Primers

[Joe Boleo]

Are you folks having any difficulty getting primers? The local gun shops are running low on primers and getting backordered from their distributors. Some brands are not available to these gun shops. I have checked with a few friends in other areas and they report the same situation. Seems like 1992 all over again. Fortunately, I stocked up and can weather a dry spell. Take care...
Joe

[Rocky Raab]

There's a war. Maybe you've heard about it.

Anyway, the military used up its stockpiles of ammo. That wouldn't have been a problem if President Bill hadn't also closed all but one government ammo plant (Lake City). Now, to make up for the empty warehouses, all the ammo makers are scrambling 24-7 to supply the troops.

That means there's no excess capability to sell anything to us. But don't hoard. That's exactly what causes bare shelves when the supply is limited. Buy a thousand when and if you need them, but don't scarf up fifty or a hundred thou to squirrel away. The drought will end. If you choose to take the hoarding route, may the guy ahead of you be of like mind.

For my own part, if the troops need the ammo, they can have all of mine.

[Jack]

Maybe President George shoulda reopened a plant or two in the last 6 years, if it's that much of a problem.

[Joe Boleo]

The war has been going on for a number of years. Sounds like p*** poor planning on the part of the government. I agree with Jack, George Jr. had a few years to assess and address the problem. If indeed that is the problem. My advice is buy what you can when you can. It is like the price of gas, who do we blame? In the end we are getting hosed. Take care...
Joe

[Jack]

FWIW, around my neck of the woods, I'm not having problems getting primers. Or any other component- although prices on some things are rising.

[Catfish]

I`m like Jack. No real big problems getting the stuff if you can afford it. BUT, then what the heck everything is going up except my wages.

[Rocky Raab]

Reopening an ammo plant isn't like turning on a light switch. The equipment is gone, the buildings might be leveled, the people are gone.

And restarting also involves Environmental Impact Studies out the gazorch, local zoning and ordnances and on and on.

Not even God could get it all done.

[Joe Boleo]

While I have never reopened an ammo plant, the government has a lot of real estate and closed facilities that could be used. Not sure about local zoning being much of an issue because federal and state uses are usually exempt from the restrictions placed on private citizens and proposed uses. I have been on a zoning board for the last 15 years an am conversant with most of the ordnances.

My concern is simply when were we going to learn about the primer situation? Probably the next time we went shopping and got a surprise. Thanks to the internet, the word is out. Take care...
Joe

[Rocky Raab]

You must not shop often enough, Joe! Some of us have known about a growing shortage of components for almost a year now.

Government procurement is a strange and convoluted thing. Assuming the need was identified early enough, there had to be studies to decide how much to buy, and of what. Then they had to write a purchase request. Then at least two groups had to see if there was a) really a need and b) how best to fill it. Then they had to work up a budget - and who would foot it. Even if it gets that far, it isn't the President who says "Go ahead" but sub-committees and committees and finally the House. Maybe it gets worked into the next years' budgets, maybe not (the favorite place for Congress to cut money is Defense, ya know; NEVER social programs). Change from one party to the other in Congress and it can be back to square one.