What Do You Think Of This? - Page 2

reddog81 · November 22, 2020, 03:27 PM

Last time around (2013/2014) I was at Sportsmans Warehouse and a customer was unloading on the clerk for selling him a 9mm when no ammo was available. The guy was yelling and had to be asked to leave.

It makes sense for the LGS to limit ammo purchases. If they’ve got 25 9mm’s for sale and 25 boxes of ammo, what should they do? No one will be buying guns from them if they can’t find ammo.

stinkeypete · November 22, 2020, 03:41 PM

I'm pleased to learn that someone here reads my posts! My error is corrected!

Thinking more about it maybe the thing to do is put up a sign that says "Sorry! Out of Ammo!" and another that says "COVID SPECIAL!- New Gun Packages with AMMO! Ask for prices not listed!" There. No one is offended. Isn't that silly?

It's too bad that we have to put up signs that say "Please don't hoard, think of your friends and neighbors"

RETG · November 22, 2020, 03:52 PM

Understand what they are trying to do; however, even in small town ID, it's only a few hours to about a half dozen other LGSs and large box like Sportsman's, Cabellas' etc.

Nathan · November 22, 2020, 04:15 PM

Frankly, it would be a better business decision to reduce hours. Then they are reducing costs. Some states will pay employees for reduced hours, or they can apply their skills to DoorDash, Uber, Amazon, etc. Keeping the doors open all day long with sales limiting policies does not get a handle on operating costs or allow your employees to use their time wisely. It also seems to be upsetting customers.

Another option is to do something like sell gift cards to the store as a requirement to by ammo. $20 gift card to buy $40 worth of ammo. Then they have a will to come back as supplies restock.

fastbolt · November 22, 2020, 04:51 PM

Did you ask the gun store their reason for the sign?

I saw that sign posted at the firearms counter of a sporting goods store when the .22LR ammo crisis was in full swing. Being there idly looking for some .22LR (of a specific brand), I asked the guy behind the counter about it.

He said that they were so limited on available .22LR ammo, they were reserving what little stock they had for anyone buying a .22 so they would be able to have a box of ammo to go along with it. They weren't interested in feeding the "panicked hoarder" crowd. Seemed pretty considerate of their new gun customers, all things considered.

kenny53 · November 22, 2020, 05:28 PM

My favorite LGS and range will only sell ammo with a gun rental for the range. I am a good customer and friendly with the owner. The owner's sister works the counter and I always ask for ammo an she always tells me NO with a smile. I understand their reasoning I just give them a hard time about it. This shortage should end one day and when it does
I will "buy it cheap and stack it deep". just like I have done between some of the other shortages.

**Aguila Blanca** · November 22, 2020, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RETG

Understand what they are trying to do; however, even in small town ID, it's only a few hours to about a half dozen other LGSs and large box like Sportsman's, Cabellas' etc.

Who also can't get ammunition, and who may have the same or very similar policies.

Terrierman · November 22, 2020, 08:16 PM

His shop, his call.

BigMikey76 · November 22, 2020, 11:43 PM

Gotta side with the LGS on this one. Like some others have said, it is not just possible, but likely that they only have one box of ammo in stock for each gun in inventory.

Personally, I have dropped off of buying anything for the time being. I have more guns than I need (not nearly as many as I want, though!) and enough ammo to support all the guns I have for a while. As such, I have made the decision not to buy anything that may be needed by someone else who isn't as well set up as I am - especially considering the pretty much unprecedented number of first time buyers out there right now.

tipoc · November 23, 2020, 12:57 PM

Quote:

The range i go to you must shoot their ammo .It has been that way starting in 1989 .He is still open .If you buy a firearm he will sell you ammo .ONE BOX TO TAKE HOME .The rest to shoot at the range .You must bring all your spent brass to him .except 22 lr .

I would object to that.

tipoc

jmr40 · November 23, 2020, 01:25 PM

I'm OK with that policy. Sounds like an excuse to buy another gun.

**Aguila Blanca** · November 23, 2020, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipoc

Quote:

The range i go to you must shoot their ammo .It has been that way starting in 1989 .He is still open .If you buy a firearm he will sell you ammo .ONE BOX TO TAKE HOME .The rest to shoot at the range .You must bring all your spent brass to him .except 22 lr .

I would object to that.

At the range where I shoot, customers can shoot any ammo they want in their own guns. Customers who rent guns from the range have to buy ammo from the range for the rental guns.

That makes sense to me. Why should the range risk having their gun blown up by some dude who reloaded a box of grenades?

**44 AMP** · November 23, 2020, 03:41 PM

I have a few pistols which no range, anywhere, has ammo for. So, obviously I'm not going to be shooting any of them on a range that requires me to use their ammo.

