why the shortage ? - The Firearms Forum

oscarmayer · 01-06-2010, 05:33 AM

just visited a local gun shop as i was wondering around looking at the ammo. i noticed tons and tons of 22,32,9x18 mak, 9mm, 38 in various forms, 40,357, 45 but only 4 boxes of 380. and that was remington 102gr jhp. why is there a 380 shortage ? when all other calibers seem to be easily had.

topper · 01-06-2010, 06:18 AM

Just looking on this forum, in the last few months, the 380 ammo seemed to be the one with the most shortages. I do not need 380, but i'm like you, oscarmayer, WTF is going on? Is it going to spread to other calibers as well? I just don't like what I see in the gun shops, as toward some ammo shortages, prices escalating on guns and ammo, and in general a bad feeling about what is on the horizon for gun purchases. Something just don't feel right. Are we in for another round of banning something? I sure hope not.

Alpo · 01-06-2010, 07:06 AM

What I've heard (don't know if it's true, but makes a lot of sense) is that the machinery used to make 380 is the same that is used to make 9mm, just adjusted slightly differently. 9mm has been selling so much that they have not stopped making it, to readjust the machinery to make 380.

I know Winchester does something similar, with 307 Winchester and 375 Winchester and a few others that aren't real big sellers. They only make a run of that ammo once a year. When it's sold out, you have to wait until the next run. Obviously the machinery does not sit idle for the rest of the year. They readjust it and make something else. Since 307 is just 308 with a rim, I suspect, this year, they never shut down the 308 line, so no 307 got made.

oscarmayer · 01-06-2010, 08:12 AM

ok that makes sense, the 380 being made on the same line/machines as the 9mm. i was floored at the amount of 9mm the local store had but yet they had very little 380.

ARB · 01-06-2010, 08:51 AM

Jeez, maybe someone should let the manufacturer know that we're hurting out here. The .380 has been in short/no supply for quite a while. I treat the few .380 cartridges I have as if they were gold.

Terry_P · 01-06-2010, 09:13 AM

There have been several new pistols come out in 380 like the LCP, Taurus, etc and I'm guessing the scheduling hasn't reacted to the increased demand. If you have one then save your brass and start rolling your own.

carver · 01-06-2010, 09:31 AM

Nobody has much of anything in this part of the country. Made a trip to Bass Pro Shop yesterday to get some SD ammo in .45cal., and all they had was about 4 boxes of Remington Golden Saber in 230gr., and about the same in 180gr. No Corbon, no Hornady, no Hydro Shocks, nothing that you would depend on. The Golden Sabers were listed on the shelf at $37.98 for 25 rds. I bought two boxes, but paid only $65 at the check out. No 380 at all of any kind. Can't get it at any of the gun shops I shop at. I personally don't buy the "machinery used to make 380 is the same that is used to make 9mm, just adjusted slightly differently", at least not completly. Try buying SD ammo in any caliber. They might have a good stock of ball ammo, in a few calibers, but you just can't hardly find the good stuff in any caliber. I think that we are in for a long dry spell, that just might get a lot drier down the road. Spending lots of money on reloading supplies, and still having problems getting components.

Helix_FR · 01-06-2010, 09:35 AM

There is a huge demand around here. I was talking to a local shop owner and he said he has sold more handguns in the .380 caliber in the past year than he has ever sold in the last 5 years. I'm finally starting to see 88-95 grain FMJ and JHP's bullets for reloads start to trickle in. I'm hoping the ammo is soon to follow.

JUNKKING · 01-06-2010, 10:28 AM

Our Walmart has all you want .....Winchester white box bulk but 34 dollars for 50. Not too cheap.

Maximilian II · 01-06-2010, 10:36 AM

Wow, I pay around $20 a box for .44mag and .32 auto, 50 rd. boxes for both. I was unhappy that the smaller caliber cost the same as the one that was around twice the overall size!

durk · 01-06-2010, 11:11 AM

I heard that more women are buying and shooting more .380 cal guns.

