Famine over? I doubt it, but...

[Embalmo]

Guys,

I don't like to advertise details because I want to discourage hoarders and scalpers, but there is suddenly a lot of .380 on the market again 'round my parts. Saturday at about 9 PM I saw a huge stash of Monarch at my local Academy and I bought 5 boxes. I came in today because I was in the neighborhood and there was a huge supply of Monarch, but I didn't buy any. I honestly cannot remember the last time that I saw .380 available in the same store more than once in a 4 month period. I asked the guy and he said that he's been getting full batches for the first time in 18 months. He also told me that they've had it consistently stocked for a couple of weeks.

I've got 9 boxes in my possession currently and I plan on shooting 1 or 2 of them on Friday @ Eagle Peak along with some 9 and .22. I absolutely hate that I've had to hoard it, but as you all know, I may not see any for months. I found some in September, February, and now in May. I dream of a day that I can buy .380 on the day, or at least a couple of days before I shoot it.

Embalmo

[USA1]

There's nothing wrong with getting it while you can.
I'm pretty well stocked up and don't need any more soon.

I would almost say the famine is over.

This time last year the shelves at Walmart and Academy were
always bare except for some .22 and a few rifle cartridges.

Now the shelves (in my area) are pretty much fully stocked all the time
and occasionally they even have the elusive .380

[cougartex]

The Academy in Port Arthur has a good supply of handgun ammo. (.380, 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP)

[Embalmo]

There's nothing wrong with getting it while you can.
I'm pretty well stocked up and don't need any more soon.

I would almost say the famine is over.

This time last year the shelves at Walmart and Academy were
always bare except for some .22 and a few rifle cartridges.

Now the shelves (in my area) are pretty much fully stocked all the time
and occasionally they even have the elusive .380

Yep-My Wal-Mart consistently has Winchester 9MM in the $22 100 round boxes, and the $15 Brick O' Federal. I also see .357, .44, 40, and even .45 sometimes; I haven't seen .380 since December of '08 though.

[Embalmo]

The Academy in Port Arthur has a good supply of handgun ammo. (.380, 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP)

Consistantly .380 target? Like almost everytime you walk in?

[cougartex]

The Academy in Port Arthur has a good supply of handgun ammo. (.380, 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP)

Consistantly .380 target? Like almost everytime you walk in?

The last 3 or 4 weeks.

[Embalmo]

The Academy in Port Arthur has a good supply of handgun ammo. (.380, 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP)

Consistantly .380 target? Like almost everytime you walk in?

The last 3 or 4 weeks.

[LaserTex]

I found 1 box of .380 this weekend at WalMart in Kerrville (60 miles away) - 50 rounds. 10 boxes came in at 0900 - I got the last at 0922. It is not findable in San Antonio. The gun show had a WWB 100 rds for $95 and I saw an idiot buying 2. (If you are that idiot - you're an idiot. Quit encouraging this type of stuff!!!)

Doug

added caliber.

[JAguirre]

If you are that idiot - you're an idiot.
Doug

[AddyLO]

I hope it's true that the .380 famine is over. I've been eying several .380 pistols but haven't "pulled the trigger" due to the scarcity of ammo for 'em. I have a hard enough time just finding 9mm for a decent price around these parts.

[gigag04]

I haven't had a problem getting .380. When I find it at academy I buy a good supply and that will last me for all my range whims. Also - I don't find BUG's that fun to shoot so I only go through 50 or 100 when I go to the range. Most of my shooting now these days is on duty size or long weapons.

[joe817]

No. I don't think the .380 famine is over. It IS easing, but not over. And mostly due to the thanks of Academy, which has been the most common place to find .380 range ammo for the last 6 months or so.

And the reason? They go offshore....to foreign markets. Monarch ammo is made by Privi Partizan in Serbia:

http://www.prvipartizan.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Academy had the brilliant idea to private label it for sales & distribution in their chain stores. +1 for Academy!

They and they alone provided the U.S. market for .380 ammo when there was none.

Wal-Mart is trying to follow their lead, but not by an offshore private labeler. They have begun importing a brand I'm not familiar with that comes from Switzerland. It comes in an orange and white box. But the driving force is that they are going offshore to find a supply to market that elusive bird on the endangered species list: the .380 acp.

I truly believe the U.S. manufacturers are trying to keep up with the demand. But the demand is so great they aren't able to do so. To ease the demand the retailers are doing what they can to "feed the need". Go offshore and find suppliers overseas. Which seems to be the case. And it seems to be working....slowly but shirley.

Have faith my friends, this too shall pass. You will see major manufacturers like Remington, Winchester, and other U.S. makers of .380 on the shelves of your favorite gun store in the future.....but not just yet. In the meantime do what I do....call your Academy and Wal-Mart stores at 7am to see if they have any .380(or 9mm or the other brands you favor). You won't be disappointed.

[G.A. Heath]

I have never had an issue finding .380, I ended up buying a gun because I managed to get ammo for it. My local dealer currently has over 150 boxes of various manufacturers in stock (Mostly Speer Lawman).

[surprise_i'm_armed]

I hope it's true that the .380 famine is over. I've been eying several .380 pistols but haven't "pulled the trigger" due to the scarcity of ammo for 'em. I have a hard enough time just finding 9mm for a decent price around these parts.

Your geography is "DFW" where there are plenty of Wal-Marts.

My experience over the last few months is that Wal-Marts have consistently
had more 9MM and .40, at reasonable prices, than one can afford to buy up.

A visit to most any Wal-Mart close to you seems like you should encounter
similar results.

SIA