Just one point, as I remember it, they were only importing the guns and ammunition from 2014 at Rivington. It was commented in the book that the AK 47's were made in unknown countries such as Yugoslavia and the CCCP.2) They set up a factory in a fictional coastal North Carolina town where they start producing AK-47’s. They also sling a lot of gold around, driving up prices. This and their arrogant attitude ensure the locals do not like them.
Of course, coastal NC lacks the necessary resources to make AK-47’s.
Mr. Turtledove seems to have forgotten about the Union Navy, which was already occupying the port cities in North Carolina.
When writing the post, I realise that it is happening right now, this year.
But on the other hand, after Guns of the South was published, Rhoodie and his colleagues died already in Conquistador, which was set a few years earlier, so they might not be around for any gun-toting in 2014.