Merely Obscene Ammunition Prices?
June 19th, 2009You Can’t Eat Bullets
I have new hope that the hoarders are running out of money. I’m only guessing, but I have three indications. First, Classic Arms says business is slow, and they have Wolf ammunition for sale. Second, Natchez Shooter’s Supply has 9mm and .40 S&W at near-normal prices. Third, Outdoor Marksman is starting to build up a good supply of 9mm.
I’m really peeved, because it looks like someone snapped up all the cheap Swiss K31 ammunition from Outdoor Marksman and Dan’s Ammo. Now it’s appearing on Gunbroker, the biggest ripoff site in the universe. I thought I had plenty of time to get more. And there is no 7.62 surplus sniper ammunition anywhere.
I should go ahead and sell the K31. It was fun, but I’m not going to pay $2 a round to shoot a $200 gun. I can get equal accuracy in a Savage .308 and make my own ammunition much cheaper. The PSL was a pleasure to shoot when quality sniper ammunition was dirt cheap, but once the financial advantage is gone, it’s just a bulky, temperamental gun that isn’t all that accurate.
I think the people who cornered the market are going to regret it. The boom is going to bust, and then they’ll have to decide whether they want to sell at a loss or live in homes so cluttered with ammunition they can’t walk.
The price of copper has dropped something like 40%, and with a depression or very deep recession likely, it will probably be even lower next year. I know Obama’s handouts are masking our problems, but like I always say, borrowing against future taxpayer earnings to pump up the economy is like eating your own leg. You’ll stay alive, and you may feel better, but you won’t gain weight.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
The other good news is that your $200 rifle (which I got a few years ago for $89 delivered) is now worth $350.
-XC
June 19th, 2009 at 5:03 PM
For your K31, try Samco. http://www.samcoglobal.com/Ammunition.html
June 19th, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Wow, Tom, I had no idea they had it. I better get over there on Monday.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Steve,
A good site for checking gun/ammo availability and price is http://www.gun-deals.com
I’ve NEVER come across a good deal on ammo at gunbroker.com. I have come across quite a few good gun deals… before this craziness started.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:46 PM
“Now it’s appearing on Gunbroker, the biggest ripoff site in the universe.”
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I wouldn’t call them a “ripoff site,” if only because it’s an auction site. If someone is willing to overpay for a firearm or ammo, then it’s their decision. Ultimately, the price of any good is what people are willing to pay for it.
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That said, it looks like the hysteria is finally starting to die down–the hoarders got the stock they need, the jerks who tried to take advantage at the gun shows are getting undercut by competitors at the same shows, and the shops did the smart thing and limited the number of boxes you could purchase on each visit. I can now get ammo in the calibers I need–38 spc, 357 mag, and 7.62×39–without too many problems, and buying one brick of 22LR per visit if it was available has me set in that caliber as well.
June 21st, 2009 at 9:57 PM
“I know Obama’s handouts are masking our problems, but like I always say, borrowing against future taxpayer earnings to pump up the economy is like eating your own leg. You’ll stay alive, and you may feel better, but you won’t gain weight.”
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I am afaid that the ObaMessiah is on the brink of taking us from eating a leg to eating our vital internal organs.