mav

A week or so ago we had a thread on Walmart no longer selling ammo.  It was suspected to be a rumor at the time.  Recently it was confirmed to be such since Walmart has publically stated that there has been no change to their ammo policy, and they will continue selling it as it becomes available.   As I was sitting in my lab today, our purchasing agent came to me and told me a story about his father-in-law trying to purchase ammo from a local Walmart the other day and was told that they were out and they were not allowed to sell anymore due to some federal decree.  I had to explain to him that that was not the case, and the Walmart employee did not know what they were talking about.   Two things:  Walmart should do a better job making sure their employees are informed, but it really doesn't help if that employee has an agenda or they trying to create hysteria.  Second, I find it amazing how ill-informed people are that when they hear a rumor they don't bother investigating to check it's veracity, but instead run with it like it is gospel truth.   During this battle we are fighting I feel that it is incumbent upon us to correct or educate people when they are promoting rumors or incorrect (even partially incorrect) information.  All of us, outside of those selling, hate the current market on all things related to firearms.  The rumor mill and misinformation is part of what is driving the frenzy and high prices.  If we participate in it, all we are doing is prolonging the current market.

I lurked for a while, then said to heck with it, and joined.

If you go to any of the leftist forums, blogs, or online news sources you will get to read all of their vitriol including the occasional death threat.  Since we all know liberalism, as it is defined today, is a disease, does this mean that liberals cannot purchase a firearm?  I am all for it.  :)

  Everyone agrees that a ban would be bad for the industry, and that it may force some manufacturers and dealers go out of business.  That is a separate issue from the OP, which was a simple question as to whether or not manufacturers love the panic.    It is really nothing more than basic economics.  When demand exceeds supply, that benefits those that are creating the supply.  They have guaranteed sales, they can keep their costly inventories low, and if they so choose, they may be able to increase margins on their goods.  On the flip side when supply outweighs demand, manufacturers do not benefit.  They either have to reduce production, decrease costs, drop prices, or create some new item that has a higher demand.  Right now we have the former scenario, and it is really benefiting manufacturers.    In the case of S&W, perhaps they can put on a 3rd shift, or outsource (doesn't necessarily mean outside of the country) some of their production and capture extra sales.  Right now, as long as supply is available, it is going to sell regardless of where it is coming from.   The following is not directed at you Dave.  I have been reading a lot of comments over the last several weeks in regards to there should be rationing of certain items (making sure everyone gets their fair share), price fixing, and how explosive growth/demand, which is probably temporary, is bad for business.  People that believe in free markets shouldn't really use that kind of language.  In doing so, they are doing nothing more than espousing some of the tenets of socialism and command economies.

  All of the manufacturers were running at max capacity before this spike?  Speculation, or you know this for a fact?   I do agree that manufacturers are probably not going to invest a lot of money in additional machinery to increase capacity to cover this spike in sales.  They can contract some of it out.

I disagree with some of the comments in this thread.  I think is great for business and manufacturers love it.  Seriously, what company wouldn't love to have their inventory incredibly low because it is selling as fast as they can make it?  An additional benefit of the current market is it provides employment opportunities for those that are out of work.  Even if it may be temporary, having a job is better than not having one.   For companies that may have been struggling before this frenzy, this could be a godsend to help keep their doors open and perhaps give them enough working capital to retool or develop a new business model to make themselves more competitive in the future.  Even the government is benefiting, which I find ironic, from the increased firearms sales.  They are collecting more taxes.   The only group of people that I see that are not benefiting from this situation are those who weren't prepared, and are now forced to compete with a frenzied public over a limited supply of goods.  They can either do without, or they can pay higher prices. 

  I don't think it is my place to tell someone how much they can make.  However, if it is how you say and they are paying $70 and trying to make $580 on it then I would agree they are gouging.  If it is how you say, I would also agree with several on here that I will not spend any money with a dealer who is engaging in such practices.   I have no experience with the Georgia store, but I have had a lot with the Chattanooga store, and everything has been positive.  I purchased a new Gen4 G19 after the Newtown shooting.  Not counting tax, I purchased it for lower than anything I could find online.  I tend to believe that something like RevScottie mentioned is the reason for the high prices.

  You are exactly right, although I don't know about the month thing.  I predicted late summer/early fall.  If it holds true, there will be some real bargains that come on the market as people start needing some extra money and businesses try to reduce stock levels.

  Yep, it was the longest I have waited for a firearm.  I had almost canceled it twice during the wait period out of frustration.  I am glad I persevered and got it.  It was definitely worth the wait.  I just hope my OBR doesn't take as long as the Professional did. :)

How in the world do you know Shooter's Depot is gouging?  Unless you work there, the short answer is you don't; you are merely speculating.  You have no idea what they are having to pay to restock merchandise that is in high demand.  If they are having to pay more for high demand merchandise, should they absorb the increased cost?  I most certainly wouldn't in today's market.   There are some clear cut cases of gouging going on in this market.  However, not all cases are price gouging, so we should be judicious in our usage of that term.  We are in a bubble market right now, and demand has vastly outweighed the supply.  Prices have and are going to increase in the short term, and on some items, the increase might be high.  If prices are too high for someone, then it is best that they wait out the market.  As with all bubble markets, the bubble eventually busts and prices drop.  The bigger the bubble becomes, the bigger the bust.    Just look at the housing market bubble, which was government induced, as a recent example.  Houses were skyrocketing, and a lot of people said that prices would remain high because houses never decrease in value.  Well, they were wrong, and once the bubble popped, housing prices dropped precipitously.  Unless the government reinstates a ban, more than likely the same thing will occur in this market.  How long it takes, no one knows.   If people got caught with their pants down, meaning they didn't have adequate supply, or they waited to get something on their wish list, etc... , during this hysteria, it sucks to be them.  They are now going to have to compete with everyone else who was unprepared over a limited supply of goods.  Thus, they are more than likely going to have to pay more for what they want.    I stated in another thread that this entire situation is a great learning lesson for all of us.  Due to the political volatility, which is never going away, surrounding our chosen hobby, it would behoove us to make sure, if funds allow, to always have adequate supply of ammo, parts, mags, etc... on hand.  Additionally and if funds allow, it would be a good idea to pare down our wish list as well.

