Guns arenโt the only thing that should stay locked up when not in use.
Instead of leaving your ammo stacked on top of or cramming it inside of your gun safe, consider investing in an ammo safe. Designed to keep ammo safe and protected, an ammo safe should be a part of every gun storage system.
Check out some of the best ammo safes below.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Ammo Safes
- OUR TOP PICK: Stack-On GCB-900 Steel Pistol/Ammo Cabinet
- RUNNER-UP: Stack-On GCB-500 Steel Pistol/Ammo Cabinet
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Stack-On ASC-1416 Firepower Ammo Cabinet
What to Watch For When Buying an Ammo Safe
Adding an ammo safe to your gun storage system can be a big change. It is easy to get used to simply stacking ammo on a shelf or stowing it in a surplus ammo can. However, keeping ammo in a dedicated ammo safe is the ideal method for both safety and security. Here are a couple of things to look out for when shopping for one.
This Section Written By:
Brian Belko
Expert Author
Brian is an experienced freelance writer and technical writer who has previously written for publications such as Wide Open Spaces, Bigfoot Gun Belts, Alien Gear Holsters, and Kampgrounds of America. He brings both a passion for writing and a love of the outdoors to his published content.
Aside from writing and the outdoors, Brian enjoys gardening, being a co-host on The Nostalgia Blast Podcast, and learning to code.
Size Does Matter
Ammo safes range in size from large enough to hold thousands of rounds to small enough for a small stash of ammo. The type of shooting you do, and the reasons you store ammo, will help you zero in on which size of ammo safe is right for you. With ammo prices on the rise and with ammo, in general, becoming more scarce and hard to find, it is easy to see why stashing a stockpile of ammo is a good idea. Locking up anything of value is just common sense and ammo definitely fits that mold.
One good rule of thumb is to consider buying an ammo safe that is bigger than what you think you might need. You never know when you might encounter an opportunity to stock up on ammo or when you might expand your gun collection. Having the secure storage space ready to go ahead of time is the best plan of action.
Stack-On GCB-900 Steel Pistol/Ammo Cabinet
Organization is King
Weโve all been there before. We either swear we had an extra box of some specific ammo somewhere or we come across a box of ammo we didnโt even know we had. Needless to say, this is an indication that we could stand to be more organized. The addition of an ammo safe goes a long way towards improving the organization. Ammo is all kept in one place and it becomes a simple task to take inventory and keep track of your entire stockpile.
Reducing Risk
Leaving ammo stacked on shelves, piled in surplus ammo cans, or in random range bags is never a good idea. Think of your ammo as the commodity that it is and start treating it that way. In the same way, you wouldnโt want anyone to have free access to your firearms, you also shouldnโt want your ammo to be fair game to anyone. Increasing ammo prices also increase the risk of theft. An ammo safe will help prevent both theft and unwanted access. Keeping extra ammo in ammo cans, with their convenient carrying handles, is making it too easy!
In addition, a good gun safe will also help protect ammo from environmental factors such as a fire or flood.
Comparison of the Best Ammo Safes
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Review of the Best Ammo Safes
Now we're going to switch gears a bit and take a look at a few of the best safes for storing ammo. Let's see which models made our list and why.
Best Overall:
Stack-On GCB-900
[amazon fields="B002TOKR2Q" image="2" value="thumb" image_size="large" image_align="center" image_link="none"]
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new users were looking for an ammo safe that would not only fit their boxes of ammo, but also a place where they can lock their pistols and any other items that were valuable. They were not disappointed with this ammo cabinet. They managed to keep everything locked and tucked away without anyone else accessing it. One user said that the construction was durable and it was at the right size for him to put it underneath his desk.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This ammo safe is made from high-quality steel, so it will be quite durable for the most part. Itโs tough, solid and will have enough space for you to store any extra ammo, pistols, or anything that needs to be kept safe and secure when you are not using it. Simply put, itโs not a large safe. But it gives you enough room to fit anything and everything that you want out of sight and locked away until you need it again.
