 teddy12b 
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Joined: Dec 2006  IN, USA
 Posts: 1360 Feedback: 100% (3) |
Posted: 8/1/2012 5:29:45 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT I'll start by saying that I've mostly got the plastic boxes that you can see here: MTM Box I usually buy them if I see them at $20 or less per box. The little tray inside of it usually just gets taken out and placed off to the side because i see it as more of a limitation on the what the box can hold. I've got several of these and I like the amount of gear that I can hold in each one. For what I use them for they really have been a good investment. What's your take on the plastic ammo cans vs the steel GI cans? |
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Posted: 8/1/2012 5:45:01 PM
I prefer steel surplus ammo cans. But do use a lot of Lock & Lock plastic containers too. Like you said it depends upon the purpose.
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Posted: 8/1/2012 6:02:23 PM
[Last Edit: 8/1/2012 6:02:51 PM by zirkdog]
The Cabela's plastic ammo cans run about $15 but occasionally they get a 50% discount. Not a bad option for me. I use them in the garage to store stuff. Not sure of their water/weather proof-ness, but they have a rubber gasket and my ammo hasn't rusted away yet.
Metal ammo cans around here have climbed up to $9-12 per can with the cans showing heavy use/abuse and sometimes some rust. |
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Posted: 8/1/2012 6:18:21 PM
I like the metal surplus 50 cal boxes. On the plastic ones I always worry about the handle coming off by the weight or not being hardy enough.
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Posted: 8/1/2012 6:29:55 PM
It's worth the time and money to go ahead a purchase USGI Suprlus Cans as they are tried and true and a proven means of weather proof storage. If you find some and they are not the prettiest then put a lil elbow grease into them and they can be refurb back to new for not much of nothing but some time and effort. Plastic cans will fail eventually no matter. Just make sure the gaskets are in good shape and no bends are in the lid/seal area. Dont let a lil outer surface rust discourage you.
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booger-hooker
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Posted: 8/1/2012 9:20:45 PM
Metal USGI cans are all that I use. If I find a lid that is tweaked or bad I just pry up the tabs that holds the rubber gasket (set aside as a future spare) in and hang the lid and use it as a swinging target, if the can is bad it can still be used as a target as well.
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Bubbatheredneck
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Posted: 8/2/2012 12:07:05 AM
USGI for me
Try dropping a plastic can full of ammo and see what happens to it. |
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gunnut284
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Posted: 8/2/2012 2:26:44 AM
I much prefer the metal cans, plastic ones always end up broken. I just got 9 more GI cans today for under $9 ea shipped.
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Posted: 8/2/2012 2:58:16 AM
Steel.
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CJan_NH
Blissfully ignorant Colt KoolAid drinker...
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Posted: 8/2/2012 9:52:19 AM
[Last Edit: 8/2/2012 9:54:58 AM by CJan_NH]
I use both kinds with good results.
-The metal ammo cans are more durable. -The plastic dry boxes stack better and don't have sharp edges. In true ARFcom fashion, I say get both 
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Posted: 8/18/2012 8:34:20 AM
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
I use both kinds with good results. -The metal ammo cans are more durable. -The plastic dry boxes stack better and don't have sharp edges. In true ARFcom fashion, I say get both
http://home.comcast.net/~cjan99999/ammo_cans.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~cjan99999/pmag_storage.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~cjan99999/Ammo_cans2.JPG Can whore? just sayin.  |
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CJan_NH
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Posted: 8/18/2012 3:14:25 PM
Originally Posted By 6731HBAR:
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
I use both kinds with good results. -The metal ammo cans are more durable. -The plastic dry boxes stack better and don't have sharp edges. In true ARFcom fashion, I say get both
http://home.comcast.net/~cjan99999/ammo_cans.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~cjan99999/pmag_storage.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~cjan99999/Ammo_cans2.JPG Can whore? just sayin. Guilty! Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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ThePatriot556
"Virtus et Honor"
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Posted: 8/18/2012 10:27:38 PM
Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck:
USGI for me Try dropping a plastic can full of ammo and see what happens to it. Took you up on that and dropped a Cabela's plastic ammo can full of .308 from a bit above my waist to the garage floor. Not a damn thing "happened", I picked it up and put it back on the stack. If it had hit on it's side it might have popped open as the lock is not as strong as USGI cans. |
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Posted: 8/19/2012 10:15:46 AM
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
I use both kinds with good results. -The metal ammo cans are more durable. -The plastic dry boxes stack better and don't have sharp edges. In true ARFcom fashion, I say get both
The metal cans stack pretty darn well for me: 
Originally Posted By 6731HBAR:
Can whore? just sayin. You have no idea... 
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Posted: 8/19/2012 10:20:32 AM
Originally Posted By Boomer:
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
I use both kinds with good results. -The metal ammo cans are more durable. -The plastic dry boxes stack better and don't have sharp edges. In true ARFcom fashion, I say get both
The metal cans stack pretty darn well for me: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/SD70MAC/IMG_0047.jpg Originally Posted By 6731HBAR:
Can whore? just sayin. You have no idea... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/SD70MAC/M101A2/Ammocantrailer.jpg The right half of your stack is leaning left . . . 
And it would appear you need a bigger trailer . . . 
Just sayin  |
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CJan_NH
Blissfully ignorant Colt KoolAid drinker...
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Posted: 8/19/2012 3:00:19 PM
Originally Posted By Boomer:
Originally Posted By CJan_NH:
I use both kinds with good results. -The metal ammo cans are more durable. -The plastic dry boxes stack better and don't have sharp edges. In true ARFcom fashion, I say get both
The metal cans stack pretty darn well for me: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/SD70MAC/IMG_0047.jpg Originally Posted By 6731HBAR:
Can whore? just sayin. You have no idea... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/SD70MAC/M101A2/Ammocantrailer.jpg Nice
The majority of mine are 30 cal cans, and if I try to stack them more than a few high I need to put wood between the layers. If I don't they lean too far over because of the handle-getting one out is like playing Jenga. No issues stacking plastic boxes. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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thederrick106
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Posted: 8/19/2012 11:05:21 PM
I just use plastic tool boxes. If I could find some metal ammo cans cheap I might consider changing over... The only use for mine is storing ammo in the closet or in case of a possible bug out which would require me to move them to my jeep so its not like I am going to be rolling them down any hills
I could only carry one if I had to head out on foot any ways so its not like I plan on carrying them very far  |
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Posted: 8/20/2012 5:28:04 PM
i have both. I do like the metal ones better. Plus a beat up one serves as a great stove
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Posted: 8/20/2012 8:13:09 PM
Originally Posted By Dreamliner787:
I like the metal surplus 50 cal boxes. On the plastic ones I always worry about the handle coming off by the weight or not being hardy enough. I've never had this problem. I've used the MTM boxes, Grander house brand ones, and the Bass Pro ones. Some of them have 1500 rounds of 7.62x39 in them. Not sure of the weight; but its at lease 50 pounds. |
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mks99
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Posted: 8/20/2012 8:49:08 PM
[Last Edit: 8/20/2012 8:49:29 PM by mks99]
The only advantage that I can really see with the metal is that they are made to contain the powder/cases/bullets in a fire. The gasket melts out and the gasses escapes, but none of the solid parts as the rounds cook off. This doesn't do you any good, but helps the firefighters and may slow the fire. A plastic can will just melt and everything will be worse.
If you don't care about the fire hazard and it's air tight......plastic should be just as good for medium term storage. (plastic will degrade with age, but we are talking many years) |
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