“Guns are for buying, not for selling.” – Anon
Firearm and ammunition availability is at its highest point in over 13 years. Since the Sandy Hook school rampage, legislative threats, election cycles, and leftist riots have provided consistent turbulence to the markets.
In response, the majority of munitions manufacturers expanded their production capacity, but the bulk has been dedicated towards the most common calibers – 9mm and 5.56 (.223) being the focus, with .45acp. 38 Special, and a few other common rifle calibers following a close second.
During the crunch, citizens in possession of rifles chambered for .233 Swift, .300 Savage, or other less-popular rounds, were treated to consistently bare shelves. Their best option being purchases from auction websites like GunBroker, paying prices that were 2 to 5 times the normal cost.
Reloading offered little relief as availability of components has been equally spotty.
Over the past few months all of that has changed. The system appears to not only be catching up, but now suffering a glut. So much so that prices are dropping while almost every other consumer product is experiencing inflation.
From the trends being set over the past decade, I went on record saying I’d be amazed if we ever saw below 30-cent-a-round 9mm even again. Well, here we are! Color me amazed.
Firearms are also in plentiful supply, with hardly a bare spot on any dealer’s shelves. New firearm prices have adjusted somewhat for inflation, but prices in the used market have tanked. Previously owned like-new firearms are piling up at retailers.
What that means is that it’s a great time to buy and a terrible time to sell.
How long the reprieve lasts is anyone’s guess. It’s looking like the protests last week ended in a whimper – their goal was to elicit a violent government response to use for propaganda and recruiting purposes. That didn’t happen. However, it’s doubtful we’ve seen the last of it.
Statistically, 2% of the US population showed up for the “No Kings” protests – The largest turn out per capita in our history. Granted, many of the participants were struggling with the sudden exposure to sunlight and fresh air, but it would do us well to not underestimate the funding and organizational capacity the left can still muster, even with the absence of USAID funds. The next “George Floyd” event may be on the horizon.
The recent developments on the world stage are equally fragile. A nuclear detonation anywhere, a single terrorist attack in CONUS, , or even a redirection of extruded powder and primer compounds towards munitions for a new ground war could result in clear shelves.
Now is the time to buy!
In reserve we should all have:
1000-rounds of practice ammo per handgun.
100-rounds of carry ammo (quality hollow points, or the like) per handgun.
1000-rounds of practice ammo per battle rifle.
300-rounds of defensive ammo (high quality hollow points or the like) per battle rifle
200-rounds per hunting rifle.
200-rounds each of buckshot and slugs per defensive shotgun.
Is it necessary to have 1000 per battle rifle when you personally own 8? Yes, if you ever envision a scenario where you may have to issue them to friends and family, and train them. If not, have the minimum for your own personal training and defense.
“The only way you can have too much ammunition is if you’re drowning or on fire.” – Chudwin
