Had a planned range ‘day’ yesterday, so on the way I decided to stop by my local gun store…
I guess ‘ravaged’ would be the best way I can put it. Racks empty, cases empty, six EBRs left in the store, down to less than a dozen shottys, about the only thing left were some revolvers, a couple of Ruger .22s, a few Sigs and a few Glocks. The most guns there were bolt actions, but over half of that wall was empty also!
The magazine wall was pretty much emptied, along with anything AR related. Very few boxes of ammo left, mostly ‘odd’ calibers… In talking to the owner, he DID NOT raise prices, as he said he values long term commitments rather than short term profits (he didn’t jack the prices in 2008 either). I did pick up some cleaning supplies, but that was about it.
At the range is was pretty subdued, folks were ‘husbanding’ ammo, and picking up spent cases. It seems most of the folks at the rifle range were sighting in to be dead on at 100, and they’d finish one rifle, case it and move on to the next with NO extra rounds fired. A couple of us helped a newbie get his AR on paper, both BUIS and an Aimpoint and reminded him NOT to try to put the dot on the front post. As I packed up to move over to the pistol range, I noticed there was NO brass in the brass bucket, it had been picked clean.
At the pistol range it was much the same, folks working on POA/POI, taking their time and not a lot of rounds going down range. Spent a little time working with the .22, then worked rounds through the carry pistols and strong/weak hand. A few more folks showed up, so I packed up and let them have my spot. I gathered up the spent casings, walked over to the brass bucket, and noticed it was empty, so I thought twice and dumped them in a bag and put them in the truck.
Since the pistol range is all the way at the far end of the property, just out of curiousity I stopped at every range on the way back to the club house, not a single round in the brass buckets anywhere!!! And it looked like somebody had been picking up brass from in front of most of the ranges too…
After getting home and doing the normal cleaning, I decided to scout around on the net for ammo, and folks it is BLEAK out there for damn near all of the standard caliber rounds… Most places just say out of stock and don’t even have back order dates up!!!
Tomorrow, it’s back to emailing and calling the congresscritters, which I plan to do every day until this situation is over. If you write letters, DO NOT write to the Washington addresses, write to the local district addresses. I’m hearing DC is not expecting to be able to deliver the mail in anything approaching a timely fashion as it all has to be checked (one piece at a time)…
Keep your powder dry, and your options open.
I guess ‘ravaged’ would be the best way I can put it. Racks empty, cases empty, six EBRs left in the store, down to less than a dozen shottys, about the only thing left were some revolvers, a couple of Ruger .22s, a few Sigs and a few Glocks. The most guns there were bolt actions, but over half of that wall was empty also!
The magazine wall was pretty much emptied, along with anything AR related. Very few boxes of ammo left, mostly ‘odd’ calibers… In talking to the owner, he DID NOT raise prices, as he said he values long term commitments rather than short term profits (he didn’t jack the prices in 2008 either). I did pick up some cleaning supplies, but that was about it.
At the range is was pretty subdued, folks were ‘husbanding’ ammo, and picking up spent cases. It seems most of the folks at the rifle range were sighting in to be dead on at 100, and they’d finish one rifle, case it and move on to the next with NO extra rounds fired. A couple of us helped a newbie get his AR on paper, both BUIS and an Aimpoint and reminded him NOT to try to put the dot on the front post. As I packed up to move over to the pistol range, I noticed there was NO brass in the brass bucket, it had been picked clean.
At the pistol range it was much the same, folks working on POA/POI, taking their time and not a lot of rounds going down range. Spent a little time working with the .22, then worked rounds through the carry pistols and strong/weak hand. A few more folks showed up, so I packed up and let them have my spot. I gathered up the spent casings, walked over to the brass bucket, and noticed it was empty, so I thought twice and dumped them in a bag and put them in the truck.
Since the pistol range is all the way at the far end of the property, just out of curiousity I stopped at every range on the way back to the club house, not a single round in the brass buckets anywhere!!! And it looked like somebody had been picking up brass from in front of most of the ranges too…
After getting home and doing the normal cleaning, I decided to scout around on the net for ammo, and folks it is BLEAK out there for damn near all of the standard caliber rounds… Most places just say out of stock and don’t even have back order dates up!!!
