Looked horrible at the local Sportmans Warehouse yesterday

[DG23]

Used to visit regularly years ago but stopped going when things got stupid (price wise).

Stopped in yesterday and was surprised.

Reloading components were slim to nil. Nothing for powders (nothing), nothing for primers, bullets selection was the lowest I have ever seen for any brands I had heard of before and not so great with newer stuff I had never seen before. Signs everywhere about purchasing limits, places where components used to be now filled with empty ammo cans for sale.

Factory ammo pickings were slim to none and what they did have was overpriced as hell. Again, signs indicating purchase limits were everywhere and shelf space that used to contain loaded ammo now held stuff like empty ammo boxes. Ammo they did have in stock was at stupid prices.

Reloading tools were aplenty as were various kinds of brass for reloading. That sort of stuff was actually slightly better stocked that I remember it ever being. Firearms seemed to be plentiful.


Have been there during shortages / panics in the years past and never seen it that bad. Not even close. Makes me wonder if they are even trying to buy items like powder, primers or popular bullets any longer?

Parking lot was pretty darn empty. Guessing about 5 to 10% of the spots filled. Saw very few customers inside so guessing a bunch of what cars were there belonged to employees.

Am I missing something about SW?

[mRad]

Most of the chain stores have been this way for several months, especially on weekends. We have a local chain store that gets shipments Monday and Thursday. They get their AM shipment and then everything is gone by that afternoon.


The local mom and pop shops are a little better off, with some powder, more bullets, and some primers which they reserve for regulars who consistently buy reloading components from them. Prices are elevated as well.


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[Diamondback]

Take into account also that SW is now owned by Bass Pro-Cabelas, and is in a transition stage where it's not certain if they're going to keep any of their brand or end up just another "Kohl's for Fudds."

[DG23]

Take into account also that SW is now owned by Bass Pro-Cabelas, and is in a transition stage where it's not certain if they're going to keep any of their brand or end up just another "Kohl's for Fudds."

That is one of the things I was wondering about.

[Diamondback]

IIRC, SW bought Crapco out of the Remington breakup, so the future of that's in question too.

[jsbhike]

If they do it like the one in Lexington, KY does, try to find out the day ammo comes in and which aisle. The Lex store ropes each end of the aisle off while employees put the ammo out with customers piled up on both ends. Looked more like what I expect to see with people waiting on a pro how to seminar to start in a store than waiting to buy.

[jsbhike]

Take into account also that SW is now owned by Bass Pro-Cabelas, and is in a transition stage where it's not certain if they're going to keep any of their brand or end up just another "Kohl's for Fudds."

That is a biggy because Cabela's went from fairly awesome on the stuff I was in to more(shooting, camping/hiking, and hunting) than Bass Pro and the BP buy out really screwed Cabelas selection for the first couple years and it really never has came back.

Come to think of it, that goes for non-high end and non hunting/fishing clothes too. Cabela's had stuff that fit well and had a decent durability to cost ratio for me that BP torpedoed.

[Tanner]

I can't recall the last time I purchased any ammo at a local store,MAYBE 7 years ago, if not longer. Online purchase/delivery easier and cheaper.

[DG23]

I can't recall the last time I purchased any ammo at a local store,MAYBE 7 years ago, if not longer. Online purchase/delivery easier and cheaper.

With you 100% on that one. Used to stop in regularly and would on occasion buy reloading gear / tools but most times any bigger purchases were made online due to prices being much cheaper.

Just surprised to see things so different (bare) after not visiting for a few years.

[flenna]

That is a biggy because Cabela's went from fairly awesome on the stuff I was in to more(shooting, camping/hiking, and hunting) than Bass Pro and the BP buy out really screwed Cabelas selection for the first couple years and it really never has came back.

Come to think of it, that goes for non-high end and non hunting/fishing clothes too. Cabela's had stuff that fit well and had a decent durability to cost ratio for me that BP torpedoed.

Back in the day Cabela’s brand gear was good quality stuff at a good price. I liked their hunting and camping gear along with their outdoor clothing.