A very nice price-point on this two-shelf, square platform, steel cabinet that is a perfect ammo specific storage solution. Itโs not a traditional safe, but it offers excellent value for the money for a dedicated ammo storage unit.
The size and shape, as well as the strong internal construction of the shelving system, give a tight, compact, but reasonable storage unit for more than a thousand rounds of intermediate-sized cartridges.
The good fit and finish, and the ability to permanently mount the steel cabinet are enough to secure this unit as a best-in-class for the money, so long as the primary concern is child safety. While it isnโt a guaranteed theft-proof unit, it should suffice for an overall application in your shooting closet.
It can combine with other Stack-On units to enable good customization options and with the two shelves to stabilize the sidewalls allows for some multi-unit configurations for very high-volume ammo storage.
Who Will Use This Most
Given its size, it would be a great ammo safe for those in need of something for saving space and making sure that you are able to store away any pistols and extra ammo that goes along with it. While itโs no ordinary safe, it can be accessible by you and only you so long as you have a key. If you want a safe without taking up too much room, this might be what youโre looking for.
Bottom Line
The Stack-On GCB-900 Steel Pistol/Ammo Cabinet might be the space saver's best friend. If you want a safe that won't take up a whole lot of room but still delivers on the promise of giving you a spacious amount of storage, this safe will be worth every penny you spend on it. Store a few of your pistols so no one can access it but you (especially when you have children at home).
The Stack-On products are all entry-level as gun safes generally, but as ammunition safes, they are perfectly built. They are lightweight, easy to reposition, but able to be securely stored with heavy ammunition and bolting hardware to keep thieves at bay.
The benefits of this Stack-On piece are the dual interior shelves and the incredibly reasonable price point. The structural rigidity of the unit due to the shelving system and the ability to combine units and bolt down for secure placement are important. These units are excellently made well-priced ammunition storage solutions. No frills, but adequate in all perspectives for ammo safe usage.
Runner-up:
Stack-On GCB-500
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New users say that this was a heavy-duty safe that was easy to access using a key and allowed plenty of storage space for their pistols, ammo, and other gun accessories that they needed to keep locked up. The cabinet finish looked really sharp and did exactly what it was supposed to do, according to one user.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is an ammo cabinet that is slightly larger than our previous ammo safe that weโve reviewed. It can still be stored away with a large enough space. And of course, you can get a good amount of space to store whatever it is you want to be locked up. Pistols, holsters, extra ammo, and even some of your every day carry tools will be perfect for a safe like this. This is something that isnโt designed for ammo. Itโs designed for the more valuable things in your possession.
The Stack-On brand is known for this type of box and itโs very usable in most shooterโs use cases. The simple box design is still well-built and offers shooters enough storage space to keep children out of the ammunition and reduce the potential for accidental negligent shootings.
The shelf gives good central rigidity to the box which will allow multiple boxes to be stored and bolted together if you wish, helping create a very good system of ammunition storage, especially for interior installs. It might be a bit light on security features for exterior (barn or garage type) installations.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a simple to use ammo safe that will make sure all of your stuff is safely locked and accessed by you only, this will likely be the safe youโll end up using. This will make a great addition to any gun cabinet or safe that you currently own. Who says there is such thing as having โtoo much storage spaceโ? If you need some stuff stored away, then rest assured you have a safe that can get the job done.
Bottom Line
The Stack-On GCB-500 Steel Pistol/Ammo Cabinet will give you a little more room than its smaller sized counterparts. But it will give you a great deal of security and peace of mind in knowing that you can store away all the important things that you own. Pistols, ammo, even extra cash can be stored away with ease and away from prying eyes or fingers.
Not a huge safe, but a very accessible one that will still be able to hold up to about 1000 rounds of intermediate-sized cartridges. The security isn't top-of-the-market, but it is more than adequate for most interior installations behind a door, such as in a closet or in a basement.
The ability to easily mount this box offers shooters a chance to really increase the usability of the safe and improve overall security, especially for childproofing. A single interior shelf offers you a bit of storage variability and can help to keep the box rigid and functional. You cannot beat the price for simple ammunition storage, especially for small caliber rounds that come in standard boxes/case sizes.
