Regarding my recommendation to stock up on full capacity magazines, reader David B. noted this in an e-mail yesterday morning: “[The discount mail order dealer] Cheaper Than Dirt [is] already gouging us based on our fear of Obama being elected. Overnight, their price for Mag-Pul [brand AR-15/M16] magazines went from $15.97 each to $29.97 each. Wow. They just lost my business forever.” David’s note intrigued, me, so I just spent some time at the Cheaper Than Dirt (CTD) web site and compared their new prices with their latest hard copy catalog (dated November, 2008). Here is a brief sampling:
Glock Model 20, 21, 22, 31, and 32 full capacity factory magazines were all $19.97. Now some are $29.97 and others $39.97 Ouch!
Glock 33 rd. 9mm magazines were $44.97. Now $49.97 (Note: I bought a pile of these for $26 each, about a year ago, and I’m glad that I did!)
Ruger factory 20 rd. Mini-14 magazines were $59.97. Now $69.97
Beta CMAG 100 rd. double snail drum for Mini-14 were $299.97. Now $399.97
LR .308 19 Round Blued Steel mags made by DPMS (for their flavor of AR-10 rifles) were $39.97. Now $49.97 (But out of stock)
M14 and M1A .308 20 Round Parkerized “Military Style” [commercial copy] were $11.97. Now $29.97 (But out of stock)
AR-15 .223 30 Round, Bushmaster factory mags were $29.97. Now $49.97
FN P90/PS90 5.7x28mm 50 rd. magazines dropped from $69.97 to $59.81 (At least a some good news!)
All in all, I have doubts that the aforementioned price increases were all triggered by CTD’s suppliers. But I wouldn’t go so far as to call the increases “gouging”. Pricing is a function of supply and demand. In a free market, prices eventually reach equilibrium. And I’m sure that the current demand is skyrocketing. I certainly know that my personal demand is! For example, I just placed a “top off the inventory” order with one of my favorite suppliers, CDNN Sports. I was pleased to see that as of yesterday, none of their prices had increased. I did notice however, that they are now sold out of many magazines, including quite a few SIG, HK, and Springfield Armory XD pistol magazines. My advice: Stock up now, while magazines are still available at fairly reasonable prices. I anticipate that there will be some significant shortages for the next few months. But after BHO‘s inauguration in early 2009 all bets are off. If, (as I’ve predicted), an executive order banning importation of so-called “assault weapons” and “high capacity” magazines is enacted, there could be some huge price increases!