One of the big downsides to having a few firearms is that you tend to accumulate various items: holsters and magazines being the two that take up the most room. I literally have hundreds of magazines in the house, all for various firearm makes and models. Some are compatible with more than one firearm. (.40S&W magazines are compatible with .357Sig, S&P 9mm magazines are compatible 9mm Compact magazines, etc.)
I was keeping the unloaded ones in large Rubber Maid totes, but looking for the magazine you need is a large pain in the, well Rubber Maid tote. So I began looking for an answer, and it didn’t take me long to find one. I bought some foam rubber holders that fit into a .50cal ammo can for handgun magazines . I decided to try them out. Four of them cost me $62.
These holders allow you to store 24 magazines in each ammo can. That means I can have a can with just Smith and Wesson full sized 9mm magazines, another with .40 and .357 magazines, etc. Now four ammo cans take up the same amount of room as one Rubber Maid tote, and hold 96 magazines in a way that makes it easy to find the one you are looking for. The cans that I have are lockable, so that allows me an extra layer of security.
The downside is that the things aren’t as rugged as I would like, and lots of use will probably tear them up. Still, it’s better than what I had. If I didn’t already have the cans, I would look at buying cans that come with the pluck n’ pick foam already in them. It’s cheaper that way.
Now I need some storage for rifle magazines and for the large number of holsters that are sitting around here.
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23 Comments
Grumpy51 · May 16, 2023 at 3:34 pm
I used to number mine also…..on the butt plate, but quit when I realized it draws the eyes to my weapon. I now number my mags on the sides, hidden from view when inserted.
Divemedic · May 16, 2023 at 3:47 pm
I don’t open carry, because it isn’t legal here.
Woodland Pouch · May 16, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Got outbid on a duffel bag of magazines on the Feebay once.
That is a nice setup in the photo, just using various mag pouches that can fit on a belt with the largest one holding four.
Constitutional Carry passed last year but it didn’t say to open carry and still not allowed to be armed around schools and government buildings unless LEO affiliated.
An cousin is a colonel in the state police and I wouldn’t open carry because he wouldn’t be able to help if worst case scenario jumped off.
Big Country Expat · May 16, 2023 at 4:39 pm
MTM Mag Cans for 30 round mags. https://amzn.to/3MuSw6H
I have 4 of them hot-loaded. 15-30 round mags with pre cut foam, and GOOD hard impact plastic. I call them “battle boxes” and use a taped cue card if you will with number of mags, type of ammo (M855/M856/M193_) and if they have a 3 round tracer follower (ALL my mags have the tattletale 3 so I know I need a change) So in total, just in battle-boxes, I have 60 full mags ready to party.
Never mind the wall racks around the house at hardened points: https://amzn.to/42KEMdG 6 ready-to-pull off the wall mags at strategic locations in the crib. Out of reach of the Grans but at eye level and hot-to-trot
Jes’ Sayin’
Divemedic · May 16, 2023 at 5:14 pm
I like that first one.
Steady Steve · May 16, 2023 at 6:05 pm
I like the MTM cans also. They also make a narrow can with inserts for 1911 mags. I keep one of those with full mags as that is my bugout choice.
It's just Boris · May 17, 2023 at 5:13 am
I believe MTM also makes a “mixed” can with slots for both pistol and rifle mags. A kind of “grab’n’go” if you need to leave fast with, but not using, the long-distance hole punches.
Cliff · May 17, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Miss ya dude – and hope you are holdin’ up. Prayers for you, the wifey and familiy.
BobF · May 16, 2023 at 5:38 pm
DM — would like to send you something I think you might like to use. Email postal address if interested or email to call you. whatever contact suits.
Divemedic · May 16, 2023 at 6:26 pm
Divemedic@areaocho.com
Mcfoster · May 16, 2023 at 8:19 pm
I wonder if you could print something on a 3D printer to store mags in an ammo box?
I found files for wall racks for AR, Glock, and 1911 mags.
Unknownsailor · May 16, 2023 at 6:35 pm
I like to use a P-Touch label machine to number my pistol magazines. I put the label on the side of the mag body.
For storage I have stackable rubbermaid drawers, and I put spare magazines in there. I don’t have many different types, but I do have significant quantities, so I don’t need to differentiate between types, rather I just need space. Glock mags in one drawer, M&P mags in another, you get the idea. I don’t store them loaded, either, because if the dozen loaded mags I have in various LBE pouches and what aren’t enough to solve my problem, having another dozen loaded mags will be the least of my worries.
SmileyFtW · May 16, 2023 at 9:38 pm
Why the waste of space with the foam? Load the cans tight for maximum capacity I would think. Same stuff in one can; label the can and move on. If one can is to be an assortment, say so on the can and ID the contents so it is obvious to what each one is… If it’s for you and your immediate a simple color code or similar might be enough.
oldvet50 · May 17, 2023 at 6:08 am
How long can you safely store a loaded mag before the spring weakens and causes misfires?
SmileyFtW · May 17, 2023 at 7:47 am
It’s not the storage that wears out a spring, but the use of the spring that does.
Cliff · May 17, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Second that!
Detailed studies by real mechanical engineers show the well-made spring will hold for years.
It becomes a religious thing for some who have a hard time believing, so best bet is to use ’em, rotate ’em and never let one sit for too long anyway.
Divemedic · May 17, 2023 at 1:07 pm
The only reason why I don’t preload all of my magazines is that I don’t have enough warshots to do that.
Aesop · May 17, 2023 at 10:41 am
Local co. sells .30 and .50 foam fillers for a pistol (or two) and magazines, plus a 50 rd. box.
Shortly, every handgun I own will have its own padlockable .30 cal can.
And a basic load, plus reloads.
With, where applicable, the NSN and weapon ser. no. stenciled on the outside of the can. (Things long since got to where keeping track of them all was somewhat problematic.)
I’ve always been a fan of 10+ mags for any weapon for which its possible. I like the idea of using .50 cal boxes to store additional loaded or unloaded mags, followed by boxed rounds by the K. Bombproof, dry, airtight, secure, and handy.
Come the day, the zombies aren’t going to shoot themselves.
Divemedic · May 17, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Make sure you put desiccants in the box. I lost a Sig229 that way. Put the gun in the container in hot, humid Florida. Drove to cool Missouri. A couple of days later, opened the box to find the pistol corroded in place (couldn’t rack slide). Gunsmith said it would cost more to fix it than it cost me to buy. Sad day.
Aesop · May 17, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Noted.
Less of a problem hereabouts, provided proper lubrication.
Humid days are an oddity, but the occasional onshore breezes can change things.
D · May 17, 2023 at 4:15 pm
$15 bucks for foam? Sheesh. No thanks.
Oh…I’m sorry….”military grade” foam. 😉
Divemedic · May 17, 2023 at 6:11 pm
LOL
Coelacanth · May 17, 2023 at 9:43 pm
Great info and thanks
Comments are closed.