Magazine Storage Container

[DYNOMIKE]

I suspect this has been touched on, but after several Searches (using "Magazine Storage") I didn't find much?

Sooo here is my Query:
I need More AMMO cans kinda sorta Like RIGHT NOW.. This last weekends show Netted me exactly -OO-, None, as in NOT ONE..
I have been storing my FAL mags in 50 Cal ammo cans and have 16 Mags per can. Finding Another/Better MAG storage System will give me a Number of Much needed Cans back for ammo storage..

"WHAT"Are you using ? IE: Plastic Tub, Wooden Crates, What?
What are the dimensions
Where did you find them
HOW many Mags can you get in this particular container?

Please feel free to share any ideas.. I have lots of other Mags kicking around in several forms of storage containers and would like something that would work for all of them..
TIA...

[Muggzy]

get a bigger ammo can I wasn't trying to be smart...really

You can load many magazines in a 20mm can and still carry it. Ya can't do that with ammo unless your built like "The Walking Reciever Wrench"

maybe....ammo crates?

[BiGB808]

the mortar or rocket cases?

those sure are nice

[Gunga Din]

.30 Cal ammo cans, 10 magazines per. The "ready reserve".  

I also use SAW cases, the so-called "fat 50", for bulk mag storage, 25 per.

[WiFAL]

+1 on the 30 cal. cans. 10 mags fit nicely and when loaded equals a battle pack in a box with a handle. It isn't so heavy that it's difficult to haul out of the basement on range day either. I only use bigger cans for bulk storage.

[DYNOMIKE]

OK...
I Very much like the Idea of the .30 CAL can for LOADED mags for Range trips, or a Quick Grab.. I will set one up like that for sure..
Would this work W/AR, AK, & M-14 mags as well?
Thanks for the Tips..

What I would also like to hear is a Way to Store LOTS of Mags that will NOT get used on a Regular basis.. Thinking of a Storage system that would allow reasonably easy access and accountability as well as Safe keeping..
A Large AMMO can would work BUT would need some type of Dividers I think?
Maybe a Large Crate, or Box with a Hinged Lid?
I'm pretty open here so if you have an Idea PLEASE share it..

[Old Sarge]

I can get 32 of the Fal mags in a Saw can. Lay them down flat. Two 75 round drums fit nice in a Saw can. I think the AK 30s will fit standing, but you have to put them at a bit of an angle. Not real sure how many it would hold all togather. AR mags fit standing up and you can get seven accross and four or five deep. M14 mags fit five accross in a .50 can and hold three rows of them. I would guess that G3 mags would be close to the same numbers in said cans. Might be one less due to the edges. I mark the front locking straps with masking tape and what is in them.

I would think you could get 50 or more in a 20mm can. Have to check on this one.


Old Sarge

[MAINER]

Keep checking Mil. Surp. places I've got a big can that looks like a .50 cal on steroids. Probably 20mm or morters, not sure. Can check if you like. I know I could get 100 Fal mags in there, at least. (I think) Seals up like an ammo can too.

DSA has Brencans for $20, but they only hold 24 20rd mags or 12 30rds.

[FAL GRUNT]

I use old ammo crates. I fit something like 40 FAL mags in an old Port ammo crate. There is just a LITTLE room left...

I picked up a bunch of ammo crates last I was at AIM just for this purpose. Deep storage

-myers

[Scott S]

EDIT: DM, I reread your first post and realized my response isn't quite on topic. I think you're asking about storage only, whereas I'm talking about storage in relatively small, waterproof containers for easy transport to the range/shooting events. However, I'll leave it in case it gives folks ideas.

Mag storage is a big issue for me, too. Here are my tried-and-true storage solutions and the not-so-great storage methods that need improvement.

Solutions:

FAL mags - I use the .30 cal cans to hold 10 apiece. Doesn't get any better than that.

