ammo storage?

[PaulD]

Sorry if this is a noobish question but I've already searched the site.

Ignoring any legal issues, what is the best way to store ammo for a long period of time? Also, does anyone know where to get good, lockable ammo cans?

Thanks.

 

[M1911]

Sorry if this is a noobish question but I've already searched the site.

Ignoring any legal issues, what is the best way to store ammo for a long period of time? Also, does anyone know where to get good, lockable ammo cans?

Thanks.

A cool, dry place. That's basically all you need.

 

[PaulD]

A cool, dry place. That's basically all you need.

Excellent. Thanks.

 

[Len-2A Training]

I like .50 cal ammo cans. Mark each one with a tape marker, one per caliber.

 

[PaulD]

I like .50 cal ammo cans. Mark each one with a tape marker, one per caliber.

Any idea where to get some in good condition?

 

[dbhn]

I bought some of the MTM Ammo Cans (plastic and lockable) and really like them. I've got about 1700 rnds of 9mm (boxed) in one can. So they hold a good amount. I got them online and can't remember where.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Foster Bear in Foster RI had some for ~$9 last time I was there (a few weeks ago). Sorry but I don't know any local (MA) sources right now.

Here's some from Midway, just watch out for S/H charges.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=169793&t=11082005

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=262232&t=11082005

 

[PaulD]

I bought some of the MTM Ammo Cans (plastic and lockable) and really like them. I've got about 1700 rnds of 9mm (boxed) in one can. So they hold a good amount. I got them online and can't remember where.

Thanks. Those look good.

http://www.ammoboxes.com/ac11.html

 

[dbhn]

I think I got them from here. A little cheaper than the rest.

http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?prod=AC11


Cheaper then Dirt has them too but the shipping was more IIRC.

 

[icyclefar]

Check your local Army/Navy store, they usually have cans.

So Len ......... does something bad happen if you mix calibers (boxed of course) in one can, or is it just prudent to have a full can of each caliber

 

[Len-2A Training]

So Len ......... does something bad happen if you mix calibers (boxed of course) in one can, or is it just prudent to have a full can of each caliber

Yes, it does and no joke.

I had boxes of .40 and .45 in one can and was talking with Jim Conway as I was reloading mags at Tyngsboro one day. Noticed that the cases split and a round popped off a loaded mag.

Then came to the dumb realization that I had loaded .40S&W in my 1911 mags and fired them. No harm, but it was due to inattention and two calibers in the same can.

Also if I'm shooting a particular caliber, it's easier to know what you have in stock and grab the can and go.

 

[M1911]

Yes, it does and no joke.

I had boxes of .40 and .45 in one can and was talking with Jim Conway as I was reloading mags at Tyngsboro one day. Noticed that the cases split and a round popped off a loaded mag.

Then came to the dumb realization that I had loaded .40S&W in my 1911 mags and fired them. No harm, but it was due to inattention and two calibers in the same can.

Also if I'm shooting a particular caliber, it's easier to know what you have in stock and grab the can and go.

I did a similar thing one day. I brought two guns to the range -- a stainless 1911 and a stainless Delta Elite.

I shot the .45 for a while, then decided to shoot the Delta Elite. Spaced out and picked up the .45 again when I meant to pick up the Delta Elite -- hey, they are both basically stainless 1911s. Popped in the Delta Elite magazine and cycled the slide. When the 10mm cartridge fell out the end of the barrel on the ground, I figured that was a clue that I had screwed something up

 

[MassMark]

Yup...had the same thing happen with my Defender. Loaded a .40 into the mag while chatting with my girlfriend. Bang, Bang, Bang, pffft...I tilted the muzzle downward and waited to clear the malfunction - an empty .40 S&W slid down the barrel and onto the ground....Always check your ammo became my mantra...As for ammo cans, USGI work for me. I have some that I locked by using a drill a hasp and about 2-minutes of time.

