I need suggestions for secure ammo storage

[plevniak]

I was planning on buying a construction site steel storage box to store my ammunition. They are cheap, secure, and have lots of space. The box says it should not be used for explosives etc., but I don't see much of a difference between this and a gun safe. It seems to me that since the box can be used outdoors for construction sites they put the "do not use for..." warnings on it. I want the ammunition to be secure AND safe. I also don't want to spend a ton of money. Also, those cheap Homak and Stack-on cabinets can't hold the weight of the ammunition in a manner that I can actually get at it without taking everything out. They are also a bit too flimsy for my taste.

Please tell me what is wrong with my idea and what you would suggest as an alternative. By the way, everything I plan to put in it is fully loaded ammo, no primers, no power.

Thanks in advance,
Me

 

[Cyanide_357]

This thread should interest you... that is if you like DIY projects. http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=73468

I'm in a simular situation... however, I really need to get some secure storage for my firearms.

Cyanide

 

[plevniak]

Thanks

Thanks. I saw that post. I did a quick search on THR before this post, but I couldn't find any good information on proper ammunition storage. I also saw some discussions about storage and fire situations but it never came to a solid conclussion. I can get this heavy gauge steel storage box for $199. It's 24" x 23" x 48" box. That's about 16 cubic feet of storage. That's a good deal in my opinion. But, is it a safe way to store ammo?

 

[campbellcj]

I'm in the same hunt right now but my main purpose for securing it is my son, and secondarily any friends/family/guests poking around where they shouldn't be. Right now most of my ammo is in surplus ammo boxes out-of-sight in my bedroom closet. I figure that if somebody gets in there and is really looking to steal stuff, no plastic or metal box - or probably even a safe - is gonna help anyway.

I would prefer to keep it elsewhere, like the garage, but it is not climate-controlled and so temps swings from the 30's to 90+ throughout the year and humidity varies widely too. A secure, dedicated indoor closet would be ideal but we don't have the space.

Also, in a fire, I can't imagine that any kind of enclosure containing a couple hundred pounds of ammo is going to be A Good Thing...

Looking forward to hearing any suggestions.

 

[Art Eatman]

Secure against what? Theft? Most any lockable steel box will do; the "gun safes" that Wally World sometimes has for around $70 would do fine.

Otherwise, the main thing is to protect against temperatures much over 85 degrees.

Out in a garage, most places, ammo and components will last about 10 years before degrading...

Art

 

[plevniak]

?Safe? I see your point. I'll clarify.

By "safe" I mean that the ammunition is not being stored dangerously. I'm concerned about this point the most due to the labeling on the tool chest I'm planning on buying. (Please see my first post about the warning labels on it.) It's far from being air-tight so I don't see the potential for it contributing to an explosion if the ammo were to cook-off inside. It seems to me to be performing a "shielding" function. But I don't know how much venting is needed either. I also don't know if enclosing ammo in the box has any other unsafe properties other than the obvious fire related problems. If I didn't mention it already, the tool chest would be stored in a cool, dry, basement.

By "secure" I mean that someone won't walk away with the contents without the assistance of a refrigerator dolly or some serious power tools.

Thanks.

 

[Sam]

The box you are talking about will work just fine.

Ammunition and explosive storage are two entirely different things.
You would be hard pressed to get a job box full of ammo to cook off in a dangerous fashion.

Even storing powder isn't real bad.
Primers on the other hand can and will mass detonate, no don't ask.
Sam

 

[Daniel964]

Primers on the other hand can and will mass detonate, no don't ask.

No, I gotta ask. What happened? Sounds like it will be interesting reading.

 

[ken grant]

Ammo storage

A broken refrigerator dried out is perfect for storing ammo,powder or primers. It is well insulated so no wide temperture swings and a lock can be put on the door for ammo.
In the case of powder or primers,use one with a magnetic door with no lock. If something should happen,the door will fly open with the pressure from within.
DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW!!!!!!

 

[eagle45]

I bought a Heritage Residential Securtiy Safe (gun safe) last year. I had been storing everything in two Stack On gun cabinets, the 10 gun double door models. I gave one of these to my son, and modified the other for ammo storage.

On the side that the long guns were stored on, I built in some shelves using the white, pre-drilled shelving material like you see in closets. I cut one piece for each side and one piece for the top. I set the two sides in the cabinet, then placed the top on at a height about 1 foot down from the top of the cabinet and screwed it in. That top is the only fixed shelf. All the other shelves are adjustable due to the material being pre drilled. All I needed was the shelf brackets. I had the material on hand, but it would only have cost about $10. I made a shelf for each pistol calber I shoot and reload. The nice thing is you can adjust the shelves as your needs change.

 

[AJ Dual]

Ask Preacherman.

I remember him posting about making a gun accessory/ammo locker out of a Sams Club/Costco metal locking office cabinet.

He then reinforced it by finding one of those "rated for X thousand lbs." plywood and metal shelving system that fit exactly inside.

That seemed like a pretty good system.

 

[M2 Carbine]

plevniak, that sounds fine. Safe and locked if you want.

It's more dangerous to have stuff like WD40 around the house than ammunition and gun powder.

EXCEPT black powder, that's another story.

 

[shermacman]

Ditto M2.
Your lawn mower, chain saw, weed whacker and the gas, paint thinner and WD are far more dangerous. A tool box is a great ammo storage container. Cheap, strong, more trouble to break into than a burglar will want...Some great posts about storing primers and black powder above.

 

[MoeMentum]

I did the same thing, I have a steel construction box and two padlocks on it, just to keep the kids, and maybe their friends from getting curious.

 

[YammyMonkey]

I was thinking that one of those cheapy Homak containers laid on its back so the door is more of a lid could serve the same purpose without the cost and having to deal with the upright imbalance, stacking/unstacking, etc. Would probably keep errant kids out and if you bolted it to the floor it would be hard to move (as if a large box of ammo would be anything but hard to move).