Author Topic: Any guesses as to when I might find some Primers to buy? (Read 1088 times)

Masterblaster1 · « **on:** May 12, 2009, 09:27:14 AM »

My primer stash is getting low, I would like to buy some more but at this point it will be an exercise in futility. I wonder how long this shortage will last. I would guess until next fall...

pozoutdoors · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2009, 09:44:32 AM »

I hope the supply comes back that soon!!! But I wouldn't bet on it!!! I have bought some on gunbroker but they cost 2-3 times more!!! But I got them!!!! I just hate the thought of even running low on ammo!!!

torpedoman · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2009, 02:35:49 PM »

supply must be picking up know of 4 stores that now have them in stock.

MrJames680 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2009, 06:25:16 PM »

I have noticed that the stores in my area are slowly getting them in. (East, east SF Bay Area)

troy_mclure · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2009, 05:08:08 AM »

i know of a store in no. ky. that has a few boces of small mag pistol.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2009, 12:56:26 PM »

Here's a link to a recent e-mail I got from Sinclair:

http://blog.sinclairintl.com/2009/05/12/primer-availability-2/

Masterblaster1 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2009, 12:15:59 PM »

Thanks guys

wncchester · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2009, 11:51:12 AM »

I'll try; How about July 18 at 2 pm?

NEXT!

skarke · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2009, 11:57:56 AM »

Got and email from Wideners, they say sometime this fall/winter.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2009, 12:50:30 PM »

Just thinking out loud - I know that all reloading components are difficult to get, but I can get bullets, cases and powder. Maybe not exactly what I want, but I can get good quality components - some thing to shoot. I can not get primers. It would seem that even if people are buying up ammo at a fast pace that the cases would be the one thing that would be in short supply not primers. I just looked on a site that has Winchester 223 brass available, bullets and powder, but no primers. Doesn't it seem odd that it would be primers that are in short supply? After all when you buy ammo, it takes 1 primer, 1 bullet, and 1 case. Is making primers the most difficult part to manufacture out of the equation? Why would bullets or cases be easier to get that primers and doesn't factory loaded rounds take powder? Just some rambling thoughts.

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2009, 12:55:46 PM »

Cases can be used a whole lotta times so ya don't need on case for each primer/bullet except for factory ammo. Ya do however need one primer per bullet but there are a huge number of bullet makers compared to only a few primer makers out there.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2009, 01:07:19 PM »

That is true Bill, for the reloaders, but the Sinclair site said that most of the primers are going to ammo makers. They still take one case for every primer. I suppose you are correct that there just isn't that many outfits that make primers. I think that once everyone thinks they have enough ammo and reloading components, that primers will become more readily available. Personally I am not in too bad of shape on primers. I noticed last fall that primers were starting to become hard to get, so every time I went the the local store, I would buy a thousand of this or that, what ever they had on hand at the time. I bought CCI, Remington and Winchester primers - no Federals. I have enough to ride out the present shortage - I think.

spruce · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2009, 01:30:03 PM »

Another reason why primers are in shorter supply than other components and loaded ammo is simply the way people are buying them.

I mean, the hoarders are buying several thousand at a time, every time they see some. Just a few people buying like that at your average gun shop and it gets cleaned out in a hurry.

Now think about people buying ammo. Other than a few calibers (like .223, 7.62x39, etc) people just don't buy loaded ammo by the thousands everytime they see it.

It's a matter of economics - even at the inflated prices people can afford to buy a few thousand primers every week, but can't afford a few thousand rounds each week so they're stocking up on primers at a far higher rate than loaded ammo.

wncchester · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2009, 09:03:10 AM »

I THINK that when the makers catch up to the hoarders there wil be a glut of components on the shelves of those dealers who are now gouging us.

Since the hoarders are going to be well stocked for a few years it seems likely the dealers will have to make some deep discounts to move any significant amount of stock for a long time. In other words, I think the present actions of the hoarders paying any price will look silly when availability catches up and results in much lower prices. AND the actions of many dealers is going to bite them in their own butts when it happens! I know one local dealer who would have to have a fire sale before I will buy from him again.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2009, 09:26:43 AM »

Quote from: wncchester on May 16, 2009, 09:03:10 AM

I know one local dealer who would have to have a fire sale before I will buy from him again.

