We are nearing the end of the year 2021 and the pandemic is still very much happening. While this is not the first time that we have seen a shortage of goods and services, the current situation has its way of affecting literally everything. In March of last year, when the pandemic was declared, so many people were sent home and had to decide how they would craft their day around their new work-from-home schedule.

This led to many people participating in their favorite hobbies on a more regular schedule. Firearms were no different. The mix of producing less ammunition, consumers demanding more, and other things such as protests led to a severe shortage of ammunition. However, there are some good ones to stock up on.       

To Stock Up Or Not

Many people feel the need to stock up on ammunition during this time. We are seeing the same thing that happened with toilet paper at the beginning of the pandemic occurring now with ammo.

The fact of the matter is, although everything has shot up in price due to supply and demand, some ammunition is more in demand than others. In addition, this shortage is proving to be different that the most recent one and shortages before. We are seeing different types of ammo selling out.

Ultimately, it seems that the ones that are the most powerful and easier to shoot will be the most expensive and the most in demand of them all. Additionally, even though many have said that the ammunition shortage has reached its peak, that does not mean that you will start to see everything come back super-fast.

These heavily demanded ammunitions will take the longest time of any to bounce back. Their prices will still remain relatively high for quite some time.

Ammo Supply Can’t Keep Up With Demand

Ammunition manufacturers are producing inordinate amounts of ammo, but it has still proven difficult for their supply to keep up with consumer demand. The pandemic halting the production of ammunition coupled with second-hand sellers and consumer stockpiling really makes it hard for the producers to keep up.

As food and supplies flew off the shelves early in 2020, people started to get very defensive. They flocked to buy guns and ammunition, which led to an unprecedented amount of demand. Once there was hardly any ammunition left on the shelves, this became the new stressor for many.

With this demand not being predicted, sellers could not proactively limit the number of boxes people were going to buy, that came later when things were too far gone.

This article aims to examine what caliber of ammunition you should have bought before the ammo shortage of 2021 and where things are standing as of right now in terms of cost and production.

.22 Long Rifle Ammunition, A Good Bet

Upon arriving at your local supplier, you may see that many of your favorites are sold out for months at a time, and your only hope will be pre-ordering them online or happening to get lucky by arriving soon after a new shipment has come in.

However, this is not the case for the .22 long rifle ammo. Some are a bit confused by this, simply because this is one of the types of ammunition that was very, very hard to come by in the last shortage. This could be because everyone stocked up on it from the last time, in fear of this possibly happening again. Although it can be a bit bulky and is not known for being one of the most powerful types of ammunition, it will still serve its purpose, especially if you are solely shooting for enjoyment purposes.

As time has gone on, it has become a bit scarcer than it was in the beginning of the shortage, but it is still doing better than other types of ammunition.

5.56, Not the Best Idea Right Now

If you love shooting with 5.56 ammunition, I am sure that you were already very aware of this. I also bet that, if you really love shooting, this pandemic and shortage has definitely hit you hard.

This ammunition is one of the most highly demanded in the country, and we are still seeing the prices sitting very high. At one point, a box was forty dollars more than the price that it originally sat at. If you are someone who is very loyal to this ammo, I am sure that you may have had to take a break from shooting for a while during this time.

Even as demand goes back down and returns to semi-normal levels, producers are still going to have a hard time keeping up.

9mm, Also Not the Best Idea

These rounds were one of the most affected by the pandemic, and this was seen across the nation. Originally, the price of this ammunition was a little over ten dollars a box. However, during the height of the pandemic, it stayed at over forty dollars per box. During the top of its pricing curve, we even saw it rise to about sixty dollars per box.

This is much more expensive than others, existing in the priciest category. For reference, the first type of ammunition we mentioned did not see its price skyrocket that much farther than twenty dollars.

While the demand for this caliber has settled a little bit, it is still definitely one of the most difficult to get, and that is if you want to dish out a pretty penny. However, luckily this type of ammunition is not projected to be one of the calibers that suffers the worst from the inequitable supply and demand issue.

This is good since people have already begun to flock to the stores to stock up on this, since it has been out for such a long time. In the past couple of months, we have seen the prices drop a bit from what they were during the peak of their pricing.