Best for the Money:
Stack-On ASC-1416 Firepower Ammo Cabinet
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
As expected, a lot of new users were quite impressed with the space this ammo safe was able to save rather than take up a whole lot of it. This was tall enough to handle shotguns and rifles, but still provided enough space for pistols, additional ammo, and other gun accessories. One user said that he was quite impressed with the safe overall and was able to store away a few of his shotguns and rifles that he uses for hunting and target shooting.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Now we focus our attention on an ammo safe that is larger in size. More specifically, itโs taller in height but itโs not as wide as some safes. This will fit a good number of shotguns and rifles (as well as your favorite pistols and ammo). Simply put, itโs a safe that will keep everything locked and stored away until you need it again. For the best in security and storage for all of your ammo and firearms, you may want to consider this one safe closely.
The footprint helps out when floor space is at a premium. This skyscraper-style build offers great ammo storage at a low price point relative to peers, especially for a dedicated ammunition storage solution. This box offers heavy-duty steel construction that doesnโt disappoint for interior storage behind an exterior door.
Tons of storage, excellent weight for space available (it weighs about 55 lbs.), and the ability to hard mount for additional theft deterrence give shooters a lot of features for the paltry price point.
Not a traditional locking mechanism, but more than enough for child protection, and strong enough to make theft much harder than a half-hearted effort with a pry bar.
Who Will Use This Most
For those that need a great cabinet for secure storage, this might be one of your best options. Itโs high in height, but itโs still a good one to have for those who donโt want to take up too much space. Donโt be shocked if this safe ends up being a long-term solution. It wonโt rust easily nor will it warp or fall apart in any indoor environment.
Bottom Line
If you want to take the best care of your shotguns, rifles, pistols, and everything else in between then the Stack-On ASC Firepower Ammo Cabinet might just be what youโll need inside your home. It will store all kinds of ammo, guns, and anything you want to be kept out of sight. There are so many valuable things that might need protection. Lock it up and keep it that way with this safe.
Itโs not the strongest offering from a security perspective, but the overall dimensions and the capability of storing, and easy to access high volumes of ammunition make this a serious contender for most shooters who donโt buy a safe for ammunition based on anti-theft security needs, but rather as a way to keep the ammunition separate from the firearms and making a second hurdle to inquisitive children.
Bolted down, with other security measures in place (like a home alarm), this can be a decent theft deterrent; it is robust enough to keep many thieves at bay with the right complementary services and products.
4. AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Safe
[amazon fields="B074KDHMKJ" image="1" value="thumb" image_size="large" image_align="center" image_link="none"]
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
This ammo safe is a beast, according to one user. While it is heavy in weight, itโs a really sturdy safe that will take on some beatings. And it wonโt take up all kinds of room, which made a lot of new users happy since they were looking for a safe that didnโt take up too much space. One user said that it was easy to program the keypad so only he could access the safe for himself.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Sometimes, a small key might be easily lost or misplaced. And it might be the only way to access ammo safe. So why not get one that will be accessible by a digital keypad? Itโs one of the best ammo safes that you can access without the use of a key that could easily get lost or misplaced. And it certainly isnโt a safe that can be easy to pry open. If you want something that wonโt take up too much room while giving you a good amount of storage space to work with for pistols, ammo, and all your other valuable items this could be a great safe to have at home.
This standard safe gives good value for money and comes with credibility both from a user-review perspective but also because itโs built within the Amazon Eco-system.
The overall value and utility of this safe gives you fire resistance and high-heat performance for your expensive ammunition, which should be kept out of reach of children or stored in a way that deters theft.
Good fire ratings, good heft (14-gauge steel body panels) and total weight, and a solid locking mechanism make this safe a clear winner at the price point.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be perfect for buyers who are searching for a safe that doesnโt need to be accessed by a key. If you find a digital keypad to be one of the better options, then youโll probably enjoy using this ammo safe as being one of your best choices. Program the keypad, store away everything you need and make sure that itโs locked up nice and tight. No easy access by way of prying, no keys needed, and no worrying about it getting busted open by the wrong hands.
