Help! Ammo storage racks

[WestKentucky]

I am remodeling my man cave due to a recent roof leak and I will be adding a closet in the room as the house has basically no storage space. I intend to put a ammo storage unit in that closet which will hold a thousand rounds of 38spl, 357 mag, 44 mag, 9mm and 32 SWL. Needs to also hold 5000 rds of 22 lr. 500 rds of 270 3030 and 243, and 5000 shotgun shells in mixed flavors of 12 and 20 ga. I also want room for reloading components. Basically I'm looking for industrial shelving I can use in a residential setting to hold about 1000 pounds total. So far I have bought and destroyed a few cheapo units as my collection of ammo grows heavier so I'm guessing high at the 1000 pound range. If anybody knows of a decent shelving unit for a reasonable price please let me know. I'm also considering building one using 4x4 uprights 2x4 crossbraces and 7/8 plywood shelves wrapped with the 7/8 ply to brace it from twisting and teetering. I prefer to buy due to a lack of free time so, I need suggestions. I'm planning on a 6x6 closet with 8' cieling. Prefer freestanding unit or one that easily detaches so that when we have a little one I can migrate my stuff elsewhere.

 

[thefish]

I've used metro shelving for lots of stuff. Looks good and super strong

http://www.shelving.com/Metro-Wire-Shelving-s/1291.htm

 

[thefish]

Home Depot has some stuff

http://t.homedepot.com/s/Shelving

 

[thefish]

Costco too

http://www.costco.com/storage-cabinets-shelving-units.html

 

[230RN]

I have cut 2X2s to help support shelves in the middle.

I have a bookshelf made of particle board (which "flows" under stress) I am planning to do that with, too.

 

[Sav .250]

No wonder there is an ammo shortage....................

 

[jonnyc]

I got some cheap modular shelving at WalMart. You will want the metal/wood stuff, not the plastic set.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

The metro style shelving works great for ammo cans. I bought some on clearance at Sears a few years ago and converted a walk-in closet to a gun/ammo room.

Mike

 

[oneounceload]

Gorilla rack will hold all you have plus more - Sam's. Costco or similar places carry them. All you need is a rubber mallet to put together and a space 4' X 19". If you have really heavy items, replace their shelf stuff with 3/4" marine plywood. One of my units held more than what you mentioned plus wads, primers, and a machine or two.

You can also take a unit and split it in two to have a workbench 8' long - use a stock kitchen formica countertop from the big box store

 

[rs7]

Checkout a restaurant supply store. They probably have just what you need. Freestanding, adjustable, modular, very strong, many sizes.

 

[cuervo]

Is it a coincidence that one of the ads at the bottom of this page was for industrial shelving?

As others have mentioned, get metal, not plastic. No matter how thick, the plastic will warp over time, especially if it's in a warm room. If you get something with the little plastic sleeves that hold the shelves in place like wedges, use a hammer to tap the shelves down over the wedges while holding wedges in place.

Try to load from the bottom up so that you don't get top-heavy. You don't want to have anything fall over, even in a limited space.

 

[blarby]

+1 for gorilla racks.

 

[jartgo]

Gorilla Rack also offers a 12" deep version, which you may find more suitable for this application than the standard 18" version.

 

[johnandersonoutdoors]

Over the last few months I have picked up 2 heavy duty double walled metal bookcases at my local university surplus auction. First one was $20 and the second I got for $25. Bottom shelf limit safely 100lbs and upper 3 shelves I think are 50 to 80lbs range. Approx 44" wide, 12" deep, 54" tall.

If you have a large university or state auction nearby, you can save a ton on money on things like that (also got giant wooden bookcase last month for $20). If you can't find something like that near you, then I would vote to build them yourself.

 

[mstreddy]

If you are somewhat handy and have some tools, you can build your own custom shelving that will hold the ammo weight fine. I used 1" white pine boards, both 10" and 12" wide to build a shelf unit. What I did was I made it around 27" wide which allowed for enough space to hold two common ammo cans on one side, and 1 common and 2 narrow ammo cans on the other side. I used a vertical board in the middle. I offset the middle vertical supports to allow me to nail them to the horizontal boards.
I made it as tall as I had space for.
It sounds complicated, I'll have to attach a picture when I get home.

 

[Legionnaire]

Sorry, don't remember the manufacturer, but I found some metal shelving that I could build inside a steel storage cabinet. Snug, but it fit. Now I have a locking metal ammo storage cabinet. Just wish I had replaced the particle board shelves with half-inch plywood.

 

[mstreddy]

Here is the shelf I built for my ammo. I use ammo cans as is apparent. My labels are rudimentary, but they work.

 

[zerobarrier]

I just moved all my ammo out of my safe to this metal locking cabinet. I got it at home depot for 180ish. It is 42"h x 36"wx 18"d. Says each shelf is rated to 180lbs. So far it is working for me. Here are some pics, sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Step into the WayBack Machine Sherman,,,

Step into the WayBack Machine Sherman,,,

Remember those brick and board bookshelves we all had in the 60's.



Use 2 x 12 boards and they will hold a ton of ammunition.

Don't waste your time with 3/4 plywood, particle board, or even 1 x 12 boards,,,
They will all sag under that much weight,,,
I know this from experience.

If the brick isn't tall enough Lay a clean piece of 2 x 4 on it,,,
All you have to worry about is if your floor will support the weight.

I know this sounds cheap and dirty,,,
But they are infinitely adjustable for height, width, and span,,,
And if you just spend a few bucks more and buy nice wood they look just fine.

Just a suggestion,,,
But I guarantee they work very well.

Aarond

.

 

[grogetr]

http://www.storesupply.com/c-1248-madix-gondola-wall-units.aspx
Gondola shelves like are in stores. They hold 500 lbs per shelf and can be put together any way you want. They come in 3' and 4' sections.

 

[hardluk1]

I am using a vented gym locker . 6-12"x12"x12" box's and I most have near 7 thousand mixed rounds in it with a little room to spare. I picked mine up used , cheap.
http://www.lockeremporium.com/veboxlotiwif.html

 

[Sav .250]

Nothing like safe storage.

 

[hso]

I have steel industrial shelving. Instead of just laying the provided shelf board in I dropped 2x12 boards in place to support the shelf board (more than just ammo cans on the shelves).