Foraging For Ammo In Connecticut

I went on an ammo grazing trip today, covering 4 Walmarts (small, independent shops have nothing but very expensive self-defense ammo). Slim pickins. I was able to acquire 3 boxes of 9mm TulAmmo (that’s all they would sell me) @ $11/box (50 rounds), which is a really good price. I normally avoid steel ammo, but when it’s all that’s available you gotta do what you gotta do. I base that on anecdotal hearsay at the range and on Internet forums that it’s bad for your firearm, but so far the gun has gone bang each time I pull the trigger with no apparent ill effects.

Just for shits and giggles I checked out Cheaper Than Dirt on the Internet and they’re fleecing you with almost twice the price ($19.19 + shipping at the time of writing). I don’t care if we live in a capitalist society where prices are regulated by supply and demand; price gouging the gun community in their time of need is bad form and we will remember who you are when things eventually (if ever) get back to normal.

There’s plenty of ammo on the Internet, but most of it is over-priced and most places haven’t modified their sites yet so I can submit proof that I am one of the privileged few who can legally buy ammo in CT (boy, did that number drop overnight!?!), since the new ammo law went into effect October 1st. Although I’m not a single issue voter and politically for the most part am aligned with Democratic values, I think I may go Republican next election, just to balance things out and send a message THAT I AM NOT HAPPY!

9mm Ammo Shortage

There’s an ammo shortage in Connecticut. This may very well go the way of the woolly mammoth, the dodo bird, and the auroch (google it). Picture credit: Right-click, save as.

Ammo Availabe Again And Prices Coming Down

But don’t get too excited. Two months ago I couldn’t find 9mm Luger anywhere, no matter how much I was willing to pay. I’ve seen a few places recently that soldĀ  PMC Bronze for about $60/box of 50. Later I was able to procure three boxes of 9mm NATO from my local gun shop at almost $30/box, and he made me feel like he was doing me a favor (and maybe he was).

I just found 1,000 rounds of factory reloads for $665 at AmmoForSale.com. That’s still almost three times what I would expect to pay pre 12-14-12, and it will be a cold day in hell before I pay as much for 1,000 rounds of practice ammunition as a brand new Glock would set me back.

I don’t know if the inflated prices reflect a genuine price increase that retailersĀ  pass on to the customer, or if they’re just fleecing gun owners desperate to pursue their passion. Either way, I have time to wait. When this crisis is over (if ever), I will make a point of having an ample supply on hand at all times (you know, for when Obama’s jackbooted thugs show up at my house to take away my freedoms).

If you know of a decent source please leave a comment or use the contact form. I’m looking for 9mm and .22 LR. In return I will let you have my firstborn daughter.

I’ve been saving brass for over a year with the intention to get into reloading, but as I understand components are as hard to find as the finished product. I’ve been researching the subject for a long time, but the more you read, the more confused you get. So for now I’ll just continue to collect my brass just in case.