Military surplus containers and their uses

[Stationary Smell]

So I have only recently discovered that there is a large variety of ammo cans... Looking through Sportsmans guide they have all kinds of other surplus containers. Does anyone have any creative uses for these containers? I'm thinking I might have to pick up a couple of the large 81mm cans, they look like they could probably hold an AR upper. I don't think I would actually do that... but there's all kinds of uses I'm sure!

 

[ontarget]

Ammo storage is a good use for ammo cans....LOL. Sorry had to say it.

 

[Stationary Smell]

Ammo storage is a good use for ammo cans....LOL. Sorry had to say it.

Haha I figured someone would...

 

[reddog81]

I've seem them used as saddle bags on a motorcycle. I thought that was pretty creative.

 

[Stationary Smell]

That does sound pretty cool!

 

[ontarget]

Sorry S.S. l couldn't help myself. I store gun cleaning gear in the ammo cans, tools out in the shop, and I use 1 for a range box. And a good size first aide kit is in one too.

 

[F250GUY]

I've seem them used as saddle bags on a motorcycle. I thought that was pretty creative.

There is a guy in my area of P.A. that has what appears to be either a BMW motorcycle or a dual sport bike that uses them as saddle bags, never got a close look, but I can spot ammo cans a mile away. LOL!!

 

[Deus Machina]

I planned on making a couple for my bike when I was limited to that. If I get another 'vintage' motorcycle at any point, I'll revisit it.
Mostly I use them for ammo, reloading equipment, and tools. In Florida, an airtight container with oxygen absorbers is a good friend in the garage.
I do keep a 7.62x54r crate under my bed. Perfect height and the handle on the front is better than rubbermaid bins.

 

[RPRNY]

The night vision goggles case makes a very nice case for a spotting scope.

 

[lysanderxiii]

They are good for storing anything that need to be stored in a waterproof container.....

 

[Meplat 308]

I've seen folks selling them on gunbroker & E-bay as handgun or AR mag cases with foam inserts.

 

[Alte Schule]

My father in law had a 30 year Army career. All in logistics and supply. His tool shed was lined with .30 caliber ammo cans filled and labeled with screws, bolts and nails. After he passed away years ago I put about ten of them to use. Found out that they will hold about 1300 rds of plastic sleeved .22 Ammo such as CCI & Winchester Super X and about 800 rds of plastic sleeved .22 magnum. 303 Brit, 8mm, 5.56, small hex tools, lights, lasers and other accessories fill the others.

 

[GAF]

They a fairly water proof for a very long time.
https://beprepared.com/blog/13307/emergency-preparedness-supplies-of-a-1960s-fallout-shelter/

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have a few.


These are just some that I use to store ammo in.
I do use them for other things.
First aid kit


Tool storage, reloading supplies, gun cleaning supplies. I even used one to carry my Latent print kit in the trunk of my police car.
But the majority of my cans are used to store ammo.
Back in August we had a record flood in south Louisiana. 80% of the homes in my town had from two to six feet of water in them for two to three days. I have friends that lost a lot of ammo due to the flood and the way they stored it. Everyone of them that used those plastic ammo cans lost ammo, the plastic cans leaked. The ones that used military ammo cans didn't loose ammo.
One friend lost over 5000 rounds of ammo that were stored in plastic cans. He now has military cans.

There is another aspect to ammo cans. You can collect them for the markings.

 

[P5 Guy]

A friend of mine had a wooden crate he varnished and used as a coffee table.
If I remember correctly it was from a purchase of military surplus rifles when he had a CCR. With a glass top he displayed a couple of pieces of his collection. Quite a conversation starter.

 

[SeanSw]

I've seem them used as saddle bags on a motorcycle. I thought that was pretty creative.

These old Marmites make for an outrageous set of saddlebags. They'll keep your bike together in a wreck too.

 

[BSA1]

.50 caliber for handgun magazines. 7 & 8 round 1911 without a basepad and 15 round double stack 9mm magazine fit neatly crossways.

 

[bangswitch]

So I have only recently discovered that there is a large variety of ammo cans... I might have to pick up a couple of the large 81mm cans......

I've got half a dozen of the 81mm mortar cans. They'll hold 30 boxes of 12 ga. shotgun shells, 36 of 20 ga., and a couple thousand rounds of .308 if loaded loose.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have often thought that if I could get a CJ series soft top Jeep that bolting one through the floor between the seats would make a somewhat secure storage compartment with the right locking system.

Something like this, but I would improve the locking mechanism:

 

[JTHunter]

Sistema - it is likely that a couple of hard blows with a ball peen hammer would be enough to snap that eyebolt off. Also, a hacksaw with a new coarse-tooth blade could cut through that unhardened bolt in less than a minute. Bolt-cutters at least a foot long could probably go through the eye in 10 seconds. If you could find an eyebolt that size that is a "grade 8" (usu. gold-colored instead of silver), they are hardened and less likely to snap when struck and are hard to cut.
Make that change and that is a great idea.
One thing I couldn't tell is whether or not that can is anchored to the vehicle by some nuts & bolts going through the bottom of the can. That would make it harder for somebody to break it free and run off with the entire can.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I've got half a dozen of the 81mm mortar cans. They'll hold 30 boxes of 12 ga. shotgun shells, 36 of 20 ga., and a couple thousand rounds of .308 if loaded loose.

Have you ever tried to pick up one of those cans loaded?
Just a 1000 round can of 5.56 is heavy enough.

 

[herrwalther]

I have two ammo cans for 40mm grenades that ride on the Mk19 that I bought at a flea mall. I still haven't found a good use for them. As I can't afford to have that much ammo on hand.

Overseas our 105mm rounds came two to a wooden box. A few nails and 2x4s made one of those crates into a nice laptop computer desk.

 

[KevininPa]

I have often thought that if I could get a CJ series soft top Jeep that bolting one through the floor between the seats would make a somewhat secure storage compartment with the right locking system.

Something like this, but I would improve the locking mechanism:

There are some nifty kits for this. Google it.

 

[1911 guy]

I keep ammo in fifty cal cans, extra holsters, mag pouches, etc. in a 40mm can and odds and ends in a aviation counter-measures flare can. Forget what designation. I picked it up on base a few decades ago and the paint is worn off.

 

[entropy]

I have two ammo cans for 40mm grenades that ride on the Mk19 that I bought at a flea mall.

I've never seen a Mk19 at a flea market......