Why are gun shop ammo prices so high? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Lazarus · 04-20-2007, 09:03 PM

I brought some ammo when I picked up my Kimber and they wanted $22 for a 50rnd box of Remington UMC and $12 for some Independence (50rnd). Today I went to the range and paid $20 for some American Eagle.

Dicks is still running their sale on UMC 9mm - $7.98 and .45 cal - $11.95 so needless to say I'm going to pick up a truckload tomorrow.

Btw, I did snag a Chip McCormick Shooting star mag for $14 but now that I'm looking online I think thats normal price.

the_gunman1 · 04-20-2007, 09:43 PM

Ammo prices are up pretty much everywhere.

AZBill · 04-20-2007, 09:52 PM

Bought a couple of Blazer Brass .45 for $10.97/box of 50 at Walmart today. Might go back for a couple more boxes tomorrow.

I used to pick up a 100 round box of 9mm WWB for $10.88 each time I went to Walmart, still have about 1000 rounds left (oh, the good old days).

jeff221 · 04-20-2007, 09:52 PM

Simple... Overhead.

I can open an ammo online store in my basement... Zero overhead, no rent no lights, electricity, etc...

I can beat the prices of a shop that has to pay all those bills.

Then, take quanity. Most shops buy in bulk but nothing like the online vendors do, they stockpile this stuff because they don't have to worry about "shelf space" for the items they are selling.

And, ammo is going up overall...

Here's a dead horse to beat, while your at it...

Dibs50 · 04-20-2007, 10:03 PM

From what I understand, the cost of the components has skyrocketed. I heard that the price of lead has tripled and copper or brass (I forget which one) has doubled. I believe it has alot to do with what's going on in the sandbox as well as China buying up everything they can.

**yocan** · 04-20-2007, 10:35 PM

china is sucking up all the major resources, my friend that builds lots of metal things says that the buyback rate of scrap metal has doubled (not sure over what time frame but I'd estimate its less than five years) Steel is going up like a rocket I think its logical everything else is too,

vafish · 04-21-2007, 07:42 AM

Gun shop needs to pay rent, utilities, insurance, employees, ect....

They have to pay money first for all their stock, then hope they can sell it at a profit. Buy something that is not popular and it could sit on the shelf for years before someone buys it. If they bought their stock on credit they have to pay interest on it.

They do a relatively low volume in a small gun shop so they don't get the volume discounts and cheaper shipping of a place like Dicks or Walmart.

Running a small business in competition with retail giants like Dicks or Walmart is not easy.

dtek · 04-21-2007, 10:01 AM

Very high demand, low supply

Lazarus · 04-21-2007, 06:29 PM

Overhead... makes sense.

BBunin · 04-21-2007, 06:40 PM

Overhead hasn't changed dramaticaly in the last couple of years.
What HAS changed is two things:
We've finally run thru those huge stocks of military ammo that we all bought so cheaply.

Raw materials prices have doubled or even tripled in recent times.

04-20-2007, 09:03 PM	#1
Lazarus XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,054	Why are gun shop ammo prices so high? I brought some ammo when I picked up my Kimber and they wanted $22 for a 50rnd box of Remington UMC and $12 for some Independence (50rnd). Today I went to the range and paid $20 for some American Eagle. Dicks is still running their sale on UMC 9mm - $7.98 and .45 cal - $11.95 so needless to say I'm going to pick up a truckload tomorrow. Btw, I did snag a Chip McCormick Shooting star mag for $14 but now that I'm looking online I think thats normal price. __________________ You never know what you'll miss until its gone.

04-20-2007, 09:43 PM	#2
the_gunman1 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,019	Ammo prices are up pretty much everywhere. __________________ Brian Freedom is expensive...pay up or shut up. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

04-20-2007, 09:52 PM	#4
jeff221 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 2,364	Simple... Overhead. I can open an ammo online store in my basement... Zero overhead, no rent no lights, electricity, etc... I can beat the prices of a shop that has to pay all those bills. Then, take quanity. Most shops buy in bulk but nothing like the online vendors do, they stockpile this stuff because they don't have to worry about "shelf space" for the items they are selling. And, ammo is going up overall... Here's a dead horse to beat, while your at it... __________________ Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact Bi-Tone (.40S&W) Springfield XD9 Tactical Black (9mm) Springfield G.I. Milspec Stainless 1911-A1 (.45 ACP) Kimber Raptor II 1911 (.45 ACP) Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380 ACP) Charter Arms "Off Duty" Revolver (.38 Spl) Ruger 22/45 Mark III (.22 LR) Smith&Wesson M&P15A 16in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) BushMaster Carbon-15 (.22 LR) BushMaster XM15 E2S 20in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) Stoeger P350 Tactical Pump Shotgun (12 Gauge) Winchester Black Model98 Canon (10 Gauge)

04-20-2007, 10:03 PM	#5
Dibs50 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 134	From what I understand, the cost of the components has skyrocketed. I heard that the price of lead has tripled and copper or brass (I forget which one) has doubled. I believe it has alot to do with what's going on in the sandbox as well as China buying up everything they can. __________________ Jim XD 45 ACP Compact "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." Benjamin Franklin - Founding Father (1706-1790) How soon we forget history...Government is not reason. Government is not eloquence. It is force. And, like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." George Washington - Founding Father (1732-1799)

04-21-2007, 07:42 AM	#7
vafish XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,462	Gun shop needs to pay rent, utilities, insurance, employees, ect.... They have to pay money first for all their stock, then hope they can sell it at a profit. Buy something that is not popular and it could sit on the shelf for years before someone buys it. If they bought their stock on credit they have to pay interest on it. They do a relatively low volume in a small gun shop so they don't get the volume discounts and cheaper shipping of a place like Dicks or Walmart. Running a small business in competition with retail giants like Dicks or Walmart is not easy. __________________ \"If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.\" -- Confucius

04-20-2007, 09:52 PM	#3
AZBill XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 262	Bought a couple of Blazer Brass .45 for $10.97/box of 50 at Walmart today. Might go back for a couple more boxes tomorrow. I used to pick up a 100 round box of 9mm WWB for $10.88 each time I went to Walmart, still have about 1000 rounds left (oh, the good old days).

04-20-2007, 10:35 PM	#6
yocan XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Detroit Posts: 2,401	china is sucking up all the major resources, my friend that builds lots of metal things says that the buyback rate of scrap metal has doubled (not sure over what time frame but I'd estimate its less than five years) Steel is going up like a rocket I think its logical everything else is too,

04-21-2007, 10:01 AM	#8
dtek XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CT Posts: 411	Very high demand, low supply __________________ Dave "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

04-21-2007, 06:29 PM	#9
Lazarus XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,054	Overhead... makes sense. __________________ You never know what you'll miss until its gone.

04-21-2007, 06:40 PM	#10
BBunin XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,029	Overhead hasn't changed dramaticaly in the last couple of years. What HAS changed is two things: We've finally run thru those huge stocks of military ammo that we all bought so cheaply. Raw materials prices have doubled or even tripled in recent times. __________________ . When seconds count, the police are only five minutes away. ------------------------------------ MY PARTIAL TOY LIST XD-9 5" (Production) XD-40 5" (Limited10) SA 1911 Loaded (Limited10/SingleStack) STI Spartan (Limited10/SingleStack) Kahr PM9 (CCW) KT P3AT (CCW) Remington 11-87 (Trap) Remington 870 Express (HD/Trap) Misc Rifles for fun and hunting

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