Apartment & Storage

Twinsig · June 14, 2009, 08:50 PM

Hey folks, I'm moving into an apartment soon, you know the shaft part of the mine, yeah, the big "D".

7 pounds of powder & a few 1000 primers, loaded ammo, supplies etc...

I need to lock it up in disguise & was thinking about a Rigid Job Box, the warning label says no powder, chemicals etc...

Don't really want a cabinet if I can help it, then people know (property manager) whats what.

Any suggestions..................LOL, well that leaves all the comedians WIDE-OPEN!

Give it your best shot guys...he he

jaguarxk120 · June 14, 2009, 09:04 PM

How about a large foot locker for some of your stuff. My daughter has a large old trunk in her tv room she use's for a coffee table. The trunk gives her extra storage for stuff not used too often.

oneounceload · June 14, 2009, 09:14 PM

A few pounds of powder and 1000 primers will fit in a grocery sack.....how much loaded ammunition is there?...a few green ammo cans, tucked inside something else to disguise them, shouldn't be a problem

Twinsig · June 14, 2009, 09:27 PM

less than 1000 40's & 44mag's, 60 12 ga, some 22. Soon to be a bunch more though.

Guess I could rig some boxes with clothing "spilling" out of em, & mark em up Winter Clothes, or whatever...

Main concern is powder & primer I guess, and the guns.

Maybe I get the gang box for all but the "explosive" stuff.

Rigid makes a 48x24, cost $259.00.

With ammo, guns and lead ONE guy aint gonna get it out & down the stairs and not supposed to be able to open it either.

Whisper 300 · June 15, 2009, 06:05 AM

Chucky,
From a safety (yours) standpoint, make sure the box that holds the primers and powder is NOT what one would consider "tight".
You want the gasses and pressure-in the most unlikely event things went boom or fire- to escape.
A tight metal box is nothing more than an IED.
If you do use a lockable metal tool box then drill a couple of vent holes in it to bleed off any gas.
Personally, I use an old recycled chest freezer that has a loose lid.

I really don't worry about the possibility of theft of the primers and powder as much as I demand security for the guns.
Lock up the weapons and simply hide the rest of the reloading stuff.

Gary

Twinsig · June 15, 2009, 08:01 AM

Obliged for everyone's time, thanks to all.

Yes, need to secure the guns, make it appear to be tools in the apt though, no cabinet/safe.

Seedtick · June 15, 2009, 01:23 PM

I don't know about disguising them to be tools for security. Around here thugs steal tools too. Stuff that is easy to pawn is always fair game. Although something that is to heavy or awkward to tote off may be good enough.

ST

Sevens · June 16, 2009, 10:30 AM

Are you talking about disguising it while you move it? Or are you subject to regular apartment inspections or maintenance guys entering your apartment when you aren't home and you don't want to get caught with it?

Powder is extremely stable stuff. It's not at all like keeping a can of gasoline in your bedroom. Most households have more unstable and "dangerous" bottles of crap sitting under their kitchen sink. Drain cleaner, over cleaner, some ammonia near other chemicals, some folks damn near have chemical weapons close to assembly in the kitchen, bathroom or garage. 7 pounds of powder isn't even fractionally as dangerous as a can of gas for the lawn mower.

If you need to keep it from prying eyes in an apartment inspection or from maintenance guys, then a simple locking file cabinet or foot locker works fine.

If you need to sneak any more than that, I'd worry about what kind of a place you are moving in to.

If you need to "sneak" it in during the move, I suggest a suitcase or a gym bag. As long as the primers aren't being physically beat on with a baseball bat and none of it is going to sit inside a car at 140 degrees in the sun, parked in a lot, none of it is any real risk to do anything unless you put it inside a fire.

Suggestions? I say keep that positive attitude you obviously have going! I can't imagine the horror of the big "D" (or the epiphany, as it may very well be for most involved.) Seems as though you are in a good place and that's great to hear. Feel free to bounce any more questions off this forum, we love to try and help. And good luck!

