Last year I built some shelves in my storeroom to hold ammo cans. I used cinder blocks and 2X6's and I put a strip of plywood on the floor for the bottom layer to sit on. My storeroom is heated and air-conditioned so it may have been overkill.
Ammo Can Storage?
- Thread starter Will Munny
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Last year I built some shelves in my storeroom to hold ammo cans. I used cinder blocks and 2X6's and I put a strip of plywood on the floor for the bottom layer to sit on. My storeroom is heated and air-conditioned so it may have been overkill.
GunnyUSMC
Member
The problem is that every so many years, someone comes up with a new way to store ammo. There are a lot of people that never stocked up on ammo until just a few years ago. So, we have a lot of people that are new into finding ways to store their ammo. I see nothing wrong with them asking a question that many of us find to be so obvious.
GunnyUSMC
Member
Another thing that you can do with ammo cans, is make a SHTF can.
That’s a can that holds a pistol, extra magazines and ammo.
You can buy or make the insert for the ammo can.
Here’s one that I made.
And here’s one that I bought.
This can holds a S&W M&P 45 with six spare magazines and to boxes of ammo. Total ammo count in the can is 177 rounds.
That’s a can that holds a pistol, extra magazines and ammo.
You can buy or make the insert for the ammo can.
Here’s one that I made.
And here’s one that I bought.
This can holds a S&W M&P 45 with six spare magazines and to boxes of ammo. Total ammo count in the can is 177 rounds.
.455_Hunter
Member
It is weird that I have an empty one of those same "7.92 LPS" boxes in my bedroom as misc storage next to my nightstand?
.455_Hunter
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Yup- I have a "go can" for each of my primary duty rifles. The can contains ammo and an appropriate number of empty mags to provide a reasonable "basic load" quantity. I usually only keep a couple additional mags loaded at any one time.
GunnyUSMC
Member
That crate is unopened and I have three more spam cans. It has become a very sought after 8mm Mauser ammo.
.455_Hunter
Member
I have two spam cans and a bunch of individual boxes of that loading. Aim Surplus had it for cheap back in the day.
I haven't seen those foam inserts until now but there seems to be lots of accessories for ammo cans. I have a set of trays that hold small parts like nuts, screws, electrical connectors, ect that fit a 50 cal can.
GunnyUSMC
Member
They make all types of inserts for ammo cans and you will find the prices will very by a good bit. I have seen them as low as $19 to as much as $75.
Here’s a few of them.
GunnyUSMC
Member
Metal ammo cans are great because, they can be used for many things besides just storing ammo.
And you can put a lock on your ammo cans.
When it comes to stacking them, they do pretty good on their own. MTM doses make trays that will hold four metal cans. These are great for stacking. There a r handles on the sides of the trays but four ammo cans, full of ammo, is pretty heavy.
And you can put a lock on your ammo cans.
When it comes to stacking them, they do pretty good on their own. MTM doses make trays that will hold four metal cans. These are great for stacking. There a r handles on the sides of the trays but four ammo cans, full of ammo, is pretty heavy.
GunnyUSMC
Member
They’re out there, but you have to look for them. The biggest problem is shipping. It can drive the price up. Walmart and Academy Sports carry new copies of military ammo cans at pretty good prices.
There’s a local shop that sales them, but they are a little rusty and $14.
Normally around Spring time PSA and Midway USA put ammo cans on sale. Watch for when Midway has their free shipping when you spend $49 or more. You can get some nice grade 2 surplus cans at a great price and free shipping.
Here’s some grade 2 cans I got from them.
I even had an ammo can for my toy box as a kid. Frankly, I just assumed every kid used an ammo can. Little did I know I'd use them as my toy boxes as an adult, too.
Then, at some point probably in the 1980s, my dad bought about 100 of them. I still haven't quite figured out what to do with all of them.
Then, at some point probably in the 1980s, my dad bought about 100 of them. I still haven't quite figured out what to do with all of them.
Harbor Freight has both the metal and plastic cans, the metal 30 cal & 50 cal cans go for around $16. The plastic 30 cal for $6 and the plastic $50 cal for $10. If one has a Harbor Freight nearby go check em out.
rperyam
Member
I have been using these ammo can magnets on eBay. They are easy to see, easy to change when I change the contents, and very inexpensive. Just about every caliber or description for ammo. Magnets make great sense.
A cautionary note on foam inserts - use closed cell foam instead of open cell to keep moisture out of your can. Sponges are open cell so you don't want to load a "sponge" into your nice dry airtight can.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I use mortar cans. But I'm still small scale compared to a lot of people. My idea is my two boys will burn up my stockpile. Do I might as have it before they need it. Just like my dad did.
GunnyUSMC
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Regarding why I asked this in the first place.
I have stored my ammo in ammo boxes or on shelves now for several years, but in a dry climate. On moving to a wet climate I had to consider if I should modify my storage practices at all and wanted opinions as to the effectiveness of ammo boxes for long term storage.
Also, while it does seem obvious that ammo boxes are designed to hold ammo, there are plenty of examples of products which are supposedly intended for a particular purpose which are in fact inferior for that purpose. Dish detergent packs are an excellent example, obviously they are designed to wash dishes, and have no alternative use (within reason) but are in fact inferior at doing even that job and would better be replaced by plain powdered detergent. Numerous other examples abound.
And while ammo boxes are military in origin, items intended for military use usually have a different set of design parameters than what civilians might want. Who would want to use a P-38 as a kitchen can opener for example, or only hunt with ball ammunition?
My original hypothesis was that ammo boxes were a suitable storage solution, and I would take the sum of the posts here as an endorsement of that view.
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