Strange experiance buying ammo

**zguy** · 11-03-2026, 16:25

I went into a small gunshop looking for .38Spl ammo. Got 2 boxes for a song.
While filling out the register, the guy looks at my licence and tells me that he is sorry, he cant sell me the ammo.

I asked him why, he replies with 'Your licence is for .357 Magnum.
A little dumbfounded, I said, ja, what is the problem with that?

He says no, you can only sell ammo that is specified on the ammo.

I tell him but you can buy any ammo, that your gun can chamber and shoot.
He wasn't convinced, and I thought that he was going to cancel the sale.
Eventually he gave it to me, but he said he is worried about it from a legal standpoint.

I paid and left quickly.

Is this a common thing? Is every single other store i have bought .38spl from wrong from a legal standpoint?
Do people have issue buying .233 Rem on a 5.56 Nato, or .308 Win on a 7.62x51 licence?

What about a gun like the Taurus Judge, that can shoot .45 Colt / .454 Casull and even .410 shells?
Is the gun shop going to insist on 3 different licences for one gun?

As far as I know ; your gun can chamber it, you can buy it.

**Adoons** · 11-03-2026, 17:54

Maybe that is why his shop is small?

**ady** · 11-03-2026, 18:35

That is why when you apply you put the caliber as 38spl/357 mag or 223 remington / 5.56x45 etc. It makes things a little more idiot proof for you.

Not everyone knows everything. I had a guy at a gun shop who didn't want to sell me a case of shotgun ammunition because you are only allowed 200 rounds. I pointed out that it was a S16 license, but he was adamant and wanted me to apply for a permit to have more than 200 rounds. That's when i got the shop owner involved and i walked out with my case of shotgun ammo.

**zguy** · 11-03-2026, 20:22

Originally Posted by ady

That is why when you apply you put the caliber as 38spl/357 mag or 223 remington / 5.56x45 etc. It makes things a little more idiot proof for you.

Oh, so on the actual card it can specify multiple calibers? Doesn't this depend on how the firearm is captured on the CFR's system and dealer sheet?

**ady** · 12-03-2026, 08:56

Originally Posted by zguy

Oh, so on the actual card it can specify multiple calibers? Doesn't this depend on how the firearm is captured on the CFR's system and dealer sheet?

Yes. My revolver shows 38spl/357mag under the caliber.

If the DFO has an issue, then get a gunsmith report from a gunshop.

The other side of the coin is this. If you have 38spl ammunition, but your license card only says 357 magnum. Unless, a SAPS member knows whats going on, you will be in a world of hurt if you get stopped at a road block, because you now have unlicensed ammunition.

**oafpatroll** · 12-03-2026, 11:36

Originally Posted by zguy

Oh, so on the actual card it can specify multiple calibers? Doesn't this depend on how the firearm is captured on the CFR's system and dealer sheet?

There are calibres like 380 ACP which have a multitude of generally accepted designations (e.g. 9mm Short, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Corto, 9mm Court, 9mm Browning, 9x17 and probably others) which, depending on where you're brass comes from may appear on the headstamp. It's safe to say that what passes for a system at CFR won't have every valid designation for the same cartridge in their reference data much less the possible interchangeable combinations that may be possessed for the same firearm.

**Speed_Freak** · 12-03-2026, 20:57

Originally Posted by ady

That is why when you apply you put the caliber as 38spl/357 mag or 223 remington / 5.56x45 etc. It makes things a little more idiot proof for you.

I asked my DFO to have 38SPL/357Mag printed on my card for my S&W M19.
He asked what was printed on the barrel and I said 357 Mag. His response, then that is what will be on the card, I will not add anything.

As a work around, I bought a 38SPL Section 16 Snubbie...

**Captain Hook** · 11-03-2026, 18:57

A great number of gunshop employees have little to no clue what they're doing.

**zguy** · 11-03-2026, 20:25

Originally Posted by Captain Hook

A great number of gunshop employees have little to no clue what they're doing.

I find this usually at the big brand store, where they hire snotnose kids. I avoid this place unless their pricing is worth the heartburn.

**A-R** · 12-03-2026, 05:36

Originally Posted by Captain Hook

A great number of gunshop employees have little to no clue what they're doing.

A great number of gun shop owners/managers employ monkeys so they can pay them peanuts. Makes me angry when I need to train their employees. Next time I'm going to demand a decent training discount.