America's gun spree could run out of ammo

CNNMoney ^ | October 22, 2009 | Robert Cyran

[Second Amendment First]

Private equity shop Cerberus plans to float gun-maker Freedom Group soon. It had better hurry. President Barack Obama's victory sent weapon sales -- and the valuations of firearms producers -- shooting upward. Falling backlogs hint sales could plunge. The U.S. gun bubble may backfire. Two sparks set off this speculative burst in the gun business. First, fears of economic calamity inspired sales of weapons -- Sturm, Ruger's 30 shot autoload SR-556 rifle is useful according to the company for shooting varmints and for "personal defense", presumably pesky biped varmints. Second, gun collectors feared a Democratic president would restrict gun ownership.

[Second Amendment First]

I was in my local sporting goods store yesterday for the first time in three or four months, hoping they would have more stock in than the last time there. It was even worse than before with large parts of the rifle racks empty and the same with the pistol cases. The only ammo in cases was shot shells; most rifle and pistol ammo if in stock amounted to at most a dozen boxes each. .45 cal auto jacketed hollow points were being sold in plastic bags of six for $18.99 each.

A local deputy sheriff commented to me how sad the department looked. I had to agree as it was about 1500 square feet of mostly empty space.

I've been planning to go to the range soon, but now I'm more concerned about conserving the cache on hand. I am considering investing in the Cerberus stock, but more because of the ammo manufacturing than the firearms, because I don't plan on buying more guns when I'm concerned about feeding the ones I already own.

Here is a link to the Wall Street Journal article on Cerberus IPO: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125612136899998683.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[Tijeras_Slim]

Saw the first box of new .380 in months yesterday.

[MrB]

If you have “plenty”,
now’s the time to start spending on training and practice.

[WoofDog123]

if you consider the market to be a good forward-indicator, the boom in sales of ammunition and particularly reloading supplies is scary as hell.

[MarkeyD]

I ordered .380 from Cabelas. It took 7 months to show up.

[Bad Jack Bauer]

My father and I used to shoot thousands of rounds a year in several calibers. We used to shoot some and stock some. My father used to hoard ammo. When he passed away 3 years ago I inherited three lockers full of guns and thousands of rounds of ammo for each. I fure some off every once in a while but I can never shake this feeling that I should have plenty of ammo on hand for more important things.

[An Old Man]

"Two sparks set off this speculative burst in the gun business. First, fears of economic calamity inspired sales of weapons... "

Now what do you suppose would have given them an idea like that?

[VR-21]

"If you have “plenty”, now’s the time to start spending on training and practice.

I agree. Disciplined, serious practice too, and not just popping away rounds for fun.

[MrB]

By “training”, I mean training under the instruction of someone better than you, no matter how experienced you are.

[Second Amendment First]

I should be good on my carry weapons and rifle practice, but I have a virgin AR-15 I need to break in.

[Noumenon]

They persist in overlooking the real reason: it’s because we expect that we’re going to be using them.

[max americana]

>>”Two sparks set off this speculative burst in the gun business. First, fears of economic calamity inspired sales of weapons... “
Now what do you suppose would have given them an idea like that?

It’s CNN. Just take the article at face value.

[Uncle Miltie]

for shooting varmints and for "personal defense", presumably pesky biped wayward federal varmints

[Myrddin]

In 1999 I would shoot 400 rds of 38SPL each week. Ditto for my wife. I reloaded the spent brass on the weekend. Since moving to Idaho, I haven't shot more than 150 rds in the last 8 years. No time. Bad weather. Expensive and scare supplies. It's not that I enjoy it less, it's a matter of time and money.

[o_zarkman44]

It really depends on the store and the area you are in.

Central Missouri, the shelves are full of AR-15’s and similar items. Full of handguns. Some ammo is short in some places. Other shops I can buy all I want and don’t get gouged. One dealer told me the ammo shortage is not really a shortage. And prices have not risen to the extent some shops are now charging for premium rounds.

I was traveling through Louisiana last week. stopped in a wal mart. They had full stock of bricks of 22 wildcats etc for just over 20 bucks. they also had several boxes of SW 40 cal, 100 count for 27 bucks. Even a few 380’s and 45’s.
Lots of rifle shells also.
Locally our wal marts have nothing but shotgun shells.
And some of the shops are charging premium prices. Compare 37 bucks for a brick of wildcat 22’s locally, to 23 bucks for the same brick at a range shop in North Mo.

It makes no sense.

[vpintheak]

There has to be people looking at becoming ammunition makers out there. It’s so hard to find ammo they could make a killing I wouold think.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I saw Bass Pro Shop had a special price on a series of rounds. I missed the 5.56, durn it.

[crazydad]

What would be an Ideal Number of rounds to have? I have around 500 between 3 guns?

[o_zarkman44]

Yeah Bass Pro had special pricing, but quantity per customer was limited I heard. I found a nice little gun shop/range in North Mo that always has everything I want, plus. And for a reasonable price. It’s about 10 minutes from my folks. So I make a run to the shop as part of my “visit”.

Deer season is coming up and we will be sure to drop in and buy some more candy.

[o_zarkman44]

“What would be an Ideal Number of rounds to have? I have around 500 between 3 guns?”

My goal is nothing less than 500 rounds per hand gun and 2000 per rifle.
I was talking to the local sheriff and he has knowledge of (and no problems with) people approaching 30,000 rounds per gun.

I think all you can afford is the best approach. One never knows when this rogue government may kabosh the arms business.