Sten mags - I use French military SMG 49/50 mag carriers. Made of canvas, each carrier holds 5 mags and keeps them from banging together. I put two carriers, with their shoulder straps, into a .50 cal can to keep 'em water proof. 320 rounds, and the cans aren't heavy, making for easy transport. Bought these from SG about a year ago, but I haven't seen them advertised in a while.

1911 mags - eight cell nylon mag pouch from Competition Works or some such outfit out of California. Bought it from Brownell's years ago. Will also handle double stack mags, and fits in a .30 cal can with room to spare.

Dilemmas (water proofing is the main concern with the first two):

AR mags - I currently use 6-cell nylon carriers like the kind you buy from Galati International. They suffice, buy they aren't water proof. I'd like to figure some method for carrying AR mags in ammo cans without making the cans too heavy or leaving too much room inside the cans to allow the mags to bang around during transport.

AK mags - I use standard 4-cell raindrop pattern AK mag pouches. I put two pouches back-to-back and fasten them together with a hand-sized, foam padded carabiner from Home Depot. Gives me a hand carry package for eight mags. I use the blue carabiners for 30 rounders and the reds for 20 rounders.
Again, like with the AR mags, water proofing is the issue.

10/22 mags - I carry them, 10s, 25s, 30s, 50s, loose in a range bag. That carry method sucks.

Speed loaders - No, they're not mags, but I have enough of 'em for a couple calibers that tossing them in the range bag with the 10/22 mags just makes a helluva mess.

A quick background story on why I want waterproof carry for all my mags. At a shoot two years ago while we were away from the line eating lunch, a brief but potent thunderstorm blew through in a matter of minutes. When we got back to the line, EZ-ups were blown over, and some of the canopies that were erected had fallen down. Rain blew nearly horizontally, and that soaked darn near everything. It was a fairly simple matter to dry out the guns by shooting them, but the only way to get the mags good and dry was to disassemble them. Complicating the matter was that all my nylon and canvas mag carriers were now soaked and had to air out for the better part of a day before I could put mags back in them. The whole affair was a huge pain and cut into our shooting time.

[W.E.G.]

Magazine storage can get very chaotic if you have a variety of firearms.

I like ammo cans because they are uniform size, and stack nicely.

"Banana" shaped mags don't utilize space very well in ammo cans.
Cardboard boxes and plastic tubs are OK.

Remember, any steel mag can rust. So, whatever you put it in, be sure you address the rust-prevention issue. Otherwise, you will be very, very unhappy sometime in the future when you discover the product of your neglect.

[Oswald2001]

+1 on the 30 caliber ammo cans.

I have 5 30 caliber ammo cans with 10 fully loaded mags each.

Ready to go at all times.

[steveo539]

I've got an old dinomite crate, two old wooden shotgun shell cases, and an old wooden "black & white" booze case. They dont seal up but I like the look of them, kind of a rustic decorative look. You can fit a lot of mags in them & they stack pretty good.

Steve

[Court in Fl]

Hi Mike, Have you thought about plastic 5 gallon paint cans.

Only problem is they will be heavy if you fill them with ammo.

A bonus may be that if someone is looking for something to steal they may have no intrest in what they think is a half empty can of paint.


Court in FL.

[Cava3r4]

J&G sales in prescott AZ has the 50 caliber cans for about $5.00 each. I think it was 3.99 each if you bought 4 or more.
HTH
Bob

[Azrial]

Two 30 cal cans will stack on a old Alice Pack frame with the shelf on the bottom. Three if you use a piece of paneling between the pack frame and the cans.

Nice if you have to carry it for far.

[Blackmore]

That's 10 FAL magazine to a 30/06 .30 cal can. The 7.62 NATO width .30 cal cans are too narrow.

[Timber Wolf]

Originally posted by Court in Fl
Hi Mike, Have you thought about plastic 5 gallon paint cans.

Only problem is they will be heavy if you fill them with ammo.

A bonus may be that if someone is looking for something to steal they may have no intrest in what they think is a half empty can of paint.


Court in FL.

