Sales Up 10% for (Gun and Ammo) Manufacturers in Third Quarter

National Shooting Sports Federation ^ | 2-16-2009 | NSSF

[Atlas Sneezed]

$90 MILLION GENERATED FOR CONSERVATION . . . New data from the U.S. Treasury Department show sales by firearm and ammunition manufacturers increased 9.7 percent between July and September when compared to the same period the previous year. Sales of pistols and revolvers were up 23.6 percent, ammo sales rose 8.4 percent and long gun sales saw a 4.1 percent increase, according to the latest Pittman-Robertson federal excise tax collection report. Excise taxes are calculated as a percentage of wholesale receipts, paid quarterly by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, and earmarked for state wildlife conservation and habitat restoration programs. These statistics are based solely on U.S. civilian sales and do not include sales to military, police, etc. During the quarter, $89.7 million was generated for conservation -- $19.8 million was collected for pistols and revolvers, $33.2 million for long guns and $36.6 million for ammunition. The latest tax collections suggest overall sales of $834.2 million, not including retail markup or final retail sales. Total excise tax collections for the federal government's fiscal year (Oct. 1 to Sept. 30) were $321.9 million.

Excise Tax Collections: July - September

Handguns $19,882,672.52

Long Guns $33,253,298.08

Ammunition $36,643,018.49

Total $89,778,989.09

Firearms and ammunition excise tax collections for third quarter of calendar year 2008.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

FWIW, I recommend people to steer clear of SIG ARMS. Why? They support RFID and tracking chips installed into your firearms.

Link here. And if you research it a bit on the web, it looks like it's a "standard practice" to embed the chips in the newer SIGs. Which is a shame, because they're really fine weapons!

I'm fully in agreement about 9mm, though. PLENTY of stopping power and plentiful, cheap ammo. Get a good American pistol, something like a S&W Sigma 9 (affordable starter), Springfield XD (really accurate and not too bad on price), or a used Glock or Stoeger Cougar (Beretta owned factory in Turkey).

Ignore anyone who says a 9mm isn't powerful; there IS no such thing as the "killer caliber". More people in the US are killed each year from .22LR than from all other calibers combined. The .32ACP is deadly when properly used, and I've personally talked to an ex-security guard who took a .45 to the back of the skull at 5 feet (execution style) - and lives and functions perfectly fine to this day (teaches Sunday school at my church, and is a friend and shooting buddy).

9mm is great - plenty of capacity in most full-size pistols (14+ rounds), dirt cheap (FMJ at Wal-Mart for under $20/100), manageable recoil (you won't wake up the next morning with sore wrists), and a proven defensive round. Not to mention available in all sorts of firearms (mini pistols like the Kel Tecs, full size pistols, carbines, etc).

Just remember, shot placement is king; number of shots is queen. "Stoppping power" is a distant duke. Get something that has manageable recoil for fast on-target shots and then

SHOOT THEM TO THE GROUND.

Do not stop firing until the target is on the ground and incapacitated. If that's one shot or 10, it does not matter. Practice over and over fast, multiple round groups (I do groups of 5 with my S&W Sigma 9).

And that's when the price of 9mm ammo really makes sense; you can go and practice, practice, practice! I got lucky this last Friday, found a bunch of 9mm at the local Wal-Mart for $9.27 per box of 50. Walked out of there with 250 rounds for the evening's shoot for under $50.

Go visit Warrior Talk for some VERY valuable and real-world experience and data about calibers, carrying, tactics, etc.

One last thing - don't overlook a small gun! My daily carry is a Kel-Tec P32. Many laugh at its size - 8 rounds of 32 ACP. But being able to put it in the back pocket like a wallet (COMPLETELY invisible), and draw and empty the magazine in 3 seconds into a 6" circle at 7 yards makes a lot of the local range-goofs go quiet.

The "mouse gun" in your back pocket at the beach or park is worth INFINITELY more than the hand-cannon sitting in your safe at home. Remember rule number 1 of a gun fight: first, bring a GUN!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Advice, find the model you want and then buy one from “some guy”. The fewer record of your purchase, the better.

[mono]

Part of Obama economic stimulus plan.....?

