Gun shortage excludes hunting weapons, for now, as demand for hunting grows
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 7 months ago
Mike Price, general manager at Bill’s Gun Shop and Range, said their inventory is only a quarter full for guns and ammunition.
He said during the pandemic their shipments can’t keep up with sales.
A number of boxes of ammunition on orders that haven’t come in yet that I was expecting two weeks ago,” Price said.
During the past three months, every handgun safety class has been full.
“A large percentage of business that’s been coming in has been new gun owners,” he said.
The dramatic increase has been in tactical and defense style weapons.
“It could be the pandemic, it could be the fact that you see all of these protests going on, the movement to defund the police, etc.” Price said.
On top of the increase in defense weapons, North Dakota is seeing an earlier and bigger interest in hunting season.
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Bill’s Gun Shop and Range have been able to keep up with hunting demand.
“It’s hard to tell, either way, but as of right now I don’t see any shortage of hunting ammunition,” Price said.
That’s basically what I’ve seen. Pistol ammunition is scarce as hen’s teeth, 5.56mm is just about like that, and there are plenty of nice bolt action guns for the same price as before, nice optics to be had, and plenty of 30-06, 7mm Magnum, 300 Win Mag, and 6.5mm Creedmoor.
I had always wanted to procure some more rather esoteric rounds like Buffalo Bore +P, personal defense, Double Tap pistol rounds, etc., as well as stock up on various brands of PD pistol rounds (instead of just buying lots of range rounds). They’re more expensive but serve a purpose.
If you can’t buy what you’ve always been buying, then buy what you’ve neglected.
On September 9, 2020 at 11:36 pm, BRVTVS said:
Jeff Cooper argued years ago that the average citizen would be better served in a civil disturbance with a 30-30 than an AR-15. Although AR platform rifles have improved in the intervening years, a 30-30 is still a superb weapon.
On September 9, 2020 at 11:50 pm, Levi Garrett said:
In my online ammo searches, I’ve seen the same thing – hunting calibers seem to be readily available and basically at pre-madness prices, for the most part. In my limited forays into brick and mortar stores, I’ve seen mixed availability of the same. I understand that everyone and their brother is gobbling up the common defensive calibers (5.56, 9mm, etc.), but these hunting calibers would be quite effective for defensive (and offensive) work, and they shouldn’t be overlooked just because they might not be “sexy”. Stock up on what you can get your hands on.
On September 10, 2020 at 7:37 am, Frank Clarke said:
I don’t know for certain, but I would bet a lot of money that many of those first-time buyers experiencing the roadblocks common to buying a gun in many places were, until a few days prior, hard-line supporters of ‘reasonable restrictions on who can get a gun’, and they are, also for the first time, beginning to understand why all those “pro-gun fanatics” were so upset over each new reasonable restriction. They’re faced with a situation that does not treat lack of preparedness kindly and is especially cruel to those who weren’t even aware that they weren’t prepared.
Welcome to the party, pals.
On September 10, 2020 at 8:52 am, ambiguousfrog said:
@Herschel
I’ve had luck going directly to the manufacturers websites to buy directly. I bought 200 rds of COR-BON (South Dakota) 9mm recently. Federal & Speer have ammo, Buffalo Bore might as well. Price might be slightly higher, but I think when you cut out the middle man it’s not as high. The cost might be prohibitive to the manufacturer to distribute/ship? That’s a guess of course. Higher profit selling directly perhaps to consumers? My usual SGAMMO and Target Sports USA are hit or miss now.
On September 10, 2020 at 8:52 am, Bram said:
The bolt-action rifle I’ve had my eye on for a while has crept up by about $60 over the last 6 months at Buds. Not enough to deter me when my employment situation improves, but obvious demand has increased. If things keep deteriorating, it will be “who” not “what” we are hunting.
On September 10, 2020 at 9:25 am, Ned2 said:
An old Upland M1 would be a great PDW.
Prices are more than they were a few years ago, but still below an AR-15.
Ammo for them is running about half the cost of .556 right now.
On September 10, 2020 at 2:32 pm, scott s. said:
You mean Inland M-1 carbine? I guess a mix-master Inland would be about the cheapest version if you can find one. I did see some .30 carbine for sale the other day in Pasco Cty FL.
On September 10, 2020 at 5:22 pm, Levi Garrett said:
@Ned2
Where are you seeing M-1 carbines cheaper than an AR-15? I’m not trying to be snarky. I’d love to have one, but the last time I looked around, they were more than the average black rifle. Maybe I’m just not looking in the right spot.
On September 11, 2020 at 1:37 pm, Archer said:
In my AO, interest in hunting has increased slightly, but interest in hunting guns has gone up considerably.
I’m wondering if people interested in self-, home-, and community-defense are finding that ARs and pistols — and their corresponding ammo — are becoming prohibitively expensive for many, and turning to shotguns and bolt guns as the next-best option.