Long storage with Pelican cases.

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Lavere42

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I have a hand gun that I want to store for a long time or a while. Will a Pelican case protect my hand gun and be safe from rusting or other moisture damage? This will not be under water or buried. Just not climate controlled. I won't have easy access or in a timely manner. I'll give a good cleaning and oiling and that's it.
 
Just to be on the safe side put the hand gun in some vpi paper and then a large zip lock bag. I've left my rifles in a Pelican case for several months during the winter with no ill effects.
 
I've heard that putting a chunk of dry ice in the case will purge the o2 through the one-way valve.
Have no proof but it makes sense based on what I know from using inert gases in industry.
 
The main enemy of your gun during storage (other than politicians) is humidity. I would apply a light coat of oil, wrap in VPI paper. Place in a zip lock bag. Long, long term as in many years I would do the same and shove the bagged gun in a steel ammo can with a few desiccant packs. Whatever method you choose make sure it's dry from humidity or moisture.

Ron
 
Foam liners like those in most Pelican cases can trap moisture against what's stored inside. Not ideal for long term storage without other considerations as noted in previous posts. I wouldn't have any doubts putting an oiled Glock in one for a couple years with some desiccant packets, but would never do the same with a blued or parkerized pistol, for example.
 
For long term storage I use a coating of RIG on my guns along with wrapping them in silicone impregnated cloth and placing them in them in storage bags with VPI wrap.
 
I keep all of my handguns in Pelican cases locked in an old TREADLOCK lay down safe. I am in the deep south so humidity is a concern. Each handgun is in a BORE STORES silicone treated gun case. Brownells has them at a fair price. I have stored them this way for a number of years with no problems. I have evacuated twice with the Pelican cases and no harm has come to my handguns. I would not place an unprotected handgun in a Pelican case for very long-not in my 90% plus humidity.
 
Cases are a bad place for long term storage. The foam tends to attract and hold moisture. Just put it in a lockable cabinet either in a freezer bag or not.
It's more about rapid temperature changes causing condensation than constant high humidity. Although that doesn't help.
"....give a good cleaning and oiling..." Grease, not oil, for storage.
 
Bore Stores

Silicone impregnated socks work very well for long storage. Like pysospec stated foam lined cases can really screw up a nice firearm. I would stay away from foam lined cases or plastic that could trap moisture. I have seen guns rust overnight just from condensation. And Rigg works.
 
Be careful about the foam used in molded plastic cases, as it will outgas over time (it's transported in special vented truck trailers to avoid explosions) and can cause corrosion issues.

I have a muzzle loader barrel that is proof of this. :(

I'd oil the gun well, put it in a gun sock a(they are silicone impregnated) and then put it in the case. A VCI paper wrap is also a very good idea.

Keep in mind that the cases are vapor tight, so they will both lock out AND lock in any water vapor. So desiccant bags are also a good idea.
 
I have always been told never to use any foam lined case for long term storage, I have also been to if desiccant gets overly saturated it can cause a corrosive liquid.

I've never experienced either, and I've never had to do any long term storage. I'm going simply on what I have been told by others, it may be all bull.

Personally if I had to go long term storage, well that's what cosmoline was made for.
 
I highly recommend using something such as Eezox or Corrosion-X...one of the speciality products that are far superior to the traditional oils we once used. I've stored guns in conditions far from ideal for over a year that have been treated with Eezox and what should have caused rust did not. If you are storing something in a foam case (most of which are not ideal for this long term storage), Eezox can prevent a lot of frustration.

Silica gel is great for reducing humidity but once they reach capacity they are no longer useful until recharged. There are plug-in silica gel products but if you are storing this long term and do not have access to it that will not be of benefit to you.
 
If the goal is purely storage without use for a long time, Cosmoline is proven beyond question; although it is a PITA to clean, so if your goal is to use it every few months, then something else would be better.
 
I thought of one better last night,if you have or know someone with a Foodsaver system get one of their 1 gal bags and after putting whatever type of preservative use it to vacuum seal the handgun. Now you got a double defense against rust.
 
The foam in these cases is not designed for long term storage, the case itself should air tight so with some desiccant the gun should be fine if you protect the finish from contacting the foam. I use aLOKSAK bags with desiccant inside for guns stored in soft cases.
 
Be careful with the oil.

I have a lot of older guns come through the shop and many have oil soaked into the wood. There are better things to wipe an gun with and please don't squirt oil into the action. I had a gorgeous Winchester side by side 20 gauge come in that was ruined. The oil darkened the wood from the receiver 2" down into the grip. I nearly cried.
 
I have a lot of older guns come through the shop and many have oil soaked into the wood. There are better things to wipe an gun with and please don't squirt oil into the action. I had a gorgeous Winchester side by side 20 gauge come in that was ruined. The oil darkened the wood from the receiver 2" down into the grip. I nearly cried.

I am guessing that if the metal is being treated for long term storage that the wood should be as well? What do you recommend for this? I generally treat the few wood parts I have with butcher block oil and/or Ballistol, but I use them frequently so I have no idea how they would hold up long term. At least with butcher blocks, it seems the wood absorbs quite a bit of the wood oil, especially when newer.
 
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