Bottom Line
If you want a box that will keep everything safe even when disaster strikes, the AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Box will certainly be one of the best possible options for you. Itโs great for storing small items including pistols and ammo. And you can say goodbye to the frustration of losing your keys, too.
For the money, it's hard to beat this safe, even if it isnโt made specifically for guns and ammunition. The Amazon safes and perks that come along with being part of the Amazon product portfolio make this a safe most shooters can trust. The utility and storage space is very good, and the security and safety of the contents is a top line focus for the build.
A triple horizontal bar locking mechanism with a key override makes lockouts difficult to occur and entry easy for the primary user. The robust build structure makes theft more difficult and movement to a different location nearly impossible with a large load of ammunition inside. This is unique at this price point because it does improve upon the overall value and security of your ammunition stash significantly.
5. MTM ACR5-72 Ammo Crate Utility Box with 4.5" Deep
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New users were looking for an ammo safe that allowed for small storage space while being able to keep it underneath beds and closets (to name a few hidden spaces). This ammo safe did not disappoint. New users say that they were happy with the storage ability and were able to store away all kinds of pistols and ammo. One user said that he had so much ammo than he knew what to do with and didnโt intend to use it until later in the year. So he placed this in temporary storage so he knows where to find it when the time came.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This reminds us of one of those tackle boxes that you would take fishing. The only difference is it doesnโt have the extra shelves. But thatโs OK. You have up to 4 inches deep of storage space. So thatโs plenty to store the things you need inside. If you have all kinds of handgun ammo or any outdoor goodies that you need to store away for a while, consider this ammo safe as one of the go-to options. Plus, itโs an affordable ammo safe that is far from being cheap and flimsy.
With a game-changing footprint and usability, this is the tackle box of ammunition storage offering cheap, utilitarian storage and excellent build quality that cannot be matched from a price point perspective. This MTM clamshell-style ammo box offers seriously generous interior dimensions, light overall weight, and lockable latches.
This offers more purpose and usefulness for shooters than any other market offering, and while it is not a traditional ammunition safe, it is the piece that completes the puzzle for most shooters who need a good way to move from secure storage to the range without too many hiccups or any security concerns.
Who Will Use This Most
This will be great as a starter safe. You can use this for the long term or use it until you are able to find a safe that is much sturdier and provides better security. Alternatively, you can use this as a secondary storage bin for ammo and additional firearm accessories like sights or scopes. The sky is pretty much the limit to what you can store inside of this (well, so long as it fits inside).
Bottom Line
The MTM ACR5 Ammo Crate Utility Box is not the kind of safe that you want to underestimate. It will store all your ammo and accessories in one spacious, but a storage-friendly container. And it can handle the heavy loads without bowing or breaking. If you want something that will keep all your stuff safe and out of plain sight, this could be exactly what you are looking for.
A major departure for its price range and the standard, square, steel, boxed construction that has ruled the market for years from the ammunition storage perspective. This plastic box is much more versatile, even if it is a bit less sturdy, and a lot less secure.
Still, this is a legitimate choice for any shooter looking for ammunition storage, especially as a secondary or complementary product in a portfolio of storage solutions for high-volume and frequent shooters. 400-500 rounds of shotgun shells can fit into this cavernous, yet portable, easy-open box that is priced exceptionally well, even for use cases outside of the ammunition storage space.
Shooters will likely want to purchase several for multiple uses outside of ammunition, as well as the utility this box offers and more than adequate security under casual oversight, even if it isnโt a long-term secure storage solution. This is an excellent range accessory for high-volume shooting trips.
Why Are Ammo Safes Needed?
In recent memory there have been many shooting incidents, stemming from poor gun safety training and lack of child protective equipment; there is also a very pressing concern by state legislators all over the United States to enact more and more regulation on gun owners โ with many new laws in place already.
These concepts form a basis for the need for ammunition storage devices. Furthermore, there are practical reasons for a shooter to use a safe to store ammunition as well โ we will cover this below.
