I know people like to hate on harbor freight but there hard cases are solid. They had a sale on their large pelican type cases for $30 and these medium sized cases regularly go on sale for $22. I've tested their .50 cal ammo cans and I'd just pick the best ones at store for $13 (on sale) or $17 normally. Harbor Freight isn't the best quality on some items but again, these hard cases and the 50 cal ammo cans seems solid. I've submerged both of them for 12 hours in a bathtub for testing and no water got inside.
@@ColterBrog the medium is supposed to be a copy of the pelican. I'll take a look at both dimensions but just thinking about how to save some cash. The fit looks spot on with pelican with the magazines in them. Have you tried magpul magazines in them? The large pelican and large harbor freight are exactly the same size and can even exchange foams inserts or have the foam purchased for either if you have to buy replacements. I've never seen a need for the medium sized cases until I saw this video.
@@ColterBrog it's supposed to be a comparison of the pelican 1400 according to harbor freights website but the dimensions are different for both so it won't work as well. The harbor freight is bigger except the length which he harbor freight is .68 inches shorter... I'm thinking there's more medium sized pelican cases as opposed to the a more standard large and extra large case sizes. The 1400 is advertised as a camera case and the 1200 isn't specified. That's my guess. Oh well it, it was a good thought
@@2amichaelj The downside to the Pelican 1200 is it only works with magazines of GI type or identical dimensions. Anything longer (such as PMags) will not fit. It's a very niche application, but for the specific circumstance it works perfectly. Good thought, though, checking on Harbor Freight.
@@ColterBrog thanks replying and putting the information out there. I think the pelican looks more secure than the 50 cal ammo cans for sure. It takes someone trying out something to see if it works. You were that someone as I haven't seen anyone else with any similar container yet.
In this situation, I wouldn't be worried about feed lip deformation. The lips, when in an AR15, are supported by the bolt carrier. Here, they're supported by the case itself. They probably would do fine without the little tension release too
A piece of string or something like that is helpful to get the first magazine out, even if you don’t put the cardboard in to tension them. The fit is perfect. I like the cardboard mainly because it limits rattling. Just keeps it quiet.
@@ColterBrog I was talking about the feed lips and having to download to 28, the cardboard and para cord are life savers. Just pointing out this also protects your magazines, so they don't mind being stored loaded.
@@superfamilyallosauridae6505 I’ve seen too many magazines crack at the back of the feed lips to really trust them at the full 30. Admittedly, those magazines had been used a lot, but it makes me feel better to just go to 28 and relieve a little bit of that spring pressure from the feed lips. Does it help? I’m not sure if it actually does or not and I certainly don’t fault anyone for choosing to load to 30. Just how I’ve done it for a long time now and it’s sort of just habit. A side effect is I can keep those extra 20 rounds left over from what would have been 300 and confirm zero for the ammunition in the case of magazines before putting them to use. It’s a system… might be a stupid system, but it’s a system. Lol.
@@ColterBrog ADHD when it's time to ADHD. (I'm much the same way) I mostly use PMAGs, and they come with dust covers that push the rounds down in and relieve all the stress on the feed lips. I need to buy a bunch of USGI to round things out
@@superfamilyallosauridae6505 On PMags I usually have gotten the Gen2, no cover. I’m not as worried about them, though, because they can usually accept 31 rounds. Basically a load of 30 is already down-loaded. My strategy on magazines is I have a variety of different types and if at least one type stands the test of time I’ll still have magazines. Diversify the egg basket. A lot of my routine shooting at the range is actually with 20 rounders, the old USGI type. In my experience they are extremely reliable, they last forever, convenient to throw into pockets of common clothing, and don’t tend to have the cracking problems. The only one I have ever seen have any issues is an old Colt USGI that is so old it isn’t even marked as 5.56mm, back before it got the metric designation. It will sometimes double-feed.
That’s an old trick that only works that way with USGI or similar construction magazines. All you have to do is take a piece of parachute cord about 7” long, pull out all the inner strands so it is “gutted”. You only need the outer sheath. Burn the ends so it doesn’t unravel, and tie a simple knot on each end. Slide the base plate of the magazine partially off, stick the knotted ends inside the magazine on either side of the base plate, and slide it back closed. Done. It isn’t as necessary on PMags because of the flared base that makes them easier to grab out of a pouch, but you could conceivably rig something up with tape if you really wanted to. MagPul’s namesake product might fit on a PMag and give you a rubber loop. MagPul also makes “Ranger Plates” for PMags, as well as for GI-type magazines. Only GI-size magazines fit the Pelican 1200 case. PMags, Lancers, and even metal magazines of the HK profile don’t fit.
