Also lots of non-gun people had Granpa's .22 in the closet.
At the time you could buy 1000 rds for about $25 and every body started stocking up on it.
Hey, it's no .308 but you can put somebody down at 200 yds.
It's not worth it for them to invest in new tooling for a demand that will eventually bottom out.
Supply is now starting to catch up with demand.
Agree on all points ...... when sheep dipped to alphabet agencies overseas we used beretta 70S or 71’s in 22 for PDW’s. Brick of mini mags and 5 spare mags and we (6 man team) could hold the floor of a hotel until the cavalry got there..... A .22 is a viable defense round. I’ve seen me use it....:O)
Here in Merica .... IMHO an adult should own a .22 Rifle, a 30 caliber bolt gun with a GOOD scope, a 12 gauge Shotgun and a Revolver at the very minimum.