Locking up ammo

[RJ357]

Is it worth buying a safe (even a cheap dept store type) to keep ammo in? Does ammo have a significant risk of being stolen? I would be much more concerned about it's misuse than it's value; but is it something to worry about?

After doing some rearranging, I discovered a whole lot more ammo than I realized I had. If I filled a safe with it, it would pretty much keep the safe from walking off.

 

[musher]

The problem with a safe is that ammo storage is supposed to be self venting. In the event of a fire, the container needs to blow out a panel or something to release the pressure before it becomes dangerous if the ammo ignites.

A significant quantity of ammo stored in a save is a large bomb. Perhaps some locking steel cabinets with a weakened section in the back would be a better choice.

 

[TallPine]

I just spread mine out around the place ... so it's not all in one place to blow up in case of fire, and that little thing about not "putting all your eggs in one basket"

It must be working ... I have ammo in so many places that I don't even know where it's all at now. Every so often I run into a stash in the oddest places

 

[Moondoggie]

I use a defunct side-by-side fridge. I cut the refrigerent lines and replaced the shelves with rubber coated wire ones from Home Depot and added 90* corner brackets for strength.

Drilled about a 5/8" hole through each side and used a carriage bolt with big washers inside to attach log chain and I use a long shank (bike) lock to secure it.

I kinda like having the lite come on whenever I open my "ammo storage cabinet"!!!

 

[DelayedReaction]

I store mine in 50 cal ammo bins. They're cheap, airtight, and if I figure they were good enough for Uncle Sam then they should be good enough for me.

 

[J Miller]

I store my ammo in the basement in old cat litter buckets. They are water proof (the basement has flooded twice), and easy to transport.
I have so much ammo that when I moved the last time I put it all in my 3/4 ton 4X4 truck and it set the frame down on the axle.
If some miscreant was to help himself to some, he'd be doing me a favor.

At some future time, when I move to a better house I'll either buy or build a proper storage cabinet for it. But for now the buckets will have to do.



Joe

 

[JamisJockey]

Check the thrift stores for gym-style lockers. You'll find them there from time to time after Gyms and schools renovate and drop 'em off.

 

[DragonRider]

My ammo is locked up in a 52 inch high 2 panel cabinet. Ammo sits on the botton 2 shelves, cleaning supplies, holsters and such on next 2, and tools I dont want to leave out are on top shelf. Battery packs for tools are also here.

John

 

[borderguy]

I keep my ammo in 50 cal ammo cans in a cabinet in the garage. I guess if I was worried about theft, I could put a lock on the cabinet door.

 

[Taurus 66]

I double lock mine away from heat. The main safe is rated at 1,200º F. The inner ammo can is lined with mineral wool and is able to withstand an extra 500-600º. As for burglary, your best attempts at stopping thievery can always be matched. If they want your ammo that bad, they will most likely get to it.

 

[jefnvk]

I store mine in 50 cal ammo bins. They're cheap, airtight, and if I figure they were good enough for Uncle Sam then they should be good enough for me.

Ditto.

Most of my ammo is unmarked surplus. The criminal would have to be a gun nut to figure out what he had. Heck, even when I tell my family to use/bring me some, I have to describe it by box, shape and condition rather than caliber.

 

[RJ357]

OK, thanks. Looks like it's not as important as it is with guns.
A cabinet with some type of fireproofing could be a good idea, even if not burglar proof.

 

[artherd]

You don't really want it all in one big pressure-tight container...

 

[Gunnutz13]

Storage

I keep all my ammo in GI 50cal ammo cans that I buy at gun shows...usually get them 3 for $10. Caliber is marked on the top, and it's easy to grab a can of whatever for a trip to the range. Then I have the cans in those big plastic tubs that you can buy at Walmart / KMart...easy to stack and water proof as well. All stored in my dry basement...works for me!

 

[Kharn]

.30 and .50cal ammo cans, caliber Sharpie'd on the latch.

Kharn