This is a good idea, would hold a lot of mags even in pouches/carriers. I bought several of the cheap black plastic lid/seats at HD or Lowes. Seals a bucket up easily and gives you a place to park your ass too! Would not be as air tight as a ammo can but would sure shed the occasional thunder storm.

[WiFAL]

I think those 5 gallon paint buckets with the black gasket in the lid are pretty tight. I keep my salt for application on ice bound driveway or sidewalk in them in the back yard, exposed to the elements. My salt has yet to clump after 4 years of driving rain, sleet or snow. Water will lay on the lid, but the salt stays dry. If humidity or moisture was getting into the bucket the salt would be in clumps or a block.

[DYNOMIKE]

Alright I have made "Some" progress..
Untill I find a Nice Saw Can or facsimile I put most of my FAL mags in a Good Size Cardboard Box with some Padding between Layers of Mags.. Only a Temporary fix but they fit nicely and I can store them on a Shelf..
I have a Large Ammo Can (about 1/3 TALLER than a 50 Call Can) that I have put quite a Few assorted mags in. By Combining, and Rearranging I freed up a few Cans including Two .30 Cal that will hold my Loaded Range Mags..
I experimented with One of them on Fridays Range trip and it did in fact work quite well for this Purpose..
Still interested in other options so feel free to post..

The 5 Gal Bucket idea is pretty good, thinking Drywall Mud Buckets would be easy to find and might work well...
I am thinking I want something I can organize IE: Stack, Stand up, or Lay Down mags of assorted sizes so for me a Large Can or possibly Crate might be best?
The Can (or Bucket) would certainly keep things dry though "IF" Water became an Issue..

[shootist87122]

I keep 8 FAL mags in my range bound .30 Cal Aussie Ammo can and use the rubber lip and base bumper covers on most (from DSA) for protection and to keep them from banging about. Another stays full of Aluminum mags, sans the bumpers. I only load 18 per to enhance first round loading reliability. A few more reside in my range bag.

[Corn Nut]

I put an ass of mags in a military footlocker.

[DYNOMIKE]

Originally posted by shootist87122
I keep 8 FAL mags in my range bound .30 Cal Aussie Ammo can and use the rubber lip and base bumper covers on most (from DSA) for protection and to keep them from banging about. Another stays full of Aluminum mags, sans the bumpers. I only load 18 per to enhance first round loading reliability. A few more reside in my range bag.

I did notice that 10 Mags is pretty tight, and getting the First one out is a PITA, and will surely scuff up the mags in time..
The Rubber Bumpers are a Good idea for the mags that will see a Lot of Range/Travel time..
Quite a Few of the last batch of Mags I bought have that Black Piant on them and I really don't care if they get messed up. BUT Lots of my Other Mags are in Nice shape. These plus the ones I just had parked by Ricketts I would like to keep from getting beat to bad.....
The Aluminum Mags I have are in the Box for now, do you keep those relegated to a Particular Use?

[NoNotAgain]

Originally posted by DYNOMIKE
Alright I have made "Some" progress..
Untill I find a Nice Saw Can or facsimile I put most of my FAL mags in a Good Size Cardboard Box with some Padding between Layers of Mags.. Only a Temporary fix but they fit nicely and I can store them on a Shelf..
I have a Large Ammo Can (about 1/3 TALLER than a 50 Call Can) that I have put quite a Few assorted mags in. By Combining, and Rearranging I freed up a few Cans including Two .30 Cal that will hold my Loaded Range Mags..
I experimented with One of them on Fridays Range trip and it did in fact work quite well for this Purpose..
Still interested in other options so feel free to post..

The 5 Gal Bucket idea is pretty good, thinking Drywall Mud Buckets would be easy to find and might work well...
I am thinking I want something I can organize IE: Stack, Stand up, or Lay Down mags of assorted sizes so for me a Large Can or possibly Crate might be best?
The Can (or Bucket) would certainly keep things dry though "IF" Water became an Issue..

Local gun show had 30mm cans @$20 each or 2 @$35.

They appear to be large enough to store a couple hundred magazines if empty however if fully loaded you would need two strong men and a boy to lift them.

