COVID-19 Concerns Create Increased Demand for Ammo

by
posted on March 19, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ammo-2.jpg

Concern over COVID-19 has increased demand for firearms and ammunition and at least one manufacture has ramped up production to address potential shortages. A source at Vista Outdoor—parent company famed cartridge and component manufacturer Federal, Speer and CCI—told American Rifleman on March 18, “We have many hard-working Americans giving it their all in our factories. We are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The staff member, who requested anonymity, also confirmed the company sent a letter to retailers on March 17 indicating investments were underway to increase production capacity. To help underwrite the expansion, a modest increase in wholesale prices will go into effect April 1. “Promotional Centerfire Pistol—5 percent to 8 percent,” according to the note, and “Promotional Centerfire Small Rifle—6 percent to 10 percent.”

American Rifleman reported on the high demand for ammunition on March 5, but a March 18 Tulsa World (OK) report indicates significant acceleration. “My ammo sales are up 500 percent and gun sales probably 30 percent,” David Stone, owner of Dong’s Guns, Ammo and Reloading, told the reporter. Sporting Systems, a firearm retailer in Vancouver, WA, posted a temporary limit of five boxes, (or 1,500 rounds) of ammo per family, per day, on its Facebook page.

Gun sales were up in February—before the frenzy—by 17.3 percent when compared to figures a year ago, according to Small Arms & Analytics (SAAF). Jurgen Brauer, chief economist for the organization, noted at the time, “it appears as if firearms owners are casting early votes in the upcoming presidential election this year: Unit sales in both, January and February 2020 have been at their highest levels since 2016.”

Cartridge sales were already brisk in February, according to SIG Sauer Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales Tom Taylor, but nothing compared to what the market is currently experiencing. “As for ammo, demand was also strong over the past couple of months, but now that has reached extremely high levels,” Taylor told American Rifleman on March 17. “Stores are sold out and now rationing ammo everywhere on defensive rounds. We are not sure how long this demand on both guns and ammo last, but the market has certainly intensified at this time.”

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 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.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.