Twinsig · June 17, 2009, 03:12 PM

Yes, too bad about the divorce but its been brewing for years, time to split it up! I feel better already its only been 2 days.

Not sneaking anything, but don't want a "gun" cabinet/safe that says "Open Me, we're in here" to would-be thieves (& maintenance I guess).

There was nothing in the Rental Agreement concerning weapons & ammo, the dwelling defers to Alabama Law. Not worried...

Dimebag · June 18, 2009, 12:08 AM

About the components, even if you have a savy maint. guy he will likely not make off with anything. Times are tough in reloading, but not that tough. Given the vast amout of people oblivious to reloading most will not even know what they are looking at when they see it. That said, guard your firearms and worry less about the reloading stuff. Hell put it under your kitchen sink (make sure its dry) and no one will question what kind of wierd stuff the guy in Apt 3G uses to keep his crap clean. Good luck.

Doodlebugger45 · June 18, 2009, 12:20 AM

Yeah, I think a filing cabinet or the foot locker idea sound just fine. Nice and neat. Maybe I wouldn't store the primers in the same place. But primers are small. Put them in the cupboard for the dishes, since if you're just divorced you probably don't own all that many dishes.

Yeah, I been there too.

Archie · June 18, 2009, 07:08 AM

I don't have a lot to add, other than my condolences and solidarity.

I'm currently going through a 'drag out' divorce. The estranged wife and her attorney are trying to make this as painful and tedious as possible.

I've lived in apartments before. I second the footlocker idea. Also, I once had a small table with a good sized drawer in it. I could mount my press on the table top and kept most of the powders, dies and little tools in the drawers.

A good second hand desk is also handy.

Someone makes a 'bolt in the corner' gunsafe. I can't remember who right now, but I've seen them. Not as good as a bank vault, but better than a plastic case under the bed.

Dr. Strangelove · June 18, 2009, 03:32 PM

1. Don't worry about the powder, seriously. Just put it out of sight.
2. Don't ever carry firearms into or of your apt in anything that looks like you are carrying guns.
3. Never leave valuables where someone can look in the window and see them.. This may mean leaving your blinds closed all the time.
4. Insist management change the lock while you are there or put your own lock on and give them a key.
5. Make sure your apt is not on a master key system, and make sure your key is locked in the manager's office only, not the main key box.
6. Do not let employees or pest control in your apt when you aren't present! I can't stress this enough, make sure the office understands you do not want anyone in your apt without you being home! I lost a quart zip-lock bag full of fresh catnip to the pest control guy! I would have loved to see him try to smoke it! Wonder if he starting meowing or burying his turds?
7. At the very least, get one of those $80.00 metal gun cabinets and hide it in a closet, it's better than nothing.

Good luck, better days are ahead, I've been there myself.

Bailey Boat · June 18, 2009, 03:55 PM

Past experience speaking here..... The absolute best thing to use in your situation (as mine was years ago) is an office credenza. I picked up one of the older metal ones with the woodgrain formica top and black metal case. On most of them the drawers will lock as will the sliding center doors. The top can be drilled for your press and covered with a tablecloth or table runner and a nice floral arrangement can be placed on top. About as innocent looking as it comes and can be found at reasonable prices and will hold all of your supplies out of sight and secured......

m&p45acp10+1 · June 18, 2009, 08:05 PM

I would ad vise against a tool box for your stuff. Crack heads love to steal tools, and the heavier the box feels the bigger the score they think it is. ass far as it goes the main thing is secure your guns. I had several thousand dolars worh of guns stolen when I lived in an apartment by a maintance employee while I was at work.

Twinsig · June 19, 2009, 12:23 PM

Will take advice on the maint/bug people. Not worried about it much anymore, have it figured out & thanks to everyone for input. The Rigid gangbox will barely fit in my closet & when its loaded down with guns & ammo, & lead the perp would have to unload it first, can't slide it out.

