTES after (perhaps even before) the POTUS went on the air with his statement at about 1100-1130 EST. it has been said that at least one distributor took their salespersons off the phones and put them in the warehouse in attempt to pack and ship orders in a timely fashion. Where an order would be packed and shipped the same or next day (items in stock) it was suddenly impossible to do so and orders were taking 2+ weeks to pack for shipment. Unlike 2008, distributors seemed to immediately go to a system of rationing to provide the best possible service to ALL their customers. Many dealers did the same.

So far as I know, and others have provided substantiating information, all manufacturers are doing all they can to produce all the product they can. I know that a local producer of AR lower and upper forgings went from a 5-day a week, day-shift only production schedule to 24-7 production. That is more than a 3-fold increase in production and yet they are about 6-9 months behind current orders. I think we're seeing the same for ammunition and certain handguns as well as magazines.

As the demand progressed from ARs and their magazines to all semi-auto firearms using "high" capacity magazines and the ammunition for those firearms to components and even .22 LR ammunition, shelves were stripped bare which initiated the hoarding of most other types of ammo. It seems everybody has a story related to this.

The demand isn't slacking at all. The only thing slowing the purchase of these items is availability. There has been a demand for diversity and you see it in the people demanding these things. Neither age, race, gender nor political affiliation seems to be a determining factor. We've seen a huge uptick in the number of formerly marginal users who are buying guns and ammunition just because they've become aware of the shortages.

This is all a long-winded way of saying that, no, the ammo isn't going out the backdoor of anything. It is being distributed among the public as quickly as the chain of supply allows.

[rimrock]

Study up on the Stamp Acts to learn what's going on!! The American people believe they need to prepare for war against an uncontrollable tyrant's minions. If you believe the .22 rifle is the best survival rifle there is, you soon might get to test that belief. If you believe it's another caliber that's best for survival, you might get to test that belief also. I'm not trying to be negative, but mostly factual. History will repeat itself sooner or later, and Americans are convinced it will be sooner.

[Hobie]

Study up on the Stamp Acts to learn what's going on!! The American people believe they need to prepare for war against an uncontrollable tyrant's minions. If you believe the .22 rifle is the best survival rifle there is, you soon might get to test that belief. If you believe it's another caliber that's best for survival, you might get to test that belief also. I'm not trying to be negative, but mostly factual. History will repeat itself sooner or later, and Americans are convinced it will be sooner.

I don't know that I can speak for everyone but they are certainly voting with their money! Whatever it is they believe, they BELIEVE!

[Mescalero]

[Blaine]

You don't like guns and ammo anymore?

[Hobie]

You don't have to agree with them to acknowledge that they believe they must do what they are doing. Gold wouldn't be worth what it is but for this same belief.

[Mescalero]

Of course they have the right to do so, so do we all.
I just do not think it is as dire as some have expressed.

[Hobie]

Of course they have the right to do so, so do we all.
I just do not think it is as dire as some have expressed.

Well, it may not have BEEN as dire as they thought, but it might be in the future and in a way is now because they believe it to be so. Perception is 90% of reality. I know you probably realize this, but it is preferable to understand how people think what they do when they do without necessarily allowing them to influence your own thoughts particularly in such things.

[olyinaz]

It's a classic panic and hoarding has set in. No rocket science.

[Mescalero]

There are two types of reality:
reality as it is, it is inalterable.
percieved reality, which is what we are dealing with here.
I believe the percieved reality is more onerous than the actual reality will be.

[madman4570]

Makes sense Hobie-----excellent explanation of what's going on!
Thank you!

Man you guys, this is one great Forum!--------honestly, I am always learning something on here------

Great members/Great leaders===============top notch!

[Old Savage]

Local range is offering $30/brick 22 LR and selling it for $50/brick.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Our local Walley World had some CCI Mini Mag today but they only would let me have three boxes of the five that were left. The gal said they got in 4 bricks last night and by noon it was gone. The guy behind me got the last two.

[awp101]

So is anyone seeing a run on BP or is it just the smokeless powders, etc?

[olyinaz]

Bumped into a pal of mine in Vegas today and I asked him if he'd been shooting much. "Not if I can't replace the ammo," he said. Thankfully his re-qual is in a few weeks so he'll get some range time in there, but it's the affect on everything re. the hobby and sport of shooting that bothers me. It's far reaching.

Another pal's son bought a Colt AR-15 up in Anchorage. Great gun and got a good price but can't find any ammo to go and break it in! I'm going to see if I can figure out how to mail him some when I get back home later this week. I'm hopeful that I can still do it at the UPS hub, but I'm not sure if Alaska is going to be a problem. Thank God I've got some to spare the kid if I can figure out how to work it.

Re. the question: No shortage of BP or BP substitutes in Tucson. Lots of it available.

[Mac in Mo]

My question of ammo going out the back door was tongue in cheek. I just cannot fathom that there is no .22 rimfire to be had. It simply seems non- existent around here and I read the same from all over. I understand what is going on, I'm just trying to wrap my head around it.
I was at my usual reloading supply shop last week and they had more powder than I have ever seen there. Brass and bullets were on hand also.