Child Safety
A gun without ammunition is hard to use. Children can often put together the concept of firing a gun, but without ammunition in the firearm, itโs tough for any damage to be done.
Even teenagers or determined children would likely lose interest in having to bypass two different safes to get a functioning firearm. Because children cannot buy ammunition in a retail location, it becomes a very effective method of avoiding accidents with children around your personal guns.
Gun Safety Laws
In states like California (and others), the newest laws assign liability to the gun owner if a minor is harmed with a gun in the home due to lack of a safety device or safe storage.
In fact, several states require a safe at the time of purchase in order to release a firearm to a consumer. Itโs only a matter of time before new regulations targeting ammo are also enacted.
In states where ammo purchases are already regulated, safe laws specific to ammunition storage already exist, including some states that make it illegal to not report stolen ammunition and to make it sufficiently difficult for a thief to obtain ammunition from your property. While it may seem ridiculous to many, it is a simple fact that these laws exist in some jurisdictions.
Safety First (Source)
Increasing Ammunition Shelf Life
Needs exist for shooters to have an ammunition storage solution, especially as they grow their collection of firearms and need more and different cartridges on hand, or as they have no more room in the safe for ammo because the number of firearms has grown.
Being in a moisture-controlled, safe place makes sense for extending the shelf life of ammunition, which can be 100+ years with proper considerations and quality manufacturing.
Considerations When Buying an Ammo Safe
Youโll want to consider the important aspects of ammunition storage prior to dropping money on devices to protect your ammo. How much ammunition will fit, how hard it is to remove from a location, fire protection, theft protection (on-site and off-site), and price are just a few of these important considerations.
Size
There is a diminishing return concept with it comes to the relative value of an ammunition safe once you have to store a significant quantity of the stuff. Many shooters with tens of thousands of ammunition rounds will opt instead for a safe door that is then mounted on the entrance/exit of a whole interior room dedicated to the storage.
Suffice it to say: at some point, you will be spending significant money to store ammunition if you need it to be in a safe, and you are buying many thousands of rounds. The sweet spot is about 1000-2000 rounds of storage room for a safe, where the price of storage is still affordable for the amount stored.
Thickness of Steel
Not all ammunition storage products are made with steel, though the best protection is from steel-based storage devices, as the steel is harder for a thief to defeat and offers robust security against curious children.
More importantly than the thickness of the steel, generally, is how it can be mounted to a permanent structure to keep people from removing the safe from your premises.
Generally, you will find a lot of inexpensive safes are above 14 or even 16-gauge steel and get thicker as the price and specifications increase.
Locking System
Locking for ammunition storage is generally not as sophisticated as for firearms. Ammunition by itself is relatively safe. The industry tries to keep ammo storage solutions cheaper than other safe storage to keep demand flowing and keep customers happy.
AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Safe
In most cases, you will be presented with a mechanical or electronic locking system that is proven, but still relatively inexpensive, as a component part on the less costly ammo safes.
Mounting and Anchors
Any safe will benefit from mounting to a permanent or semi-permanent surface from an anti-theft perspective. This is especially true of ammunition safes which are not generally made of the heavy, dense material specifications that gun safes are. Yes, you can use a standard gun safe for ammo storage, but the price increases significantly for the storage space if you do.
How to Store Ammo
Ammunition is very well-built from a longevity perspective. Standard practices industry-wide are astonishingly good and offer great shelf life for those who want the longest viability in ammunition.
Very few makers do not adhere to these standard best practices; even the budget producers make top-quality cartridges by design. That said, certain environmental factors can degrade or diminish life expectancy for ammunition if not kept in check, the most dangerous being extreme heat, the next most dangerous being moisture, followed by steadily elevated temperatures, and finally, other ambient conditions.
Keep Your Ammo Cool
In the most basic of terms: do not apply any legitimate heat source to ammunition. Do not use a safe heater. Do not allow excessive heat to build up in an area where ammunition is stored.
