Secure Ammo Storage Containers

[Torian]

Well, my "hoarding" tendencies are starting to have an unexpected consequence: no more room in my gun safe.

Looking for recommendations for brands / types of ammo storage lockers. What do you guys use? I have quite a bit of pricey ammo, and I'm not interested in just throwing it in some crappy wall locker.

 

[beatledog7]

I store mine in ammo cans (bulk handgun I know shoots well) in a hidden area of a closet and in a solid wood footlocker and cabinet (rifle ammo, shot shells, and handgun ammo I'm load testing). The latter are lockable and do not have the outward appearance of ammo storage.

 

[CB900F]

Torian;

Huh! I have mine in a crappy double-door mil-surp wall locker that locks. Putting ammo in a safe is not a smart idea for a couple of good reasons.

Besides, if someone's in the house without your permission I'd think they'd already be criminals. Gotta admit that with some of the insanity floating around several state legislatures these days I'm not 100% sure on that one anymore. So, I'd think that if the majority of it is separate from the firearms and locked up, you'd have satisfied the law. However, see above disclaimer.

I paid $25.00 for my crappy locking ammo container, which means the gummint probably paid about 10X for it. But, to each their own.

900F

 

[Old Shooter]

Surplus 50 cal ammo cans.

Waterproof enough for me, easy to stash anywhere in the house or garage, someplace "special" off site, easily stackable if need be.

 

[heeler]

I have seriously given the thoughts of spending $200 on a Ridgid model #2032-OS contractors tool box from Home Depot.
Of course it would have to be painted because it comes in a horrible orange color.
But it would be helpful to keep the now big dollar ammo storage from being stolen in a home burglary.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use a rolling tool chest. My major calibers get their own drawer.

 

[heeler]

Another good idea Colt.
What brand of rolling tool chest and does it lock??

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Mine is a black Craftsman combo. I use the bottom box for ammo and the top box for cleaning supplies, tools, and spare parts.

 

[rondog]

I second the contractor's toolbox, providing you have the space for one, can bolt it down, and don't have more than it can hold. Most of them have recessed areas for padlocks so they can't be attacked with bolt cutters. I've long thought one would be perfect, but not so for me anymore....with my back problems and waaaay too much ammo for one now.

 

[sota]

http://www.harborfreight.com/hanging-tool-cabinet-39213.html
depth is enough for your average 50rnd box of 9mm or .45acp ammo. I can put about 25 boxes per shelf position, with 9 shelf positions. I have one mounted to a wall under a counter in my basement in a locked room with only 1 door.

 

[beatledog7]

Nice cabinet, but if I were going to use it I'd drill through the back and mount it through that way so the bolts are inside the locked cabinet. A determined thief with time could still get into it, but at least then he'd have to in order to steal the whole cabinet or anything in it.

 

[sota]

when I mounted mine I didn't use the keyhole slots. I used the smaller peg holes and put 4" concrete anchors through them, a total of 12.

to be honest though, a crowbar and 10 seconds would have all 3 doors open. however you'd be trying to remove almost 250 boxes of ammo from it to get them out of there. that'll get tiring really quick they're more of the "casual" deterrent than a fool-proof method. with where it is in the room first you have to get through the locked door, then you have to move a couple cardboard boxes out of the way that hide the cabinet, which is black and hard to see under the counter to begin with (room is only 4'x8' and is my photography darkroom.)

 

[beatledog7]

a crowbar and 10 seconds would have all 3 doors open

True. Home security measures are never more than a speed bump to a determined and well-equipped thief with time to act.

 

[1 old 0311-1]

Works for me

 

[sota]

beatle: agreed. while I'd lament the theft of the ammo contained, I prefer to keep the more important and expensive valuables stored in the big safe (like the firearms, my magazines, and my defensive ammo. not to mention other non-firearm related valuables.)

 

[Outlaw Man]

I use ammo cans, but I like that cabinet Sota posted.

Serious question: how often does ammo get taken in home burglaries? I'm talking significant quantities, not just the loaded mags in the case with the AR. I wonder if it would be worthwhile to invest in something more secure if you have a large quantity.

A $30 box of ammo getting stolen isn't the end of the world. 3,000 rounds of 5.56 would be heartbreaking. Maybe keeping it in small boxes to make it harder to carry is the best course.

 

[heeler]

Outlaw Man,that's just it.
A lot of us due to the current political instability have put back many hundreds/thousands of dollars worth of ammunition and with the ammo drought that has striken it would be a prize catch for a thief.
Thus locking it up in something other than a box with a handle attached to it might be prudent for some.
Even though many preach against locking it in your safe for the time being mine is locked up in two gun safes for fear of theft from a home burglary.
This scenario has only happened to me three times in the past,home burglaries that is.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I've got no problem with that approach. You've always got to consider what your greatest threat/risk is and focus your protection in that direction.

Depending on your location and other environmental factors, the risk of ammo cooking off in your safe may be pretty slim compared to the risk of a break in. Currently, fire is my biggest fear, but obviously, your mileage varies.

 

[Torian]

I use a rolling tool chest. My major calibers get their own drawer.

I actually liked this idea and went to Home Depot today and bought something along these lines.

 

[heeler]

Well I did my taxes last night (well the girl friend did) and I am buying the small rigid contractors tool box along with two good locks for the recessed locking areas.
I intend to wrap an old vinyl clad heavy duty 3/8" thick security chain I bought way back in the 70's for my motorcycle through the lift handle and around my smaller Amsec 10 gauge gun safe and locking it with the heavy duty Master padlock from that era that is no longer even being made.
Reasonably secure and will get the ammo out of the two gun safes.

 

[saenzrich]

something like this for a cheapy...but i would go with a JOBSITE box...they bolt down and locked with a nice masterlockhttp://www.lowes.com/pd_195894-76354-37211296_0__

 

[rondog]

At the moment, all mine is just on some old steel shelves in the garage, and I have a movers blanket over the front to cover them up. But my plan is to clear that whole garage wall, insulate it, vapor barrier, then sheetrock it, then paint it. And then I'll replace these steel shelves with some larger wooden ones, enclosed with plywood, and have two 24" doors of 3/4" plywood with large hasps and padocks at the top and bottom. It will just look like a basic garage storage cabinet, but with wonderful goodies inside. And nobody will be able to see what's inside when the garage door is open.

 

[Torian]

Well, went to Lowes, and got one of these for 150.00 Solid construction...about 80 pounds empty. I still have a few thousand rounds to add, but it's pretty secure. I figure as I get more ammo I can just get more containers. Self-assembled in about 45 minutes.

 

[jeepnik]

Some years back, I picked up a used JobBox. You know the sort of thing you see on construction sights for securing tools at night. I had no immediate plans, but it was in great shape and cheap.

I ended up making "shelves" that require four to make up a layer, and have a number of layers in the box. Most used on top, least on bottom layer. The shelves lift out easily, although the lower ones require you to lean into the box.

Now, "if" thieves came equiped with a torch they could open it, or a forklift they could move it (well after they undid the bolts securing it to the garage floor).

My point is don't just think gun safe. There are several other ways to secure things that don't attact as much attention as a safe. Though I'd never store firearms in one, as you can't really control the humidity in one.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A dehumidifier rod or light bulb will control humidity in a job box just fine.