Tomorrow, it’s back to emailing and calling the congresscritters, which I plan to do every day until this situation is over. If you write letters, DO NOT write to the Washington addresses, write to the local district addresses. I’m hearing DC is not expecting to be able to deliver the mail in anything approaching a timely fashion as it all has to be checked (one piece at a time)…
Keep your powder dry, and your options open.
If I were a LEO I’d be considering a backup line of work if the order came down to confiscate or forcibly register firearms, given the clear message in those empty shelves and backorders (some of which are mine) all over the country.
Damned shame, too.
I have worked two nice barters for 5.56 ammo and some PMAGS over the last week.
Who needs paper?
Gerry
The only caliber in ready supply up here is .38 Spcl, both standard and +P loads. I stocked up.
Strolled through both a small local gun store and a WalMart yesterday. Like you said, both places were picked bare of most firearms and almost all ammo, with the odd exception. Absolutely no .223, 9mm, .45, .38, or even .22. There was some .300 Win Mag and a few boxes of .270, but that was about it.
Went to a local auction last night and they had a lot of used military surplus 20 AR mags (2 PMAGS). The guy that won the bid ended up paying about $22 apiece. A used M-4 cleaning kit went for $15. Crazy.
NRA range had an hour wait at 8:30 this morning. At least 3 lanes used by instructors/students.
I policed all my .38 Super brass.
Brass buckets were not very full.
Local gun store had no AR/AK in stock. What black rifles they had were all consignment pieces priced at levels that would have gotten the owners jailed for profiteering during WWII.
The did have some 9mm/.45/.38 but little else.
I hate living in “Interesting Times.”
Best to fly under the radar and be watchful in times such as these.
Good thought on writing the in-state offices instead of DC. I’ve been emailing and calling.
When I was at Knob Creek yesterday, I didn’t see too many people picking up brass that wasn’t theirs, but the range wasn’t sweeping it all off into the dirt like they normally do. Something tells me it’s all being saved, either for personal use or possibly to sell later.
Hmmm. The range here is packed and people are shooting away. Yes ammo is almost gone.
+1 on DB. We keep the brass at the range.
I’m seeing similar things. Despite all the ammunition being bought, I’m seeing very little center fire ammo being shot. The outdoor range I go to was very clean of brass and while I was there I saw a gentleman show up just to scrounge brass.
+1 LL
Keads, normally, used brass at Knob Creek that’s left at the firing positions is swept forward off of the cement pad and into the gravel. The first five feet or so on your way out to set targets you walk on metal. This was the first time I’ve seen anything different.
I have a Pretty Fair supply on ammo on hand but I’ve started doing more dry practice just to hoard it.
Bob- True!
Gerry- Ah, the reality hits! 🙂
Rev- Even THOSE were gone!
Tim- Yep
TOL- That it is… sigh
Stretch- Concur with all…
LL/WSF- Yep!
DB- Probably… I was hearing $8/lb for brass in ‘standard’ calibers…
Keads- Yep!
Joe- I’m not surprised…
DB- That IS interesting!
RR- Yep, Laserlyte! 🙂
I find it interesting that the shelves at my local Costco are also bare. Meat, rice, sugar, you name it. It appears people are stocking up on more than just ammo.
People is spooked. Good, they need to be.
Agirl- THAT is interesting… in a lot of ways…
Andy- yep!
The dark hours of tyranny seem to be upon us.
I haven’t been to the range in a month or so, so I can’t report what’s been going on out here.
The indoor range I go to has always swept up their brass for reloading. One of the guys who works there sorts it, cleans it, and reloads it so the range has ‘bulk’ ammo to sell along with the factory loaded stuff.
I’ll have to see if I can squeeze in a trip there before we leave on the next launch. Be real interesting to see how they’re doing.
ADM- Doesn’t it though…
drjim- I’d be curious, especially in Cali…
Our local Cabelas had ammo as of Sunday. They’d just received a pallet of .223 from a US manufacturer (not a well-known national brand.) It was selling for $9.99/box of 20.
There was plenty of shotshells available and a hundred boxs (5 shells) of 00 buck, mil surplus supposedly. What was missing was some of the “hunting” rifle calibers—.270, 7mm, .308, .243. Pistol calibers were available in the more popular 9mm, 40s&w, .45 but no .380.
Wallyworld was restocking this week after a run of panic buying over the weekend. Contrary to the internet myth floating around, they are NOT stopping the sales of ammo and weapons. They’re waiting for their suppliers to be resupplied like everyone else.