And, I will not patronize any range who has a policy of "if it hits the ground, its theirs..." NO Barking way! If I LEAVE it for them, its theirs but not if it just lands on their ground.

They might as well claim my shoes,, or my car, because I "left" it in their parking lot...no, thank you!

ThomasT · November 24, 2020, 03:11 PM

Quote:

And on the other hand, what if you've already bought 50+ firearms from this LGS, and they won't sell you any ammo unless you buy another firearm?

If you were smart enough to buy 50 guns but weren't smart enough to have a big stack of ammo set back thats on you. Maybe you should have bought 25 guns and 25,000 rounds of ammo instead.

And anyone who has owned guns since 2008 should have figured out by now that panics and shortages happen. 2008 obama was elected and there was a run on guns and ammo. 2012 after Sandy Hook a run on guns and ammo. When it looked like Hillery would be elected in 2016 another run took off.

Trump won and nobody had to worry about a ban or new gun laws. Ammo and components were everywhere and cheap. If you were a gun owner in the last few years you should have been buying the cheap ammo as much as you could afford and building a reloading set up to go with it while the times were good.

And now long time shooters are once again caught with their pants down and belly aching about the new ammo shortage and cussing a gunstore owner trying to provide for the people who buy his guns. If you are short of ammo its your own fault. Some people never learn. They didn't learn this time and they won't learn the next time.

**Mike Irwin** · November 24, 2020, 03:20 PM

Funny...

A couple of years ago when we were facing hard-core ammo shortages people were screaming red-faced murder that stores should be limiting sales because hoarders were coming in and buying everything that they could, often FAR in excess of what they could ever expect to us, and the rest of us couldn't find what we needed.

Now that stores are actually doing this to make certain that the HUGE numbers of first-time gun owners actually have, you know, ammo for their first gun....

Stores are evil, unprincipled bastards intent only on driving away repeat customers.

Talk about not being able to please everyone all of the time... or at any time...

ThomasT · November 24, 2020, 03:25 PM

^^^^^^^^^

This is why we need "Like" buttons here.

Eddiejoe · November 24, 2020, 03:38 PM

Like! ^^^^^^

**Mike Irwin** · November 24, 2020, 03:38 PM

Funny, Thomas, I was thinking the EXACT same thing about this line from you...

"If you were smart enough to buy 50 guns but weren't smart enough to have a big stack of ammo set back thats on you. Maybe you should have bought 25 guns and 25,000 rounds of ammo instead."

In fact, with all my 100+ guns, I actually did get caught somewhat short time time around, specifically on 9mm practice ammo.

I have some, but not a lot.

And in the last 2 years I've bought 2 or 3 new 9mms.

And that's my fault. It's not some super secret Biden/Deep State cabal to deprive me of my gun rights, it's not the local gun shops being SOBs and depriving me of my rights of God Fearin' and Gun Totin...

Blah blah blah.

Carmady · November 24, 2020, 03:40 PM

"If you were smart enough to buy 50 guns but weren't smart enough to have a big stack of ammo set back thats on you. Maybe you should have bought 25 guns and 25,000 rounds of ammo instead."

That's absurd. It's like saying if someone bought a car he should have been "smart enough" to stash away a few hundred gallons of gas in preparation of a future fuel shortage.

It's up to any store owner to run his business as he sees fit.

It's up to me where and how I spend my money.

**Aguila Blanca** · November 24, 2020, 03:43 PM

Quote:

And on the other hand, what if you've already bought 50+ firearms from this LGS, and they won't sell you any ammo unless you buy another firearm?

I haven't bought 50+ firearms in total, but I have bought probably a dozen from my local range/shop, sold a couple though him on consignment, and had him do another dozen or more transfers. He won't sell me ammo and I understand why. No harm, no foul. He needs ammo for the rental customers to shoot, and for people who are buying their first gun.

I get it.

**Mike Irwin** · November 24, 2020, 03:47 PM

"That's absurd. It's like saying if someone bought a car he should have been "smart enough" to stash away a few hundred gallons of gas in preparation of a future fuel shortage."

I take it you're not old enough to remember the Arab oil embargos of the 1970s...

For years after those two very, very painful episodes people were doing EXACTLY THAT.

They were installing bulk tanks and keeping them filled.

How many ammo shortages do you need to live through before you start building up serviceable stores against such events?

This should be your second or third... at least.

**Mike Irwin** · November 24, 2020, 04:09 PM

"I haven't bought 50+ firearms in total"

Lightweight!

Carmady · November 24, 2020, 04:31 PM

"I take it you're not old enough to remember the Arab oil embargos of the 1970s...

For years after those two very, very painful episodes people were doing EXACTLY THAT."

