I”m at a couple of my LGS last night looking around and killing time. There was no shortage of AR-15 and AR-10 magazines including PMag, Lancer, OKAY, etc. I could also find plenty of 1911, Beretta (more limited), CZ, Glock HK, Ruger, S&W, SIG, and Walther magazines, etc. So, why can the magazines industry generally keep stores in stock while ammo and firearms are generally hard to find? It seems all three should be hard to find as these are factory, Mec-Gar and Magpul magazines.

Anyone know?

New buyers didn’t live through the last federal AWB, and don’t know any better. Some things are drying up online. Brownells is out of many things I was looking to pick up.

The production of ammo is a far more complex process than magazines. There is no shortage of steel or plastic.

Ammo is manufactured in batches by caliber, in anticipation of the next year's demand. First maybe 9mm, then 38, etc. Once next year's batch is complete, the line is re-tuned for the next caliber.

Remington ammo manufacturing has been off-line almost all of last year. That's about 20 percent of the US ammo making capability. It came back online January 3, I believe.

because guys like me already have a closet full of mags. Don't need any more -- honestly.

Because in spite of what some stupid Liberal politicians think, magazines can be reused. Ammo not so much.

quote:

Originally posted by JoseyWales2:
Because in spite of what some stupid Liberal politicians think, magazines can be reused. Ammo not so much.

It can, but the same problem exists if you cannot get powder, primers, or projectiles. And obviously, you have to already be reloading. Not exactly a hobby you start right up like stamp collecting or the like Take away any leg of the reloading supply and you’re in the same boat as loaded ammo buyers.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:

It can, but the same problem exists if you cannot get powder, primers, or projectiles. And obviously, you have to already be reloading. Not exactly a hobby you start right up like stamp collecting or the like Take away any leg of the reloading supply and you’re in the same boat as loaded ammo buyers.

Seriously? You know perfectly well what I meant. It's useless nitpicking to try and say that reloading is equivalent to reusing ammo. It's not the same thing at all.

radioman might be onto it. In 2008, I bought several hundred mags. This time I’ve bought six total for a new P365.

quote:

Originally posted by Voshterkoff:
New buyers didn’t live through the last federal AWB, and don’t know any better. Some things are drying up online. Brownells is out of many things I was looking to pick up.

This was my first thought too.

I was literally going to ask this question. They are still incredibly plentiful.

Voshterkoff and radioman nailed it.

A lot of new buyers need guns and obviously at least some ammo to feed them. The folks that load the gun and throw it in the drawer may never fire it and won’t have a clue they need more mags. Heck, they may not need more mags. Those who go to the range once or twice to see what their new toy is going to do may not fire off enough rounds to feel like they need more than the one or two that came with the gun. Until they takes a class or do some higher volume shooting they may not feel the need.

Those of us that have been through a shortage and stocked up in the lull after may not need any more magazines. Yeah, I suppose they are somewhat consumable, but if you have enough, it doesn’t matter.

The folks who actually need (and realize that they need) more magazines is a smaller group.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
The production of ammo is a far more complex process than magazines.

Primers have been a problem. A number of the ammo plants have been hard hit by Covid, too.

The demand is up with all the newbies and the supply is going to take time to catch up.

I'm a competitive shooter and I do a large bullet purchase from Hornady yearly and this year when I went to put in my order I was told that they are producing 40% more components this year than previous years and that they are currently backlogged 8 months to 2 years depending on the bullet size.

They gave me no timeline as to when my order will ship.

Thank god I've ordered more than I need to get through a season the past few years.

Primers on the other hand is getting a little scary.

Yeah, bullets are getting a little thin on the ground too.

I think most shooters, especially new gun owners, can only concentrate on a couple of their needs at a time. Plus funds are limited for many.
The last few months have been guns, ammo, and reloading stuff. Next will be mags as my belief is that the new administration will float a couple of trial balloons first, namely no private sales and outlaw hi-cap mags. That's when the mag buying will get crazy.

I had some FDE Pmags at my last show for $20. Not one sold and I got scoffed at by the same guys who are paying $45 for a box of ball 9mm now and could have bought it from me for $25 a few months ago. And I warned them then.
Big PVC pipe and end caps will be next.

Magazines in almost every major company are subcontracted to another company. Mecgar, checkmate and Lancer among others.

Glock is the only major firearm's manufacturer that I'm aware of that makes their own but they have unique construction.

quote:

The production of ammo is a far more complex process than magazines. There is no shortage of steel or plastic.

Exactly right. A few processes and it's done.

quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
because guys like me already have a closet full of mags. Don't need any more -- honestly.

Exactly.
Those that lived through the AWB are more than stocked up with standard capacity magazines.
I’ve got enough magazines for me and my kids, and future grandchildren.

people are well-stocked

and for new gun owners who are not -- what is the point of buying 5 more mags if you can't get ammo ??

-----------------------------------

quote:

Originally posted by rscalzo:

Glock is the only major firearm's manufacturer that I'm aware of that makes their own but they have unique construction.

What's the deal on the glock compatible Magpul mags? GtG?

Interesting answers.

I know several deputy sheriff's that use the Glock 19 mags made by Magpul. Zero problems.