Thursday, July 17, 2014
Yesterday, Russian rifles - tomorrow, Russian ammo?
As an afterthought to my previous post about the apparent shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines flight over the Donetsk region of Ukraine, here's something for shooting enthusiasts to consider. Yesterday President Obama banned the importation of many popular Russian rifles and shotguns based on the famous AK-47 design. In the aftermath of today's tragedy, he's sure to face pressure for further sanctions on Russia . . . and a very likely candidate will be its ammunition manufacturers, who sell their products by the container-load to the USA. Brand names with which you may be familiar include (in alphabetical order) Barnaul, Brown Bear, Golden Bear, Golden Tiger, Silver Bear, Tula and Wolf.
Back in March I pointed out that the Ukraine crisis might lead to restrictions on the importation of Russian and/or Ukrainian ammunition. I'd say that's just become a probability rather than a possibility . . . and the major Ukrainian ammunition factories, which might have replaced Russian imports, are in the disputed regions of that country. They may end up being run by dissidents who won't want to supply the USA, or even being taken over by Russia if it grabs the disputed regions for itself (as it has the Crimea).
I'd say this is probably a good time to check your reserve stocks of 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54mm., 9mm. Makarov and other Soviet or Russian calibers and cartridges (and any Western calibers for which you buy lower-cost Russian or Ukrainian ammunition). I've got sufficient to last me for a while, but I know others have allowed their stocks to run down due to the increased ammo prices encountered since the 2012 elections. If I were in their shoes, I'd be remedying that situation most ricky-tick.
Peter
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8 comments:
That is especially good advice in light of the problems in the Ukraine, especially after the escalation of the airliner being shot down.
Then again, it is good advice regardless of the trouble in the Ukraine. Stuff like 7.62x54R surplus ammo is abound to run out sooner or later. So far though, it looks as if the Com-Bloc countries each had at least 1000 rounds per resident of the west. The supply seems almost to be never ending.
I agree with you. This could go like the time when Clinton "punished" China by stopping the from importing cheap firearms and ammunition into America. It not only hit them in the pocket, but it hit us gun owners too, and I suspect that Bill and Hillary are still chuckling over that one. The only com-bloc round that I use is the 7.62x39 and I just grabbed two cases to build up my reserve.
Bought some more ammo just today. Can't be too careful with the Socialists in power.
You've probably just single handedly caused the next ammo shortage. (I kid) I ordered another 1000 rounds myself. Thanks for the heads up.
I'm trying to sell the SKS I got with 300+ rounds of ammo. Might be able to sell the ammo and give away the gun for the same price.
Course some of the food for my AR is coming from over their as well.
Ah crap. Both of my non-.22 rifles are Russian. I have enough 54R to last me a good long while, but only have about 200 rounds of 39mm and should get more.
The problem I have is that when I have the ammo and I know there's a shortage, I am loathe to use it because I don't know when I'll get the chance to restock. So there goes my target practice....
Hey Paul, how much are you asking for those 300 rounds?
I don't believe that the target is the Russians. Obama is more interested in gun control than world politics.
Well the rounds and shipping might be nose bleed. Last batch went for 20 cents a round. I could still do that plus shipping if you like?
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