I remember very well...around 1974 the last digit on your license plate, even or odd, dictated which calendar days you could buy gas. Even numbered plates on even numbered calendar days, and odd numbered plates on odd numbered calendar days. That was also around the time they had to change the pumps to accommodate gas prices in excess of $1 per gallon.

Sure, some people stored some gas, but I didn't know any. I'd guess it was far less than 1% of auto owners.

Where did I say I don't have any ammo?

I said I think it's a lame tactic to require all ammo sales to be accompanied by a firearm purchase. I also said that it's the store owner's call. They need to try to stay in business with a reduced amount of merchandise. I can see their perspective, but that doesn't mean I have to support and/or play their game.

**Mike Irwin** · November 24, 2020, 04:44 PM

"I can see their perspective, but that doesn't mean I have to support and/or play their game."

So, basically, I don't give a flying fig about new gun owners being able to get ammo. I should go to the top of the heap, and those store owners have the obligation to pander to ME!

Gotcha.

And people wonder why small gunshops have been virtually run out of existence, to be replaced with cheaper-to-buy places like Walmart (doesn't sell ammo anymore), Dick's Sporting Goods (doesn't sell guns or ammo anymore), Sports Authority (out of business)...

With one of Joe Biden's wet election dreams being to outlaw all mail order ammo sales seems to me like you're gleefully cutting your own throat...

But, whatever.

shurshot · November 24, 2020, 05:17 PM

I'm not looking for another gun, but if I was a new shooter / first time gun buyer in 2020 and I entered a shop that had a pistol, but no ammo, I would be inclined to shop elsewhere. I have to also back the LGS owner. Several up my way are doing the same thing.

November 22, 2020, 03:41 PM	#27
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	I'm pleased to learn that someone here reads my posts! My error is corrected! Thinking more about it maybe the thing to do is put up a sign that says "Sorry! Out of Ammo!" and another that says "COVID SPECIAL!- New Gun Packages with AMMO! Ask for prices not listed!" There. No one is offended. Isn't that silly? It's too bad that we have to put up signs that say "Please don't hoard, think of your friends and neighbors" __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

November 22, 2020, 03:52 PM	#28
RETG Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2009 Location: Somewhere in Idaho, near WY Posts: 507	Understand what they are trying to do; however, even in small town ID, it's only a few hours to about a half dozen other LGSs and large box like Sportsman's, Cabellas' etc. __________________ I give MY OPINION (not often) based on many years shooting at, other than paper targets. I will not debate my experience vs. your experience based on dreams and "what ifs." I'm 73; I'm too damn old to care.

November 22, 2020, 04:51 PM	#30
fastbolt Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2002 Location: northern CA for a little while longer Posts: 1,931	Did you ask the gun store their reason for the sign? I saw that sign posted at the firearms counter of a sporting goods store when the .22LR ammo crisis was in full swing. Being there idly looking for some .22LR (of a specific brand), I asked the guy behind the counter about it. He said that they were so limited on available .22LR ammo, they were reserving what little stock they had for anyone buying a .22 so they would be able to have a box of ammo to go along with it. They weren't interested in feeding the "panicked hoarder" crowd. Seemed pretty considerate of their new gun customers, all things considered. __________________ Retired LE - firearms instructor & armorer

November 22, 2020, 11:43 PM	#34
BigMikey76 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Bellevue, NE Posts: 981	Gotta side with the LGS on this one. Like some others have said, it is not just possible, but likely that they only have one box of ammo in stock for each gun in inventory. Personally, I have dropped off of buying anything for the time being. I have more guns than I need (not nearly as many as I want, though!) and enough ammo to support all the guns I have for a while. As such, I have made the decision not to buy anything that may be needed by someone else who isn't as well set up as I am - especially considering the pretty much unprecedented number of first time buyers out there right now. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies - not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

November 23, 2020, 01:25 PM	#36
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	I'm OK with that policy. Sounds like an excuse to buy another gun. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

November 22, 2020, 03:27 PM	#26
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Last time around (2013/2014) I was at Sportsmans Warehouse and a customer was unloading on the clerk for selling him a 9mm when no ammo was available. The guy was yelling and had to be asked to leave. It makes sense for the LGS to limit ammo purchases. If they’ve got 25 9mm’s for sale and 25 boxes of ammo, what should they do? No one will be buying guns from them if they can’t find ammo.

November 22, 2020, 04:15 PM	#29
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,332	Frankly, it would be a better business decision to reduce hours. Then they are reducing costs. Some states will pay employees for reduced hours, or they can apply their skills to DoorDash, Uber, Amazon, etc. Keeping the doors open all day long with sales limiting policies does not get a handle on operating costs or allow your employees to use their time wisely. It also seems to be upsetting customers. Another option is to do something like sell gift cards to the store as a requirement to by ammo. $20 gift card to buy $40 worth of ammo. Then they have a will to come back as supplies restock.

