So Which Scenario Is Better For Gun Owners Needing Ammo?

[Ingomike]

So much discussion of ammo prices and availability I thought it might be interesting to see in a poll just what the members thought. Unlike the old system I do not believe anyone sees your vote. (We are not tabulating on Dominion machines)

My understanding is many of the sites that are complained about use computerized surge pricing to meet the demand with prices folks will pay.

So which is it? Cheap but hard to get or available at prices that some feel are gouging?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Better to overpay than not have the opportunity to pay at all.

On a related note, the F***ers that have all the time in the world to line up every day and then buy it all up and scalp it deserve a painful case of VD. They are part of the problem here.

 

[Cameramonkey]

And its the same with other supplies. I'd rather pay $20 for a pack of 4 D batteries before a hurricane, than not have any batteries because some jackwagon could afford to buy up the entire store because its normal pricing, even though he didnt NEED all of them. Now he has more than he needs, and others have none.

 

[gregkl]

Being a free market advocate, I'd say up the price until you get supply closer to demand. Make it expensive enough and people will stop buying. And when product starts to sit, prices will come down.

 

[Usmccookie]

I'm all for the free market, but personally.. ill take the cheaper ammo. I have what I need. But now if I see ammo at a decent price, I buy it.
On a side note, its actually fun trying to find it.
P.s. the entire situation is : but im trying to make the best of it

 

[Ingomike]

I have pondered for a while if some here, that get the most incensed over ammo prices, might just be those that have an inside connection to get ammo and they don't want their prices to rise if that became the norm for retailers...

 

[Ingomike]

I'm all for the free market, but personally.. ill take the cheaper ammo. I have what I need. But now if I see ammo at a decent price, I buy it.
On a side note, its actually fun trying to find it.
P.s. the entire situation is : but im trying to make the best of it

Your definition of fun and value of time are far different than mine. I hate shopping anymore, even for things I want or even enjoy.

 

[Usmccookie]

Your definition of fun and value of time are far different than mine. I hate shopping anymore, even for things I want or even enjoy.

I guess I'm just so busy, that an excuse to just go to the store for a 30 min reprieve is exciting to me. Plus add in a treasure hunt and it is about as much fun as I have time for. We all enjoy things differently.

 

[Shooter5]

Let the market dictate. If hoarding is occurring...higher prices tend to resolve that until supply normalizes.

 

[Ingomike]

So for all the talk, in private voting most want to se ammo at market prices at retailers. Hmmmmm

 

[gregkl]

So for all the talk, in private voting most want to se ammo at market prices at retailers. Hmmmmm

If we are 1A and 2A supporting Americans, then it would seem reasonable to me that we would embrace a free market. Even when it hurts.

If we don't want socialism, then we should be okay with the market finding it's balance.

 

[Master tech]

I'm all for the free market, but personally.. ill take the cheaper ammo. I have what I need. But now if I see ammo at a decent price, I buy it.
On a side note, its actually fun trying to find it.
P.s. the entire situation is : but im trying to make the best of it

The thrill of the hunt is the best part for me!

 

[2A-Hoosier23]

At first glimpse, it's best for me personally if what ammo is available is available at pre-panic prices. But after thinking a little longer, I realize it's better for gun owners as a whole, especially the millions of new gun owners, if there's more ammo available even at a higher average price. That's more important.

Our ability to continue shooting somewhat hinges on the number of gun-owning allies we have. If the new gun owners can at least buy several hundred rounds to get acquainted, that's more important than my/our desire to blast hundreds of rounds every couple of weeks. We won't be able to continue doing that if we don't have enough new gun owners that are actually shooting their new guns and getting a basic understanding of what this is all about.

 

[Usmccookie]

At first glimpse, it's best for me personally if what ammo is available is available at pre-panic prices. But after thinking a little longer, I realize it's better for gun owners as a whole, especially the millions of new gun owners, if there's more ammo available even at a higher average price. That's more important.

Our ability to continue shooting somewhat hinges on the number of gun-owning allies we have. If the new gun owners can at least buy several hundred rounds to get acquainted, that's more important than my/our desire to blast hundreds of rounds every couple of weeks. We won't be able to continue doing that if we don't have enough new gun owners that are actually shooting their new guns and getting a basic understanding of what this is all about.