Not only because heat can deteriorate anything (including electronics, mechanical parts, and yes, gunpowder and primer chemicals), but because there is a very real risk of explosion because of the gun powders in your cartridges when exposed to excessive levels of heat.
Keep Your Ammo Dry
This is arguably the most important oversight many shooters inadvertently perpetuate, as itโs a given that you would not want to apply high heat to a flammable/explosive substance that becomes extremely dangerous when it โcooks offโ.
Therefore, most of the issues, when it comes to deterioration over the long-term with ammunition, is moisture driven. You need to โkeep your powder dryโ by managing humidity inside any location you store ammunition, especially in a space that has high fluctuations in temperature.
This fluctuation will inevitably cause condensation to form inside a safe and therefore can lead to rust/oxidation and ultimately (far worse) the dampening of powder through moisture infiltration into the body of the cartridges through the primer or case throat connection.
Conclusion
Ammo safes are an important tool for those who are actually turning over (using it rapidly) their ammunition supply, but they are also a great tool for those who are inclined towards the โprepperโ mentality, too (stockpiling).
The general profile for ammunition specific safes is a lighter weight build, with more interior space, and less overall security. This is not a negative and has served the market well, especially with how hard it would be for some to justify spending money on a safe that would never hold a firearm.
The items on this list offer a great variety of options that any shooter will be able to find a fit with. The inexpensive choices previewed here are more than adequate to do the two things that are most important in the realm of the ammunition safe: child-resistant security for your ammunition and a place where they can be protected from most of the elements that would threaten to degrade the components of the cartridges.
In the end, itโs not about getting something best-in-class from an overall market perspective (you wouldnโt want to pay the premium for that just to store ammunition), itโs about matching the needs to the available options and finding your best-in-class in that space: these chosen selections do just that.
People Also Ask
Now that youโve learned about the best ammunition safes on the market. Itโs time to gather some more insights by getting answers to general but important questions. These minor things can mean the difference between reclamation or loss of the contents inside the safe.
Are Stack-On Safes Made in the USA?
This is among the most common questions asked by Stack-On over the internet. Yes, Stack-On gun safes are manufactured in the USA. The company has a 450,000 square feet manufacturing plant in Wauconda, Illinois. The company was founded in 1972 by John Lynn and has manufacturing and several fulfillment locations all across the USA.
Is it OK to Store Loose Ammo in Ammo Cans?
Perhaps it is fine to store ammo loose in ammo cans for shorter durations of time. There are certain repercussions. Keeping ammo in factory boxes helps with the organization of the rounds. Activities like counting, moving ammo and stacking become easier. Additionally, ammo in factory boxes stays sealed and protected from factors like moisture.
Can Bullets Explode From the Heat?
It depends on what kind of temperature you subject it to. In general, a bullet will be at risk to explode at a temperature around 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is only possible in case of a prolonged fire. Additionally, bullets donโt explode instantly when exposed to fire and require some time to head up.
MTM ACR5-72 Ammo Crate Utility Box with 4.5" Deep
How Long Can Ammunition be Stored?
If stored in ideal conditions where thereโs an absence of heat, sunlight, and moisture, ammo will stay good for decades to come. However, most manufacturers label their ammunition with a shelf life of about 10 years, since those โidealโ conditions are rarely maintained by firearm users. This actually explains the benefit of storing ammo properly.
Is it OK to Keep Magazines Loaded?
Yes, it is OK to keep magazines loaded. While experts recommend rotating the magazines periodically to avoid spring compression and cycling issues. Many tests conducted by firearm owners showed flawless operation (cycling) of firearms, even after the magazine was kept loaded for years. See the video above!
Do You Need to Keep Your Ammo in the Dark?
The short answer is no. The light doesnโt affect ammunition like other environmental factors. But, if given a choice between a cool, dark place and a hot, sunny place, most shooters would choose the former rather than the latter.
โLight oxidizationโ is not a โthingโ with ammunition โ weโre not talking about a fine olive oil. That said, certain best practices lead to better oversight and stewardship of resources, and therefore itโs considered a best practice to utilize a cool, dark, moisture-controlled storage location.
