7 Common Ammo Storage Mistakes to Avoid for New Gun Owners
During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 5 million Americans became gun owners. Unfortunately, new gun owners get a lot of things wrong about their weapons, particularly when it comes to storing ammo.
If you’re a new gun owner, you need to make sure that you’re storing your ammunition correctly. Storing ammo is easy to get wrong and there are some big mistakes that could reduce the effectiveness of your ammo and cause problems.
Here are 7 common ammo storage mistakes that you should avoid as a new gun owner.
1. Not Choosing Storage Containers Carefully
One of the biggest mistakes new gun owners make is not using the correct storage container for their ammunition.
An ammo container should be made with durability in mind and should do a good job of protecting ammunition from the elements. It should have a rubber seal to prevent moisture from getting in. It will likely be metal, although some great plastic ammo containers exist as well.
Ammo storage containers should also be the correct size and should be labeled appropriately to avoid potential problems. Be sure to label and date the container that you use so that you always know what ammo is in it.
2. Keeping Your Ammo in Hot Places
Another mistake to avoid when storing ammo is storing it in a location that’s too hot.
While it’s unlikely to be dangerous to store ammo in hot places, it’s possible that gunpowder can degrade as a result of high temperatures. When temperatures are over 150°F, the ammo could corrode or deteriorate and this could lead to problems such as decreased accuracy.
Don’t store ammo in a vehicle or in a hot place such as an attic. Be sure to consider the correct temperature for ammo storage if you want to be sure that your ammunition retains its quality and continues to work well.
3. Failing to Avoid Humidity and Moisture
One of the major things that you should make sure that your ammo avoids is humidity. It can cause a lot of problems to your rounds and can lead to corrosion and damage.
Be sure that you store your ammunition container in a cool, dry place so that no moisture can get to it. You’ll want to be sure that you use ammo boxes that are sealed properly and won’t let any moisture in.
It’s also a good idea to place a desiccant inside your ammo container to ensure that any moisture that gets in is absorbed.
4. Storing Ammo Near Hazardous Materials
Another big mistake with storing ammo is storing it near other items that are combustible or problematic in some way.
Storing ammo next to things such as flares, firewood, and household chemicals could potentially be dangerous and there’s a small chance that it could lead to an explosion or a fire. You should also be sure to keep ammo away from potential sources of heat such as kitchen stoves or a radiator as well.
Make sure that you keep your ammo in a storage container and away from any of these potential hazards.
5. Storing All Ammo Types In the Same Place
It’s also a mistake to store all of your ammo together in one place. Storing it all in one place puts your ammo at risk if any of the other issues listed here affect it and if any damage occurs.
In addition to this, storing ammo in different locations will also help to protect it in the case of theft. It will also make it more accessible if you need access to it due to a home invasion or another emergency situation.
Keeping your ammo in a few different storage spots can minimize problems. It will help you have access to quality ammo when you need it.
6. Making Your Ammo Too Accessible
While you’ll want to make sure that you can get access to gun ammo when needed, you should also make sure that it’s not too accessible. Firearm safety in the home should be a top priority.
Particularly, if you have children, you need to make sure that you keep your ammunition in a concealed and protected spot that they can’t get to. Simply storing ammunition on a shelf in your home or in a drawer without having a proper lock in place can be a big mistake.
Store your ammo somewhere that is out of reach of children and check your ammunition box from time to time to ensure that it’s still secure and hasn’t been damaged.
7. Failing to Keep Your Ammo Organized
Instead of putting all of the types of ammunition you have into one box together haphazardly, it’s important that you keep your ammo organized.
Using cans for ammo and labeling them based on their type is a good idea that will be more convenient for you overall. If you need a particular caliber of ammunition, then you’ll be able to find it easily without having to look through a disorganized storage box.
If you have multiple types of ammo, be sure to organize it sensibly so that it’s easy to get what you need when you need it.
Avoiding These Major Ammo Storage Mistakes
If you’re a new gun owner, be sure to take steps to avoid the big ammo storage mistakes that we’ve listed above.
While it can be useful to have plenty of ammo stored, make sure to store it in the right way. You should always store your ammo in a way that protects it from damage and also keeps you and your family as safe as possible.
Looking for more free information on guns and ammo? Check out our blog now to find more interesting guides that will help you as a new gun owner.