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pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:41 pm
by dave77
A good friend of mine is wanting to get a handgun, she should be getting her CCP in a couple of weeks. She shot a couple of my guns yesterday before we went looking. She said she hasn't shot anything in many years and shooting at 7 yards with my Beretta PX4 compact with the laser on she kept most of 15 shots in a 4" group, other than having a few more fliers she had a tighter center group than me. I made her shoot a mag using the iron sights and not quite as good but still acceptable.

We went to the 3 LGS's that used to have a decent selection of handguns and their selections are very limited. A few that looked like possibilities, but were .40 or 10mm. I have a decent amount of 9mm to provide her with a few boxes but we're not going to pay the amount online places are charging now for ammo, the shelves at all the local stores are almost completely bare of ammo. Also think the larger calibers would be uncomfortable for her, she has had carpal tunnel surgery and also has some arthritis.

The only one we found that she really liked and was similar to my PX4c was a Sig 229 that at $900 was over what she wanted to spend. I would have helped her out with it but it was the one 229 that doesn't have rail and she really wants a laser, to pay that much for a gun that you're not going to be completely happy with is a no go.

They all said they would be receiving shipments early next week so we will keep looking.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:38 pm
by GunnyGene
Good luck to you both.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:58 pm
by fortyshooter
We have 3 gun shops in a 6 mile area and one of them closed up I guess from lack of something to sell. That one did have a gunsmith though.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:00 pm
by GFK
Have you all considered an online site for a firearm? I am not much on semi-autos. But, this is a link to a few: https://grabagun.com/firearms/handguns/ ... aliber=9mm

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:02 pm
by RanchRoper
Good luck!

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:07 pm
by GFK

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:08 pm
by BigAl52
60 and 70 cents a round for 9mm thats insane.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:25 pm
by Grunt67
Never buy a gun you're not comfortable with, for whatever reason. If you don't like it, you won't want to practice with it.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:28 pm
by dave77
BigAl52 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:08 pm
60 and 70 cents a round for 9mm thats insane.
What we were shooting yesterday $48.50, would be $227 with shipping and tax for 4 boxes. Before the shortage I was finding it on sale for around $10.

https://www.bulkammo.com/bulk-9mm-ammo-9mm147fmjae-50

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:31 pm
by GFK
BigAl52 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:08 pm
60 and 70 cents a round for 9mm thats insane.
That is about what I typically pay for .357s. When I picked up my new S&W a few weeks ago, I payed $30 for a box of 50; that is after the clerk went to the back, there were none on the shelf. This site starts at about $4. It would not be my first choice. But, it beats a blank:
https://www.ammobuy.com/ammo/357-mag

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:33 pm
by GFK
Grunt67 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:25 pm
Never buy a gun you're not comfortable with, for whatever reason. If you don't like it, you won't want to practice with it.
Makes sense.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:41 pm
by dave77
GFK wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:00 pm
Have you all considered an online site for a firearm? I am not much on semi-autos. But, this is a link to a few: https://grabagun.com/firearms/handguns/ ... aliber=9mm
Have looked a little. Seems like compacts are very limited in availability and also not keen on getting something she can't even hold and dry fire let alone shoot. I would jump right on a PX4c from a reputable dealer but they were hard to find even before the shortage. If Langdon Tactical had one of their PX4 Compact Carries in stock I would order one for myself and transfer my oem PX4c over to her.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:54 pm
by dave77
GFK wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:31 pm
BigAl52 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:08 pm
60 and 70 cents a round for 9mm thats insane.
That is about what I typically pay for .357s. When I picked up my new S&W a few weeks ago, I payed $30 for a box of 50; that is after the clerk went to the back, there were none on the shelf. This site starts at about $4. It would not be my first choice. But, it beats a blank:
https://www.ammobuy.com/ammo/357-mag
That's crazy, $200 for 50 .357 rounds. I hated paying $24 a box, there was a local place that would occasionally have it for $20. I have 4 or 5 boxes, so I guess until the price comes down I won't be shooting my Henry much, glad I got the convertible Blackhawk, I can at least shoot 9mm in it.

I'll bet the ammo manufacturers didn't raise their wholesale ammo prices anywhere near as much as the online dealers.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:08 pm
by Vaquero
[quote=dave77
[/quote]


I'll bet the ammo manufacturers didn't raise their wholesale ammo prices anywhere near as much as the online dealers.
[/quote]

I agree with you on that.
And this crap sure makes me glad I load my own, and have a fair amount of components. ;)

Good luck to you.