Conclusion

We hope to see this for others. I would suggest either buying now or watching the prices to see if they drop a bit further before the winter season. These are definitely still expensive, but not the worst kind to buy.

If you finally decide to own a personal firearm, there are several considerations that you must consider before purchase. It would be best if you had a clear intention for your gun use, as it could be for pleasure, personal defense, work, hunt, or any other purpose. It’s crucial to make the proper selection for your first firearm purchase to ensure that you’ll be happy and satisfied with it, as you would be using it for many years.

It could be overwhelming to go into a gun shop and find the best firearm from their wide range of choices. It’s imperative first to know what kind of gun you like to own. Perhaps you’re interested in a single stack 9mm handgun or some other pistol? Whatever brand you prefer, and whichever factors and features are essential for you, you must do your research and understand their differences.

Consider the following tips in finding the perfect firearm for your situation:

1. Know Its Purpose

Guns will have many different features depending on their purpose. This means that if you plan to purchase a firearm as a means for defense, you’ll end up having something completely different than when you find a gun for shooting competitions. You must determine your reason for wanting to purchase one first before looking for all the selections available. 

If you’re looking for survival firearms, there is no one definite best firearm as scenarios are varied. Take advantage of learning about the different kinds of weapons instead.

Another thing is to decide is the frequency of use for your gun. Are you planning to use it regularly? If so, this factor should also influence your purchase decisions. You can ask for an expert’s advice as to which gun is best for regular use.

2. Choose Between New or Used Guns

If you have budget restrictions, it’s understandable to want to buy a used firearm instead. However, you must be careful of its condition, so make sure to find something that comes from a conscientious owner. As a second-hand buyer, you must inspect the pistol meticulously to avoid any problems and conflicts later.

On the other hand, if you have enough money to splurge for a brand-new gun, go for it because nothing will beat the quality and condition of being the first owner of a firearm. There are many perks for brand-new guns, like a factory-backed warranty, friendly support from authorized dealers, and you can inquire about many other accessories and firearm parts to give you practical gun knowledge.

3. Choose Between A Pistol or Revolver

Before coming up with the features and functions you want, you need to decide if you wish to have a revolver or a pistol. 

Revolvers are no longer common for service use because they usually have limited bullet capacity on their cylinder. It also requires ample time for you to load up the bullets. If you want a semi-automatic function, then this type of gun is not for you. 

Furthermore, revolvers are also larger and heavier, so it’s not convenient to bring them around, mainly because it’s challenging to conceal. On the brighter side, revolvers are exceptionally reliable as well as easy to control and maintain. These are some of its good sides, so think about their merits and demerits well before purchasing a revolver.

As for pistols, they have dominated the professional field of service and defense these days, primarily because of their semi-automatic function. The design is modern; they are highly reliable, functional, and safe to use for any circumstances. They also offer a wide range of use. With its high magazine capacity and fast reloading procedure, you won’t ever have to take time before you can start shooting again. Find 80 lowers here.

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4. Enroll in A Firearms Training Course

Before purchase, it’s highly recommended for you to take up a training course first. There are many benefits to tactical training for civilians as you learn more about the weapon’s safety and proper handling. You will also be educated about the different types of guns and which ones would be comfortable for you to use. Other than that, you’ll also have an opportunity to test out different firearms and seek advice from your instructors, who are gun experts.

5. Try Before You Buy

Feel free to finally go to a gun store if you have already finished the tips mentioned above. You can inquire about the specific gun you want and ask for further information and recommendations. Being able to touch and see the weapon personally can somehow help you decide, but make sure to handle the gun in a safe manner, as it could be dangerous. 

If possible, it would be better for you to try the gun you want first at a shooting range, with the guidance and support of an experienced shooting instructor. It’s different when you can test and try out how the gun works in your own hands.

Conclusion

Besides the required skills for using a firearm and a steady hand when shooting, educate yourself further about the firearm aspects, products, models, and accessories. Don’t forget to practice your shooting skills, too, if you want to be a better handler of your gun. Use these tips, and you’ll be able to find the perfect firearm eventually.

Bartering is a great way to acquire goods and services because no money is needed to conduct the transaction. As we discussed in an earlier article, in times of economic collapse, hyperinflation can occur. This is a phenomenon where basic goods and groceries become unaffordable as money becomes almost useless.

