2014 a Year for Fewer Gun, Ammo Sales?

by
posted on March 12, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Media reports lately suggest gunmakers can expect good business in 2014, but not as good as last year.

The FBI released data for January gun background checks recently; it was about a third lower than the same month a year earlier. One gun industry analyst wrote that the negative monthly sales comparisons he's seen recently is a trend he expects to last through May or June.

A statement from Cabela’s chief executive Thomas Milner would seem to mirror that sentiment. “The surge in firearms and ammunition is clearly winding down,” he told the Wall Street Journal. 2013 fourth-quarter sales at Cabela’s were down 10 percent.

On the other hand, Smith & Wesson has increased its sales estimates for 2014. Said Smith & Wesson CEO James Debney to Bloomberg Business Week: “We continue to believe that our industry is in the midst of an underlying long-term growth trend and our objective is to grow faster than the market.”

Either way one looks at it raises a question: Does this mean the dearth of guns and ammo we’ve all noticed across the country is coming to a close? Could be. Reports suggest some parts of the country are still experiencing ammo shortages. That might continue until ammo manufacturers are able to turn their attention from high-demand lines (.223 Rem., .308 Win., .45 ACP, 9mm) that have dominated the market and focus on other lines, like .45-70 and .30-30, for instance.

What do you think? Have you seen an uptick in inventory in your neck of the woods? Let us know below.

Latest

SPD Ptototype
SPD Ptototype

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.