[rigelkentaurus]

An M1A works for me, but not for home defense. For close action, I prefer a nice pump 12 gauge. And, an XD45 tactical as backup if necessary for coup de grace :-)

[Red in Blue PA]

Excellent post.

Worth a reread!

[ßuddaßudd]

Yep, nothing says hate like the .308

[aimhigh]

First time gun owner after seeing the election results - Springfield XDm 9mm. Magazines hold 19 rounds.

[El Gato]

A thumb print for .22? What is this country coming to?

What it was after the Gun Control Act of '68 was passed, and before the Gun Owners Protection Act of '86.

Back then, I only owned a single shotgun, but when I'd visit my wife's grandparents I'd buy a few boxes of .22 short, yes short, to put through Grandpa's Browning rifle. (Yes .22 short!). I'd have to show an ID, so I'd give them my green active duty military ID, or later my red reserve military ID. Just to emphasize the stupidity of it all.

Now, at least twice, I've bought 1,000 round lots of ammo over the Internet and had it shipped to me, along with smaller orders. You couldn't do that, ID or No ID, prior to '86. (although substitute US mail for the Internet on the purchase end). We'll be back t that shortly I imagine.

[mad_as_he$$]

Two in the chest, one in the head. Shoot that F’er till he's dead.

[Red in Blue PA]

That gun will most likely be banned in a year or two. Hi capacity magazines are a no-no to libs.

[ataDude]

Ask your folks to buy it now...and store it... while they can.

[Mariner]

"My daily carry is a Kel-Tec P32".

Mine the Sig P232 in .380. About the same size as a Colt Pony, but made of mostly composites and weighs less than 1 lb empty. No sharp edges. PERFECTLY accurate as the barrel is not free-floating. 100% reliable.

Beasts every .40, 9mm, .45, .44 or whatever that's sitting on the night stand...while your out and about.

[ChocChipCookie]

I’ve posted this on a couple other threads, and don’t want to constantly repeat myself, but the Walmart sporting goods manager near my house claims the ammo manufacturers will be caught up with their backlog by March. I’ve been noticing that most ammo is getting easier to find. Interestingly, 40 caliber has been the easiest to find when .357, 9mm, and 45 were gone.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Nice firearm! I went with the P32 because of this:

Loaded with 7 in the magazine and one in the chamber (how it's carried) it comes in under 9.5 ounces. That's my Samsung i-760 next to it; the P32 is the SAME thickness as the i-760. It's TINY, but very potent. My hand completely covers the firearm (and I'm not that big of a guy).

Kel Tec makes a 380 (P3AT) that's the same size, but that little thing really kicks and roars; the 32 is tamed down enough in this weight/size that I have yet to find a woman who's intimidated by it, when shooting (can't say the same about some of the bigger firearms I have, or even the old S&W model 36 "pocket revolver" that is 3X the weight).

Still love the 380 though - a VERY capable caliber, plenty of bark too when fired; it DEMANDS attention! Personally I'm like you - give me a firearm that is on hand all the time, and is reliable and I'm happy. Something tiny like this or your SIG 232 just disappears in about any clothes this side of a Speedo (and believe me, if I was wearing a Speedo I wouldn't need a firearm; the bad guys would simply fall over retching from the view!).

[1066AD]

Does anyone on this thread know where to get the best price on 1000 rounds of .223

Probably an arms bazaar in the Khyber Pass, there isn't much around here it seems !

[evangmlw]

Whoever shot him five times was either a poor shot or not trying to kill him.

[1066AD]

Bersa 380CC shoots well too, surprisingly good (for me).

[MileHi]

I’m thinking of a Remington 870 - switchable barrels, one for home defense, one for turkey hunting.

Ah! The short, iron sight barrel with Rem-choke is the deal. With the rifled choke it shoots slogs at 100 yds and still patterns buckshot well at 25 - 30 yds. Change to extra full choke and those sights work good for turkey. Save that long barrel for clay pigions and phesant. {:0)

[Mike Darancette]

Guns and ammunition, the currency of choice in the coming hard times.

[Mariner]

You stoked my interest in that darn P3AT.

Less than 8 ounces empty? Sheesh.

Less than a pound with a full load...