The internet is awash with stories of Putin shutting down exports of ammunition to the U.S. in response to events taking place in Ukraine. Blogs are making unsubstantiated reports that such a mandate has been handed down from the Kremin, however I’m unable to find any credible news sources to confirm these rumors. I’ve not been able to find a press release from the Kremlin nor any mention of it elsewhere in the main stream media.
Infowars is reporting that distributors (not importers) are reporting a massive run on Russian ammo after hearing the unsubstantiated rumors of an ammo embargo. Of course distributors are going to be wiped out, people are doing what they always do — panicking and hoarding. It’s a seemingly endless cycle we’ve endured for the last eight years or so… and here we go again.
We are our own worst enemies at times…
James Yeager posted a video saying things could get ugly if Putin shuts off exports of x39 ammo, and when I say x39 I mean 7.62×39 and 5.45×39. Keep in mind that Russia isn’t the only source of x39 ammo, it’s manufactured all over the world including places like Romania where Century Arms has previously sourced their 7.62x54R, 7.63×39 and 5.45×39 Red Army Standard ammunition. James also reports that no shipments of ammo are on the water and that it could be 4 months before more arrives, assuming it ever arrives.
Wanting to get the scoop straight for the horses mouth, I called the owner of Wolf Ammo (which is an American company by the way) this morning to see what I could find out about the status of imports. I was told that ammo is “on the water”, as are VEPR AK’s, and is headed towards the United States as I type this. I was also told that they have heard no news from Russia that their export agreements have been canceled or otherwise impeded.
Wolf imports ammo from a number of countries including Germany, Taiwan and Serbia — not just Russia. I was informed their corporate planning includes contingencies for events such as what’s currently transpiring in Russia. In short, they assured me that ammo will flow to the U.S. as Russia isn’t the only source of affordable x39 ammo in the world. Wolf isn’t going to close up shop should Putin halt ammo exports, they’ll simply source it elsewhere.
About the only thing that will change is the price, and that’s our own fault. Look at the current state of .22LR ammo. People continue to mindlessly panic buy the popular rimfire cartridge despite the fact manufacturers continue to produce it at the same volume they always have.
Again, we’re our own worst enemy at times.
So now the rush to hoard x39 ammo is in full swing despite the fact there’s no shortage of it flowing into the country. I’m already hearing reports out of Nevada that cases of ammo are up to $1,000. I urge you to think twice before you run out and buy ammo at grossly inflated prices.