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February 11, 2010
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http://www.bob-owens.com/2012/12/something-funny-happened-on-the-way-to-the-tyranny/
Written By: Bob - Dec• 31•12
I dropped my car off this morning at my mechanic’s, as the clutch appeared to be on its last legs. Being a beautiful morning in the mid-40s, I decided to walk home, and soak in some of the small-town downtown ambiance along the way. The sleepy antique stores were not seeing much business, and I nodded to the painting crew who was outlining the wooden window frames of the bakery in brilliant blue paint as I passed by.
Most of the downtown shops, in fact, weren’t doing much business except the two gun stores. I’d been in one several days ago to pick a .22LR for an article I’d be writing for Shooting Illustrated, and decided to stop in at the other to see what the current political environment had left behind.
There were no less than six clerks working feverishly with the dozen or so customers, so I simply stepped to the side and walked the aisles. The cases of ammunition that typically lined the far wall were picked to pieces. There was a 100-round case of .50 BMG, and cases of European shotshells suitable for small game. The .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39, 7.62 NATO, and 7.62x54R had sold out long ago, along with the bulk 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.
A few pump shotguns remained along with a smattering of deer rifles, single-shots, and longer double-barreled shotguns suitable only for trap or skeet. Even the semi-automatic .22LR rifles like Ruger 10/22s were gone, along with all but one BX-25 magazine.
The customers in the shop were picking through what remained; lever-action rifles, oddball shotguns, and the smattering of name-brand centerfire pistols. One man was attempting to trade in an antique double-barrel shotgun for something more current.
I did speak to one harried clerk, briefly.
They didn’t know when they’d be getting anything back in stock, from magazines to rifles to pistols. Manufacturers were running full-bore, but couldn’t come close to keeping up with market demand. It wasn’t just the AR-15s, the AK-pattern rifles, the M1As, and the FALs that were sold out. It really hit me when I realized that the World War-era M1 Garands , M1 carbines, and Enfield .303s were gone, along with every last shell. Ubiquitous Mosin-Nagants—of which every gun store always seems to have 10-20—were gone. So was their ammo. Only a dust free space marked their passing. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Every weapon of military utility designed within the past 100+ years was gone. This isn’t a society stocking up on certain guns because they fear they may be banned. This is a society preparing for war.
I wonder if this is what it felt like during the time of the Powder Alarm, and fear politicians both sides of the aisle are no more speaking the same language as most Americans as Gage was unable to think like the Colonials. There is an earnestness now on both sides, and a great chance for unintended consequences.
Tread carefully.
-Blacktop
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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My Dad, who lives in a large city called to ask me to keep my eyes open for .22LR. I hadn't realized that caliber was in demand until I looked around our small town shops this afternoon- None! This is crazy- how are we going to plink when he visits in FEB????? Guess I'll have to reload some large bores.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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I could not agree more on the state of affairs in the firearms industry. As a weekly Bullseye shooter I go through some .22LR standard velocity ammo. I have been wondering to myself when what I have runs out, what will I shoot? I can make it till Spring, but after that it will get interesting. There is also many shooters in the sports likely wondering the same thing. I bought a case of 5000 CCI blue box standard velocity late last summer, this is the most popular round amonst my type of shooting. Paid $250.00 for the case. I just watched several of these cases sell on GB for around $500.00 each!! Double the price and these were the only cases of this round I have even located. 
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Not so long ago, it used to be fun on my day off to visit Cabela's and 3-4 gunshops just to poke around and do a little low level shopping. Reloading supplies are now non-existent unless it's for some pretty obscure and high end rifle calibers. Ammunition in calibers usable for mainstream shooters is pretty tight as well.
Fortunately, I was already pretty well set on ammunition and components, except .22lr, and I just got a bunch more of that out of a group ammunition buy underway by some CT friends on another Forum. Between centerfire and rimfire the group is getting 20-30,000 rounds (mine was a very minor participation).
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
October 11, 2009
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Well as it was quoted before " Obama is the greatest gun salesman in the history of the United States". The only ones I see coming out of this smelling like a rose are the manufacturer's, the dealer's and the scalper's. I hope nothing much come's of this and I hope things go back to normal someday soon. But I feel sorry for those that paid over 4 times the usual price for whatever they bought in panic.
Be it firearms, ammo or components. But I have a feeling that it will go the way of gas prices. We will probably never see guns or ammo as low priced as they were back in October of 2012.
And "God Forbid' a total gun confiscation of us law abiding citizens, We will lose so much of our hard earned investments go into the scrap heap. I don't believe there will be a "Buy Back" for us.
Supporter
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January 24, 2009
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Since this latest scare has come along, I haven't stepped foot into a gun shop, because I know what it will look like. It was crazy nuts during the first scare, I can imagine how this second (worse) scare has depleted the store shelves. Luckily, I've been been stocking up during the period between scares & today I don't feel like the guy without a chair when the music stops.
In a couple months, I will probably go into a store to take a peek, but I'm staying out of the fray in the meantime. I will be keeping an eye open for decent gun buys though, on my local gun trader sites. For now, I think I'll stick with FTF purchases & keep big bro out of the equation.
February 11, 2010
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rwsem said
My Dad, who lives in a large city called to ask me to keep my eyes open for .22LR. I hadn't realized that caliber was in demand until I looked around our small town shops this afternoon- None! This is crazy- how are we going to plink when he visits in FEB????? Guess I'll have to reload some large bores.
Ron, If a couple hundred rounds of 22 will be enough for your outing, I would be thrilled
to donate.
-Blacktop
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