I agree. I am watching this at my local source too. If he does this I will not buy from him the same as the local gas staions that went up (like 3x what it was 30 minutes earlier) on their gas 30 minutes after the planes hit the twin towers. Charlie

MGMorden · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2009, 06:29:16 PM »

Just as an FYI - one of the local shops I visited yesterday had some primers in stock. They had about 8 trays of Winchester large rifle (of which I bought 5 at $4.99 each) and oodles of shotgun primers.

fastbike · « **Reply #16 on:** May 18, 2009, 08:58:36 AM »

$50/1000 from a local guy. You must really like him.

[Just as an FYI - one of the local shops I visited yesterday had some primers in stock. They had about 8 trays of Winchester large rifle (of which I bought 5 at $4.99 each) and oodles of shotgun primers. ]

skarke · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:03:24 AM »

Got a few years worth before the prices went up, plus about 500# of lead (still accumulating WW), a few k of brass in each of my high use calibers (more on order), and lots (LOTS) of 231 and TAC.

Plus, 62gn .224 by the bunch. I shoot all I want (over 1,500 rounds per month), others can't, though I warned them of the pending shortages. Things MIGHT get better, they might not. But, if you can get reasonable prices on available stock, I'd proceed with a purchase. Also, IF things get better, the gougers will get their come uppin's. We shooters have long memories.

I just don't feel comfortable putting my shooting future in the hands of the most radically anti-gun congress and president in our history, so I won't. I'll continue to buy components, at the right prices, when they are available.

Pardon the pun, but this might be a one shot opportunity. Once our rights are gone, they're gone, and no amount of our lamenting and gnashing of teeth will bring them back.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:29:52 AM »

Didn't read all the post , can't say when new ones will come on line .
What i have learned ( 2 weeks ago ) there are some small hardware stores that sell a limited supply of both guns and reloading componets . The one i found had plenty of mag. pistol but few reg. pistol primers . If you travel it might be worth looking around .

MGMorden · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:48:41 AM »

Quote from: fastbike on May 18, 2009, 08:58:36 AM

$50/1000 from a local guy. You must really like him.

[Just as an FYI - one of the local shops I visited yesterday had some primers in stock. They had about 8 trays of Winchester large rifle (of which I bought 5 at $4.99 each) and oodles of shotgun primers. ]

That's not really that out of whack. Even before prices went up local prices were around $40/1000 around here. If I were buying online (if there were any to be found online) then I haven't seen it less than $25 per 1000 for Wolf-brand (a little higher for others) from Midway. When you tack on shipping + haz mat fees it'll come close to evening out - IF Midway had any in stock.

Overall the $50/1000 price just doesn't tax me that hard. If it doubled, that'd be another story, but I'm good for now. I'd just like a more consistent/stable supply.

Default · « **Reply #20 on:** May 19, 2009, 06:06:33 AM »

I have been finding little caches of primers , but not like normal ... And I too have a long memory and will in the end remember these bastards here local that throat cut their own gunnies to make a few extra bucks ...They have already lost my biz ... Some might recall from another thread , Me mentioning that a local shop (one of those shops that lost mine and im sure many more) Had 3 ( yes three ) 250 round remington UMC boxes of 380 95 gr fmj show up .... anyone want to guess what they were asking for these standard plinking fodder ?? $200.00 a Box ...

Sadder yet is that they all sold ... So i can relate on everyones feelings when it comes to these that are screwing their local guns etc. buying crowd , that they have lost buisness that wont be coming back ...

But on the better side of this coin ... I have a local shop that has DPMS and Bushie ARs and tons of new AKs at 9 month ago prices , Plenty of 7.62x39 ,223 ,5.45x39 ,762x51 ,30 carbine and absolutely no shortage of pistol caliber or choice of manufacturer from 25 acp to 44 mag .. Except for 380 acp , that seems to be a universal shortage item ( couldnt be happier that i got rid of both of my 380 shooters , now what to do with these boxes of 380

) And this gentlemen has the prices up where they are all across the board , Not ridiculous price gouging ... So there are still those that have not sold us out and will continue to hold my buisness ...

Keep that powder dry boys ,

Default

mechanic · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2009, 03:45:26 PM »

30 years ago my Dad was buying primers 10,000 at a time. There was no shortage, and the price was reasonable, but he got a price break and used it. I really don't think its reloaders that are causing the shortage, but rather ammo buyers. New gun buyers have set records, and they all need ammo. Others have been "stocking up" on ammo. I notice some powders are plentiful, others can't be found. Are the shortages in powders that are used by ammo makers? Beats me.