June 14, 2009, 08:50 PM	#1
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	Apartment & Storage Hey folks, I'm moving into an apartment soon, you know the shaft part of the mine, yeah, the big "D". 7 pounds of powder & a few 1000 primers, loaded ammo, supplies etc... I need to lock it up in disguise & was thinking about a Rigid Job Box, the warning label says no powder, chemicals etc... Don't really want a cabinet if I can help it, then people know (property manager) whats what. Any suggestions..................LOL, well that leaves all the comedians WIDE-OPEN! Give it your best shot guys...he he

June 14, 2009, 09:27 PM	#4
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	loaded ammo less than 1000 40's & 44mag's, 60 12 ga, some 22. Soon to be a bunch more though. Guess I could rig some boxes with clothing "spilling" out of em, & mark em up Winter Clothes, or whatever... Main concern is powder & primer I guess, and the guns. Maybe I get the gang box for all but the "explosive" stuff. Rigid makes a 48x24, cost $259.00. With ammo, guns and lead ONE guy aint gonna get it out & down the stairs and not supposed to be able to open it either.

June 15, 2009, 08:01 AM	#6
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	Thanks Gary Obliged for everyone's time, thanks to all. Yes, need to secure the guns, make it appear to be tools in the apt though, no cabinet/safe.

June 16, 2009, 10:30 AM	#8
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Are you talking about disguising it while you move it? Or are you subject to regular apartment inspections or maintenance guys entering your apartment when you aren't home and you don't want to get caught with it? Powder is extremely stable stuff. It's not at all like keeping a can of gasoline in your bedroom. Most households have more unstable and "dangerous" bottles of crap sitting under their kitchen sink. Drain cleaner, over cleaner, some ammonia near other chemicals, some folks damn near have chemical weapons close to assembly in the kitchen, bathroom or garage. 7 pounds of powder isn't even fractionally as dangerous as a can of gas for the lawn mower. If you need to keep it from prying eyes in an apartment inspection or from maintenance guys, then a simple locking file cabinet or foot locker works fine. If you need to sneak any more than that, I'd worry about what kind of a place you are moving in to. If you need to "sneak" it in during the move, I suggest a suitcase or a gym bag. As long as the primers aren't being physically beat on with a baseball bat and none of it is going to sit inside a car at 140 degrees in the sun, parked in a lot, none of it is any real risk to do anything unless you put it inside a fire. Suggestions? I say keep that positive attitude you obviously have going! I can't imagine the horror of the big "D" (or the epiphany, as it may very well be for most involved.) Seems as though you are in a good place and that's great to hear. Feel free to bounce any more questions off this forum, we love to try and help. And good luck! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 17, 2009, 03:12 PM	#9
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	Thanks Sevens Yes, too bad about the divorce but its been brewing for years, time to split it up! I feel better already its only been 2 days. Not sneaking anything, but don't want a "gun" cabinet/safe that says "Open Me, we're in here" to would-be thieves (& maintenance I guess). There was nothing in the Rental Agreement concerning weapons & ammo, the dwelling defers to Alabama Law. Not worried...

June 14, 2009, 09:04 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,626	How about a large foot locker for some of your stuff. My daughter has a large old trunk in her tv room she use's for a coffee table. The trunk gives her extra storage for stuff not used too often.

June 14, 2009, 09:14 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	A few pounds of powder and 1000 primers will fit in a grocery sack.....how much loaded ammunition is there?...a few green ammo cans, tucked inside something else to disguise them, shouldn't be a problem

June 15, 2009, 06:05 AM	#5
Whisper 300 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2006 Posts: 155	Chucky, From a safety (yours) standpoint, make sure the box that holds the primers and powder is NOT what one would consider "tight". You want the gasses and pressure-in the most unlikely event things went boom or fire- to escape. A tight metal box is nothing more than an IED. If you do use a lockable metal tool box then drill a couple of vent holes in it to bleed off any gas. Personally, I use an old recycled chest freezer that has a loose lid. I really don't worry about the possibility of theft of the primers and powder as much as I demand security for the guns. Lock up the weapons and simply hide the rest of the reloading stuff. Gary

