Gun storage and rust

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Hotshot10

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I was talking with a friend the other day who mentioned that leaving a gun in a soft case (i.e. canvas outside and soft cloth inside) during storage can cause it to rust.

I could see if the inside of the case were wet when it was closed, but my friend thought enough moisture could gather even if the case were not wet when placed in storage.

Is there any truth to this? Has anyone had this happen?
 
Yes, it can happen. If you live in a humid area or leave a gun for a long period, rust can indeed form inside a case.

Some people also have very acidic sweat, which if not carefully wiped off of a gun can cause it to rust inside a case. (or even quite quickly, in the open air)
 
I have personally seen lots of beautiful guns completely rusted because someone stored them in a plush padded case under their bed. As stated, cases are ONLY for transporting firearms. Get them out of the case as soon as possible. Keep them oiled (or waxed) and check them frequently.
 
I would suspect it is the same problem I think happens with safes.... rapid temperature change will cause the heavy mass of the gun to cool slower than the case and you get condensation on the metal.

I left a revolver hanging in a LEATHER holster on a porch for over a year until the holster was growing mildew like crazy and not one spot of rust on the gun.... just keep in mind.. oil is your friend.
 
How to destroy a rifle:

- Take rifle hunting in the rain on the last day of the season.
- Without drying the rifle off first, put rifle in soft case inside of an airtight Storm case for the trip home.
- Leave rifle in the cases for six months.

Too bad, it was a very nice rifle.
 
In my experience, a dehumidifier in your gun storage area solves all problems of rust - same goes for reolading and woodworking tools. Set it to 50% RH, keep it emptied, and there will be no rust. That much said, I've seen rifles put away wet in a soft case and they have pitting after a week. Some leathers seem to acclelerate the ruting process, plastic / foam cases seem OK.
 
Okay, so I have a follow-up question. If I don't have it in a case, should I leave it exposed to the air in my closet? I'm really obsessive about cleaning it thoroughly and wiping the metal down with a silicon cloth before putting it in the closet.

As a side note, I am getting a safe for later this year, but it will be several months before I purchase it. I plan to use a dehumidifier then, but that is a little ways away.
 
I keep all my guns in closed hard cases with foam linings and never have a problem with rust. Why don't they rust? Simple answer. Weapons Shield.

I know. Sounds like a commercial. I'm not associated with Weapons Shield in any way but I have used it on an Italian replica of an 1861 single action revolver. I used lots of other products in an attempt to keep rust off the gun. Nothing worked. The rust would come back fast. Then I tried Weapons Shield. There has been zero rust on the gun since and it's been over a year.

Weapons Shield isn't cheap but if you want to say good bye to rust give it a try.
 
All three mentioned so far have excellent reputations. Two more are LPS3 and Break Free Collector.

LPS3 is great for long term storage, but you'd want to wipe it off before you shot the gun. Break Free Collector can be used without having to wipe it off first.
 
I have wondered why storing guns in fabric cases is reputed to cause rust.

If it is a fabric case, and the gun and case are dry and at room temperature when put into storage, the case can never have more relative humidity that the ambient air, right? The case is not a barrier to moisture going in or out. Unless the case material is hygroscopic, it can never have more moisture in it than the ambient air (except for during wild swings in humidity until equilibrium is restored.)

I would think that a porous case would actually reduce rust by protecting the gun from temperature swings that could lead to condensation.

There are too many stories of guns rusted to ruin inside cases to say that they are not true, but I really can't understand how it happens.

Bob
 
I have personally seen lots of beautiful guns completely rusted because someone stored them in a plush padded case under their bed. As stated, cases are ONLY for transporting firearms. Get them out of the case as soon as possible. Keep them oiled (or waxed) and check them frequently.
Click to expand...

This. Store a gun in a case and be prepared for rust.

When i worked overseas my guns were stored in their safes for as long as 2-3 years at a time with no maintenance. There was never a speck of rust. There are guns in the back of my big safe that have not been out for over two years. My lube of choice for term long storage is Militec 1.
 
It can happen, but it doesn't always happen...My dad has 2 rifles that have been stored in soft cases for nearly 40 years. Most of that time was laying under his bed. They look like brand new. All he ever did was wipe them down with a silicone gun cloth. Matter of fact, he still has that same 40 year old clothe. My dad never owned any gun oil until I got him a decent cleaning kit for Xmas this year. If he needed oil, he just used 3 in 1 oil....FWIW, those two rifles now reside in a safe...I those same two soft cases.

Before I was fortunate enough to own a safe, I stored two nice hunting rifles in hard cases for nearly 20 years. All I did was wipe 'em down with oil.....A little common sense went a long way. I never put them in a wet case or in a case that had just came inside a warm house from being out in the cold.
 
I would think that a porous case would actually reduce rust by protecting the gun from temperature swings that could lead to condensation.

There are too many stories of guns rusted to ruin inside cases to say that they are not true, but I really can't understand how it happens.
Click to expand...


what people are missing is that porous cases wick the oil away from the firearm

if a gun is left in a soft case for extended periods of time, the case will suck the oil off and leave the gun unprotected

its not even just about the moisture, if theres no oil on the gun it doesnt take much moisture at all to make it rust
 
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