Second hand ammo
- Thread starter Classic12
- Start date
2022 update (new ammo)
It seems that the huge demand in the US is slowly raising prices here in Switzerland as well.
In October 2020 I bought several thousands of Winchester 9 mm ammo for $ 215.-/1000.
The same ammo then jumped to $ 248.-/1000 in the summer of 2021. I found another source and bought 30’000 rounds of 124 gr Sellier & Bellot for $ 222.-/1000 for the whole shooting club. I drove 400 miles to pick it up, as shipping would have added another $ 400.- to the bill. Needless to say we shot it all in the summer and fall and it is now out of stock at the LGS.
So today I went to one of the big LGS to check prices and availability. I was hoping to buy some of this cheap ($ 390.-/1000) 7.62 X 39 for my new AK. Out of stock.
So instead I took 2000 rounds of Geco at $ 540.-/1000, 2000 rds of the 9 mm Winchester for $ 248.-/1000, and grabbed 2000 rds of repackaged milsurp 5.56 NATO 62 gr at $ 435.- / 1000.
I also asked them if I could buy 30’000 rounds of the Win 9mm for the club, and at what price. He mentioned the owner might agree to a $ 5.-/1000 discount IF he agrees to let go of 30’000 rounds. I’ll check in tomorrow.
I’ve read the article on Vista and how higher prices mean higher margins for them and it’s unlikely prices will come down anytime soon. I also need to figure out how much I have and how much I need for the rest of my shooting career, so I can stop buying someday (I’m 53 so I hope to shoot for a good 20-25 more years).
It seems that the huge demand in the US is slowly raising prices here in Switzerland as well.
In October 2020 I bought several thousands of Winchester 9 mm ammo for $ 215.-/1000.
The same ammo then jumped to $ 248.-/1000 in the summer of 2021. I found another source and bought 30’000 rounds of 124 gr Sellier & Bellot for $ 222.-/1000 for the whole shooting club. I drove 400 miles to pick it up, as shipping would have added another $ 400.- to the bill. Needless to say we shot it all in the summer and fall and it is now out of stock at the LGS.
So today I went to one of the big LGS to check prices and availability. I was hoping to buy some of this cheap ($ 390.-/1000) 7.62 X 39 for my new AK. Out of stock.
So instead I took 2000 rounds of Geco at $ 540.-/1000, 2000 rds of the 9 mm Winchester for $ 248.-/1000, and grabbed 2000 rds of repackaged milsurp 5.56 NATO 62 gr at $ 435.- / 1000.
I also asked them if I could buy 30’000 rounds of the Win 9mm for the club, and at what price. He mentioned the owner might agree to a $ 5.-/1000 discount IF he agrees to let go of 30’000 rounds. I’ll check in tomorrow.
I’ve read the article on Vista and how higher prices mean higher margins for them and it’s unlikely prices will come down anytime soon. I also need to figure out how much I have and how much I need for the rest of my shooting career, so I can stop buying someday (I’m 53 so I hope to shoot for a good 20-25 more years).
Switzerland has a lot of shooting associations with outdoor ranges which are supported by the various counties. Those are non profit setups and allow citizens to hone their shooting skills outside of their military service, both for rifles (300 meters) and pistols (25 and 50 meters). Soldiers can also do their qualification shooting at those ranges.
The army provides ammo, GP 11 (7.5 Swiss) & GP 90 (5.56 NATO) for rifles and 7.65 & 9 mm parabellum for pistols, all at 35 cents per round. The clubs put their orders in in December and pick up their ammo in February, before the start of the season, which runs from March to October.
I picked up 4000 9mm and 8000 7.65mm for my club at the army arsenal.
86 associations pick up their order over two days, so there is some stock there
The army provides ammo, GP 11 (7.5 Swiss) & GP 90 (5.56 NATO) for rifles and 7.65 & 9 mm parabellum for pistols, all at 35 cents per round. The clubs put their orders in in December and pick up their ammo in February, before the start of the season, which runs from March to October.
