The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Johnny Bravo on September 23, 2009, 08:17:06 PM
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By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer – Wed Sep 23, 2:51 pm ET
NEW ORLEANS – Bullet-makers are working around the clock, seven days a week, and still can't keep up with the nation's demand for ammunition.
Shooting ranges, gun dealers and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages. Bullets, especially for handguns, have been scarce for months because gun enthusiasts are stocking up on ammo, in part because they fear President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass antigun legislation — even though nothing specific has been proposed and the president last month signed a law allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks.
Gun sales spiked when it became clear Obama would be elected a year ago and purchases continued to rise in his first few months of office. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System reported that 6.1 million background checks for gun sales were issued from January to May, an increase of 25.6 percent from the same period the year before.
"That is going to cause an upswing in ammunition sales," said Larry Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association representing about 5,000 members. "Without bullets a gun is just a paper weight."
The shortage for sportsmen is different than the scarcity of ammo for some police forces earlier this year, a dearth fueled by an increase in ammo use by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are working overtime and still can't keep up with the demand," said Al Russo, spokesman for North Carolina-based Remington Arms Company, which makes bullets for rifles, handguns and shotguns. "We've had to add a fourth shift and go 24-7. It's a phenomenon that I have not seen before in my 30 years in the business."
Americans usually buy about 7 billion rounds of ammunition a year, according to the National Rifle Association. In the past year, that figure has jumped to about 9 billion rounds, said NRA spokeswoman Vickie Cieplak.
Jason Gregory, who manages Gretna Gun Works just outside of New Orleans, has been building his personal supply of ammunition for months. His goal is to have at least 1,000 rounds for each of his 25 weapons.
"I call it the Obama effect," said Gregory, 37, of Terrytown, La. "It always happens when the Democrats get in office. It happened with Clinton and Obama is even stronger for gun control. Ammunition will be the first step, so I'm stocking up while I can."
So far, the new administration nor Congress has not been markedly antigun. Obama has said he respects Second Amendment rights, but favors "common sense" on gun laws. Still, worries about what could happen persist.
Demand has been so heavy at some Walmarts, a limit was imposed on the amount of ammo customers can buy. The cutoff varies according to caliber and store location, but sometimes as little as one box — or 50 bullets — is allowed.
At Barnwood Arms in Ripon, Calif., sales manager Dallas Jett said some of the shortages have leveled off, but 45-caliber rounds are still hard to find.
"We've been in business for 32 years and I've been here for 10 and we've never seen anything like it," Jett said. "Coming out of Christmas everything started to dry up and it was that way all through the spring and summer.
Nationwide, distributors are scrambling to fill orders from retailers.
"We used to be able to order 50 or 60 cases and get them in three or four days easy, it was never an issue," said Vic Grechniw of Florida Ammo Traders, a distributor in Tampa, Fla. "Now you are really lucky if you can get one case a month. It just isn't there because the demand is way up."
A case contains 500 or 1,000 bullets.
At Jefferson Gun Outlet and Range in Metairie just west of New Orleans, owner Mike Mayer is worried individuals are going to start buying by the case.
"If someone wants to shoot on the weekend you have to worry about having the ammunition for them. And I know some people aren't buying to use it at the range, they're taking it home and hoarding it."
With demand, prices have also risen.
"Used to be gold, but now lead is the most expensive metal," said Donald Richards, 37, who was stocking up at the Jefferson store. "And worth every penny."
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"And worth every penny."
Got that right.
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One of the industries that is flourishing in this economy.
The wholesale price is one thing, but the retail/marketing mark up is another.
Last weekend, 45 Colt Federal, 20rds. $27.00
.380 Speer GDHP, 20 rds. $32.00
Which bullet has more material to make? Brass, lead, powder, etc,..
The retail market is proud of their "markup".
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Welcome to the free market. Christian theorists, of the Natural Law School, like St. Thomas Aquinas used to argue that there was a"just" price, based on customary value. Anything above this was usuary and a sin. Liberals, in the classical sense, like Locke and Smith argued that the "just" price was whatever peope were prepared to pay for a particular good at a a particular time. Market value (which varies) over a "just" value, (which is more or less constant depending on cost of manufacture). This represents two different views of the world, one driven by a Divine view of a static world, the other on a humanistic view of the world driven by human desires and needs at a particular time and place. They both have their pros and cons. Me.... though I am a Christian, am more prepared to trust the market which represents the collective desires of my fellow citizens than I am those who clamor for for a "just" price. For me, the "just" price is what you are willing to pay today for what I am willing to part with. Money talks, theology walks.
FQ13 who is and shall remain a libertarian
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FQ.....What the f..k are you pontificating about now? Can you just stop trying to prove your OVER education?
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FQ.....What the f..k are you pontificating about now? Can you just stop trying to prove your OVER education?
"Look at me I read books, I know things, I can talk with out using contractions." KICK HIS ASS!!! ;D
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The ammo situation is one that concerns me; particularly when faced with purchasing firearms. I would LOVE to buy a .450-400 3" or a .257 Weatherby, but paying $70-$100+ per box of ammo is beyond my ability to justify. I have never really liked the .308 cartridge, but am drifting more and more towards it each day...