Thanks, Kevin

[1894c]

first time in a long time (civil war?) that the American people are afraid of their government... :(

[jdad]

I could not find a pound of W748, in the state of OR. I was told that besides us 30-30 shooters that .223/5.56 loaders love it also.

[Hobie]

first time in a long time (civil war?) that the American people are afraid of their government...

Not just lunatic fringe (pick your fringe group) types, normal everyday housewives, college students, blue AND white collar workers, and the unemployed as well. Race doesn't seem to matter as much as one might think based on the voting patterns. I hate to say it but these are interesting times.

[FWiedner]

I don't see any panic, and I don't see any fear.

I see people wisely preparing... just in case. I don't believe that people are afraid of their government, but they know enough to be on guard.

I think it's a plain and simple case of seeing what may be coming, and knowing that they have to get ready.

The fact that others weren't as quick on the buzzer is just... what is that phrase?... oh...

TOO BAD.

It will settle down... eventually.

[damienph]

It's a classic panic and hoarding has set in. No rocket science.

You're right, it is not rocket science but I don't think it can all be attributed to panic buying and hoarding. I think that many people are making sound decisions to purchase firearms, accessories and ammunition based on the current anti-gun trends reflected by our President, Vice-President, Secretary of State, most Democrat and many Republican legislators, Governors, Mayors, Judges, popular "actor/activists", and educators at all levels.

My nephew's second grade daughter came home from school last week and told him that her teacher said that no one should have guns in their homes because when they get mad they might shoot each other. He is meeting with the teacher and the principal on Thursday.

I just don't see the panic or hoarding, what I see (and have personally made after the 2008 election) is the decision to buy what they want while they can. Both firearms, "high" capacity magazines, and ammunition.

Luckily, because of my decision to stock up (hoard?) ammunition and components when the buying was easy, at 59 years of age and given my family history, I probably have enough that I can stretch it out to last the rest of my life.

I know, many of you think that some of us are over reacting, all of this will pass, no need to get excited, this is America, can't happen here. Tell that to the New Yorkers.

Ok, Andrew, if you don't mind, would you help me off my soap box please.

[Mescalero]

damienph,
Was not soap boxish to me at all.
I thought it to be well reasoned, thought out and well written.

[2571]

So is anyone seeing a run on BP or is it just the smokeless powders, etc?

BP forums commenting no black powder pistols can be found, new or used.

Caps impossible to find.

If there'sa bp shortage, it's not evident here. It's been difficult to find the holy black for 10 years.

[awp101]

Ok, Andrew, if you don't mind, would you help me off my soap box please.

Of course! Always glad to help my elders! Will you be needing just the cane or the full walker?

damienph,
Was not soap boxish to me at all.
I thought it to be well reasoned, thought out and well written.

Mescalero, here's the genesis of the soapbox reference... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46934

[Old Savage]

Things have gotten so extreme a friend has informed me that he has laid in a life time supply of Brazilian harmonicas.

[Blaine]

Things have gotten so extreme a friend has informed me that he has laid in a life time supply of Brazilian harmonicas.

I'll bet he got them for a song....

[Mescalero]

Ay Caramba!

[Old Savage]

Like the crazy ocean hug shore, sway with me, stay with me ...

[KirkD]

Was down in NY State last weekend and heard that the Department of Homeland Security has purchased a massive pile of ammo .... can't recall how much but it was comparable to what has been expended in Iraq. It's probably just a false rumour, but if it is true, I wonder who they plan on using that ammo on? I'm Canadian with no vested interest, but if I were an American, I'd not be happy with the direction things are going, i.e., more rules and regs and monitoring, coupled with decreasing liberties and freedoms and increasing freeloaders.

[Mescalero]

Kirk,
I am American and grew up on the southern border.
I have been hearing about these large purchases of ammo for a while now.
Charles, another member here; is another border person with a long history here.
He will attest that the prescence on the southern border is an increase of a thousand fold from when we were young.
All these people must practice and qualify with issue guns.
When I bought and salvaged a building from the border partrol, we were there first thing in the morning when 3rd shift came off, I have never seen so many heavily armed men and women outside of a standing army.
Pistols, AR's, shotguns.
The numbers may sound huge to the average person, I can see that ammo being required to keep the force prepared.
I guess I don't see the evil that others do.
I am no fan of large government.

[hondo1892]

Yes indeedy, these are interesting times. In my short fourtyseven years here on earth, I have not seen anything like this. Gun bans have been slung around since I can remember. However I have never seen or heard of sherrifs standing up against bans and states scrambling to make laws to keep guns leagle or not like what we are seeing. I never thuoght there would be a civil war over firearms but now I'm not so sure. Not that I think pro gun states or sherrifs are wanting such things. However I can see the anti's going that far. I beleive things are bad, not that they can't settle down. However I don't think it would take much for things to go south in a hurry also with everything that is happening here and around the world. I'm not scrambling for ammo but I wouldn't mind having a few more molds for some of my guns.

[Mescalero]

Looks like I was right, confirmed in the politics section.

[Mescalero]

Thought that number was too ----- high.