I maybe restating the obvious, I witnessed something scary yesterday

[JohnDeere]

  So, yesterday at work I read an article about legislation to put a serial number code on each bullet sold in the U.S. and the real probablity that legislation is coming to increase taxes on firearms and ammunition. I got to thinking I only have half a box of 9mm left in the closet (I might take target practice every six months with my 9mm); I better stop by WallyMart on the way home and buy a box or two of 9 mm before they tax the hell out these "trackable" bullets. The gun store is on the other end of town not between my home and work, so WallyMart is convenient for me.
  I get to the sporting goods counter at WallyMart and I'm looking at the locked cabinets with the ammo. Obviously, a whole lotta people in North Alabama have already had the same idea I had yesterday. The ammo shelves were really bare. They had zero boxes of .38, .45, or .203. WallyMart the greatest logistics organization in the country/world cannot keep up with the demand (run) on ammo. I started talking to the sporting good clerk (older retired looking guy). He told me I was lucky that I came in today; he had just stocked a shipment of 9mm (probably 70 boxes), it would probably stay on the shelf two days. He told me that some guy had come in two days ago and bought like 50 boxes of 9mm.  He said ammo had been flying off the shelf since the election.
  I have read several articles about the increased sales of firearms, joked about it on this board, and even witnessed guys at work showing off their new AR-15s they bought recently; but to actually witness this at WallyMart it is disturbing. I definitely have the thought in the back of my mind today; people (my neighbors) are arming themselves like crazy.

[AUTiger1]

I was going to mention that it has been this way for about 3 months now.  I haven't been able to buy much ammo form Wally World myself.  I have had to got to the local gun and pawn shop and pay more for it.  I still don't have as much ammo as I would like to have stocked up, but I have plenty.  I am in the market for a few more guns and they are getting more expensive and harder to find by the day.

[Saniflush]

Not drawing any conclusions for anyone but I know someone in the industry and he claims their sales are up anywhere from 250% - 350% since 12/08.

[ggraf71]

There's a gun show coming up and I was wondering if anybody ever bought anything from a gun show. Are they generally better prices than pawn shops? How exactly does the gun show work? Sorry, but I've only bought my firearms from dealers or pawn shops.

[GarMan]

I loaded up before the election, but the prices had already been going up.  I typically purchase mine online from cheaperthandirt.com.  The site is really running slow today, so I suspect that they're getting hammered.  In fact, much of their ammo is sold out or backordered right now.  Early last year, I could still pick up a box of Winchester 9mm Target Rounds for sub-$10.  Now, they're $12+ for a box of 9mm 115gr FMJs.  Sold out now, of course...  

[GarMan]

There's a gun show coming up and I was wondering if anybody ever bought anything from a gun show. Are they generally better prices than pawn shops? How exactly does the gun show work? Sorry, but I've only bought my firearms from dealers or pawn shops.

At least in Georgia, it's still pretty easy.  Most of the folks selling at gun shows have their own shops, but they're able to move a lot more merchandise at gun shows and keep their volume committments with the suppliers, so they typically charge a lot less for their goods at the show.  Unfortunately, prices have gone up, but you can still save a good 15-30% from the gun shop prices.  I've never bought ammo/reloads from a show, so I can't speak to that.  (I don't know if I ever would...)

[ggraf71]

At least in Georgia, it's still pretty easy.  Most of the folks selling at gun shows have their own shops, but they're able to move a lot more merchandise at gun shows and keep their volume committments with the suppliers, so they typically charge a lot less for their goods at the show.  Unfortunately, prices have gone up, but you can still save a good 15-30% from the gun shop prices.  I've never bought ammo/reloads from a show, so I can't speak to that.  (I don't know if I ever would...)

Well, actually its in Columbus, GA. I however, live in Alabama. Is it still illegal to transport firearms across state lines?

[GarMan]

Well, actually its in Columbus, GA. I however, live in Alabama. Is it still illegal to transport firearms across state lines?

Between Alabama and Georgia, it shouldn't be a problem, but I'd have doubts about going into DC, states in the Northeast and California.  I'd still do it, but you may want to keep it quiet. 

[Tarheel]

Well, actually its in Columbus, GA. I however, live in Alabama. Is it still illegal to transport firearms across state lines?

You might want to do a little research on the NRA website but, like GarMan, I'd still do it but keep it quiet.

[Tarheel]

  So, yesterday at work I read an article about legislation to put a serial number code on each bullet sold in the U.S. and the real probablity that legislation is coming to increase taxes on firearms and ammunition. I got to thinking I only have half a box of 9mm left in the closet (I might take target practice every six months with my 9mm); I better stop by WallyMart on the way home and buy a box or two of 9 mm before they tax the hell out these "trackable" bullets. The gun store is on the other end of town not between my home and work, so WallyMart is convenient for me.
  I get to the sporting goods counter at WallyMart and I'm looking at the locked cabinets with the ammo. Obviously, a whole lotta people in North Alabama have already had the same idea I had yesterday. The ammo shelves were really bare. They had zero boxes of .38, .45, or .203. WallyMart the greatest logistics organization in the country/world cannot keep up with the demand (run) on ammo. I started talking to the sporting good clerk (older retired looking guy). He told me I was lucky that I came in today; he had just stocked a shipment of 9mm (probably 70 boxes), it would probably stay on the shelf two days. He told me that some guy had come in two days ago and bought like 50 boxes of 9mm.  He said ammo had been flying off the shelf since the election.
  I have read several articles about the increased sales of firearms, joked about it on this board, and even witnessed guys at work showing off their new AR-15s they bought recently; but to actually witness this at WallyMart it is disturbing. I definitely have the thought in the back of my mind today; people (my neighbors) are arming themselves like crazy.

That's a truly eye-opening example of anecdotal evidence of what's going on with ammo.

JohnDeere, you might want to read this thread/topic if you have not already:

http://tigersx.net/forum/index.php?topic=4587.0

[CCTAU]

I have noticed that cheaperthandirt.com was running low. I used to purchase a lot of ammo from them. About a year ago Dick's had a good sale going and I got 10 boxes of 9mm for about $6 a box. I also bought several hundred rounds off a guy at the gun store a while back for .25 a box of 25. Only caveat is that it is corrosive ammo. That won't matter if I need it.

Some guys who hand load and sell are pretty good. Make sure you get a few opinions at the gun show about the seller before you buy.

I wanted a new gun, but dang, now is not the time to get a good deal on one. The cheap ones are still  out there, but a lot of times they are jam city. I miss all of the ole Norinco stuff. Their rifles and pistols were rock solid. The pistols only shot hardball, but they did it well.