Random thoughts from the gun show, and people I ran into at the range/shop looking for "stuff."
Stupid prices on 22 ammo, shotgun ammo, 9mm and 380 ($50/box) - IF anyone has it. saw $15/5 slugs. Saw one $300 case of primers. Another had $130 on his case. Table across bought it for that and put $200 on it! No powder/ammo/reloading vendors at the show. Gun prices WAY up!
One Nagant for $325 - normal of awhile back/didn't sell. Saw two more - $700-800!!!! The AR parts guy had probably 25% of what he normally has. No clue on prices ( I don't follow the plastic gun market). Didn't really check handgun prices either.
Saw a BUNCH of Garands paraded thru - way more than the norm. Not that I saw any sold. TON of people when it opened Sat AM. Also a lot of the crowd was not the norm GS crowd of the past. A lot of younger people and 'non-gun' people. No real interest in old stuff like I like/had to sell.
On a bright note, finally got the 222 Remington I have been searching for. Package included 100 rds. And I am completely set up to reload, including having 3 diff test load sets already loaded (had a 222/got rid of it).
Last note is, on those that don't have any ammo, etc. Had convo's with two people about it. Had to tell them they missed the boat. And my expectation is that it will take a year to clear up (at least?). And, that it was NOT Covid related, all that had leveled out (imho). But that it WAS regime change driven (again, my opinion). The one guy hated to hear that (just that he was HOPING it was Covid related). Again, people that are used to just going out and picking up a box of ammo for hunting, etc.
PS: it scares me that a lot of people are thinking about taking up reloading. Fine in and of itself, but... I SINCERELY HOPE they take a class/mentor - not just buy stuff and stuff empty hulls. I have seen way too many people buy 38 Super ammo for their 38 Specials!