I went to m,y local pawn shop to pick up a new firearm I had ordered. Shelves were well stocked with rifles, shotguns and pistols. Ammo was lower than usual, but they never really carried a whole bunch. The BIG change was when my Brady check came back "delayed" - yes, I know, shoulda had my CCW permit, but I let it lapse years ago, not really needed out here. They had some 7.62x39mm ammo, (caliber of the firearm I was picking up), and I picked up three boxes for under $9 each. Red Army Standard, never used it before. 4 days later I was back in the store for my firearm, and the next change was the guy at the front door monitoring traffic, can only have 4 people in the store at once. I picked up the BREN 2 MS and there was still some Red Army Standard ammo on the shelf, picked another box.
Around the corner was CAL Ranch, handgun shelves were about 1/3 empty, all ARs were gone, but AR style shotguns were on the shelf. 5.56mm ammo gone, none of the bullets I use and small pistol/small rifle primers vamoosed. Not put, just thought I'd check. One box limit on ammo, what was left and whaddya know, Tula 7.62x39mm stocked out of place, 40 round boxes for $9 each, picked one up. It's a caliber I don't use very much, didn't have a WHOLE lot stocked away, need to make some more.
I always liked to have some extra stuff tucked away for bad times, and just accelerated it a bit before the panic started. When I get a break from work, (VERY "essential" employee), I will hit the lead pot and cast up more bullets in 7.62x39mm and 9mm. I don't blast ammo to blast ammo, gave that up decades ago, (cooking off a Mini-14 gives you the idea that you might be shooting too much/too fast), so I even if the rifle I am shooting has a 30 round magazine, it likely will have no more than 5 rounds in it whilst I am shooting.
The water isn't going to shut off, water plants are damn near automated, I think we would have to have more than half the city down before we didn't have enough people to keep the water and power on. Canned food expiration dates are more like good suggestions if the can isn't bulged or rusted, so while Dinty Moore might not be everyone's first choice for dinner, it has meat and potatoes in it.
I have also been buying more takeout from a one good local restaurant, like to support the local economy when I can.
I have given supplies to the neighbors on each side of me - one works a low paying job and the other is out of work now, as solar installation isn't really moving much. The first guy said thank you both times, the second said nothing, but if you have to get a thank you for giving, then it's not really giving. I just don't like seeing hungry kids.
The first neighbor was gifted a 38 revolver, and 6 rounds of ball ammo. I gave him all the 38 ammo I had left, 12 rounds of 158gr LSWCHP FBI loads in two speedloaders and speedloader pouch. I wish I'd had more 38 to take him to the range, but I haven't had a 38 in years and gave a lot of it away over the years. Oh well.
However, well before this all started I met my goal of an AR in every room. Here is my son learning how to use his.
