Hi All,

 

My name is Tim, I'm looking to purchase my first pistol later this year. I'm going through the FID process now and while I wait, I'm looking to decide on a first pistol.

 

But my question is this... how's the ammo situation? I haven't heard anything one way or another, but stopping by Dick's in Rockaway last night, the salesman said they've gotten in .22 but it's gone in a day, and 9mm and .40 will sit around for a day or two.

 

My first purchase is somewhat dependent on this. I've shot several that I liked, all calibers and could be happy with any of them as a first firearm. Target shooting only, no self defense or anything.

 

What's readily available? 9mm? .40? .45? Is .22 still worth its weight in gold?

 

Thanks and nice to meet you all,

Tim

I believe .40S&W is more readily available than 9mm, .45 and .22LR

9mm and 22lr are still very hard to find most of the time, at least at reasonable prices and without camping out at a Dick's

I have been able to get 9mm and 40 in small quantities when i need it to hit the range.....ive been seeing the bulk prices coming down lately to .30 a rd for 9mm and .40 for the 40 s&w.  I'd like to see a lil better than that before i buy bulk but I need the range time!  lol.  .22 is only cheap if you get to a box store the day it comes in stock.  Otherwise youre paying WAY too much for it...IMHO

From my standpoint, it's worse than before. I was able to see ammo come in small quantities, now I haven't seen much at all coming around.

Someone asked me if I needed .22lr today. I asked what kind and how much. Federal 36gr 525rd box for $70. I literally laughed in his face.

I have found tons on 9,40 38 45 233 556 308. 22 and 44 are still hard to come by

The distributor who handles most of this area got 5 50' trailers in during the month of may. During the month of June he didn't even get half a trailer. He got 90 cases of 9mm, 90 of .40, a couple pallets of 5.56 and some other not a popular rounds. No .22 at all. So yes it has gotten worse.

Well, I'll be crossing my fingers that this lightens up in the next couple of months while I wait for my paperwork to come back.

I've had pretty good luck finding ammo, the problem (and solution for short term) is most places have been rationing the amount you can buy per day.

Walt at Hackettstown has a lot of 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 223, 308 and a few cases of CCI 22's

Walt at Hackettstown has a lot of 9mm, 40S&W, 45ACP, 223, 308 and a few cases of CCI 22's

 

This is reassuring... right around the corner from my office! I'll have to drop in and say hi!

The distributor who handles most of this area got 5 50' trailers in during the month of may. During the month of June he didn't even get half a trailer. He got 90 cases of 9mm, 90 of .40, a couple pallets of 5.56 and some other not a popular rounds. No .22 at all. So yes it has gotten worse.

Any reason it's not coming in? Reduced production? Rationing? Tin foil?

Any reason it's not coming in? Reduced production? Rationing? Tin foil?

He flat out doesn't know where the hell it is. He joked around and said probably Syria. He's telling departments he can drop ship thier orders but no guarantee on when they will get it.

 

 

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I wouldn't make my choice of gun based on current availability. Even though it feels like the new normal, barring another major shock, things will go back to normal, at least at the national level.

 

Of the calibers you mentioned, I shoot only .22. I think things are gradually improving there. You can still buy at mom and pop shops in PA and non-extortionary prices. .22 occasionally pops up on Cabelas and is getting better at Midway. It used to be at Midway, you'd see between 0 and 3 types of .22 available (mostly 5mm or novelty ammo.) Today, it's 10.

 

This is probably going to get me criticized for driving the mania, but what I've learned from this is to have a couple of years of ammo in each caliber, which will reduce the impact of these kinds of shocks in the future. Even now, it's possible to gradually build toward that goal by keeping your eye out and buying opportunisitically.

It sucks because there is literally buildings full of ammo but the popular calibers are gone and what's there is already reserved.

 

 

 

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Use Slickgun.com and Gunbot.net to find the best deals and buy online if your local shops are out or start gouging you. Also shop at Cabela's online. They get ammo in daily and prices are reasonable after you factor in the shipping cost. I have no problem finding pistol caliber ammo as of late using those methods. Also stop by Dick's when the doors open and you will get ammo no problem on delivery days. Just be prepared for 3 box limit or 1 bulk pack per day.

I've been able to get whatever I needed, you just need a little patience.  If you've got a couple of months before you can pick up your gun, you'll be able to stock up on anything, even 22.   Check out gunbot.net.   This site checks the other sites and lets you know what's available where.  I've bought enough 22 and other stuff to keep me going.  The prices are a premium, mostly because you're paying shipping too but if you wait for the right deal, it's not awful.  I end up finding a deal worth buying about every 2 weeks and I'll buy whatever the seller's limit is.  I try to throw in some other items since I'm paying shipping anyway.    Ammo is harder to find but it's out there if you're not in a hurry.

Use Slickgun.com and Gunbot.com to find the best deals and buy online if your local shops are out or start gouging you. Also shop at Cabela's online. They get ammo in daily and prices are reasonable after you factor in the shipping cost. I have no problem finding pistol caliber ammo as of late using those methods. Also stop by Dick's when the doors open and you will get ammo no problem on delivery days. Just be prepared for 3 box limit or 1 bulk pack per day. 

Good advice, but gunbot.net is the correct address.

There is a ton of 9mm available online.. the prices are just not super good.

Use this url and you will find all kinds of 9mm. If you keep an eye on things you can find 9mm for .27-.29/round.

 

http://gunbot.net/ammo/9mm

Don't buy a firearm based on available ammunition, buy it based on what you like! I scour the internet in my limited free time for the best deals I can find on ammunition. I recently picked up brass 9mm for $11.99 a box on the web. Even with shipping, buying off the net tends to be cheaper considering I have a v8 truck and the rising cost of gas..

Good advice, but gunbot.net is the correct address.

oops, my bad. Reply corrected.