June 15, 2009, 01:23 PM	#7
Seedtick Member Join Date: June 11, 2009 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 45	I don't know about disguising them to be tools for security. Around here thugs steal tools too. Stuff that is easy to pawn is always fair game. Although something that is to heavy or awkward to tote off may be good enough. ST

June 18, 2009, 12:08 AM	#10
Dimebag Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 21	About the components, even if you have a savy maint. guy he will likely not make off with anything. Times are tough in reloading, but not that tough. Given the vast amout of people oblivious to reloading most will not even know what they are looking at when they see it. That said, guard your firearms and worry less about the reloading stuff. Hell put it under your kitchen sink (make sure its dry) and no one will question what kind of wierd stuff the guy in Apt 3G uses to keep his crap clean. Good luck.

June 18, 2009, 12:20 AM	#11
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	Yeah, I think a filing cabinet or the foot locker idea sound just fine. Nice and neat. Maybe I wouldn't store the primers in the same place. But primers are small. Put them in the cupboard for the dishes, since if you're just divorced you probably don't own all that many dishes. Yeah, I been there too.

June 18, 2009, 07:08 AM	#12
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Hello Chucky I don't have a lot to add, other than my condolences and solidarity. I'm currently going through a 'drag out' divorce. The estranged wife and her attorney are trying to make this as painful and tedious as possible. I've lived in apartments before. I second the footlocker idea. Also, I once had a small table with a good sized drawer in it. I could mount my press on the table top and kept most of the powders, dies and little tools in the drawers. A good second hand desk is also handy. Someone makes a 'bolt in the corner' gunsafe. I can't remember who right now, but I've seen them. Not as good as a bank vault, but better than a plastic case under the bed.

June 18, 2009, 03:32 PM	#13
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	A few tips from a long time apt resident 1. Don't worry about the powder, seriously. Just put it out of sight. 2. Don't ever carry firearms into or of your apt in anything that looks like you are carrying guns. 3. Never leave valuables where someone can look in the window and see them.. This may mean leaving your blinds closed all the time. 4. Insist management change the lock while you are there or put your own lock on and give them a key. 5. Make sure your apt is not on a master key system, and make sure your key is locked in the manager's office only, not the main key box. 6. Do not let employees or pest control in your apt when you aren't present! I can't stress this enough, make sure the office understands you do not want anyone in your apt without you being home! I lost a quart zip-lock bag full of fresh catnip to the pest control guy! I would have loved to see him try to smoke it! Wonder if he starting meowing or burying his turds? 7. At the very least, get one of those $80.00 metal gun cabinets and hide it in a closet, it's better than nothing. Good luck, better days are ahead, I've been there myself. Last edited by Dr. Strangelove; June 18, 2009 at 07:22 PM. Reason: Horrible spelling errors!

June 18, 2009, 03:55 PM	#14
Bailey Boat Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: NC Posts: 365	Past experience speaking here..... The absolute best thing to use in your situation (as mine was years ago) is an office credenza. I picked up one of the older metal ones with the woodgrain formica top and black metal case. On most of them the drawers will lock as will the sliding center doors. The top can be drilled for your press and covered with a tablecloth or table runner and a nice floral arrangement can be placed on top. About as innocent looking as it comes and can be found at reasonable prices and will hold all of your supplies out of sight and secured......

June 18, 2009, 08:05 PM	#15
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,947	I would ad vise against a tool box for your stuff. Crack heads love to steal tools, and the heavier the box feels the bigger the score they think it is. ass far as it goes the main thing is secure your guns. I had several thousand dolars worh of guns stolen when I lived in an apartment by a maintance employee while I was at work.

June 19, 2009, 12:23 PM	#16
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	thnx m&p Will take advice on the maint/bug people. Not worried about it much anymore, have it figured out & thanks to everyone for input. The Rigid gangbox will barely fit in my closet & when its loaded down with guns & ammo, & lead the perp would have to unload it first, can't slide it out.