Magazine storage (NOT in safe)

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OilyPablo

OilyPablo

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We just moved and I am getting way more organized than I was before I retired.

I have a healthy amount of magazines for each mag fed gun. I have a healthy number of firearms. Which means a lot of magazines that are coming with to the range, getting wiped down, stored for a day, a month, week or year+. I used to keep them in Crown Royal (purple velvety bags). It was ok but had some drawbacks. Never knew what was in each. They bang together in sacks (not a huge problem). And just take way too much room in the safe.

I will store a few full mags in the safe - access storage (given)

I have some fairly dust/moisture tight cases that I store my unopened cases of AR mags and such - deep storage (given)

But from there we get to my dilemma from .22LR to .25ACP to Tok to .32ACP.....38ACP, 9mm, 9x18, 10mm, 45ACP,etc obviously to match the gun. Mostly hand guns, but a number of rifle types as well.

I probably missed some good threads on this.

I was thinking plastic tool boxes? I don't like totes really...........stuck.....
 
I broke down and bought a steel locking cabinet (stack on type) that is now my ammo storage locker (in addition to the gun safe). That's where the extra mags live now
 
My retirement gift from my old co was indeed a Stack-On. It contains my "ranch" rifles and shotguns, for critters and such. I neglected to mention my safe and the cabinet are full, AND I have JOBOX full of ammo and no room for magazines. Maybe I should get another cabinet. Hmm....Thanks!
 
Ohen Cepel said:
wombat,
I like that cabinet idea! Label the drawers for caliber would help one find most quickly.

Also, nice that it locks.
Click to expand...

A variety of sizes…and different tops….

The Harbor Freight tool boxes are some of the best values I have found…buy at the store to see if they are dented, save a lot of aggravation….
 
Yeah, I should really find a better solution, too.

I have a LOT of magazines and about half of them reside in 11 Contico boxes (look like .50cal boxes of plastic on steroids; 15"x8.5"x12.25"). FWIW, I have found this type of bulk storage to work pretty well, so long as [1] you have a LOT of mags and [2] you aren't always having to dig around in them.

For more "normal" QTYs of mags, a locking cabinet sounds like a good idea, but I would not spend several hundreds of dollars on such an item. I would be haunting the local "surplus" places. :)
 
Good ideas. I don't have room in my office for the cart unit..............well OK I have room but the aesthetics are a concern for this indoor space. The safe is a handsome brute and matches OK. Tool cabinet in color......hmmmm MAYBE

Now my shop won't have an opening until I finish the shed and get ALL my OPE out there. Pad for shed is next month, so the cart and in the shop might be a thing.

For now I have some extra large and small plastic tool boxes I used for moving all my tools. I can sort the mags and categorize in a way that works for me. Some will stay in the purple bags in bottom of boxes. Others in trays. Some in smaller red box, etc....may not have enough space, maybe fill those and put in safe.

Thanks!!!
 
I use transparent plastic storage containers with lids. Each one gets a label printed noting the type of mag the box contains. Pistol mags go on a shelf in the safe. AR mags I store on top of a steel cabinet. They take up too much volume for safe storage. I spent the first half of last year ordering in extra mags for everything I have as a just-in-case. Labeled containers for each mag type has greatly improved my ability to keep them together where I know they are at.
 
I keep many in range bags--which prevents forgetting to take them to the range.
Some proportion are in bandoliers, which can be slung from a peg. A passing number are in LBE, truth be told.
The rest lurk about at random, offending me for not being sorted--and then some squirrel scurries by throws a huge cloud of tinsel and shiny pennies to distract me . . .
 
Sterilite bins from Target.

See through, stackable, sturdy and inexpensive.

D9FF6AEF-E930-4B46-B593-6928B0811DAF.jpeg

I have one for centerfire handguns, one for rifles and one for rimfire handguns. :thumbup:

0608E74F-B627-49A6-8C8A-B36BC6EB192B.jpeg

They fit perfectly on the lower shelf of my Husky guncleaning/gunsmithing cart.

C69077A6-4CDC-4545-890E-309F825651C1.jpeg

Stay safe.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
I just bought a 2nd one of these for mags after this thread got me thinking about it. First one is filled with cleaning gear, small parts, and springs now.
Keter Rolling Tool Chest with Storage Drawers, Locking System and 16 Removable Bins-Perfect Organizer for Automotive Tools for Mechanics and Home Garage , Black - - Amazon.com
Click to expand...
They’re so handy! The one I bought has a wooden top that’s a great height for tinkering, I wish it had one more drawer for stuff like that one.

I put four swivel casters on it (it came with two swivel and two fixed) so it’ll maneuver easily and I got a 3-gun magnetic foam rifle rack like this that sticks in the side to hold long guns up so they won’t fall over:

76FFB02C-E46E-4CE9-8F11-3FCDF7B83BC0.jpeg

https://www.amazon.com/Five-Nine-Fo...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

There’s a million options, I know the OP will find something that fits in perfectly with his set up. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
When I only had a couple of mags for each gun I used a divided plastic case without its lid.

IMG_2768.JPG

Two problems, a) I got more magazines and b) you have to transfer them somewhere else to take them to the range.

Now I use a Plano case that fits my range bag. Around 10 magazines fit into each case. (Or 22 eight shot 9mm moonclips)

20210423_104707.jpg

20210423_104713.jpg

Oh and they conveniently fit in one of the drawers of my workbench. But they could easily stack in a cabinet or safe or shelving unit. And what's nice whether you keep them loaded or unloaded they are relatively protected and read to go.

20210412_121337.jpg

These particular Plano case has no dividers and fits the Midway back pack bag just perfectly. I even have two in the top compartment. One with tools and one with firstaid.

20210423_104645.jpg
 
A. Steel / plastic ammo cans
B. Tupperware-style plastic containers / totes
C. Bar magnets under safe shelf / pouches on safe door
D. Wall mount options
E. Range bags / shooting cart
F. SHTF Bags / Bandoliers / Plate carrier
G. PVC cache tubes
H. All of the Above (The Correct Answer)
 
I was given a few filing cabinets and the drawers are spacious, I picked up some 2 drawer cabinets and put a 3/4" plywood top on them and use that for cleaning brass. If you look around after office remodels you can get them free, desks also
 
CapnMac said:
I keep many in range bags--which prevents forgetting to take them to the range.
Click to expand...

That's what I do.

I have 4 of the Midway pistol carriers... with 2 big zippered pouches on one side, and a Velcro flap over the other side that has 8 slots for magazines. I have 2 different colors... FDE for .45's, black for 9mm (or revolvers, if they are going instead.) I just keep my extra .45 and 9mm mags there. Yes, I have gone to the range and left all my magazines behind... so there is an added incentive... ;)

As far as rifle mags... I only have 3 different types. One type stays with the case, my unloaded AR mags are in a box so marked, as are my unloaded M1a mags. Granted, I don't have a bunch of different mags/mag types... simplicity is it's own reward sometimes.
 
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