Ammo is being produced at the same rate as before, supposedly. If thats the case, then cheap or expensive doesn't matter. The same quantity of ammo will be there. Its just that every swingin d is buying up everything they can as often as they can. I will admit, I am no exception. In the past month I have bought just enough to keep shooting at my usual pace for 3-4 months as I stupidly used up my "stock" over the year.
~700 rounds of 9mm hp
~1250 rounds of 9mm
-2000 rounds of 556
~1500 rounds of 22lr
~200 rounds of misc centerlire
As well as a couple firearms
All at pre pandemic pricing from big box stores in person. Maybe 5-7 hours dedicated to searching including the drive.

The ammo is there, you just have to find it. So I guess the real arguement in my head now is... is a new shooter more likely to spend time to find the ammo, or spend 2-3× the money to shoot? Sticker shock is already an issue with new shooters... just my :2cents:

 

[Ingomike]

Ammo is being produced at the same rate as before, supposedly. If thats the case, then cheap or expensive doesn't matter. The same quantity of ammo will be there. Its just that every swingin d is buying up everything they can as often as they can. I will admit, I am no exception. In the past month I have bought just enough to keep shooting at my usual pace for 3-4 months as I stupidly used up my "stock" over the year.
~700 rounds of 9mm hp
~1250 rounds of 9mm
-2000 rounds of 556
~1500 rounds of 22lr
~200 rounds of misc centerlire
As well as a couple firearms
All at pre pandemic pricing from big box stores in person. Maybe 5-7 hours dedicated to searching including the drive.

The ammo is there, you just have to find it. So I guess the real arguement in my head now is... is a new shooter more likely to spend time to find the ammo, or spend 2-3× the money to shoot? Sticker shock is already an issue with new shooters... just my :2cents:

As many here have indicated the shortage/prices will cause then to curtail their shooting to what is necessary, the higher price will cause shooters to have to decide if they want to shoot that bad, save it for SHTF, or leave it on the shelves for others. We are at the limits...

 

[Usmccookie]

As many here have indicated the shortage/prices will cause then to curtail their shooting to what is necessary, the higher price will cause shooters to have to decide if they want to shoot that bad, save it for SHTF, or leave it on the shelves for others. We are at the limits...

I hadn't shot since last spring because I used up my stock to my minimum comfort level. I just assumed prices would go back down after everyone had their fill. Boy was I wrong. So that's when I took to buying what I could when I could. My skills diminished greatly, I can't imagine a new shooter. It's a safety hazard now. I don't know the solution or even the right answer to the question. I just know what my plan is.

 

[Ingomike]

I hadn't shot since last spring because I used up my stock to my minimum comfort level. I just assumed prices would go back down after everyone had their fill. Boy was I wrong. So that's when I took to buying what I could when I could. My skills diminished greatly, I can't imagine a new shooter. It's a safety hazard now. I don't know the solution or even the right answer to the question. I just know what my plan is.

I have a feeling your definition of "skills" is very different than the level needed to defend their house from an intruder. Don't most defense shootings happen a 8 feet?

 

[Usmccookie]

You are correct, I would assume.

I have seen "shooters" miss a silhouette at 3-5 yards. But handling a gun in of itself requires practice to ensure that you're safely handling the firearm.

I'm just worried about the folks that buy a gun, buy a box of ammo, and store them in a lock box, having never even attempting to load the mag or gun, let alone shoot it. Now with the ammo scarcity/cost, add in a record number of new gun owners this year. Iam nervous about who's handling guns around me at the range. And heaven forbid you try to help anyone. Sometimes, any way you approach them seems to be the wrong way.

I'm rambling again. my bad

 

[Cameramonkey]

Oh, and on the supply/demand thing, dont expect anyone to invest in more capacity. I recall one factory that did during the last shortage. Just as they got spooled up the demand dropped back down and they lost their shirts. Trying to remember who it was...

And ESPECIALLY with the dems calls for more gun control. Who wants to make more of something when the govt is actively attempting to limit your consumers' ability to consume your product? Quite the crap shoot.

 

[Hawkeye7br]

Several retailers here are saving their available ammo to pair it with a gun sale. They can't sell the gun without a box or two of ammo to go with it. I'm ok with that, I'd rather my local guy remain in business. Same logic applies to pricing, I'd prefer my local guy make money as opposed to a flipper who doesn't contribute to our sport.