November 22, 2020, 05:28 PM	#31
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	My favorite LGS and range will only sell ammo with a gun rental for the range. I am a good customer and friendly with the owner. The owner's sister works the counter and I always ask for ammo an she always tells me NO with a smile. I understand their reasoning I just give them a hard time about it. This shortage should end one day and when it does I will "buy it cheap and stack it deep". just like I have done between some of the other shortages.

November 22, 2020, 08:16 PM	#33
Terrierman Member Join Date: October 1, 2005 Posts: 65	His shop, his call.

November 23, 2020, 03:41 PM	#38
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	I have a few pistols which no range, anywhere, has ammo for. So, obviously I'm not going to be shooting any of them on a range that requires me to use their ammo. And, I will not patronize any range who has a policy of "if it hits the ground, its theirs..." NO Barking way! If I LEAVE it for them, its theirs but not if it just lands on their ground. They might as well claim my shoes,, or my car, because I "left" it in their parking lot...no, thank you! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 24, 2020, 03:20 PM	#40
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Funny... A couple of years ago when we were facing hard-core ammo shortages people were screaming red-faced murder that stores should be limiting sales because hoarders were coming in and buying everything that they could, often FAR in excess of what they could ever expect to us, and the rest of us couldn't find what we needed. Now that stores are actually doing this to make certain that the HUGE numbers of first-time gun owners actually have, you know, ammo for their first gun.... Stores are evil, unprincipled bastards intent only on driving away repeat customers. Talk about not being able to please everyone all of the time... or at any time... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 24, 2020, 03:25 PM	#41
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,753	^^^^^^^^^ This is why we need "Like" buttons here.

November 24, 2020, 03:38 PM	#42
Eddiejoe Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2018 Posts: 206	Like! ^^^^^^

November 24, 2020, 03:40 PM	#44
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	"If you were smart enough to buy 50 guns but weren't smart enough to have a big stack of ammo set back thats on you. Maybe you should have bought 25 guns and 25,000 rounds of ammo instead." That's absurd. It's like saying if someone bought a car he should have been "smart enough" to stash away a few hundred gallons of gas in preparation of a future fuel shortage. It's up to any store owner to run his business as he sees fit. It's up to me where and how I spend my money.

November 24, 2020, 03:47 PM	#46
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"That's absurd. It's like saying if someone bought a car he should have been "smart enough" to stash away a few hundred gallons of gas in preparation of a future fuel shortage." I take it you're not old enough to remember the Arab oil embargos of the 1970s... For years after those two very, very painful episodes people were doing EXACTLY THAT. They were installing bulk tanks and keeping them filled. How many ammo shortages do you need to live through before you start building up serviceable stores against such events? This should be your second or third... at least. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 24, 2020, 04:09 PM	#47
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"I haven't bought 50+ firearms in total" Lightweight! __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 24, 2020, 04:31 PM	#48
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	"I take it you're not old enough to remember the Arab oil embargos of the 1970s... For years after those two very, very painful episodes people were doing EXACTLY THAT." I remember very well...around 1974 the last digit on your license plate, even or odd, dictated which calendar days you could buy gas. Even numbered plates on even numbered calendar days, and odd numbered plates on odd numbered calendar days. That was also around the time they had to change the pumps to accommodate gas prices in excess of $1 per gallon. Sure, some people stored some gas, but I didn't know any. I'd guess it was far less than 1% of auto owners. Where did I say I don't have any ammo? I said I think it's a lame tactic to require all ammo sales to be accompanied by a firearm purchase. I also said that it's the store owner's call. They need to try to stay in business with a reduced amount of merchandise. I can see their perspective, but that doesn't mean I have to support and/or play their game.

November 24, 2020, 04:44 PM	#49
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"I can see their perspective, but that doesn't mean I have to support and/or play their game." So, basically, I don't give a flying fig about new gun owners being able to get ammo. I should go to the top of the heap, and those store owners have the obligation to pander to ME! Gotcha. And people wonder why small gunshops have been virtually run out of existence, to be replaced with cheaper-to-buy places like Walmart (doesn't sell ammo anymore), Dick's Sporting Goods (doesn't sell guns or ammo anymore), Sports Authority (out of business)... With one of Joe Biden's wet election dreams being to outlaw all mail order ammo sales seems to me like you're gleefully cutting your own throat... But, whatever. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 24, 2020, 05:17 PM	#50
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	I'm not looking for another gun, but if I was a new shooter / first time gun buyer in 2020 and I entered a shop that had a pistol, but no ammo, I would be inclined to shop elsewhere. I have to also back the LGS owner. Several up my way are doing the same thing.