[granite]

Originally posted by Blackmore
That's 10 FAL magazine to a 30/06 .30 cal can. The 7.62 NATO width .30 cal cans are too narrow.

I've gotten 10 mags in an Aussie 7.62 can

(but actaully, Australia is not a NATO member)

[shootist87122]

Originally posted by DYNOMIKE


....
The Aluminum Mags I have are in the Box for now, do you keep those relegated to a Particular Use?

Mike,

My Aluminum mags (9 in an Aussie can) are strictly reserved for zombie attacks. Except for initially checking for function, they are new & pristine so I don't include them in my normal rotation.

Joe

[DYNOMIKE]

Originally posted by NoNotAgain

Local gun show had 30mm cans @$20 each or 2 @$35.
They appear to be large enough to store a couple hundred magazines if empty however if fully loaded you would need two strong men and a boy to lift them.

I will see if I can find something like that. YES this will be for "EMPTY" mag Storage Only.. Thanx

Originally posted by shootist87122


Mike,

My Aluminum mags (9 in an Aussie can) are strictly reserved for zombie attacks. Except for initially checking for function, they are new & pristine so I don't include them in my normal rotation.

Joe

I'm With ya on the PRISTINE Aluminum Mags.. I would like to keep them Nice, I bought a Bundle of 10 NIW so I do not keep them in the Rotation..
I believe that having a Grab and Go Can for ZOMBIE ATTACKS is paramount..
This preperation will move to the TOP of my list...
I need to find another AUSSIE can though as ALL mine ARE PLUM FULL UP W/Aussie Ammo/bando's..

[bykerhd]

I load 9 20 round FAL mags in a .30 cal ammo can.
They fit well and can usually be extracted with a minimal amount of loss of flesh and blood. Haven't found anything yet that works particularly well for either 30 round AR or AK mags. Must be the curves or something.

[Gunga Din]

My 10 in a .30 cal can. Padded with cardboard on the bottom, I store the magazines upside down and staggered so they can be grasped for removal easier.

[DYNOMIKE]

Originally posted by Gunga Din
My 10 in a .30 cal can. Padded with cardboard on the bottom, I store the magazines upside down and staggered so they can be grasped for removal easier.

I did try them Upside down but Did NOT stagger them.. The Feed lips concerned me but the Padding would take care of that concern... Very Good idea..

I also considered the 9 Mag idea except I have been tossing around materials for Dividers of sorts? Thinking maybe those Plastic Flexible Cutting boards you can buy about anywhere?
It is pretty thin material, easily cut to size, and would keep the mags from rubbing together.. Thinking cardboard, or something like that may work as well?

Thanx Guys, getting some very good ideas here..

[doktor_ecchs]

Originally posted by DYNOMIKE
I believe that having a Grab and Go Can for ZOMBIE ATTACKS is paramount...

Be sure to freeze-dry some ham and cheese sandwiches, as well. You can use them to decoy the zombies while you guys book the other way...

as ever,
Dr. X

[Blackmore]

Originally posted by granite


I've gotten 10 mags in an Aussie 7.62 can

(but actaully, Australia is not a NATO member)

The Aussie cans the 7.62 ammo from a few years ago came in are 30/06 can width. I think I might have one or two of them

[FAL GRUNT]

Most ammo suppliers have left over ammo crates. Pick up a couple to see what they look like. If they work well then you can pick up a bunch and use that.

I do the same thing as gunga din. I've got a set of "range/use" mags that I don't care if they get scratched etc. Otherwise I store them (longterm) 10 mags to a 30cal box, 15 or so of those cans to a 155mm ammo crate.

-myers

[WiFAL]

I'm not at home now to look in my 30 cal can but I think I store them with six lying down and four standing up. It makes it a little easier to grab the vertical mags first.

[jcbrown]

Wow, glad I read this thread.

I also use the .30 cal cans, but have been stacking them differently. Nine fit perfect, 3x3. I'll have to put them in single file to get 10.

Damn I love the Files.