 

[pdm]

If people have made modifications to their ammo cans to lock them up, could you provide pics? I'd like to get mine out of my safe.

 

[MassMark]

Digital crapped the bed, but I can explain it pretty easily:

Take your .50cal ammo can and a medium sized hasp from the hardware store. Use it as a template and mark for holes near the front side of the can, (right or left). With a good drill bit, clear your holes, mount the hasp, add your lock and you're done. The down side is that for storing boxed ammo or loaded magazines, you loose a teenie bit of space to allow for the bolts protruding inside the can - for loose ammo it's less of a problem. The upside is that it's extremely secure - you'd have to be motivated to break into it.

 

[Finalygotabeltfed]

Digital crapped the bed, but I can explain it pretty easily:

Take your .50cal ammo can and a medium sized hasp from the hardware store. Use it as a template and mark for holes near the front side of the can, (right or left). With a good drill bit, clear your holes, mount the hasp, add your lock and you're done. The down side is that for storing boxed ammo or loaded magazines, you loose a teenie bit of space to allow for the bolts protruding inside the can - for loose ammo it's less of a problem. The upside is that it's extremely secure - you'd have to be motivated to break into it.

Well, not really that motivated. It's enough to keep young curious hands out of it but a large screwdriver will pop the hinge pins off with a little effort.

This method of locking a military can is a good one. I've done it and using short screws and nylon stop nuts provides a smoothe finish on the inside.

Another method would be to use steel rivets and peen them into place and smoothe them out inside, removing any sharp edges.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I store most of my bulk ammo in the basement of my home. Instead of locking the ammo cans themselves, I lock the cans in an old 4-drawer file cabinet. They're cheaply available and they can hold a ton of ammo. It just so happens that ammo cans fit in the drawers perfectly.

 

[PaulD]

I store most of my bulk ammo in the basement of my home. Instead of locking the ammo cans themselves, I lock the cans in an old 4-drawer file cabinet. They're cheaply available and they can hold a ton of ammo. It just so happens that ammo cans fit in the drawers perfectly.

I have a two door, steel office supply cabinet in my garage for paint and things like that but I'm thinking I need another for my basement.

 

[EddieCoyle]

A couple of things I like about the file cabinets are that they have drawer slides that are strong enough to hold a drawer full of ammo, and because the drawers pull out, I'm no longer rummaging around to find what I'm looking for.

 

[matt]

I use an old filing cabinet too. Like EC said, they are available cheap, loads of room, and the drawers do help in making things easy to find.

Matt

 

[Len-2A Training]

Here are some links. $8.97 is MUCH too MUCH for them however.

http://www.imsplus.com/ims3.html - bottom of the page

http://www.alpharubicon.com/bovstuff/lockingammocant.htm

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ZAA078-65193-1375.html

I've seen the 1st and 3rd listed somewhere for ~$4 each. Google might find it.

 

[MassMark]

http://www.imsplus.com/ims3.html - bottom of the page

That site made me chuckle...Nothing, (I mean nothing) on the page is available....

 

[Executive]

Try this:

http://www.deltastorage.com/jobox.html

Secure, portable, economical.
(Well, portable when empty, anyway...)

 

[M1911]

I've got a couple boxes a bit smaller than that. Unfortunately, they're already filled up...

 

[Airborn Ranger]

I store my ammo in a Army Ammo box in a room that is not being used my me or my wife. The heat is turned down in that room and it is also dry. The ammo box is a good start IMO.

 

[Fsorrent]

Would a zip-tie constitute as a lock for ammo? I just got those ammo cans, and now I'm looking at a means to secure them.

 

[peterpressure]

z0mbi astutely pointed these out in another thread.

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=385605&postcount=26

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ZAA030-66086-2276.html

 

[Brian48]

I have a lot old military ammo cans from back when I was in the Marines. Kept stuff stored in them for years without any problems. I think you can still get them at a surplus store fairly cheap.