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The ammo situation is one that concerns me; particularly when faced with purchasing firearms. I would LOVE to buy a .450-400 3" or a .257 Weatherby, but paying $70-$100+ per box of ammo is beyond my ability to justify. I have never really liked the .308 cartridge, but am drifting more and more towards it each day...
Yes sir, when the family's been looking at new deer rifles over the past years, it all ways comes down to standardizing calibers. Nothing fancy, only .270 and 30-06, maybe they'll get that 25-06 or .222 when things calm down.
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Re: America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded.
That's sounds like the perfect slogan for California open carry.
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"Look at me I read books, I know things, I can talk with out using contractions." KICK HIS ASS!!! ;D
Bryan, that's your tax dollars at work (UT scholarship, you should be proud). ;D Its also a good reason why you shouldn't post after coming home after happy hour with two for one mojitos and I apologize for the pomposity. I really was an ass in that post and I apolgize to all and sundry. It doesn't change the fact that I was right. High demand equals high prices and we've got no call to bitch if folks make money while the getting is good. There. Short, simple and to the point. I just wanted to make the point that this "price gauging" argument has been going on for a long damn time and while I sometimes buy into it out of frustration, it ultimately doesn't hold water.
FQ13
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Bryan, that's your tax dollars at work (UT scholarship, you should be proud). ;D Its also a good reason why you shouldn't post after coming home after happy hour with two for one mojitos and I apologize for the pomposity. I really was an ass in that post and I apolgize to all and sundry. It doesn't change the fact that I was right. High demand equals high prices and we've got no call to bitch if folks make money while the getting is good. There. Short, simple and to the point. I just wanted to make the point that this "price gauging" argument has been going on for a long damn time and while I sometimes buy into it out of frustration, it ultimately doesn't hold water.
FQ13
Two three things:
1. You continually take me too seriously, stop it already.
2. Stop apologizing all the time.
3. Stop drinking 'mojitos'.
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Two three things:
1. You continually take me too seriously, stop it already.
2. Stop apologizing all the time.
3. Stop drinking 'mojitos'.
As the Duke said, "Never apologize, its a sign of weakness". Sort of good advice, but I do get a bit sensative about coming off as a condecending A hole when I start quoting Aguinas and Smith (I have zero problem coming off as just a regular A hole, but I'm a blue collar boy and I do deal with that stuff). I want to share what I know, but I don't want to be jerk about it either. So yeah, I apologize when I shouldn't but better that than the alternative. Plus, I was piss drunk after the 6pm Happy Hour lasted until 8 pm. Nothing is worse than a mojito inspired post (exept the hang over. And no I won't stop drinking them as they make margaritas look sad in comparison. Blasphemy I know, but its the Gods own truth).
FQ13
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As the Duke said, "Never apologize, its a sign of weakness". Sort of good advice, but I do get a bit sensative about coming off as a condecending A hole when I start quoting Aguinas and Smith (I have zero problem coming off as just a regular A hole, but I'm a blue collar boy and I do deal with that stuff). I want to share what I know, but I don't want to be jerk about it either. So yeah, I apologize when I shouldn't but better that than the alternative. Plus, I was piss drunk after the 6pm Happy Hour lasted until 8 pm. Nothing is worse than a mojito inspired post (exept the hang over. And no I won't stop drinking them as they make margaritas look sad in comparison. Blasphemy I know, but its the Gods own truth).
FQ13
Fair enough. And I guess a man's entitled to choose what lady's drink he enjoys. ;)
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Fair enough. And I guess a man's entitled to choose what lady's drink he enjoys. ;)
Allright Bitch. ;D
You've thrown down now. I dare ya to make this and tell it isn't the best drink you've had on a hot summer evening! I in fact will double dog dare ya!
Now I'll go slow as there is a bit of math involved, but it is well worth it.
Quaker's Majic Mojito
(which will kick your ass, so limit one if you even think about driving, no BS, lots of rum and it taste like lime aid, do be careful with these puppies)
For one (large) drink
Get a martini shaker
1/2 cup Bacardi Limon
1 Tb sour mix (equal parts fresh lemon and lime juice)
4 ts simple syrup (for many drinks use 3 and 1/2 cups water brought to a low boil. Slowly stir in an equal amount of sugar till it dissolves. This will keep for days once you make it and its easy as pouring piss out of a boot, even an Aggie can do it, or so I've been told ;D)
1/8 cup soda (Schwepps preferred)
1/4 cup mint leaves minus stems
1/4 lime cut into three thin slices
Put the mint and lime and simple syrup at the bottom of a pint glass.Muddle (crush for us rednecks) with a a honey dripper or spoon or whatever (A stalk of sugar cane if you live in Fl and want to get hard core, but that requires a guyabara (which hide an IWB nicely) and a nice cigar and is not for amateurs. The point is to crush the mint leaves and get some (though not all, eg don't squeeze) the juice from the lime.
Add rum and sour and mix
fill the glass with ice and top with the soda.
Shake with a Martini shaker
Enjoy at your own risk, avoiding cars, guns and women who suddenly look a whole lot more attractive than they did an hour ago. Its a bit of a hassel to prep, but you can make a dozen or two as easily as one and they are darn good. 8)