Fear & Loading: How Old School Beat The Ammo Shortage

by
posted on October 31, 2017
murs-mike.jpg

Not long ago, in a store near you, ammunition vanished without a trace. Guns ran dry, ranges fell silent and the dark web filled with inventory-sniffing software—or so I’m told. There was nothing funny about it, although some of the fodder-finding “hacks” were entertaining.

I ran across one I hadn’t heard of before on a ham radio forum recently. Yes, many of those geeks with thick glasses, oversized mikes and electromagnetic personalities shoot when they’re not talking code—Morse and Q, not Linux or html, by the way. I won’t claim this approach is innovative, but it just goes to show old school still rules.

Most Walmarts connect employees/departments by two-way radios operating on the Multi-Use Radio System (MURS). No license is required, and the five VHF channels are ominously vacant in most areas of the country, making them ideal for close-range, reliable emergency communication should a dozen eggs on the dairy department floor begin cracking up passersby with off-color yolks.   

One radio operator, frustrated when he had nothing to feed his starving rifle during the shortage, started his mornings by pouring his morning java and heating up his radio to inquire, “Sporting goods, did we get any .22 rimfire in on last night’s truck?”

It worked—early and often. Unlike the modern approach, he also didn’t have to stay up until midnight to do an inventory check.

It’s all humorous and funny in hindsight, but don’t try this at home, or anywhere. You might claim you were just comingling with employees, but I’m pretty sure the FCC will find a way to fry your reputation, even if—as the ham radio operator explained—a legal, FCC-certified handheld radio was used when the clandestine mission took place.

Of course, it’s legal to listen in and radio traffic during buggy rodeos which offer tastier drama than reality TV. If you think parking at one of the stores during the holidays is a challenge, try navigating 200 cattywampus-wheeled shopping carts, single-file down a crowded parking lot, full of angry drivers in a hurry to get to the next bargain.       

Latest

RM New Rm1s 01
RM New Rm1s 01

New For 2025: Rost Martin RM1S & RM1C Comped

Two new models joined the Rost Martin handgun lineup in 2025, one with subcompact dimensions and another with a built-in compensator that promises to reduce recoil substantially.

CMP Resumes M1911 Pistol Sales

As of January 2025, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) had resumed sales of surplus U.S. Army M1911/M1911A1 pistols to qualified U.S. citizens.

Gun Of The Week: Military Armament MAC-5K

For this episode of Gun Of The Week we’re on the range with the MAC-5K, a non-NFA SMG clone from Military Armament Corporation.

The Armed Citizen® June 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The End Of An Era: Smith & Wesson's Last Model 64 .38 Special Revolver

First introduced in 1970 as an adaptation of the Model 10, Smith & Wesson's Model 64 stainless steel revolver dutifully served law enforcement with a prolonged lifespan until the 1990s when trade-in programs initiated around the globe. And today, collectors can find these well-loved and once-used examples on the commercial market for enjoyment and protection.

A Girl & A Gun Survey Highlights Women's Favorite Guns & Gear

According to the Gear Check at A Girl & A Gun National Conference, several standout models and brands that emerged as favorites among women shooters, as well as preferences when it came to aftermarket products.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.