John Markwell
Contributing Editor
Since they became available on the surplus market many years ago, the GI ammo can, in assorted sizes, has been a mainstay of many shooters for the storage of not just ammunition but all kinds of “stuff”.
Magazines, cleaning supplies, tire chains and tow straps, chronographs, timers, targets & pasters, staple guns and just about anything else gun or outdoor related has been hauled around by someone in a good old GI ammo can. Most commonly used are the .30 and .50 caliber cans which are available on line, at gun shows and from surplus dealers nation-wide. Several outfits have offered polymer versions of these classics but they generally cost significantly more than the surplus cans and offer little extra utility for the increased cost. The new Tri-Can from Berry’s (www.berrysmfg.com) has changed that.
We acquired two of the new Tri-Cans about a month ago and have found them to be extremely useful. Made from injection molded plastic, the Tri-Can is actually three separate storage cans in one handy unit. Each can or segment has its’ own clear lid that is sealed with a rubber gasket and is held closed with a very solid cam-lock latch. We haven’t tried to drown one yet but they are certainly water resistant as one of ours has sat out in the rain in the back of the pickup over night without taking on water.
Many folks will ask what the advantage is of the polymer Tri-Can over the good ol’ steel ammo can? To that we’d answer it’s the ability to organize stuff that would normally find its’ way to the bottom of a regular ammo can and the Tri-Cans are of such a size as to be convenient for smaller loads of “stuff”; plus, they are lighter.
own clear locking lid. The ability to divide the cans
Each Tri-Can comes with six plastic dividers that fit into molded grooves inside each of the can’s three cans. This allows separating each can into three cells which we find really handy; especially for organizing ammo bound for the range. For example, we often take several guns of different calibers down to our range and find taking a full or even partially full can of ammo along to be quite the chore. We load in volume and store most of our handgun ammo in .50 Caliber cans which are pretty heavy, even when half full. Also, as convenient as they are for some purposes, we hate filling those individually compartmented ammo boxes used by many reloaders.
With the Tri-Can we can dump a couple of hands full of different cartridges into each of the divided cells in the Tri-Can, latch down the lid and have enough ammo for a pretty productive range session. The cells left empty are used to conveniently separate and hold the empty cases for transport back to the gun room. This works really well when shooting revolvers especially. The Tri-Can’s large molded handle makes toting the can around easy and comfortable and, unlike a big metal can, the Tri-Can is of such a size that it would be pretty hard to load it to the point that it was too heavy to handle; a concern for us older shooters.
The Tri-Can can also be used for cleaning gear or magazine storage. Spare batteries for timers, Chronographs, electronic ears (and the foam plugs for when you forget your ears) also will be a perfect fit for one of the Tri-Can’s cells. Expensive prescription shooting glasses, range finders, Kestrel meters, and even compact spotting scopes can be adequately protected in one of the Tri-Cans three main compartments. And, if out in inclement weather, the entire contents of the tri-Can needn’t be exposed just to get to one item if you are properly organized; just open the individual can containing the item. Remember, the clear lids allow you to see which can contains what; which is a valuable feature.
The dimensions of the individual Tri-Cans are 9.25-inches long x 3.125-inches wide and 2.50-inches tall while the entire unit measures approximately 3.25-inches tall by 10.75-inces wide by 14-inches long (including the handle). Weight is 2.5lbs. For comparison .30 cal. And .50 Cal. Cans can weigh between 3 and 7-pounds empty depending on the manufacturer. And FYI, a .50 cal. can brim full of loose 9mm-grain ball ammo (approximately 2200 rounds) weighs a bit over 60 pounds.
Berry’s is most well known for their quality plated bullets but have, over the years, offered other unique products for shooters and reloaders. The Tri-Cans are one of the neatest we’ve had the opportunity to use. Available in black, tan, red and orange (as tested) to help keep thing organized, the Berry’s Tri-Can Triple Ammo Cans may not be the final solution to the gun stuff storage situation for everyone or everything. However, we have found them to be very handy, especially for use on the range. The Tri-Cans carry just enough to make for a good day at the range without being a burden to haul around. MSRP is $27.99 and we’ve seen them for as low as $24 on EBay.
Our guess is, if you try one you’ll want a few more as they truly are a better mouse trap; which is rare in the world of gun gear.
