Where Have All The Primers Gone?

by
posted on May 27, 2009
** 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. **
2009527143650-ammo_fs.jpg

We have heard all sorts of theories ranging from dramatically increased military demand to a secret department of the government buying up all the primers on the market so they are unavailable to handloaders. None of those theories could be substantiated. In conversations with the major makers of primers and ammunition (ammunition availability shortages seem to begat primer shortages) it appears to be simple supply and demand, with demand reaching record levels and far exceeding supply and production capacity of both primers and ammunition.

Military demand is up with some makers, but not radically so when compared to 2007 and 2008. We have been told that availability of raw materials and powder delivery have affected production to some extent, but virtually every ammunition maker, large and small, is making as many cartridges as it can for sale to consumers. Production has been expanded everywhere possible, but conservatively. Major firms have been hesitant to purchase additional new tooling or add permanent employees out of uncertainty over future legislative issues from the current administration and Congress-and this is true of many firearm manufacturers with record backlogs as well.

One maker described demand for primers as "insatiable," and that firm reported record primer production already for 2009 but still can't keep up with demand. Primers are in extreme demand, and it's difficult if not impossible to quickly and radically increase primer production due to the nature of primer manufacture. Trust me, if you have ever seen primers being made, you don't want them to hurry.

In conversations with representatives from various mail order companies that specialize in ammunition, we were told that as soon as they unload a truck (not a box, but a truck), the ammunition is entered into their systems and is, literally, gone, often in mere hours. Ammunition is flowing steadily from makers through commercial channels, and it is being delivered to retail outlets. Some larger storefronts have ample supplies, but that can change in a matter of hours.

One of the most in demand calibers is .380 ACP, for which new firearm designs increased interest exponentially. At the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly, Va., in April there wasn't a box of .380 to be found by the final day of the show. The surge demand in .380 ACP caught forecasters at the ammunition companies flat-footed. Anecdotes indicate some new firearms buyers have been purchasing a handgun based upon what the dealer had in ammunition on the shelf.

How deep is the current demand and how long will it last? No one knows. At the time of this writing, ammunition was starting to become more available, but primers were being bought in quantity whenever found, and some outlets were "rationing" them to regular customers. One prominent maker of reloading tools told us that on its most expensive progressive press, orders so far for this year are double production last year.

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 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.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.