Well we see junk built and sold to meet panic buying demand?

[greenjoytj]

Do you think we’ll see hastily built poor quality molds coming to market just to cash in on the current gun, reloading equipment and components buying panic.

The poorly built items might not just occur in mold making but across all the equipment related to firearms and their use.

I recall when Halley's Comet last appeared in 1986 astronomical telescopes from some reputable manufacturers had lens so poorly (hastily) ground they couldn’t focus a clear image.
These tools were built to ship out fast and in quantity to meet huge once in a lifetime demand.
Now if you buy a used telescope your wise to know its date of manufacture.
I hope that won’t be true for all equipment related to shooting sports.

[bedbugbilly]

I suppose there could possibly be some new manufacturers that show up to cash in . . . but it won't take long for the shoddy reputation to be dispersed on gun forums and they will be sitting with unsold inventory.

Think about it - there can always be a quality control issue even in the best of times but reputable manufactures take care of the issues. Consider the mold makers - Lee, Lyman, RCBS, Accurate, NOE and many others . . . they all strive to produce the best molds within the selling cost parameters . . . if they want to stay in business, the quality we are alluded to in the various makes will be maintained . . . plus . . . the good manufactures take pride in their product whether it be a large company or a small company. You will always have complaints and just look at some of the posts on here . . . some folks like one brand and others like something else.

I think the same goes for other products as well . . . dies, presses, you name it.

Unfortunately, thee will always be those who want to take short cuts and "cash in" on a situation such as we have experienced . . . think not? Take a look on fleabay and see what some people are getting for a normally $20.00 Lee mold. I don't put that on Lee at all . . it is those that have the mold and want to cash in on it. I doubt if Lee (and I am using them merely as an example) is going to drop their quality control anymore than smaller shops like Accurate, NOE or other larger shops such as Lyman.

I find it odd that the likes of the Socialist Left, who have taken advantage of the pandemic (just listen to Pelosi) to push their agenda and personal greed - that they are condemned by all oil us "deplorable for their tactics . . and yet there are so many who are "gun people" - reloadders, etc. - who are just as willing to take advantage of the pandemic to "cash in". Not too long ago, I saw a simple 2 cavity Lee mold that would normally be a $20.00 form places like Titan - sell for $140.00. Really? Yes . you can say that the seller had a "willing buyer" and that it is "supply and demand" . . . and I guess you can't argue with that. But, some people get so panicked when they think they will not be able to get something that they don't use common sense. Just look at the toilet paper shortage that occurred. There wasn't a sudden influx int he population putting a higher demand on the normal quantity of toilet paper being produced . . . it was panic buying and hoarding.

People either have a conscience and moral character or they don't. One thing that most people do have is a long memory and when this is all over and the fat lady sings, people will remember those who "took advantage and cashed in" and those that didn't . . . . and it should be pretty evident who will get the business and who won't.

Just my 2 cents which isn't worth a plug nickel.

[Conditor22]

People are already unloading damaged/junk molds on fleabay [ and occasionally on here]

[country gent]

As the hours worked a week goes up quality goes down. go from a 40 hour week to a 60-70 or 80 hour week and quality control becomes way more important.With this current buying panic in the firearms / ammo / reloading gear the existing manufacturers will be running more hours and new will show up to cash in. How good the new will be will have to be seen. At one time ideal, lyman, rcbs, lee, noe were all new manufacturers with no reputation. The good ones will make it the bad ones will close up.

what I see and am more concerned with are the scammers cheats and outright thieves that will take money on something then disappear never to be heard from again

[dverna]

I doubt the established companies will do that on purpose. Most, if not all, have lifetime warrantees. My only presses of interest would be Dillon, RCBS and Co-Ax anyway as I learned long ago not buy on price. Molds of interest would come from Magma, MP, NOE or Accurate; and none are going to put out junk to make a quick buck.

There will be a lot of good stuff that will come to market after the panic ebbs. Reloading is not for everyone and even fewer want to cast. For example, in my hunt camp, I will be helping 4 of the 5 guys who need ammunition. Two want to learn, the other two will be here to load their needs. They have no interest in reloading at all. And I bet the two who want to learn will not be interested once they realize how much is involved.

[MrWolf]

I doubt the established companies will do that on purpose. Most, if not all, have lifetime warrantees. My only presses of interest would be Dillon, RCBS and Co-Ax anyway as I learned long ago not buy on price. Molds of interest would come from Magma, MP, NOE or Accurate; and none are going to put out junk to make a quick buck.

There will be a lot of good stuff that will come to market after the panic ebbs. Reloading is not for everyone and even fewer want to cast. For example, in my hunt camp, I will be helping 4 of the 5 guys who need ammunition. Two want to learn, the other two will be here to load their needs. They have no interest in reloading at all. And I bet the two who want to learn will not be interested once they realize how much is involved.

Seems the bug either bites you or not. If it bites, it depends on how deep and how much blood it draws.[smilie=l: From scrounging wheel weights to powder coating and everything in between.
Ron

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't think we'll see JUNK...but there is likely to be some issues.

In 2013-14, Lee put out some molds with alignment pin issues. They did stand behind the problems molds. This was at the time of the Sandy Hook incident and a run on 22LR and everything 223/556, meaning loading and casting 223/556. BUT, this was also the same time as Lee changed the block design of their 2 cavity molds. So I blame the design change, but with the run on that stuff had Lee employees working double shifts to try and keep up...working long hours is never good for QC.

[Winger Ed.]

I doubt if the big name manufacturers will cut corners on quality.
They are here for the long run, and have too much skin in the game to crank out junk.

But there seems to be a bunch of 'used & abused' stuff on the market right now.

I've got a single hole .459--405 I was going to sell, but it needs a sprue plate screw and pin/keeper screw.
I thought about it, and decided, 'Nah, it ain't perfect, and I won't take the chance of burning myself by selling it.'