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-Land of the Free
This Week in Guns, March 25th, 2017
2017-03-25


By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

The market for ammunition -- my guess would be in 9mm and 5.56mm -- is flooded. The effect is such that big league ammunition makers such as Federal are laying off workers, 110 in Federal's case. The company released a statement this week saying that a change in market conditions is responsible for the decision.

The next few months will be interesting as matters such as a flooded market and the lower cost of inputs start to take effect. Who knows under both of those conditions how far ammunition prices will drop?

The usual pre-Christmas price spike failed to materialize, so the post Christmas price recovery for consumers did not materialize as well.

It's funny that gun control fascists mock gun owners for their supposed paranoia during the Obama years, even though gun owners put their money where their fears were. I wonder how the left's hate will manifest now.

Oh, that's right. They are arming thsemselves.

Here's the thing about protecting yourself: it takes more than practice at a range and a fine handgun or rifle to be able to protect yourself or others. You have to be wiling to do battle without all those toys. I don't see liberals squaring off in a brawl, even if they conclude their cause is just.

Loads.

Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:

Prices for pistol ammunition were mixed. Prices for rifle ammunition were mostly steady.

Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mixed.

New Lows:

None

Pistol Ammunition

.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))

.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Own Brand, RNFP, Brass Casing, Reloads .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Mart, Own Brand, RSFP, Brass Casing, FMJ, .21 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks))

9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2016)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WFA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .15 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))

.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))

.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Freedom Munition, Own Brand, RNFP, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Hyperion Munitions, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .25 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))

Rifle Ammunition

.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))

.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Alamo Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .31 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))

7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks))

.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))

.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .95 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Liquidator, Hornady Whitetail, Brass Casing, SP, 1.04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))

.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, JSP, 2.38 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, FMJ, 2.40 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2017))

.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen (10 Box Limit), Federal, RNL, .05 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 3,250 rounds: US Armament, Federal Champion, RNL, .05 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))

Guns for Private Sale
Rifles

.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $506 Last Week Avg: $510(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $468 (15 Weeks))
Arizona (143, 140): Dti/Delton: $500 ($600 (10 Weeks), $450 (3 Weeks))
Texas (352, 369): Bushmaster: $550 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (195, 197): DPMS: $400 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (211, 217): Rock River Arms: $580 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $415 (15 Weeks))
Florida (453, 62): DPMS: $500 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))

.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $900 Last Week Avg: $988(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $820 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (30, 33): Armalite: $1,000 ($1,350 (6 Weeks)), $650 (11 Weeks))
Texas (120, 125): DPMS Oracle LR308: $850 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (34 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (39, 43): DPMS: $850 ($1,600 (19 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (56, 57): DPMS Oracle: $800 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $750 (6 Weeks))
Florida (69, 70): Mixed Build: $1,000 ($1,950 (46 Weeks), $500 (3Q, 2015))

7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $630 Last Week Avg: $651(+) ($668 (28 Weeks)), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (24, 23): C39v1 Sporter: $750 ($800 (2 Weeks), $500 (11 Weeks))
Texas (100, 103): Century Arms RAS 47: $550 ($800 (1Q, 2016, $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (55, 45): VZ2008 Sporter: $700 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (49, 44): Zastava M-70: $650 ($700 (41 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (140, 138): RAS 47: $500 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))

30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $365 Last Week Avg: $310(+) ($495 (24 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (10, 6): Marlin 336: $350 ($500 (9 Weeks), $350 (2 Weeks))
Texas (18, 15): Marlin 336: $400 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $300 (1Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (13, 13): Mossberg 464: $375 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (17, 19): Marlin: $350 ($670 (44 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (23, 22): Rossi Rio Grande: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))

Pistols

.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $448 Last Week Avg: $441(+) ($515 (33 Weeks)), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (79, 76): Rock Island Armory: $475 ($600 (8 Weeks), $400 (12 Weeks))
Texas (267, 273): Taurus 1911: $500 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (16 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (148, 158): Taurus: $485 ($575 (11 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (144, 136): Llama 1911: $400 ($600 (8 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (329, 346): Llama 1911: $380 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))

9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $275 Last Week Avg: $274(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $231 (12 Weeks))
Arizona (139, 141): Smith & Wesson 915: $400 ($400 (CA:($350 (1 Weeks)), $275 (12 Weeks)))
Texas (358, 361): Taurus Slim 709: $225 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $200 (3Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (295, 298): Taurus PT111: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (5 Weeks))
Virginia (236, 244): Keltec PF9: $250 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (51 Weeks))
Florida (540, 506): Taurus 709: $250 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $190 (33 Weeks))

.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $306 Last Week Avg: $314(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (41 Weeks))
Arizona (40, 36): Glock 22: $450 ($500 (11 Weeks), ($250 (2 Weeks))
Texas (118, 130): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $230 ($425 (4Q, 2014), ($210 (26 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (95, 89): Taurus PT740 : $225 ($450 (49 Weeks), $200 (29 Weeks))
Virginia (88, 82): Glock 22: $375 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (140, 149): Smith &Wesson SV40: $250 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))

Used Gun of the Week: (Oklahoma)
Uzi carbine chambered in 9mm Parabellum
Posted by:badanov

#5  None of the liberals and NeverTrump Republicans I know has mentioned getting a gun. All talk about being terrified of President Trump and those who voted for him... but none act like they are scared, just like they aren't much modifying their behaviour in the face of global warming.

Anecdotal evidence, but there it is.

Interesting, Cramble and Company4359. Ditto, DepotGuy.
Posted by: trailing wife   2017-03-25 12:35  

#4  The market for ammunition -- my guess would be in 9mm and 5.56mm -- is flooded.

Short and medium term financial forecasts for small arms ammunition manufactures appear to show slower but consistent growth. This seems to be driven by expectations for increased military budgets and increased popularity in civilian self defense and shooting sports. As with everything else, how industry forecasts translate into consumer retail prices is anyone's guess. That said, I've had more than one ammo supplier say there are many small and medium retailers sitting on a lot of inventory. (Particularly in the most popular calibers.) Their advice is to be on the look out for deals on bulk sales soon. We shall see.
Posted by: DepotGuy   2017-03-25 11:39  

#3  DIY digital scope
Posted by: al aSha-med   2017-03-25 06:03  

#2  I really don't think they are THAT afraid of Trump supporters running around with MAGA hats,

The few I know and choose to (or must) talk to really ARE quite frightened by the southern right. They are arming themselves for defense against their neighbors.
Posted by: al aSha-med   2017-03-25 05:48  

#1  Even though liberals are suddenly buying guns, sounds like the reason the ammunition market is flooded is they forgot to buy bullets.

Lets be patient with them, this is new to them and anything that has more than 9 bullets scares the crap out of them. Magazines with more than that MUST still be banned per their logic. Maybe they are taking the Barney Fife approach and just starting out with one bullet.

I really don't think they are THAT afraid of Trump supporters running around with MAGA hats, I believe deep down they see the situations they created, a.k.a. Chicago and incoming Syrians and are beginning to feel the same way people in the flyover heartland feel, the need to protect our families from Jihadists and our sheep from being raped.

This COULD be a good thing. Now if we could just teach them how to balance a budget...

(Thank you, just a Rantburg anonymous opinion)
Posted by: Cramble and Company4359   2017-03-25 04:23  

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