Long term gun storage problem/question

[ALHunter]

Unfortunately, circumstances out of my control have me with a miserable gun storage situation. Rifles, shotguns, and handguns have to be stored in soft cases. I have a couple hard cases with foam-type liner, and use those too. All will be stored in these cases in a clothes closet in climate controlled home. No access to a safe or any other storage options.

What is the best way to store my guns in this situation? After cleaning them I usually put a light coat of rust inhibitor on them, or use a silicone cloth and wipe them down before putting them in their respective soft cases. Looks like I will be forced to store this way for at least 2 years and don't want my guns to rust or otherwise deteriorate from this storage situation. Haven't had a problem yet, but it is going to now be at least 6-8 months before I can get a gun out again to shoot. Thanks in advance for tips.

 

[.41Dave]

My long term storage solution:

1. Wipe gun down inside and out with CorrosionX (great rust preventative, cleans well too)

2. place gun in an anti-corrosion storage bag made by Kleen Bore called "The Inhibitor". Kinda like a big red ziplock lined with VCIs. Available pretty cheap from www.cheaperthandirt.com

3. place bagged gun inside plastic hard case.

Never had a speck of rust on anything stored this way.

 

[1911 guy]

Grease

Clean them well, then clean them again. Lube any areas you would normally, then put grease over any exposed metal. Yeah, you're gonna get your cases all funky, but they're cheaper to replace.

 

[Mannlicher]

Dave, I agree with your storage method. I do that, and then put them into one of the safes, with a Goldenrod heater installed.

 

[Fred Fuller]

1) Fieldstrip and clean thoroughly
2) Cover all metal surfaces inside and out with a light coat of RIG (rust inhibiting grease, sold under the RIG brand name)
3) Wrap with waxed paper (the grocery store kind), using extra waxed paper layers to pad sights, bolt handles etc. and secure with masking tape.
4) Then case them carefully and store them.

lpl/nc

 

[Ol` Joe]

I use also Rig grease and haven`t had any problem with rust with my guns stored in my basement. I do store in a safe, though without a "goldenrod". I apply a very light coat and wipe the excess off before putting my guns away, it doesn`t take much.
I don`t think storing in a case of any type is a good idea. The materials used weather foam lined hardcases or cloth soft cases can absorb moisture and cause rust. I`d store with a light coat of grease and stand in a closet where air can circulate some. You might hang a piece of plastic or other barrier to keep the grease off clothes or other stuff stored near by.

 

[Preacherman]

Don't use foam or any other material in the cases that will press against your guns. The foam, etc. can hold moisture, and contact with the guns can produce rust. Also, unless there's a moisture-proof sheet between them, the foam can absorb oils and grease from the gun and thus remove that protective layer.

I'd go with the greasing hint given above, and then put the guns into a protective "sock" such as sold by Remington or others. I'd then put them into a case such as this golf club case from Wal-Mart: it's cheap, sturdy, and doesn't look like a gun case if this might be a problem. No foam insert, so nothing to rub against the guns (provided you don't over-fill it).

 

[Standing Wolf]

Don't use foam or any other material in the cases that will press against your guns. The foam, etc. can hold moisture, and contact with the guns can produce rust.

Amen to that, and the foam can chemically react with steel. I don't have any of the stuff in my gun safe.

 

[Model520Fan]

The foam can also be screwed up by the grease or oil.

I had to store guns in a storage shed in Norfolk for a couple of years - hot summers, wet winters, and salt air. What I did was

1. Clean.

2. Spray internals with WD-40 to insure moisture displacement, wipe dry to avoid WD-40 or oil damage of wood.

3. Use RIG brand r.i.g. on metal surfaces. Be sure to touch wood last (or have greasy fingers) when putting gun in bag.

4. Use plastic bag (or even Saran wrap if necessary) to protect case from gun and vice versa.

It worked.

 

[Old Fuff]

I do what Uncle Sam?s military services do.

Grease works best if the gun(s) are exposed to open air. If they are in cases a change in temperature can result in condensed moister, and there is always the possibility of high humidity. If you LIGHTLY grease the metal parts (including inside barrels) and enclose the gun inside a sealed plastic bag with a vapor rust inhibitor the issue of condensed moister is solved. Never seal a gun in any kind of plastic wrap or case unless it is protected by a vapor rust inhibitor. This method of storage is good for at least 5 years if the packaging is done correctly.

Materials are available from: www.brownells.com

 

[bogie]

Take all the stocks, scopes, etc., off, spray the boomsticks down with a light oil, and put 'em in the big blue ziplocks. Put the stocks, scopes, etc., in a nice big duffle.

 

[Control Group]

Pack them in cosmoline, obviously.

My 1945 Mosin didn't have a speck of rust on it.

 

[skwang]

you could pick up some PVC pipe, secure one end with an adhesive. place your well cleaned, oiled, and lightly greased firarm into the pipe. add a few tablespoons of cylica crystals (the little granuals in the packets that say "do not eat" that come with jerky, electronics, what ever) you can put the cylica in a small conatier with holes large enough to let air thrugh but not the cylica if you dont want it free floating around with your slightly greased firearm. then with a little petrolium jelly smeared around outside of the open end place another end cap over hole and you have a sealed, unremarkable looking (think hidden in plain sight) and protected gun.