22WRF · 01-06-2010, 11:21 AM

What shortage?
I have 500 rnds loaded Cast lead and FMJ, 100 rds of XTP.
150 XTP bullets and 500 of empty brass. I just need primers

Double D · 01-06-2010, 11:21 AM

I have mag tecs for 20.00 for 50rds and golden sabres for 19.00 for 25rds and some golden sabre +p for 19.00 for 25rds. All 45 acp. I have some hornady 380 critical defense for 21.00 for 25rds. I just cant see marking ammo up that high.

ARB · 01-06-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

I have mag tecs for 20.00 for 50rds and golden sabres for 19.00 for 25rds and some golden sabre +p for 19.00 for 25rds. All 45 acp. I have some hornady 380 critical defense for 21.00 for 25rds. I just cant see marking ammo up that high.

Do you ship out of state?

carver · 01-06-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22WRF

What shortage?
I have 500 rnds loaded Cast lead and FMJ, 100 rds of XTP.
150 XTP bullets and 500 of empty brass. I just need primers

I have plenty of components for .45, .38, .357, and .44 mag/spcl. What I can't find is the .380 components. I have many thousands of rds loaded and ready to go, and I have several thousands of rds ready to load in the calibers listed above. No real shortage on this end, but still looking for more!

Double D · 01-06-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARB

Do you ship out of state?

I have never shipped any ammo out of state. I try to keep it for my local customers. I dont stock tons of it either. Costs way too much.

ninjatoth · 01-06-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUNKKING

Our Walmart has all you want .....Winchester white box bulk but 34 dollars for 50. Not too cheap.

I'll never understand that.Why is less lead and less case and less powder cost more than a 9x19?9x19 Winchester whitebox is $10.99 at our local walmarts.

red14 · 01-06-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

I have never shipped any ammo out of state. I try to keep it for my local customers. I dont stock tons of it either. Costs way too much.

DD, if I ordered some 32 S&W (32 short) from you, how much could you order for me, and what would be my price? You can PM me with the price, if you can.

Slabsides · 01-06-2010, 07:11 PM

I asked the same question and was told that .380 ammo was never produced in any large numbers (compared to other common calibers). It's still being produced as fast as it was before, but people horde it up like all others, but being produced in small numbers (compared to others) it dries up quicker.

Manufacturers are not going to tool up to increase production because: 1 = The craze will end in time and 2 = They are too busy making everything that they are tooled up to do.

01-06-2010, 05:33 AM	#1
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	why the shortage ? just visited a local gun shop as i was wondering around looking at the ammo. i noticed tons and tons of 22,32,9x18 mak, 9mm, 38 in various forms, 40,357, 45 but only 4 boxes of 380. and that was remington 102gr jhp. why is there a 380 shortage ? when all other calibers seem to be easily had. -->

01-06-2010, 06:18 AM	#2
topper Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: deep in the woods Posts: 748	Re: why the shortage ? Just looking on this forum, in the last few months, the 380 ammo seemed to be the one with the most shortages. I do not need 380, but i'm like you, oscarmayer, WTF is going on? Is it going to spread to other calibers as well? I just don't like what I see in the gun shops, as toward some ammo shortages, prices escalating on guns and ammo, and in general a bad feeling about what is on the horizon for gun purchases. Something just don't feel right. Are we in for another round of banning something? I sure hope not.

01-06-2010, 07:06 AM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: why the shortage ? What I've heard (don't know if it's true, but makes a lot of sense) is that the machinery used to make 380 is the same that is used to make 9mm, just adjusted slightly differently. 9mm has been selling so much that they have not stopped making it, to readjust the machinery to make 380. I know Winchester does something similar, with 307 Winchester and 375 Winchester and a few others that aren't real big sellers. They only make a run of that ammo once a year. When it's sold out, you have to wait until the next run. Obviously the machinery does not sit idle for the rest of the year. They readjust it and make something else. Since 307 is just 308 with a rim, I suspect, this year, they never shut down the 308 line, so no 307 got made. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

01-06-2010, 08:12 AM	#4
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: why the shortage ? ok that makes sense, the 380 being made on the same line/machines as the 9mm. i was floored at the amount of 9mm the local store had but yet they had very little 380.

