For much of the gun owning public, the cycles of gun/ammo buying paranoia follows social and political events. In the pass few years we have seen panics follow the election of the current leader of America and events like Sandy Hook. Prices on guns in general and firearms that utilize full capacity magazines goes crazy. Ammo prices go through the roof. Full capacity magazines double or triple in price. Things generally calm down and prices go back down. Note that in the case of ammo, the prices drop but never go back to the pre panic prices. So, there is a message here, It will happen again. Now is the time to stock up. Current prices of AR15/M4 long guns is a real ‘buyers’ market. Spare AR magazines are a steal, so load up now. Lower receivers and uppers are at an all time great pricing level for the consumer. Pistol high capacity magazines are very affordable, so act now. Remember, magazines are like the tires on your car, they must be replaced periodically.
Most important, ammo prices are still dropping. 223/556 ball type ammo can be had for thirty to thirty two cents a round if you shop carefully. 9X19mm is in the twenty to twenty two cents a round if you buy in quantity. The in-expensive Russian steel case ammo for AKs is fine, but for non Soviet designed guns and calibers, I recommend you avoid this steel case ammo if you have a choice. I have seen lots of the cheap Russian steel case ammo used over the years, and have even shot quantities of it myself, unless it is 7.62X39, 5.45X39, 7.62X54R, 9X18, or 7.62X25 I don’t have much good to say about it. The current ‘Wolf Gold’ brass case 223 is made in Taiwan to M193 specs. Based upon its use with students in my classes it seems to be a good buy. MagTect 223 has proven popular with students as well. Training/blastin’ ammo is critical if you are trying to stay skilled and up to speed with your primary. It is impossible to predict the next panic cycle, but wise men prepare now…not later.
-Ken Hackathorn
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Ken Hackathorn has served as a US Army Special Forces Small Arms Instructor, Gunsite Instructor, and NRA Police Firearms Instructor. He is currently an FBI Certified Firearms Instructor, Certified Deputy Sheriff with Washington County SO, Ohio, and a SRT member and Special Response Team trainer. Ken has trained US Military Special Operations forces, Marine FAST and SOTG units and is a contract small arms trainer to FBI SWAT and HRT.
Ken has provided training to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and been active in small arms training for the past 25 years. He has written firearms related material for Guns & Ammo, Combat Handguns, Soldier Of Fortune, and currently American Handgunner and contributed to at least six other gun/shooting journals. Ken was also a founding member of IPSC and IDPA.
To see Ken’s Training Class Schedule visit aliastraining.com.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer SSD readers hard earned words of wisdom.
Ed Note: This was written before the BATFE decided to restrict M855 ammunition from civilian sale but I thought it was still worth sharing.