[Noah Zark]

Originally posted by Gunga Din
My 10 in a .30 cal can. Padded with cardboard on the bottom, I store the magazines upside down and staggered so they can be grasped for removal easier.

Exactly what I do, with FAL and M14 mags.

Noah

[Ssarge]

I use the upright plastic filing cabinet. I only store empty mags in it. I can get a shitload of mags by putting the heavy mags in the bottom drawers, and lighter(such as M16 mags or G3 alum) in the upper drawers. And they are stackable. I have my heavy duty rack with all my ammo in cans and then ready mags then
the empty mags in storage right next to them. They are easy to get to and I have had no problem with corrosion. The file cabinets are waaay cheaper than ammo cans BTW.

[Oswald2001]

I use the 30 cal ammo cans, but, I keep the mags upright so that the mag lips don't get bent.

I think that storing them upside down (especially while loaded) is just asking for trouble.

If the can get dropped at some time in the future....

You can easily get a mag out of the can by tipping the can sideways.

[DYNOMIKE]

I did give Pause to the Upside DOWN Mag Thing..
BUT, I'm Thinking that MY Ammo/Cans will NOT see the conditions Frontline AMMO would see.. YES it will be in my Truck but generally my Driving is pretty tame..
Even so as an experiment I cut some Thick Package Padding to fit the Bottom of the Can.. Then Cut a Piece of Cardboard to lay on top of that..
I then Cut Rectangles of C/Board as "Dividers" and used these in between Mags..
This allowed me to Get 9 Loaded Mags Upside Down and Staggered..
I will try this method, and will prolly try others as well..
Some Laid Down and Some stood up might work well also?

This is just for my Carry around Loaded STASH/Range Mags..
Still working on the UNLOADED Mag Storage issue..

[evan price]

My .30 cal cans are US Lake City (2002 vintage), marked 7.62 200 rds. They are not 30/06 cans therefore... and they hold ten loaded FAL mags, I set them base down on a scrap of old carpet padding, and there is room in the top to lay a dessicant sock on top of the exposed rounds.

Coincidentally I can also attest that .30 cans are great for holding a Glock pistol in its tupperware, along with a few boxes of ammo and a spare mag or two. Waterproof, great for burial.

For empty fal mags I have an old ammo pack from god knows where, it looks soviet to me with bar cammo pattern. It holds 24 FAL mags comfortably in two rows of 12 and it has flaps that fold over the top and strap down under the front flap. It has a carry handle on the front flap.

[8654-1ea.]

Midway has 40mm ammo cans. You can put 30 20-rd mags and 5 30-rd mags in them. You still have room for 2 speed loaders and a desiccant .

I put cardboard between the mags to protect the finish. The cardboard limits you to 24 20-rd mags and 4 30-rd mags.

Couple cans like that and you are DONE!

I'll post some pics this evening if I have time!

Oh, same can holds 36 AR-15 mags in the same manner.

[DarkEarth]

Put each mag in one of these VCI mag bags. Then you can store them in whatever you want and not worry one bit about corrosion. Plastic bucket?

Cheap bastard? gotcha covered... You can cut each mag bag into chunks and throw that stuff in with your mags and preferred container and forget about corrosion.


The moisture in the air releases the vapor, so no dry paks needed.

http://www.polygunbag.com/Magazine%20Bags.html


I cut this stuff up and put it in my tackle boxes that come with me on the flats boat. My boxes with the VCI stuff look great, no rust.

Every box I've ever used rusted out after a couple months of saltwater fishing, even with religious freshwater rinsing. With the VCI, even at THIS level of salt exposure, its not even an issue. I used to buy fishing gear all the time to replace rusty hardware. Not so much now.

[esmith]

Size 12 Redwing shoebox im poor it has nice carry handle one for Fal and one for M1a guess which box has more magazines.

[donker]

The local surplus store sells what they call squad cans. Bigger than .50 cal cans. I think thay are for M249 ammo, Labeled 800 CRTG 5.56mm M27 Link. They sell around $10-14 depending on condition. I've never seen them for sale anywhere else before.

