1 July 09

Comments on current developments, from an active consumer and Instructor:

"I am starting to see the feeding-frenzy subside, albeit only slightly.

Inventories of military rifles and serious handguns are improving. There are actually ARs, SIG 556s, XCRs, FALs, M1As and other good rifles, along with SIG, Glock, SA, Kahr, S&W, Beretta, and other serious handguns on shelves of gun stores. However, the best are usually still gone within a day or two of arriving.

Ammunition continues to be tight, but supplies of 223, 9mm, and 40S&W are starting to fill the pipeline. Last week, I was actually able to order (and receive) a case each of 9mm and 40S&W. I have the best luck with big internet retailers by putting my name on an e-mail 'product-notification list.' Supplies still sell-out fast, but it does improve one's chances!

For the hand-loader, brass, bullets, and powder are still tight, but supplies are improving over a few months ago. However, primers are still unavailable.

I have doubts with regard to how long this current intermission will last. The next high-profile terrorist event will predictably kick it back up to where it was, or worse.

My advice is to get what you can, now! Don't wait for better prices. And, don't just buy by the case. Don't hesitate to scarf-up several boxes, when that is all that is available."

Comment: The thin, mostly imaginary, veneer we laughingly call "Civilization" is wearing ever thinner by the day!

Foolish, indeed naive, optimization that surrounded the current Administration is rapidly evaporating, as reality, desperately ignored by the media, keeps rearing its ugly head!

"Printing our way to prosperity" is failing, as all but idiots knew it would.

I'm afraid there is precious little about which to be optimistic. Only the stupid and willfully blind are failing to prepare!

/John

(Notes by DUF: I believe that I have commented before that one of the best things to come out of the current scarcity is a wider realization of the need to maintain a stockpile of ammunition and reloading components. I have slowly been making my way through Stephen Halbrook’s The Founders’ Second Amendment. I was particularly impressed by how much easier it was for General Gage to seize gunpowder from community batteries and for Britain to ban the export of gunpowder to the colonies than to try to scour the countryside to seize firearms from the colonists.)

My closest Wal-Mart had 9mm, 38 spcl, 40 S&W, 44 mag and 45 ACP in stock last night...all WWB. Still no bulk packs of .22 for my P22 and my son's rifle......

My closest Wal-Mart had 9mm, 38 spcl, 40 S&W, 44 mag and 45 ACP in stock last night...all WWB. Still no bulk packs of .22 for my P22 and my son's rifle......

The reality- Obama's not the ultra-liberal some right-wing conspiracists have told us (and some ultra-liberals were hoping for).

The people who lived through the great depression - for the rest of their lives kept well stocked pantries. I think the people who lived through the first 'Obama Ammo Shortage' will maintain a good pantry of ammo for the rest of their lives. Lessons learned that can't be forgotten.