If you’ve been in the hobby long enough, you know the struggle: magazine wargames are amazing for their content and gameplay, but an absolute nightmare when it comes to storage. They don’t fit neatly on a shelf. They slide, flop, bend, or disappear into piles you swear you organized last week. And displaying them? Forget it—unless you’re a fan of leaning towers of S&T, Ares, Command, C3i, and every oddball magazine that ever included a map and a handful of counters.

For years I’ve been trying to find a solution that was practical, clean, and didn’t require a custom carpentry project. Recently, I stumbled across a YouTube creator who shared a simple, inexpensive fix… and I immediately knew I had to try it.

Enter: Magazine Protectors for Collectors (yes, those ones on Amazon).
And let me tell you—they’ve been a game changer for my collection.

https://amzn.to/48JuoHv

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Why Magazine Wargames Are So Hard to Store

Before we get to the solution, let’s acknowledge the problem. Magazine wargames have three big challenges:

1. Inconsistent size — Some are thick, some are thin, some have inserts that shift like loose cargo.
2. Delicate components — Maps and countersheets can warp, crease, or fall out over time.
3. Terrible shelf presence — They simply don’t stand upright, and stacking them leads to crushed corners over time.

Collectors have done everything from using comic bags to custom binders, but none of the solutions really feel right… until now.

The Protectors That Changed Everything

The Magazine Protectors for Collectors are essentially high-quality sleeves designed to store magazines, but they’re sturdy enough to handle the weight and irregular shape of wargame magazines. When I slid the first issue into one of these protectors, it immediately felt different:

• The magazine stood upright.
• The edges were protected.
• The inserts stopped shifting around.
• And most importantly, it looked clean and uniform on the shelf.

For a hobby where organization and presentation matter just as much as gameplay, that’s a big win.

Perfect for Wargame Storage and Display

Here’s what makes these protectors ideal for wargamers:

✔ Strong, durable material

They keep magazines rigid enough to stand without curling or leaning.

✔ Clear front for easy identification

You can see the cover art, issue number, and game title instantly.

✔ Roomy interior

Most magazine wargames—maps, counters, inserts, and all—fit comfortably.

✔ Shelf-friendly shape

Uniform sizing makes your collection look like it finally got its act together.

✔ Affordable

Let’s be honest… solutions in our hobby can get pricey. This one isn’t.

How I Use Them in My Collection

After testing a few, I’ve now put dozens of my magazine games into these protectors.
Here’s the system that works best for me:

• Game contents sorted together (magazine, maps, counters, errata).
• Label on the spine for quick identification.
• Grouping by magazine series—S&T, Command, Modern War, C3i, etc.
• Shelved vertically next to boxed games for a uniform look.

It instantly made my shelves feel more organized and professional—like a real curated collection rather than a stack of “I’ll get to these someday.”

A Small Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference

If you’ve been wrestling with how to store your magazine wargames, give these protectors a try. It’s one of those small hobby upgrades that solves a huge problem—and one I wish I had discovered years ago.

I’m not affiliated with the manufacturer, just a happy customer who finally found a solution worth sharing. These protectors have brought new life to my magazine collection, making them easier to browse, safer to store, and much more enjoyable to display.

Sometimes the simplest solutions make the biggest difference.

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Toy Vault Wargaming Magazine counter Trays. (5 Pack), Flat game storage Solution.

After posting this on some Facebook groups. Mark Pitcavage stated that he used these tray. They look like they would hold the larger Magazine games. I am going to give them a try as well. Thank Yu for sharing Mark.

Toy Vault Wargaming Magazine Counter Trays (5-Pack); Flat Pack Tray Game Piece Storage

Toy Vault Wargaming Magazine Counter Trays (5-Pack); Flat Pack Tray Game Piece Storage

https://amzn.to/4rG8fCf

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