What is the truth about ammo shortage?

The shortage has been attributed to many factors, including pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, the bankruptcy of major supplier Remington in 2020, the massive amount of new gun owners in the last year, and the resulting surge in demand.

What is the real reason for ammo shortage?

The shortage has been attributed to many factors, most of them related to the explosion of gun ownership in the United States since the pandemic began. While the start of the pandemic is nearing its two-year anniversary, that is also the case for the nation's ammunition shortage.

Why is the ammo shortage getting worse?

High demand, supply chain issues, and increases in copper prices have all combined to make it difficult to find ammunition. Ammunition is expected to be in short supply for the start of deer season again this year.

Does the government have anything to do with the ammo shortage?

“The government” is responsible has become a popular conspiracy theory in recent months, and the line of thinking is that U.S. government contracts caused the mass ammunition shortages. However, industry experts say it isn't actually true.

Will the ammo shortage ever end?

Now that you know why the ammo shortage persists, you might be wondering when it will end. Unfortunately, many ammo dealers expect the shortage and price hikes to continue into early 2023, especially if more Americans keep buying guns.

The TRUTH about the Ammo Shortage

How much longer is shortage of ammo?

Increased production is expected to help, but Oliva predicted that ammo will remain “scarce” for at least another year. “If you put a shovel in the dirt today, you're looking at three to five years before you can turn the lights on in that facility,” he said.

What is the hardest ammo to find right now?

He says the hardest ammo to get right now is the 7MM 08, 270, and 243. “If you can find it, yes it is a good time to buy.

Which ammo is easiest to find?

Rifle ammunition is the most available. Averaging the five dealers, 3.5% of their total selection was in stock when we checked last week. If you think that's depressing, it gets worse. Only 2% of handgun ammo was available, 1.7% of shotgun ammo, and 1.2% of rimfire ammo.

Why is 9mm ammo sold out everywhere?

Ammunition is selling out quickly because it isn't just shooters who are buying it. Many individuals now regularly wait for gun shops and other retailers to receive their deliveries and buy up everything they can, only to resell the ammunition days later – in some cases just hours after – online or via gun shows.

Are 30 year old bullets still good?

Generally, yes. If factory centerfire cartridges are stored in a dry, cool place with low humidity, preferably in an airtight container, they can have an amazingly long shelf life. Many ballistics experts who have shot tens of thousands of rounds over the years report shooting 20- to 50-year-old ammo with no problems.

Is there still an ammo shortage 2022?

The Great Ammo Shortage of 2022 just won't go away. You might struggle to find ammunition for your pistol, rifle, or shotgun this year. Reasons for the shortage range wide, from supply bottlenecks to a copper shortage and the war in Ukraine.

How much ammo is enough?

Bottom Line: How Much Ammo Do I Need? A good starting point is to have 500 rounds, 200 of which should be defensive ammo, for each regular-use handgun. This isn't the end goal, it's where you start, meaning you should plan to build your ammunition reservesinto the thousands.

How many rounds of ammo does the US have?

NSSF estimates at least 12 billion rounds of ammunition are manufactured annually in the United States. After its purchased, there's no way to track where it goes.

How much ammo does the US military have?

The current rifleman's loadout in the US military is seven 30-round magazines for the M4 Carbine. So, you're looking at 210 rounds of 5.56×45 ammo. This is standard across the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

What is the most common rifle round?

The 9mm is the most popular, and therefore the most common, ammunition in the United States. While it isn't a runaway in terms of outselling its nearest competitor — which is the . 223/5.56 — it's still a convincing lead.

What is the difference between 9mm and 9mm Luger?

9mm and 9mm Luger are the same. You can use them interchangeably. SAAMI officially designated the name “9mm Luger” as the official designation ammo. So, 9mm Luger is the most common name you'll see listed by manufacturers and ammunition stores.

Is 9mm still hard to find?

So, you may have already guessed that 9mm rounds are difficult to come by. They are popular with many shooters. A 9mm pistol may be the first gun that people buy. Police extensively use this round as well, leading to shortages.

Why are there no primers available?

Disruptions in the supply chain have also made a big impact on the availability of primers. When it comes to ammunition supplies, bullets are easy to manufacture, brass can be re-used, and powder is generally stockpiled by companies (though perhaps not the kind you're looking for).

Why is 22lr out of stock?

The ongoing ammo shortage is not the result of any single issue. It stems from several social, economic, and political events in the United States and worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic, the George Floyd protests, and the 2020 US presidential elections have contributed to the shortage.

How much ammo do I need to stockpile?

A good rule of thumb is to consider a 500-round stash your starting point for your handgun. That might seem high but it does go fast. Of those 500 rounds at least 150 should be defensive, not target rounds. If you can afford to stash mostly defensive ammo, do it.

How long will ammo stay good?

Most manufacturers guarantee that their ammunition will last for at least a decade. That said, ammunition can easily last beyond 10 years if it is stored under ideal conditions. There are countless tales of military surplus ammo being used many decades after it was manufactured.

Why are ammo prices still so high?

The great ammo shortage that began in 2020 during the pandemic was driven by a surge of first-time gun buyers. That trend continued last year even as gun sales ticked down. As long as gun sales stay even slightly above pre-pandemic levels, demand for ammunition could keep prices high.

How long can I keep bullets in a magazine?

Some ammunition manufacturers recommend rotating service-related ammunition as little as every six months. By following that guide line, magazines would remain fully loaded a maximum of six months before being unloaded and reloaded.

How much ammo did a US soldier carry in ww2?

Each would carry 5 magazines of 15 rounds each. Four were carried across 2 carbine magazine pouches on their pistol belts, while 1 was carried in the gun. A load of 2 full magazine pouches plus an extra full magazine would have weighed 3.3 lb.

How many mags do soldiers carry?

In military terms, your basic combat load is at least seven 30-round magazines for an M4-style carbine rifle and two spare high-capacity pistol magazines for an issued personal defense weapon. Those who were issued a custom-built 1911 carried as many as seven spare single-column magazines for their . 45 ACP pistols.