Would there be room to put rubberized base plates on the magazines like the magpul USGI L plate. Looks like it wouldn't fit but maybe someone has tried it
I haven’t tried it, but can pretty confidently say “absolutely not”. The standard USGI magazine really is a perfect fit. There’s just no room for much of anything more than paracord loops. Side-to-side the fit is so perfect the magazines have to be staggered so the magazine catch dimples can “nest”. For your requirement a different case would be necessary.
Possibly- but I don’t know which one. This 1200 case isn’t advertised or designed for this purpose as far as I know, just a coincidence that they fit so well. Might just have to measure the magazines and then look through their catalog to see if anything seems to match up.
Pmags are longer and do not fit. This only works with magazines of the exact same dimensions as USGI magazines. (The old FUSIL-USA, the old CProducts stainless steel magazines, those Israeli E-Lander, etc. will fit. MagPul PMags, Lancer magazines, HK “High Reliability” magazines and the KCI clones, etc. do not fit. I am not aware of any Pelican case that does fit them as perfectly as the 1200 fits USGI. *Fortunately*, USGI type magazines are often insanely cheap. If you want to just have a sealed up and clean go bag of 280-300 rounds ready to load into a rifle, then you can pretty much just treat the USGI magazines as “for emergency use only” and essentially just consider them as disposable.
An ammo can is definitely cheaper, but you’re going to have some rattle. The fit is loose. I wouldn’t store all your mags in a Pelican 1200- I certainly don’t. Most of them reside in a cardboard box. Having just one of these loaded up and ready to go is super convenient as a way to grab some quick ammo for the range or whatever else… and super satisfying when they all fit perfectly in there like it was made for them.
![King of the Magazine [Storage] | The BEST Gun Safe Mag Storage? | Mag Storage Solutions Products](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dnbUmUsgJuU/mqdefault.jpg)
![King of the Magazine [Storage] | The BEST Gun Safe Mag Storage? | Mag Storage Solutions Products](/img/tr.png)
I know people like to hate on harbor freight but there hard cases are solid. They had a sale on their large pelican type cases for $30 and these medium sized cases regularly go on sale for $22. I've tested their .50 cal ammo cans and I'd just pick the best ones at store for $13 (on sale) or $17 normally. Harbor Freight isn't the best quality on some items but again, these hard cases and the 50 cal ammo cans seems solid. I've submerged both of them for 12 hours in a bathtub for testing and no water got inside.
The main thing is the fit. If the internal dimensions are the same, then that would be perfect.
@@ColterBrog the medium is supposed to be a copy of the pelican. I'll take a look at both dimensions but just thinking about how to save some cash. The fit looks spot on with pelican with the magazines in them. Have you tried magpul magazines in them?
The large pelican and large harbor freight are exactly the same size and can even exchange foams inserts or have the foam purchased for either if you have to buy replacements. I've never seen a need for the medium sized cases until I saw this video.
@@ColterBrog it's supposed to be a comparison of the pelican 1400 according to harbor freights website but the dimensions are different for both so it won't work as well. The harbor freight is bigger except the length which he harbor freight is .68 inches shorter...
I'm thinking there's more medium sized pelican cases as opposed to the a more standard large and extra large case sizes. The 1400 is advertised as a camera case and the 1200 isn't specified. That's my guess. Oh well it, it was a good thought
@@2amichaelj The downside to the Pelican 1200 is it only works with magazines of GI type or identical dimensions. Anything longer (such as PMags) will not fit. It's a very niche application, but for the specific circumstance it works perfectly.
Good thought, though, checking on Harbor Freight.
@@ColterBrog thanks replying and putting the information out there. I think the pelican looks more secure than the 50 cal ammo cans for sure. It takes someone trying out something to see if it works. You were that someone as I haven't seen anyone else with any similar container yet.
I fit 28 AR15 magazines in my fat-50 ammo can. It's snug but they fit.
I bet that has a bit of heft to it.
In this situation, I wouldn't be worried about feed lip deformation. The lips, when in an AR15, are supported by the bolt carrier. Here, they're supported by the case itself. They probably would do fine without the little tension release too
A piece of string or something like that is helpful to get the first magazine out, even if you don’t put the cardboard in to tension them. The fit is perfect.
I like the cardboard mainly because it limits rattling. Just keeps it quiet.
@@ColterBrog I was talking about the feed lips and having to download to 28, the cardboard and para cord are life savers.
Just pointing out this also protects your magazines, so they don't mind being stored loaded.