[Diomed]

Originally posted by donker
The local surplus store sells what they call squad cans. Bigger than .50 cal cans. I think thay are for M249 ammo, Labeled 800 CRTG 5.56mm M27 Link. They sell around $10-14 depending on condition. I've never seen them for sale anywhere else before.

Yeah, the SAW can or "fat fifty". You can get them at various online outlets, I got mine at Midway IIRC.

[stockshift]

I have been using .30 cans but I am going to buy a bunch of those Tupperware tubs and see which ones work. The ammo cans are getting heavy and I'm concerned about putting too much stress on my upper floors.

[stockshift]

Okay, so my search for Tupperware didn't pan out.

However, I found out that the cardboard boxes that DSA uses to ship mags will hold 30 FAL mags in fairly short order. Yet another reason for me to order more mags from them.

[biere]

For the fal I use 2 30 cal ammo cans to hold 20 loaded magazines. This is for range use and my range mags are not in the best shape. I have the feed lips up and use a piece of masking tape to make a pull tab for the first magazine to be pulled from the ammo can.

If worried about rough transport conditions I have rubber feedlip protectors and would probably have fewer mags per ammo can but I would not worry about the mags getting hurt.

For the ak for range use I always wind up using one of my mag carriers I bought. They are surplus and are the shoulder strap carry bag type. For the shooting I do one or two of those generally is plenty of ammo for me and I prefer them because ak mags in ammo cans always wind up with empty space.

If going to a big shooting class I would load up more ammo cans with loaded mags and just make due with whatever.

For normal storage I use footlockers. I have new in the wrap mags that have never been used and I just leave them alone because they are well protected as they are.

I also have mags I have tested and those are checked on now and again because I just wipe my fingerprints off them and put them away in the footlocker without any real protection against humidity and what not.

Over on arfcom in a thread a long while back someone posted pics of some custom mag holders he made for his shelving unit. the mag holder held the magazines upright and made excellant use of the space available on the shelving unit. He basically wound up with neat rows of magazines and he could enjoy looking at the magazines and know they were not having any problems with humidity or anything since they were easy to look over and stored in the house with conditioned air.

I don't really worry about specific sizes of ammo cans. I have many sizes and types and overall it just comes down to playing with some empty mags and your ammo can to see what fits.

When packing loaded magazines it is easy to wind up with a footlocker or big ammo can that you can not move so I tend to be careful about that.

One thing I am thinking about is a good mag carrier for my fal mags for range use and what not. I have some stuff I use now but it is not the best design for fal sized mags and using my ak mag surplus stuff has shown me that stuff made specifically for what you are using is a joy to use.

[DYNOMIKE]

OK~
I picked up some More AMMO cans this past Sat. at the Local Show.
A couple 50'S, a couple More 30'S, and a Real Nice SAW CAN..
SAW can was $12.00 and it is in Perfect condition.. A quick experiment confirmed the info Posted above that they Will indeed hold the FAL, & M-14 Mags sideways in the can..
I have NOT Tested How many I can get in there, or how best to position them just yet, BUT I will.. It would appear quite a Few will fit?
As soon as I decide how to Best utilize the Can I may Post a Couple PICS..
"IF" as many fit as I think will I would say Two or Three cans should be about right..

I do Have AK, and TANTAL Mag Poucges as wel as a Pouch for The ROMAK/PSL mags.. For transport these are prolly the Best option.. For Storage I guess a Can but they will be an Awkward Fit for sure..

Also note that with some CREATIVE Organization I was able to get all but 3 (Three) boxes of a 1000 Round case of 5.45x39 in a 50 Cal Can.. This was with the Ammo still in the 20 Rd Box. 940 Rounds in a Can Seems pretty goo to me... I have been trying to figure a Way to get this ammo OUT of the C/Board Case/Box W/Out using more than One Can.. This works pretty well I think..

[shootist87122]

Being as I live:

"Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skys are not cloudy all day"...

My spare mags can stay in a cardboard box.