01-06-2010, 08:51 AM	#5
ARB Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 1,184	Re: why the shortage ? Jeez, maybe someone should let the manufacturer know that we're hurting out here. The .380 has been in short/no supply for quite a while. I treat the few .380 cartridges I have as if they were gold.

01-06-2010, 09:13 AM	#6
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: why the shortage ? There have been several new pistols come out in 380 like the LCP, Taurus, etc and I'm guessing the scheduling hasn't reacted to the increased demand. If you have one then save your brass and start rolling your own. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

01-06-2010, 09:31 AM	#7
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,221	Re: why the shortage ? Nobody has much of anything in this part of the country. Made a trip to Bass Pro Shop yesterday to get some SD ammo in .45cal., and all they had was about 4 boxes of Remington Golden Saber in 230gr., and about the same in 180gr. No Corbon, no Hornady, no Hydro Shocks, nothing that you would depend on. The Golden Sabers were listed on the shelf at $37.98 for 25 rds. I bought two boxes, but paid only $65 at the check out. No 380 at all of any kind. Can't get it at any of the gun shops I shop at. I personally don't buy the "machinery used to make 380 is the same that is used to make 9mm, just adjusted slightly differently", at least not completly. Try buying SD ammo in any caliber. They might have a good stock of ball ammo, in a few calibers, but you just can't hardly find the good stuff in any caliber. I think that we are in for a long dry spell, that just might get a lot drier down the road. Spending lots of money on reloading supplies, and still having problems getting components. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

01-06-2010, 09:35 AM	#8
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: why the shortage ? There is a huge demand around here. I was talking to a local shop owner and he said he has sold more handguns in the .380 caliber in the past year than he has ever sold in the last 5 years. I'm finally starting to see 88-95 grain FMJ and JHP's bullets for reloads start to trickle in. I'm hoping the ammo is soon to follow.

01-06-2010, 10:28 AM	#9
JUNKKING Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just East of Pittsburgh PA Contributor Posts: 1,758	Re: why the shortage ? Our Walmart has all you want .....Winchester white box bulk but 34 dollars for 50. Not too cheap. __________________ Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and again!

01-06-2010, 10:36 AM	#10
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: why the shortage ? Wow, I pay around $20 a box for .44mag and .32 auto, 50 rd. boxes for both. I was unhappy that the smaller caliber cost the same as the one that was around twice the overall size! __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.

01-06-2010, 11:11 AM	#11
durk Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,026	Re: why the shortage ? I heard that more women are buying and shooting more .380 cal guns. __________________ Durk

01-06-2010, 11:21 AM	#12
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,250	Re: why the shortage ? What shortage? I have 500 rnds loaded Cast lead and FMJ, 100 rds of XTP. 150 XTP bullets and 500 of empty brass. I just need primers __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

01-06-2010, 11:21 AM	#13
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,049	Re: why the shortage ? I have mag tecs for 20.00 for 50rds and golden sabres for 19.00 for 25rds and some golden sabre +p for 19.00 for 25rds. All 45 acp. I have some hornady 380 critical defense for 21.00 for 25rds. I just cant see marking ammo up that high. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

01-06-2010, 07:11 PM	#19
Slabsides Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: L.A. (Lower Alabama) Posts: 921	Re: why the shortage ? I asked the same question and was told that .380 ammo was never produced in any large numbers (compared to other common calibers). It's still being produced as fast as it was before, but people horde it up like all others, but being produced in small numbers (compared to others) it dries up quicker. Manufacturers are not going to tool up to increase production because: 1 = The craze will end in time and 2 = They are too busy making everything that they are tooled up to do. __________________ /l ,[____], l---L -OlllllllO- ()_)-()_)-o-)_)