Roanoke, Virginia - Sportsman's Warehouse, has been OUT of ammo, reloading supplies, (bullets, powder, primers) for *months*, literally an aisle of empty shelving.

Not any more.   Bullets in various calibers, popular calibers are back on the shelves, at prices cheaper than the gun show dealers.  Powder at $32 per lb., just like before, but the gun show dealers haven't figured it out yet, still trying to sell at 2x that price.

One of the rumors I heard, the ammunition manufacturers were buying up all the components, because of the high demand... which is not waning.  Expect to see the old prices, stocked shelves near the conclusion of fall hunting season.

Quote from: Hoofer on October 25, 2020, 08:08:53 AM
good question!  A recent video showed the springs do not lose their tension over the years, like we were told, so just keep them loaded... for that snarling coyote, rabid skunk or ... Raccoon who refuses to drink the special cocktail.

I have the original M1 carbine 30rnd clip from WWII my dad brought back, been full for nearly 70 years, never had an issue, went through it recently, just as strong as the day it was made.
I keep everything full in all my weapons. Like a seatbelt, you never know when you'll need it.

Quote from: Solar on October 25, 2020, 09:14:58 AM
I have the original M1 carbine 30rnd clip from WWII my dad brought back, been full for nearly 70 years, never had an issue, went through it recently, just as strong as the day it was made.
I keep everything full in all my weapons. Like a seatbelt, you never know when you'll need it.

I noticed some strange looking covers that fit over the top of those AR-type magazines.  I'm wondering if they're to keep the plastic parts from warping in storage.

Quote from: Hoofer on October 25, 2020, 05:15:37 PM
I noticed some strange looking covers that fit over the top of those AR-type magazines.  I'm wondering if they're to keep the plastic parts from warping in storage.

Never looked at one, but plastic? That shit gets brittle after a few decades, wouldn't want any part of it...

Quote from: Hoofer on October 25, 2020, 05:15:37 PM
I noticed some strange looking covers that fit over the top of those AR-type magazines.  I'm wondering if they're to keep the plastic parts from warping in storage.

Polymer. Or at least mine are, excuse or were until they got lost in the lake fire. Anyway, if I still had them, they were to keep dust out. 

Quote from: Solar on October 25, 2020, 05:21:32 PM
Never looked at one, but plastic? That shit gets brittle after a few decades, wouldn't want any part of it...

Everytime I considered an AR-15, and saw all that non-metallic stuff that flexes... figured it never could gain the accuracy of longevity of an all metal gun, nor last much that long.  Was anything originally designed for military use, ever intended to become a family heirloom, last generation after generation, passed down to you grandkids...  naaaaahhh.  AR-15 is like a "use and discard" gun, IMO.

Pretty skeptical of the composite stock on the Remington 700 bolt guns, but that's just ONE piece to replace, and wood would look much nicer.  But those stocks are anything but flimsy.

Quote from: Possum on October 26, 2020, 04:15:30 AM
Polymer. Or at least mine are, excuse or were until they got lost in the lake fire. Anyway, if I still had them, they were to keep dust out.

At the gun shows, I see these in 4x4 bins on pallets for $15ea.   I guess the idea is use (a few times) and discard.

Quote from: Hoofer on October 26, 2020, 05:09:29 AM
At the gun shows, I see these in 4x4 bins on pallets for $15ea.   I guess the idea is use (a few times) and discard.

Despite their looks and light weight, they are not flimsy by any stretch. They do have their advantages. Polymer is more durable than plastic. Will they last as long as steel? Might.

Quote from: Hoofer on October 26, 2020, 05:06:47 AM
Everytime I considered an AR-15, and saw all that non-metallic stuff that flexes... figured it never could gain the accuracy of longevity of an all metal gun, nor last much that long.  Was anything originally designed for military use, ever intended to become a family heirloom, last generation after generation, passed down to you grandkids...  naaaaahhh.  AR-15 is like a "use and discard" gun, IMO.

Pretty skeptical of the composite stock on the Remington 700 bolt guns, but that's just ONE piece to replace, and wood would look much nicer.  But those stocks are anything but flimsy.

Excellent point about heirloom weapons. With the exception of my Mossberg 12 Ga, everything I have will make it an easy 10 thousand years.
There is a gun shop near me that was making their own Ar version, barrel and carrier machined metal, everything else 3D printed, the upside you can probably always get new printed parts, assuming you have access to the program, but I have no use for something that may need parts replaced in the future.

My old M-1 works like the day it left the factory, but the plastic on my Mossberg can't with stand petroleum based chemicals forever, they're bound to get brittle, an accident waiting to happen.

Quote from: Solar on October 26, 2020, 06:21:08 AM
Excellent point about heirloom weapons. With the exception of my Mossberg 12 Ga, everything I have will make it an easy 10 thousand years.
There is a gun shop near me that was making their own Ar version, barrel and carrier machined metal, everything else 3D printed, the upside you can probably always get new printed parts, assuming you have access to the program, but I have no use for something that may need parts replaced in the future.

My old M-1 works like the day it left the factory, but the plastic on my Mossberg can't with stand petroleum based chemicals forever, they're bound to get brittle, an accident waiting to happen.

A friend who works in a gun store has plenty of stories - modern 30-06 riffles blowing apart on M1 Ball and AP ammo (also meant for the M1.  They were built to withstand some really hot & unique loads.

Quote from: Possum on October 26, 2020, 06:00:07 AM
Despite their looks and light weight, they are not flimsy by any stretch. They do have their advantages. Polymer is more durable than plastic. Will they last as long as steel? Might.

True, a little kink in a steel magazine, and it's hit-or-miss feeding from there on.

Heard one guy call the Glock, "Fantastic Plastic" - LOL - the gun most likely to be found in a river, under a bridge, near a high crime area.

Polymer guns certainly are cheaper than all metal, lighter in weight - ain't your older brother's Remington Nylon .22 rifle anymore!

Quote from: Hoofer on October 28, 2020, 08:02:49 AM
True, a little kink in a steel magazine, and it's hit-or-miss feeding from there on.

Heard one guy call the Glock, "Fantastic Plastic" - LOL - the gun most likely to be found in a river, under a bridge, near a high crime area.

Polymer guns certainly are cheaper than all metal, lighter in weight - ain't your older brother's Remington Nylon .22 rifle anymore!

I only have one polymer, a .40cal xd. It's the only gun I have bought used and only because I knew the seller. I have no complaints about the gun except that it is polymer and striker action. problem there, that's pretty much the whole gun.  It's accurate, very easy to handle, best of all, polymer does not rust and that is a major concern here. I keep it for summer time carry. Don't think I would buy another.