This has happened multiple times throughout history, including recently in Venezuela. Having in-demand skills to barter can help you survive such a crisis

What Is Bartering?

Bartering is trading. Bartering can involve goods or services. For example, if you have extra ground flour but no vegetables, you can trade some of your flour for vegetables. Or you could trade lessons on how to use spreadsheets in return for vegetables.

Bartering has existed for millenia, and indeed was used before money was invented. In our modern world, when countries experience a serious economic crisis, citizens often return to bartering. In 2011, residents of Greece returned to bartering to get their needs met. For example, NPR reported that one woman who lost her job, asked her neighbor: “Could you please do the ironing for me, and I will teach English to your children?’”

Trading skills for food or other services is the best way to acquire what you need to get through a crisis. Having skills that many others need will make you a valuable member of any community.

There are numerous reasons that bartering could become necessary including hyperinflation, economic problems, natural disasters, power outages, political problems and disruption of the supply chain.

How to Barter

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to barter. You can start practicing your bartering skills today and they can be helpful in everyday situations. You’ve probably already bartered at some point in your life. For example, maybe you’ve fixed a neighbor’s car in exchange for some carpentry work in your home.

You can start by building good community relationships – it’s almost like starting a new business. Don’t wait until a crisis is upon you and get prepared. Learning how to negotiate can also be helpful when it comes time to trade your skills for products.

If you don’t have a skill that you think would be useful, start learning a skill today.

Home Repair and Carpentry Skills

Here are some examples of useful skills that will be in-demand during an economic collapse

Most homeowners struggle to fix problems in their home. Problems can quickly become urgent. For example, a storm can cause downed trees and flying branches that can damage roofs and windows leading to water leaks and damaged interiors.

Plumbing and electrical problems — such as backed-up toilets or smoking outlets — often require special skills and can be urgent too.

Basic carpentry skills can go far, such as building a new set of stairs, a deck, an add-on, or fencing. Remember that in times of crisis family members who lose jobs may consolidate and move in with relatives. That can lead to an increase in the demand for sectioned-off rooms, modifications to basements, garages, lofts, and so on.

In dire times, some families may need to barter to have an open-air shelter built (a simple one-roof structure) to quickly accommodate friends and relatives that are down on their luck. In these cases being able to build outhouses may also be in demand.

If you have skills in any of these areas, you will be somewhat self-sufficient and you’ll be able to trade this skill for the items you need.

Mechanical Skills

Making sure vehicles are running properly during a crisis is important, and most people today don’t have the necessary skills or knowledge to repair a car. It really is a gift.

Having knowledge of vehicle repair will make you popular in any community. Mechanical skills go beyond changing tires, oil, or repairing cars. You will likely be able to repair other pieces of equipment like small generators, small tractors, chain saws, snowmobiles, electric or non-electric bikes, ATVs, motorcycles, and lawn mowers.

Knowledge of First-Aid and Emergency Response

Skills like cleaning and bandaging wounds, treating minor illnesses and splinting fractures could make you indispensable in any community.

Whenever treating someone medically, there could be legal liability issues associated with it, though. Therefore getting certified would be wise.

There are many community opportunities for learning emergency response, such as Red Cross courses or joining your local CERT or your state defense force (if your state has one). State defense forces, like the Texas State Guard, operate under the authority of the state’s governor and may be called on to support local National Guard units by providing traffic control, setting up communications centers, assisting in search and rescue, or providing other logistical support.

Midwifery

This is one skill you will need to be legally qualified for, of course. A crisis will not stop babies from being born. During a crisis, hospitals could be closed or overrun with patients. Having the skill to help women give birth would be a valuable bartering skill in the community. 

Gardening Skills

Knowing how to grow your food will not only give you food to barter and peace of mind, but you can also teach others how to grow their own food.

A simple way to start is to begin buying seeds to store up. (These can also be bartered.) Try growing one single type of crop, like potatoes or strawberries. You’ll learn a lot about what works and what doesn’t that you can then share with others.

The carpentry skills we mentioned above also apply to gardening, as you’ll be able to create raised garden beds, chicken coops, fencing, and tool sheds.

