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Amid Booming Gun And Ammo Sales, Arms Makers Aim Not To Get Burned Again
Forbes ^ | Aug. 18, 2020 | Aaron Smith

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Society
KEYWORDS: 2ndamendment; ammo; ammunition; banglist; firearms; guns; nra; sales; secondamendment
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To: dljordan

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.


21 posted on 08/19/2020 4:57:00 PM PDT by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
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To: Ag88

Thanks, ordered some.


22 posted on 08/19/2020 4:58:29 PM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
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To: PROCON

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.


23 posted on 08/19/2020 5:02:33 PM PDT by Seruzawa (TANSTAAFL!)
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To: PROCON; All

“ Handguns are flying off the shelves and ammo is selling out and getting scarce.”<P

How do guns fly? Is ammo becoming invisible?


24 posted on 08/19/2020 5:06:09 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Common sense isnÂ’t common anymore.)
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To: metmom

What does all bets are off mean? How is ammo production related?


25 posted on 08/19/2020 5:06:23 PM PDT by coaster123 (Distrust every person under sixty, every institution over eight.)
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To: eyeamok

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.


26 posted on 08/19/2020 5:07:50 PM PDT by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

ammoseek.com and gunbot.net


27 posted on 08/19/2020 5:08:27 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Where do you find the word "except" in the 2nd Amendment?)
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To: eyeamok; All

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.


28 posted on 08/19/2020 5:10:34 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Common sense isnÂ’t common anymore.)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Can never make too many M1911’s, AR-15 types and 9mm Hi-Power types.


29 posted on 08/19/2020 5:11:06 PM PDT by 353FMG
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To: gundog

“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.


30 posted on 08/19/2020 5:11:28 PM PDT by dljordan
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To: PROCON

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.


31 posted on 08/19/2020 5:13:45 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor (A Leftist can't enjoy life unless they are controlling, hurting, or destroying others)
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To: eyeamok

Exactly! Anyone who didn’t see this coming, is now very late to the party.


32 posted on 08/19/2020 5:15:45 PM PDT by Fireone (Build the gallows first, then the Wall!)
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To: coaster123

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.


33 posted on 08/19/2020 5:15:59 PM PDT by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
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To: Lurkinanloomin

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)


34 posted on 08/19/2020 5:16:43 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Common sense isnÂ’t common anymore.)
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To: Cobra64

They have their place, some are small enough to fit in a pocket.


35 posted on 08/19/2020 5:18:04 PM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizens Are Born Here of Citizen Parents|Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: dljordan

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.


36 posted on 08/19/2020 5:19:48 PM PDT by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
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To: gundog

“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.


37 posted on 08/19/2020 5:23:18 PM PDT by coaster123 (Distrust every person under sixty, every institution over eight.)
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To: coaster123

It was interrogative, not declaratory.


38 posted on 08/19/2020 5:29:36 PM PDT by gundog ( Hail to the Chief, bitches!)
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To: PROCON

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.


39 posted on 08/19/2020 5:33:54 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA (You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

meant to say “tempting to sell some”


40 posted on 08/19/2020 5:34:32 PM PDT by Red in Blue PA (You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out.)
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