Posted on 09/30/2020 9:13:20 PM PDT by Kevin in California
Just how bad is the ammo crunch right now? This bad.
Scottsdale-based ammunition company Ammo Incorporated is facing an $80.1 million order backlog amid record demand for ammunition.
“We’re working right now seven days a week, 24 hours a day in all the manufacturing plants,” said CEO Fred Wagenhals.
Ouch. The good news, if there is any to be found here, is that ammunition companies like Ammo Incorporated are now investing millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades to increase their output. If manufacturers felt like this was only a short-term run on ammunition, they might keep their cash in reserve rather than spending it on new equipment, but at least for Ammo Inc, that’s not the case.
“We just bought 2.8 million dollars worth of machinery and equipment last week to increase our production and increase our volume,” Wagenhals said.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the year has already seen a boom in gun purchases, up 95% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same time period of 2019.
But ammo sales skyrocketed even higher, up 139% compared to 2019 during that same time period. “The start was the pandemic that was going on. But there was always that fear of the election. Of who’s going to be elected of the next President of the United States,” Wagenhals said. “But thirdly, I think the unrest in this country right now. And as you’ve seen in a lot of cities, the looting and the burning, and I think people are just scared.”
Wagenhals is right about what’s driving the increase in sales for both firearms and ammunition, and unfortunately no matter who wins in November I think there’s a growing expectation among many Americans that the unrest, looting, and burning will continue. That will likely keep sales strong well into 2021, and hopefully other manufacturing companies will be making similar investments in their own operations in order to increase the availability of ammunition.
It’s also worth noting that Wagenhals says production lines are operating 24/7 right now. That’s an indication that supply chain problems with ammunition components may be easing, allowing the manufacturing facilities to work at full capacity instead of being limited by the amount of raw materials that they can get their hands on.
The problem right now seems to be a simple matter of supply not being able to keep up with demand, and it’s good to see manufacturers being proactive in addressing the problem by increasing supply rather than waiting for demand to subside. With just one company looking at $80-million in back-ordered sales, however, it could still be some time before the crunch for consumers lessens and a decent supply of ammunition can be found on store shelves.
There are no lead mines here in America
Lead comes from 2 places now, China and Peru
You can figure it out.
If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.
People aren’t stupid. They can see that the DNC- Soroznazi/ communist putsch is underway. Also, that the D politicians are aiding and abetting the Burn Loot and Murder criminal gangs by removing police protection from the citizens. People either defend themselves or get killed, robbed, mugged or burnt out of home. So, they’re preparing to do self- defense.
I don’t doubt it. I went to my friendly neighborhood Rural King for some ammo, not ONE 9mm bullet in the store. They told me to call them first thing in the morning to see if their truck brought any in. I want to check out the Taurus G3, they’re selling them as fast as they get them.
Come on man.
Almost all lead used in ammunition comes from recycled lead in the United States. Most of that is from automobile batteries, I have been told.
Plenty of lead mines. But 0bama and the EPA and the Sierra Club forced the shut down the last lead smelters.
Also why the price of lead based batteries has skyrocketed too.
You do know precious metals are brass, copper, and lead? You probably think of silver and gold. Then again, maybe you’re smarter than the average bear.
In the proper proportions and combinations...
It makes me smile to know someone knows the true meaning of serious collecting. I look at the range, crap steel, no brass. Someone is listening.
The last US lead smelter closed in the Obama administration. Lead from US auto batteries has to be recycled and smelted in other countries.
Got a a G2C, the short barreled version of the G3. I think you’ll like it. The trigger reset does take a little getting used to. Long pull, short reset.
CC
And when only batteries for antique cars use lead this problem will get much worse.
Trump needs to recognize lead smelting as the critical American industry that it is and get it restarted.
Nothing he can do about it - Congress did it and it’s black-letter-law.
Our national defense requires led too.
US military ammo has moved away from lead. Note recent lead-free ammo issue.
Old Car Battery, Tyre balancing weights, Bullet Casting Molds and a Fire/Forge, Ladel.
Worked just fine in CW1.
50 rounds of 9mm for $75 at local shop.
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