I am already a life member thanks to one of our fellow TGOers offering this last year. It is a great deal and it supports an organization who we are really going need during Obama's second term. Thanks for posting.

  Oh, I know.  I was just being a wisea$$.   I carry my Springfield Professional most of the times, and if I have to drop it, it is going to be dropped.  It is a lost cheaper and easier to refinish a handgun than bullet holes.   I know this off topic, but just out of curiosity, why don't you carry it?  It is a fantastic gun.

  I agree with most of what you said.  My disagreement is your comment on the "stupid high-end boutique firearm."  It ain't stupid. :rant:  If I recall correctly, you own a Wilson Professional. :)

  Second.

I like the idea of everyone having access to TICS.  I don't do many transactions with individuals, but I would use the service if it was made available.  It would certainly help law-abiding gun owners from selling to someone who couldn't legally obtain a firearm.   Has an idea like this ever been proposed before the Assembly?

I have made several purchases from Bud's, and it was a good experience every time.  I would say this situation was more than likely due to the craziness of the market.

  It lets the SCOTUS know where the states stand on an issue?  That is meaningless.  It certainly had no effect on declaring Obamacare constitutional even though the majority of the states were against it.   If you do not support the arresting of federal agents when they have violated TN law, then you do not support this bill.  Without the use of any punitive action, this bill would be meaningless.   If the President enacted an AWB via executive order, that is an impeachable offense.  He has no authority under the Constitution to do so.  Fast and Furious was an impeachable offense.  Misusing Tarp and bailout funds by sending them to your political buddies is an impeachable offense.  I could go on and on listing the transgressions of Obama, and all of them are impeachable offenses.  Why then hasn't he been impeached?  He is protected by his cronies in the legislative branch and a sympathetic media.   This political action's intent is not to turn Americans against other Americans.  This is simply the people and the states exercising their Tenth Ammendment rights.     This is about states declaring that they will not accept unconstitutional dictates from a tyrannical federal government, and they will protect their citizen's rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution.  If anyone is the aggressor in this battle, it is clearly the federal government.   Just to note, if Congress passes an unconstitutional law, the President signs it, and it is upheld by the SCOTUS because the President has packed it with activists from his side of the aisle doesn't mean the law is now constitutional.  The SCOTUS are not the final arbiters of what is or what is not constitutional.  That is the state's responsibility, otherwise you would have no checks and balances and the federal government could dictate how it pleases.

  That is really a bad idea.  After you drop the mag and clear the chamber, the threat's buddy that you didn't see comes up makes you feel really dumb.   If it turned into the absolute worst situation, I would much rather be disarmed at gunpoint by a LEO than have an empty gun on me while waiting for the police to arrive at the scene.

My 1911 holster is the Wilson Practical with paddle mount.  I prefer suede or leather lined kydex over traditional leather holsters. 

Nice purchase.  I have yet to fondle the M&Ps to see what they are like.

  I think I may have heard about them.  Not so great reviews.  ;)   Seriously, I purchased several cases of range ammo the day of the shooting from PSA to make sure that I would be able to go to the range and shoot my guns once ammo dried up.  I knew it was going to get bad, but what I expected is nothing like what has happened.

  There is no reason to fear such action; it is human nature, and it is inevitable that it will happen  The majority of people, including those who talk tough on the keyboard, will lay down their arms if confiscation ever occurs.  I am fairly certain that I would act according to my convictions if such an event ever occured.  However, don't think for one minute that I wouldn't seriously question my convictions if a group of individuals showed up at my house asking me to turn over my guns.  It would definitely be a moment in which one would have to change underwear.   Anyway, we aren't even close to a situation like that occuring, so it is really premature to discuss such matters.  We have so much we can do legislatively to keep things like that from ever occuring, so it is best to focus our efforts in that arena instead of dwelling on the worst possible outcome.

I don't normally write my state Reps or Senators, but I did today.

I believe there is very important lesson for all of us (certainly for me) to learn during this ordeal. Don't get caught with your pants down. When the hysteria subsides and prices retreat back from their stratospheric heights, if you have some firearm or accessory that has been on your wish list, your short on ammo, or need some more mags etc..., it might be wise to go ahead and get them. As I stated earlier, I don't not believe most of the congressional stuff stands a chance at passing (at this time). However, this was definitely a shot across the bow and a foreshadowing of things to come in the future if things turn sour.

  Second.  The sad part, however, is there is probably a person just as statist as she is waiting in the wings for that seat.   As far as prices go, I don't think they will be decreasing by a lot anytime soon.  I predicted in another thread that it would be late summer or early fall before we saw a big change.  I am hoping I am right, and they plummet.