I picked up 4000 9mm and 8000 7.65mm for my club at the army arsenal.
86 associations pick up their order over two days, so there is some stock there
Electrod47
New member
Are you trying to give us a heart attack or a hard on??
A guy contacted me, he had some Swiss military ammo he had no use for, so I picked up 960 rounds of 7.65 mm parabellum (.30 Luger), 120 rounds of GP11 (7.5 X 55 mm Swiss) and some collectible GP11 and 9mm (red boxes) for $ 350.-
There’s also a growing sense of panic, with fear that ammo prices will shoot up and availability issues, so we decided to organise a group buy for the club, and I picked up 30’000 rounds at the LGS for $ 7200, i.e. $ 240 / 1000 rds of Geco 124 grains.
The club safes are almost full, about 45’000 rounds not counting .22 lr
There’s also a growing sense of panic, with fear that ammo prices will shoot up and availability issues, so we decided to organise a group buy for the club, and I picked up 30’000 rounds at the LGS for $ 7200, i.e. $ 240 / 1000 rds of Geco 124 grains.
The club safes are almost full, about 45’000 rounds not counting .22 lr
No limit, I have plenty at home
This lot is for sharing amongst club members so it’s easier to keep it in the vault under the range.
My favourite LGS is specialised in second hand weapons, he buys from estates, windows or retiring collectors. More often than not there’s ammo with it which he sells me at very reasonable prices
Picked up this haul last month
Tons of .22
Stocked up on 7.62 X 39 for my new Kalashnikovs
From a private seller
And the last crate of Igman (ex Yougoslavia) from another LGS
Some Swiss milsurp, 7.65, 9 mm and old GP11 (7.5 X 55 Swiss) from another private seller
Some old .45 ACP, real cheap, $ 220 for this lot
And some GP 90 (5.56 NATO Swiss), 30-30 Winchester and .223 Remington SP
This seller also had some mags I picked up. Three of the Colt including the 20 rds are Vietnam era / sixties
Picked up this haul last month
Tons of .22
Stocked up on 7.62 X 39 for my new Kalashnikovs
From a private seller
And the last crate of Igman (ex Yougoslavia) from another LGS
Some Swiss milsurp, 7.65, 9 mm and old GP11 (7.5 X 55 Swiss) from another private seller
Some old .45 ACP, real cheap, $ 220 for this lot
And some GP 90 (5.56 NATO Swiss), 30-30 Winchester and .223 Remington SP
This seller also had some mags I picked up. Three of the Colt including the 20 rds are Vietnam era / sixties
LGS gifted me a few boxes of old ammo, 9mm, .32 ACP, .25 ACP and .22 short
Then I bought this typically Swiss curiosity, a can of GP11 “Taschenmunition”, or pocket ammunition. As you may know, the Swiss militia soldiers kept their rifles at home, and were therefore given a sealed can of 24 rounds, to be only used in case of mobilisation and in order to reach a meeting point.
Precisely this reads :
Guidelines for pocket ammunition
This pocket ammunition is intended exclusively for personal protection during active duty, especially before reaching the designated duty station.
The pocket ammunition is to be presented at each service and during communal inspections.
Anyone who opens the box improperly or misuses the ammunition will be punished in accordance with the order concerning ammunition.
Federal Military Department, Bern 1970
Then I bought this typically Swiss curiosity, a can of GP11 “Taschenmunition”, or pocket ammunition. As you may know, the Swiss militia soldiers kept their rifles at home, and were therefore given a sealed can of 24 rounds, to be only used in case of mobilisation and in order to reach a meeting point.
Precisely this reads :
Guidelines for pocket ammunition
This pocket ammunition is intended exclusively for personal protection during active duty, especially before reaching the designated duty station.
The pocket ammunition is to be presented at each service and during communal inspections.
Anyone who opens the box improperly or misuses the ammunition will be punished in accordance with the order concerning ammunition.
Federal Military Department, Bern 1970
