[DennisM]

Just noticed that Harbor Freight has ammo boxes on sale thru April for $5.99. I read the reviews on the Harbor Freight web site and they were mixed.

I'm looking for storage for handgun ammo that is in factory boxes (Winchester white box or similar) and will be stored in the house. I'm not looking for ammo cans that can be tossed in the truck and left there for long periods.

Has anyone used these?

 

[ET.]

No not yet, but I was in the army surplus store last week and saw that the metal army boxes are priced over 20 bucks now. I remember when they were as cheap as the Harbor Freight boxes. I might have to check them out.

 

[DanKATL]

They are a cheap copy of the Plano and will stack with them. As with anything else at Harbor Freight, check them closely as you are their QC department.

 

[Pinehtr]

I use 5 Gal. buckets with a twist top from Home Depot.

 

[NTA]

I use 5 Gal. buckets with a twist top from Home Depot.

Full of lead
that would be too heavy for me !

 

[Pinehtr]

Full of lead
that would be too heavy for me !

It is heavy.

 

[gunsmoker]

Harbor Freight has a sale on plastic "Bunker Hill" brand ammo boxes.
It requires a coupon, but aren't all the coupon books given away free at the front of every store? I got my coupon from some gun magazine-- I think it was Guns & Ammo, but maybe it was the NRA's First Freedoms mag.

Anyhow, the sale is for these plastic AMMO CANS, called "ammo dry box" in the ad, for $2.99 each. Limit of 5 per person, per coupon. This is half price their normal $6 price for this item, and 70% off the name-brand competing product it's similar to (Rangemaxx).

The coupon is good through the whole month of February... the 29th !

 

[Nemo]

GS, note the date on this thread.

But, I have a dozen or so of the plastic Harbor Freight boxes. They used to do a buy anything get one free coupon for those. Now they are doing other things, flashlights mostly.

I have a fair pile of 5x7 tarps, junk 24 count AA and AAA batteries, flashlights and stainless steel bowls with a magnet on the bottom.

Those ammo boxes are good for storage of lighter things while sitting on a shelf. The handles come off easily, the latches are ok at best. They do not seal very well and I would not put anything in there for long term unless I did a vacuum seal on it first.

I have not purchased any. Spend the $$ at a show or someplace and get the real milsurp ones. Avoid the ones online advertised as mil spec. They are usually junk also.

Nemo

 

[moe mensale]

Considering the weight one of those cans might be carrying, no way I'm going to depend on a "plastic" box. I'll stick with the M2A1/A2 cans.

 

[Outrider9]

Considering the weight one of those cans might be carrying, no way I'm going to depend on a "plastic" box. I'll stick with the M2A1/A2 cans.

They hold up ok, especially when you consider that you can't put all that much ammo in one. I routinely make the walk from the parking lot to the tables at Chestnut Mtn with one in each hand, fully loaded, and haven't had one fail on me yet.

 

[NTA]

No coupons available in store. At least in the past 10 years I've been going there. I have more HF stuff now than their stores do so I don't go there much any longer.
Best thing I ever got there is the electric chain saw on an extension pole ($59). Has saved me a fortune.

 

[moe mensale]

They hold up ok, especially when you consider that you can't put all that much ammo in one. I routinely make the walk from the parking lot to the tables at Chestnut Mtn with one in each hand, fully loaded, and haven't had one fail on me yet.

Are these boxes the same size as the M2 cans? The picture looks more like a .30 cal can.

 

[MLS 4506]

from the web sight
Specifications
SKU(s)
63135, 61451
Brand
Bunker Hill Security
Inside Length (in.)
9-1/2 in.
Inside Height (in.)
6 in.
Inside Width (in.)
4-1/4 in.
Material
Polypropylene
Product Height
7.1 in.
Product Length
11.6 in.
Product Weight
1 lb.
Product Width
5.1 in.
Shipping Weight
1.05 lb.
Size(s)
6-8 boxes standard ammo

 

[Nemo]

Its a 30 cal can. Maybe a bit smaller.

Nemo

 

[FrontSight]

Considering the weight one of those cans might be carrying, no way I'm going to depend on a "plastic" box. I'll stick with the M2A1/A2 cans.

The metal cans are made for the military right here in Georgia, Homerville to be exact

 

[gunsmoker]

I bought 5 of them today. Total price was $16.
The hinge pins that attach the lid to the main body of the container are metal (steel, I assume). But the hinge parts around the pin are plastic. At least there are many nubs of them, an entire row some 4" across.

But the hinges that attach the plastic handle to the plastic lid are ENTIRELY plastic, and that concerns me. But, I probably won't fill these with loose ammo, but ammo that's in its factory packaging. Meaning, there's dead air space in each box, and I'll probably only have one layer deep of the boxes, so I can see what's in the ammo can at a glance without dumping it or moving stuff around. It should be OK.

Certainly these are nowhere near as tough as a real military (metal) ammo can.

 

[gunsmoker]

Are these boxes the same size as the M2 cans? The picture looks more like a .30 cal can.

These are not the .50 BMG size cans. Harbor Freight has those, from the same company, also all-plastic, but they're WAY BIGGER. And more expensive. Normally $15, and last month there was a sale on them for $12 each.

 

[Nemo]

But the hinges that attach the plastic handle to the plastic lid are ENTIRELY plastic, and that concerns me.

Its real easy for the handles to flex outward and let the nubs that fit into the lid come out. If you load up the boxes heavy be careful. Carry them out and away from your toes.

But, I probably won't fill these with loose ammo, but ammo that's in its factory packaging. Meaning, there's dead air space in each box, and I'll probably only have one layer deep of the boxes, so I can see what's in the ammo can at a glance without dumping it or moving stuff around. It should be OK.

They are good for loose ammo if you use them just for storage. If so pick them up by the sides.

Certainly these are nowhere near as tough as a real military (metal) ammo can.

No, they are not. But I know a guy who can get me excellent condition fat 50s for about $11 each. I wonder what shipping costs would be, if anyone is interested.

But, I am going to be back in Ga for a couple days come late April. Any interest?

Nemo

 

[moe mensale]

These are not the .50 BMG size cans. Harbor Freight has those, from the same company, also all-plastic, but they're WAY BIGGER. And more expensive. Normally $15, and last month there was a sale on them for $12 each.

I've picked up my M2 cans on Ebay for $10 each. I wiped some of the seals with a little silicone grease otherwise they were in good shape.

 

[gunsmoker]

Speaking of 50 caliber all metal ammo cans, these are now on sale at Harbor Freight, but the sale is only for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. No coupon required.
The new price is $9.95 each --formerly $16.