diff --git a/vacuum_gambit.p8 b/vacuum_gambit.p8
index 62408d9..1ed8a2c 100644
--- a/vacuum_gambit.p8
+++ b/vacuum_gambit.p8
@@ -688,6 +688,8 @@ gun_base = mknew{
 -- as an action, assign
 -- themselves to the player
 function gun_base:action()
+ local item = self.new()
+ item.ammo = item.maxammo
  if not primary_ship.special_guns then
   primary_ship.special_guns = {self.new()}
  else
@@ -1843,8 +1845,8 @@ function rearm_mode:update()
    -- todo: rewrite for three guns
    local specs = primary_ship.special_guns
    if specs then
-    specs[1].ammo = specs[1].max_ammo
-    if (specs[2]) specs[2].ammo = specs[2].max_ammo
+    specs[1].ammo = specs[1].maxammo
+    if (specs[2]) specs[2].ammo = specs[2].maxammo
    end
    primary_ship.hp = min(primary_ship.maxhp, primary_ship.hp + primary_ship.maxhp/2)
    primary_ship.xp -= primary_ship.xptarget / 2