@@superfamilyallosauridae6505 I’ve seen too many magazines crack at the back of the feed lips to really trust them at the full 30. Admittedly, those magazines had been used a lot, but it makes me feel better to just go to 28 and relieve a little bit of that spring pressure from the feed lips.
Does it help? I’m not sure if it actually does or not and I certainly don’t fault anyone for choosing to load to 30. Just how I’ve done it for a long time now and it’s sort of just habit.
A side effect is I can keep those extra 20 rounds left over from what would have been 300 and confirm zero for the ammunition in the case of magazines before putting them to use.
It’s a system… might be a stupid system, but it’s a system. Lol.
@@ColterBrog ADHD when it's time to ADHD. (I'm much the same way)
I mostly use PMAGs, and they come with dust covers that push the rounds down in and relieve all the stress on the feed lips. I need to buy a bunch of USGI to round things out
@@superfamilyallosauridae6505 On PMags I usually have gotten the Gen2, no cover. I’m not as worried about them, though, because they can usually accept 31 rounds. Basically a load of 30 is already down-loaded.
My strategy on magazines is I have a variety of different types and if at least one type stands the test of time I’ll still have magazines. Diversify the egg basket.
A lot of my routine shooting at the range is actually with 20 rounders, the old USGI type. In my experience they are extremely reliable, they last forever, convenient to throw into pockets of common clothing, and don’t tend to have the cracking problems. The only one I have ever seen have any issues is an old Colt USGI that is so old it isn’t even marked as 5.56mm, back before it got the metric designation. It will sometimes double-feed.
Very cool. Good video.
Thanks!
Amazing, how did you attach the paracord to the bottom plate and does this work with pmags?
That’s an old trick that only works that way with USGI or similar construction magazines. All you have to do is take a piece of parachute cord about 7” long, pull out all the inner strands so it is “gutted”. You only need the outer sheath. Burn the ends so it doesn’t unravel, and tie a simple knot on each end. Slide the base plate of the magazine partially off, stick the knotted ends inside the magazine on either side of the base plate, and slide it back closed. Done.
It isn’t as necessary on PMags because of the flared base that makes them easier to grab out of a pouch, but you could conceivably rig something up with tape if you really wanted to. MagPul’s namesake product might fit on a PMag and give you a rubber loop.
MagPul also makes “Ranger Plates” for PMags, as well as for GI-type magazines.
Only GI-size magazines fit the Pelican 1200 case. PMags, Lancers, and even metal magazines of the HK profile don’t fit.
@@ColterBrog thanks for the detailed response bro much appreciated
Would there be room to put rubberized base plates on the magazines like the magpul USGI L plate. Looks like it wouldn't fit but maybe someone has tried it
I haven’t tried it, but can pretty confidently say “absolutely not”. The standard USGI magazine really is a perfect fit. There’s just no room for much of anything more than paracord loops. Side-to-side the fit is so perfect the magazines have to be staggered so the magazine catch dimples can “nest”.
For your requirement a different case would be necessary.
@@ColterBrog appreciate the response
Just got one with no foam on ebay for 30 bucks.
Great deal.
Is there one of these cases that will fit M14 mags?
Possibly- but I don’t know which one. This 1200 case isn’t advertised or designed for this purpose as far as I know, just a coincidence that they fit so well. Might just have to measure the magazines and then look through their catalog to see if anything seems to match up.
Hi can you try and fit pmags in there?
Pmags are longer and do not fit. This only works with magazines of the exact same dimensions as USGI magazines. (The old FUSIL-USA, the old CProducts stainless steel magazines, those Israeli E-Lander, etc. will fit.
MagPul PMags, Lancer magazines, HK “High Reliability” magazines and the KCI clones, etc. do not fit. I am not aware of any Pelican case that does fit them as perfectly as the 1200 fits USGI.
*Fortunately*, USGI type magazines are often insanely cheap. If you want to just have a sealed up and clean go bag of 280-300 rounds ready to load into a rifle, then you can pretty much just treat the USGI magazines as “for emergency use only” and essentially just consider them as disposable.
$60 for 10 mags? I don't know man. An ammo can seems like a better deal to me
An ammo can is definitely cheaper, but you’re going to have some rattle. The fit is loose.
I wouldn’t store all your mags in a Pelican 1200- I certainly don’t. Most of them reside in a cardboard box. Having just one of these loaded up and ready to go is super convenient as a way to grab some quick ammo for the range or whatever else… and super satisfying when they all fit perfectly in there like it was made for them.
@@ColterBrog You can put cardboard in the ammo can to reduce the rattle if it bothers you that much.