Shortage of 7.62x39?

[Chaffee2]

The gun shops up here seem to be having a problem getting any 7.62x39 ammo. Is there a known reason for the shortage? From the looks of a couple of threads on this site it looks like you "southerners" (just kidding) are having a problem getting it also.

[Colorado Osprey]

Wasn't there a ban of imported "cheap" steel core ammo...
Let me look that back up.

Be right back......

EDIT:
As I understand it -The "problem" - 1994 Steel-Core Importation Ban"
Most surplus 7.62x39 was steel core making it armor piercing ammo that was outlawed and since the steel core supply is drying up people are also depleting the lead core supply.

[Great-Kazoo]

there hasn't been new steel core 7.62x39 ammo in the US for over a decade. when the announcement came it was no longer importable, the price went up on available stock like a pre-89 ak-47!.
it's short due to iraq just like 55gr .223 is.
while it is out there the price has risen somewhat.
last time there was a 7.62x39 shotage the price of a case rose 300%. but again that was due to ammo not being allowed into the us. way back when

[michael_aos]

I overheard a distributor mention there wasn't any wholesale 7.62x39 available.

His explanation was that the US Government was buying it all up.

I've since heard that "we" are purchasing a lot of 7.62x39 to outfit the new Iraqi military.

Mike

[brandyspaw]

I overheard a distributor mention there wasn't any wholesale 7.62x39 available.

His explanation was that the US Government was buying it all up.

I've since heard that "we" are purchasing a lot of 7.62x39 to outfit the new Iraqi military.

Mike

A lot of the ammo is going to Iraq but there is an abnormal amount
going to South America as well. Things have really heated up around
the world.