Anyone build or buy a steel ammo storage cabinet?

[tuts40]

I've been looking for a safer way to store bulk ammo, have too much to fit in the safe and would like at least one lock between visiting kids and the ammo, as well as other reasons. Anyway, looked at what Lowe's and Home Depot has for metal storage cabinets and for the $ (almost 300 bucks) you'd think shelf capacity would be more than 100 pounds...

Currently, I have the ammo 'cans' on heavy duty shelving and considered placing locking bars across so as to at least prevent removal of the cans or even prevent just the opening of the lids but that would still allow them to be too easily seen... I'm naturally lazy tho and wondered if I'd rather just get a heavy duty storage cabinet. Good ones, however, that will hold several hundred pounds per shelf are over $800 each online for good commercial units.

Maybe I should go ahead and find a way to use the lockable bars, but I thought I'd ask you guys what you might have done to provide a more secure way to store ammo, say 13+ green ammo boxes with lockable lids, between 25 and 38 pounds each. Yes, lids are lockable but I'd rather get the ammo out of sight and behind a lock rather than out in the open locked or not...

Anyone get or do anything special in this regard?

 

[WB9IIE]

Where are you storing your ammo now? Is it in a closet? Find a closet that you don't need for routine storage, change the door to a good solid core door, install a dead-bolt lock, and place the stored ammo and your gun safe in that closet. If you don't have a spare closet, consider adding a closet built as described above.:biggrin:

 

[eagleeyes]

good idea.......perhaps even transforming a linen closet with a keyed lock? best wishes keeping your guns and ammo away from youngsters ........

 

[tuts40]

Where are you storing your ammo now? Is it in a closet? Find a closet that you don't need for routine storage, change the door to a good solid core door, install a dead-bolt lock, and place the stored ammo and your gun safe in that closet. If you don't have a spare closet, consider adding a closet built as described above.:biggrin:

Good idea WB9IIE! ...We are maxed out on stuff being stored in the minimal number of closets we have tho. Also, would have to build shelving which would not be a problem tho. Hmmm, now if we had a spare closet! Right now it's on heavy duty shelving in a small room in the basement, next to a 500 lb. safe that's bolted to the concrete floor...

I think I will make that room a bit more "hardened" via the door, maybe that's the easy answer and for that I thank you and will slap my forehead wondering why the hell I didn't think about it in a serious way! ...Just have to remove the wierdly-sized bi-fold door that the previous owner installed, widen the entry and install a tough door with hardened jambs, hinges and lock plate areas and ensure it opens outward.

Thanx again.

 

[itsb]

would it be possable to enclose your heavy duty shelfs with plywood and door that locks out of sight?or lock boxes and make some cardboard covers that are labeled as something else as to hide them in plane sight?

 

[WB9IIE]

:happy:After my original post, I also thought about the addition of some boiler plate on the interior walls of the closet to make it a bit more hardened. Also, instead of a exterior grade solid core door, perhaps a decorative steel entry door similar to an entry door for a house. Hope this helps. Let me know how you finish up.
Gary

 

[Safebustr]

I have been looking into a job site box, they aren't cheap but come in various sizes and are built tough, usually taking several padlocks that are recessed to prevent bolt cutter attacks. As with everything else the better ones are not cheap.... A local pawn shop uses one to lock up their guns at night to deter thieves. They are made to be on skids, on wheels or can be bolted down.