Firearms Sales Slowing
 

The number of NICS background checks for firearms sales was down (-1.5%) year-over-year in June. This is the first decline since late 2011, and a big slowdown from +50% YOY in Dec 2012 and +80% YOY in Jan 2013.

Less stock!

I wonder if this is because of less buyers or lack of stock.

Don't know. Someone probably tracks out-of-stock SKUs at the major retailers, and prices of popular gun models on the secondary market, but I don't have that information.

If the gun stores in my area are any indication it is due to limited stock.

For me it's less disposable income.

It could be because people can't find ammo to use in them ;)

No ammo.
But in the entire history of supply-and-demand, that has never happened before.

When I bought my 938 in May there was plenty on the market. The shop I went to had 4 or 5 variants on the shelf and had stock of all of them in the back. Sure they weren't as loaded up as they used to be, but there were still plenty around. They also had plenty of boxes of food too....

What was June 2011 vs June 2012?

Also, are the numbers different by state. For example, I'd like to see the YOY numbers for:

KA (Kalifornia)
NY
NJ
CT
CO

Is that info available?

Bingo.

The panic is over. Everybody freaked out over the proposed weapons bans so they went nuts and started stockpiling guns and ammo. Things are finally starting to calm down, most people can't afford to stockpile forever. Our local Cabelas again has stocked shelves and no purchase restrictions, with the exception of .17 and .22 oddly enough.

I have been considering a P938, went to my LGS to check out a few, and walked out with a P238 which was also on my list.

How do you like your 938. I have some serious arthritis in my right thumb joint which precludes using certain 9mm and 380's. Tell me about the feel and the recoil, albeit from a young man's point of view.

Thanks Sydney

Tom

Guns have been available here since February. Ammo is still hard to get. Strangly, it is .223 and 5.56 I see the most of on store shelves (if they have any). Still no handgun calibers or .308 to be found.

That just makes them French spoons...

I guess it is getting time to buy again. I missed a deal on Gunbroker a few days back. Two 1903 Colts, .32 blue and a .380 in Nickel. They were in parts and missing a couple of easy to get pieces. I think the final prices was around $300. Auction ended at a weird time.

I pretty much had everything I need.

From my POV if you have arthritis it would not be a fun gun to use. The best term I can use for it is stiff. To be that small and handle 9mm everything is very beefy, which is good from a holding up standpoint, but it is difficult to use and teardown to clean. I can only shoot about 50rds through it at a time, not because of the recoil though. The mag is tough to load and it tears my thumbs up after about 50. Its not too bad on the recoil, and as long as your grip is right its not *too* jumpy. Overall I am happy with it for the intended purpose, but if I had arthritis there is no way I would want to deal with it.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/reports/nics-firearm-background-checks-1998_2013_state_monthly_totals-070213.pdf

I think CA is up because of some anticipated firearms laws there - so my gun nut bud in the Bay Area tells me.

I'm not really interested in accumulating an armory any more. There are a few guns I'd like to have someday. Belgian pre-ban FN-FAL. M16A1 style AR. SVI 1911 racegun. Benneli or Hammerli Olympic pistol. Etc. None of which are inexpensive. Alas.

Or legal in California...