Hunting and Fishing

Having the skill of knowing how to acquire food for yourself and others is excellent for bartering. Being skillful at hunting, fishing, and raising animals will not only get you the food you might need, but enough extra food to trade for other products and services.

Be sure to research what licenses and safety classes (for hunting) might be required in your area. If you choose hunting then you’ll also want to learn whether there are game meat butchers in your area and how they operate or if they will teach you how to prepare your own catch.

Communications

During a crisis, there is a good chance that telephones and cell phones may not work (or may not work consistently). Having a ham radio and the ability to build an antenna out of a piece of wire is a skill you can use. Getting a ham radio license is not difficult, and you can find used radios at affordable prices. With this skill, you and your community can keep in touch with family and authorities outside of your community.

Other Skills and Services To Consider

We’ve mentioned 8 skills that may be in-demand in a time of economic and social upheaval. Here are a few more we’d like you to consider:

• Transportation: Those without transportation may need a way to get to the grocery store or appointments.
• Lessons: teaching others how to do something is valuable. Lessons might include how to create a website, use a computer or certain software, how to fix a piece of equipment, or how to install fencing.
• Mending clothes: in times of mass joblessness people will increasingly need to mend holds and tears in their current clothing.
• Cooking, cleaning, and laundry: those who have in-demand skills and multiple family obligations will likely need help keeping their own household going.
• Security: how to use common items or tools and weapons to protect oneself and others
• Clearing land: knowing how to clear downed trees from roadways and how to clear brush on property
• Firewood chopping and stacking: the skill to turn raw logs into firewood and stacking it in a stable formation
• Snowplowing and sanding

Summary

Learning a new skill today will help you prepare for any type of crisis. And it will give you the confidence that comes from becoming more self-reliant.

Even if you already have a bartering skill, learning a new one will make you twice as valuable to those around you.

Everyone should have a natural disaster game plan. As a first-time homeowner it’s even more important to make sure you and your home are ready for an emergency situation that might come down to evacuating your home or sheltering in place for an extended time period. When you are getting settled into a new home it’s an ideal time to think about getting these plans in place. Here are some disaster preparedness tips that can help everyone in your household feel more at ease about the unthinkable. 

Prepare your disaster kit 

One of the simplest steps to take, no matter where you live, is to gather what disaster preparedness experts like the American Red Cross call an emergency kit. This is a store of supplies that you can quickly take with you if a disaster strikes and you need to evacuate your home. It will provide you with basic necessities for at least three days. Kits will be personalized based on your specific needs and should include items like: essential medications, a flashlight, first aid kit, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, family emergency contact information and copies of important documents, blankets, water, cash, portable chargers for electronic devices, and nonperishable food. These items should be stored together somewhere in your home that is easily accessible in a moment’s notice. No matter if your city or town is at risk for a flood, tornado, earthquake, hurricane, or even has a low risk of natural disasters, this kit is essential.

Be aware of your surroundings

Knowing what to expect can help you stay on your toes in an emergency situation. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University has built a tool which allows you to enter your address to see the level of hazard risk for your area — for example, for an avalanche, earthquake, drought, landslide, or other disasters. The tool will also give you an overall hazard index which can help you better understand general natural disaster risk. As part of your research, knowing the radio stations in your area that cover breaking news can keep you in the loop about what’s happening if there is a widespread power outage and mobile phone reception is down for an extended period of time. 

Enroll in disaster insurance

Depending on where you live and the hazard risks, your homeowners insurance policy may or may not cover your home, such as for natural disasters like an earthquake or flood. Once you understand the potential hazards for your area, talk with your insurance agent about understanding disaster coverage and add extra coverage if necessary to add to your peace of mind. For example, California residents will definitely want to consider earthquake insurance, while people living in Texas will want to think about flood coverage. 

Make an inventory

When working with your insurance agent to determine your coverage you will be asked to give a basic inventory and value estimate of the items in your home. This list will be essential if you need to report damage as part of filing an insurance claim. Making an inventory might also include securing important documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and passports in a waterproof box or folder and adding this to your go kit.

Taking these preparedness steps can help put you at ease about natural disasters since there is no way to predict when they might strike. When you have a plan in place you can also help ensure the safety for everyone in your household if you do need to face a hazardous situation.