The new ammo shortage panic has begun

[TIEFighterTK069]

There are a number of problems in the manufacturing and supply chain, number one being lack of raw materials...

I agree and think that's the big bottleneck too.
I'm just getting into reloading - yes, I know, way too late to the game - and finding small pistol primers seems pretty impossible right now, as does finding powder.

 

[Suck My Glock]

I agree and think that's the big bottleneck too.
I'm just getting into reloading - yes, I know, way too late to the game - and finding small pistol primers seems pretty impossible right now, as does finding powder.

Invest in a trip to TCCI in Laveen. They get too much call volume, so don't bother trying to get a hold of them and any info that way. Just drop in and see if they have primers. They may not, but they usually have powder. Not in a great variety, mind you. Mostly what they have is militaty surplus pull-down powder. But they usually have some commercial powder too. I was last there 6 weeks ago when this was beginning to ratchet up again, and they still had plenty of stuff. Partly because their website was out of whack and no one could place orders except by phone. Ergo, why you need to visit in person and they still had stuff.

 

[TIEFighterTK069]

Invest in a trip to TCCI in Laveen. They get too much call volume, so don't bother trying to get a hold of them and any info that way. Just drop in and see if they have primers. They may not, but they usually have powder. Not in a great variety, mind you. Mostly what they have is militaty surplus pull-down powder. But they usually have some commercial powder too. I was last there 6 weeks ago when this was beginning to ratchet up again, and they still had plenty of stuff. Partly because their website was out of whack and no one could place orders except by phone. Ergo, why you need to visit in person and they still had stuff.

Good to know, thanks.
It's a couple hours away, but I think a day of running around up there to some of the outlying burgs of PHX may be worth my time and gas.

 

[Pale Rider]

They're a good place to try if you happen to be in the area. Most of the pulldown powder these days is slow burning 50bmg type powder. They might have some medium burning powder, but don't count on it. The days of pulldown 1680 are long gone. Haven't seen that in years. The last time I bought primers, they wouldn't sell me any unless I bought powder too. They don't seem to keep the website current so whatever is on there probably isn't accurate.

 

[dread_scott]

Invest in a trip to TCCI in Laveen. They get too much call volume, so don't bother trying to get a hold of them and any info that way. Just drop in and see if they have primers. They may not, but they usually have powder. Not in a great variety, mind you. Mostly what they have is militaty surplus pull-down powder. But they usually have some commercial powder too. I was last there 6 weeks ago when this was beginning to ratchet up again, and they still had plenty of stuff. Partly because their website was out of whack and no one could place orders except by phone. Ergo, why you need to visit in person and they still had stuff.

I'm new to reloading and never heard of them, thanks for posting that. Next time I'm in the area I will check them out.

 

[zold]

If all the ammo companies are running 24/7, then it is a shame that we do not see more new ammo startups using this time to get their foot into the market.

There are a number of problems in the manufacturing and supply chain, number one being lack of raw materials. Most ammunition companies are running 24/7 but with a reduced work force due to COVID19. Less people, less product. Raw materials are in short supply due to shut downs. Lead was in short supply when the lead mines shut down in February and most of the copper mines have been shut down since April. So, if you want to be a start-up in the ammunition business, you virtually have no access to the raw materials that you need to produce any product.

Another issue is the "operating margin" the ammunition companies are enjoying. There is currently no incentive for any ammunition or component supplier to increase investment to increase production. Most all companies increased their prices by 5% on August 1 and they can with current production, sell everything they produce without discounting or increasing capital investment. Their margins are approaching all time highs.

So, it's almost a perfect storm and we are stuck in a row boat, in that storm. Not so happy sailing.

Good info, thanks.

 

[Harley66]

9mm ammo must really be UP, saw an add on another forum

Trade 1,000 rounds of 9mm for Glock 23. Really?

 

[Doc]

9mm ammo must really be UP, saw an add on another forum

Trade 1,000 rounds of 9mm for Glock 23. Really?

A buddy of mine recently traded three cases of WWB 115 grain 9x19 that he's had for years when they were barely over a hundred, for a brand new at the gun shop Gen 5 G17 MOS and a Trijicon RMR adjustable LED Type 2, and a few extra NIB magazines for it.

Not going to lie, I was all sorts of jealous. Kind of makes me want to see what local shops are hurting for ammo to get a deal like that for myself. I'm sitting on tens of thousands of cases of 9x19 as is.

What shop?

 

[bldr60]

GunBroker auction.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/876703660

 

[Boriqua]

Maybe its just the range ammo. Its taken me almost 2 months to let go some SD stuff and I still have two boxes!

Not cut throat pricing and I have it listed in at least 3 places but .. Its really really hard to sell ANYTHING when you live out here in east east mesa. Doesnt matter .. computer parts, motorcycle stuff .. its a haul to get out here from the phoenix area and its pretty sparsely populated out here .. but .. I have the lakes 10 minutes away so there is that.

I am not desperate for the money and I can certainly just put it away on the off chance I get another 9mm but still .. interesting to hear about no ammo and cant get rid of mine

https://www.arizonashooting.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=8956

 

[Abbey]

Just saw Unammo list Magtech 9mm for $639. That's a "six" followed by a "three" and a "nine - no decimal points.

:shock:

 

[Abbey]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I have a few cases that I'd let go for $600... Wow.

 

[4RunnerPro]

Are there any good local places to sell ammo? I've started reloading so dumping some of my stash for more reloading supply/equipment money would be more than worth it. (I'm in Tucson, but for enough money I'd drive to Phoenix)

 

[boulder]

Stuff goes as fast as it is put on websites.

 

[Sig239srt]

This shortage is as bad as Obama second term, and it gotten really freaking old! Guess this will be the norm every 4 years. Still too many friend that didn't learn the last time there was a shortage of ammo.

 

[Harrier]

If they can find it- seems people will pay high retail prices + tax + shipping... rather than a slightly high priced private sale+ 0 tax when they think the seller is making lots of $ because he bought it cheap and put it away...

 

[Abbey]

If they can find it- seems people will pay high retail prices + tax + shipping... rather than a slightly high priced private sale+ 0 tax when they think the seller is making lots of $ because he bought it cheap and put it away...

I have to admit, I never understood the "sell it to me cheap because you bought it for cheap" mentality. I bought my house for "cheap(er)" 20 years ago too. But today's market says it's worth more than that.

I don't know what to say about friends who haven't stocked up in the last 8+ years. Ignoring price, how many cycles of availability/unavailability have we gone through?

 

[AZ_Five56]

I don't think ammo is going to be well-stocked any time soon. This seems to be the sentiment on Twitter right now.

https://twitter.com/Timcast/status/1298639769942085633

 

[tlieberman240]

The price increase definitely sucks, but hopefully it won’t last much longer.

I’m still laughing at the fact that CTD legitimately has 5.56 ammo priced out to where it’s $1,700 per 1,000 rounds lol. I really hope nobody is buying from them.

 

[Sig239srt]

$1700.00 per 1,000 rds! Saw the 9MM on Buds that when for $695.00 for a 1,000 rds. There's some seriously concerned people out there that have lots of money. For many many years I was happy with .15 cent a shot then had to except the.22 cent a shot for 9MM by 2011. There was the fast report Thread here back in the day for sighted ammo that was just found on the shelf back then.

This year need to END!