Posted on 08/19/2020 4:30:20 PM PDT by PROCON
Gun and ammo makers are staying cautious ahead of the election despite surging sales, because they remember all too well the crash that happened after the election of President Trump.
Gunmakers can barely keep up with demand. Sales have been booming since the start of the pandemic, fueled by fears of coronavirus and civil unrest. FBI background checks have been breaking records. Makers of guns and ammo are reporting double-digit increases in revenue. Handguns are flying off the shelves and ammo is selling out and getting scarce.
“It’s the 2013 shortage all over again,” said Brian Rafn, a gun industry analyst who recently retired from Morgan Dempsey, referring to the run on ammo during the Obama administration. Rafn, whose family owns shares in Sturm, Ruger, said that nowadays buyers of popular ammo like 9 mm have to hunt for it from store to store like “the guy who’s buying milk during the hurricane.”
But gun and ammo makers are hyper-cautious about ramping up manufacturing capacity. They don't want to get burned like in 2016, when sales surged to record levels only to implode on Election Day. Sales then were driven by fears of gun control fueled by mass shootings, but those fears evaporated with the election of President Trump, a Republican endorsed by the National Rifle Association. Gun sales plunged immediately after his election, resulting in layoffs and sliding stocks for Sturm, Ruger and Smith & Wesson.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
I didn’t check yesterday, but the local BiMart was stacked high with .40 S&W and 10 mm when 9 mm was scarce. Quite a few 9 mm pistols then, too, but no .40s. Glad I got while the gettin’ was good.
Thanks, ordered some.
I’m glad I got primers, powder, etc for my main calibers (06, 38/357, 44, 45 ACP and LC, 45-70, 223 etc a couple of years back. Also stocked on 22lr last year. It’s a desert now.
Also still have Pyrodex, lead, molds and caps for when the Shyt REALLY hits the fan. LOL.
“ Handguns are flying off the shelves and ammo is selling out and getting scarce.”<P
How do guns fly? Is ammo becoming invisible?
What does all bets are off mean? How is ammo production related?
Things are very dynamic. I think I saw that about 4 million people turn 18 each year. Lots of potential customers that have no idea how supply can fluctuate.
ammoseek.com and gunbot.net
Yup. Supply and demand fluctuation cycles for 13 years, and the same cast of characters never learn, and then cry because they were to stupid or lazy to prepare.
Can never make too many M1911’s, AR-15 types and 9mm Hi-Power types.
“Quite a few 9 mm pistols then, too, but no .40s. Glad I got while the gettin’ was good.”
I’m set, I just go around to check. The guys at my range have started shooting 200 yd .22 matches and I’m depleting rather rapidly.
Ammo prices go up. Ammo prices go down.
When ammo prices are down, make sure you are stocked up. By “stocked up”, I mean have enough that you can go for at least 4 years without needing to buy more. Preferably 8.
Exactly! Anyone who didn’t see this coming, is now very late to the party.
You don’t think there would be an even bigger run on ammo if DJT loses, and is perceived to have been cheated? Even if he loses fair and square, there is a 10 week window before the Dims take the White House. I anticipate craziness.
Yup. .380 is not a big player in the caliber mix. 9mm is the same diameter and only 2mm longer cartridge. So why buy a .380 pistol? ( I have a Sig P232 SL)
They have their place, some are small enough to fit in a pocket.
I used to shoot at golf balls out in the dunes, Usually100 to 150 yards. If you can get one moving, it’s good practice chasing it with rounds.
“You don’t think..”
Why would I defend what you make up? If you want to participate you can read my post rather than mind read.
It was interrogative, not declaratory.
I bought boxes of primers for $29.99 a few years ago at Cabelas.
I have seen these same primers go for as much as $275 a box on gunbroker.
Tempting.
meant to say “tempting to sell some”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.