Ammo Dry Box Comparison

The local Hazard Fraught, er, Harbor Freight, advertised an ammunition storage box for $6.99, and compared it to a similar product from Plano Molding Company at $9.99. How do they really stack up?

Left: Plano
Right: Harbor Freight

The Plano box has a model number, manufacturer information, and the recycling symbol for polypropylene plastic in the bottom. Tooling marks don't make themselves apparent. The sprue and mold ejector pin marks are unobtrusive. There is some flashing here and there along the visible mold separation lines, but it isn't a big problem. Meanwhile, the Harbor Freight box has no markings at all. There are obvious tracks from the milling machine that made the mold, but to be fair, they have no impact on serviceability. The sprue and ejector marks are more obvious, but again, not a functional problem. Same for mold separation lines and flashing. It's not bad, but it is less good.

Plano shows how proper plastic molds are made.

The latch mechanisms are similar. Plano advertises a "brass-bailed latch." Neither latch responds to a magnetic strip. The Plano latch has a solid feel, but the Hazard... Harbor Freight box feels clunky. Both offer a rubber gasket to protect against moisture intrusion. The Plano gasket feels like a more pliable formula, though. This part is interchangeable between the two lids. The hinges seem beefier on the Plano box, too, and it has ribs reinforcing the sides while preventing two boxes from nesting too tightly if stacked while open. Pouring water from one into the other reveals no difference in volume. I haven't taken the time yet to see which is more durable long-term under heavy use.

As for price, the Harbor Freight box set me back $7 while the Plano box cost me $70 at a local sporting goods store, but the latter also contained seven boxes of 9x19mm ammunition that retail for $10 apiece, so I don't have a proper price comparison at all. Honestly, if you want a set of storage boxes, the Harbor Freight product is probably adequate, and at 70% of the Plano MSRP, it could make sense if you buy a lot of them. But then again, Amazon has the Plano boxes at the same $6.99 price at the time of posting with free shipping on a sufficient order, and if you can buy one already stocked with ammo, that's a win, too. Harbor Freight hasn't a leg to stand on.