Storage and security tips

Silica gel will work a lot better than rice.

Those seal-able plastic storage bags treated with preservative looks serviceable.

You can also use larger-sized vacuum storage bags.

Going a little lower-tech, using RIG grease on all the metal is a very good idea.

Goldenrod is what I use in my safe in my poorly climate controlled apartment

I have numerous handguns and rifles in a non climate controlled area. Laugh all you want, but I use whatever motor oil I have laying around. It's also on my go to .22 rifle that is on the wall in the shop that has been COLD blued. No rust at all. Now for the kicker. I live so close to the ocean I can smell the salt air in my back yard.

Bore-Store....

There are a few products that can aid you.
I've used Bore-Store bags since the early 1990s. They protect against nicks & scuffs. The fabric allows air to circulate around the weapon. It's treated too to prevent rust, corrosive elements.
They are not designed for security or to prevent any unauthorized access so keep that in mind if you have children or any untrained adults near the firearms.
The Bore-Stores run for $5.99 to $20.00 depending on the size & vendor.
There are other de-humidifiers on the market. Bullfrog, Remington, etc.
Due to rise in preppers & large scale disaster recovery efforts, you can buy milspec bags or cases for firearms.

See these sources; www.brownells.com www.midwayusa.com www.natchezss.com www.deltaforce.com www.uscav.com .

Given the testing here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=751408
it looks like that WD40 corrosion prevention stuff works pretty well.

Rice will attract critters assorted. Assuming it'll be firearms going into long term storage vs storing but needing to be useable without a bunch of cleaning, grease is your friend. Doesn't have to have the word 'gun' on the label either.
Then put the whole shebang into a lockable, steel box. Buy one at a used office furniture shop.
WD is good for short term storage, but not so much for long term. Ditto for oil of any kind.

Ditto RIG grease. I use it on all of my handguns on the frame under the grips.

using RIG grease on all the metal is a very good idea

Click to expand...

I use Moly Lube.

Breakfree Collector. Read the website. Protects steel in open air storage for 5 years. Will not evaporate off and will not turn to solid gunk. Does not need to be stripped off to use the gun. I have used it and it really does work. If you seal your gun in a plastic bag you must suck all of the air out of the bag or you will be sealing moisture in with the gun. Dessicant packs will help immensely. Good luck with your situation.

If you need to put-up your firearms for say 24 months, you can put them into a waterproof container filled with dessicants. This can be high-end like gun cases, or DIY such as a plastic bucket or length of PVC pipe that has been threaded & capped on both ends. Clean & oil the guns, put them into silicon socks or wrap with rust-inhibiting paper and add desiccants into the container, seal carefully & store. You can get everything you need at a hardware store.

For the length of time you are talking about, I don't think it's worth coating with cosmoline.

Eezox, Frog-Lube, IGG, Breakfree Collector....

The suggestion(s) to treat the weapon with a gun care product like Frog-Lube, Eezox, Break-Free Collector, IGG(Italian Gun Grease) is smart.
Be careful about painted surfaces or wood, rubber, etc. These items may not hold up well for extended periods or under harsh conditions.
I had a nylon UM84R revolver holster in storage(6/8 months, humid conditions). It didn't look to good.

As noted, a recent T&E of several gun care products showed Hornady One-Shot & Frog-Lube were top rated(both indoor & out).

See; www.Eezox.com www.safariland.com www.brownells.com www.italiangungrease.com .

You could try the Willie Sutton method, and fill a large plastic tub with ballistol and water and just throw the guns in there!

I can't imagine a thief digging through this for long!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=751644

I hope thats a joke. Why would you suggest submerging perfectly good guns in a water based liquid? Ballistol is great stuff but I why submerge them? Yes it worked for Willy Sutton AFTER his guns were submerged in salt water. To the original poster don't do this. Get some RIG gun grease and wipe a thin coat on the metal and if you don't plan on using the gun push a patch through the bore with it. I have a basement that is cold in the winter and gets damp in the summer. I've used desiccant packs and recently the moisture absorbers you can get at big box stores. In my area they have them in "dollar stores" for a buck each. Same as in other stores. They last 6-12 months then toss them. One great gun spray is the G96 Complete Gun Spray. Give your guns surface and bore a wipe down with this after using or every 3-6 months and you should be fine. If in a damp area check often for white mildew on the stocks.

H2Out; DuluthTrading.com .....

I read over a new product description called; H2Out .
See www.duluthtrading.com . It comes in 2 sizes. The smaller version can fit in a tool box or storage container. It sells for $24.95 to approx $50.00 USD.
I have not purchased it but it looks handy.

There was some thread showing that Eezox was incredible at preventing rust vs other stuff.

I would recommend going the Golden Rod direction if you can, as it would prevent the humidity from condensing and causing rust. It gently causes an enclosed area's temperature to rise, so condensation can't form. Some people use a low wattage lightbulb, too. And also apply some kind of rust preventative liberally.