[Nervous Tick]

>> TULAmmo and the other Russian manufacturers did increase their output over the past year because of *our* increased demand.

No doubt. I wish American manufacturers would do the same!

I realize there are supply chain issues the domestic industry is struggling with. At the same time I wonder why e.g. the Russians can ramp up whereas domestic mfgrs seem not to be able to.

I guess for one thing the Russians can still smelt lead in the motherland and don’t have to buy bullets from Mexico. :-)

[marktwain]

“No doubt. I wish American manufacturers would do the same!”

If you think American manufacturers have not ramped up output, you have not been paying attention.

Virtually all .22 ammunition manufacurers around the world are producing as much as they can 24/7 to attempt to meet the American demand. American demand for .22 ammunition has jumped up so high, so fast, that you would have to double or triple manufacturing capacity to meet this spike in demand. You cannot do so in a year, nor would it be wise or prudent to do so.

Centerfire rifle and pistol rounds have temporarily satisfied demand, and are now re-occupying store shelves. Shotgun ammunition was always available.

In another year, given no more insanity on the part of the White House, .22 ammunition will be readily available...

That is a pretty big IF, though...

[Charles Martel]

I believe the domestic U.S. ammo manufacturers did increase their production as much as possible. The Russian companies do not have the same size commercial home market as we see as the norm, so they had more production capability to tap. Probably more raw materials on hand, too.

FWIW, the cost and availability issues are probably secondary issues where imported ammunition is concerned. This is just the sort of crisis that Zero would exploit by banning Russian firearms, firearm parts, accessories and ammunition. All he has to do is tell the BATFE to do so; it already has the authority to act under the '68 GCA.