RP

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:27 pm
by GunnyGene
dave77 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:54 pm
GFK wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:31 pm
BigAl52 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:08 pm
60 and 70 cents a round for 9mm thats insane.
That is about what I typically pay for .357s. When I picked up my new S&W a few weeks ago, I payed $30 for a box of 50; that is after the clerk went to the back, there were none on the shelf. This site starts at about $4. It would not be my first choice. But, it beats a blank:
https://www.ammobuy.com/ammo/357-mag
That's crazy, $200 for 50 .357 rounds. I hated paying $24 a box, there was a local place that would occasionally have it for $20. I have 4 or 5 boxes, so I guess until the price comes down I won't be shooting my Henry much, glad I got the convertible Blackhawk, I can at least shoot 9mm in it.

I'll bet the ammo manufacturers didn't raise their wholesale ammo prices anywhere near as much as the online dealers.
The major ammo manufacturers already announced a 3-15% price increase to take effect in April. I think there was a recent thread about it on the forum.
ETA: Here, page 2: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 9&start=10

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:28 pm
by CT_Shooter
Vaquero wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:08 pm
...makes [me] glad I load my own, and have a fair amount of components.
Me, too. In general, I'm not particularly wealthy, but because I started shooting during the last ridiculous shortage, I stocked up at every opportunity and now have lots of ammo and the components needed to make a lot more. In the shooting world, that makes me very wealthy.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:04 pm
by dave77
GunnyGene wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:27 pm
dave77 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:54 pm
GFK wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:31 pm

That is about what I typically pay for .357s. When I picked up my new S&W a few weeks ago, I payed $30 for a box of 50; that is after the clerk went to the back, there were none on the shelf. This site starts at about $4. It would not be my first choice. But, it beats a blank:
https://www.ammobuy.com/ammo/357-mag
That's crazy, $200 for 50 .357 rounds. I hated paying $24 a box, there was a local place that would occasionally have it for $20. I have 4 or 5 boxes, so I guess until the price comes down I won't be shooting my Henry much, glad I got the convertible Blackhawk, I can at least shoot 9mm in it.

I'll bet the ammo manufacturers didn't raise their wholesale ammo prices anywhere near as much as the online dealers.
The major ammo manufacturers already announced a 3-15% price increase to take effect in April. I think there was a recent thread about it on the forum.
ETA: Here, page 2: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 9&start=10
Yes, but if my math is right (and I think it is) for 9mm from $12 to $48.50 is a 400% increase and for .357 from $24 to $200 is over 800%. I don't imagine most local dealers are charging that much when they do get some ammo in stock but it seem a lot (most?) online dealer are doing some pretty serious gouging.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:34 pm
by GunnyGene
dave77 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:04 pm
GunnyGene wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:27 pm
dave77 wrote:
Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:54 pm


That's crazy, $200 for 50 .357 rounds. I hated paying $24 a box, there was a local place that would occasionally have it for $20. I have 4 or 5 boxes, so I guess until the price comes down I won't be shooting my Henry much, glad I got the convertible Blackhawk, I can at least shoot 9mm in it.

I'll bet the ammo manufacturers didn't raise their wholesale ammo prices anywhere near as much as the online dealers.
The major ammo manufacturers already announced a 3-15% price increase to take effect in April. I think there was a recent thread about it on the forum.
ETA: Here, page 2: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 9&start=10
Yes, but if my math is right (and I think it is) for 9mm from $12 to $48.50 is a 400% increase and for .357 from $24 to $200 is over 800%. I don't imagine most local dealers are charging that much when they do get some ammo in stock but it seem a lot (most?) online dealer are doing some pretty serious gouging.
Your math is right, and yes quite a few of the on-line dealers are gouging, but of course they will deny it and blame it on other business expenses - shipping, labor, Covid, etc.

If you were 2000 miles closer, I could probably hook you up with the pistol and the ammo at reasonable prices and legally.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:39 pm
by Grunt67
Dealers are doing it too. Went to a local gun show this am. Ammo prices were astronomical. Saw one box of hunting ammo for $80 , on a 20 rd. box. Others followed suit. I made sure not to touch anything.
My guess these dealers buy up everything they can find, & take it to the shows & resell at ridiculous prices. Desperate people will pay the price.

Re: pistol/ammo shortage

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:42 pm
by Oldbrass
Tell your friend to try the Smith&Wesson m&p shield EZ 9mm. Has a rail and it's compact. Might save a few bucks to