Long term storage question
- Thread starter SteveS
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HankL
Member
Just like short term storage. Clean, dry and lightly oiled.
ocabj
Member
I'm not an expert, but I think rust is your worst enemy as far as storage goes. Ideally, you want to control humidity in the storage area. The use of dessicants is probably a good idea. If the rifles are not stored in a safe, then you'll want to keep them in hard cases with foam liners (ie: Starlight Cases). Avoid leather/suede cases or any other cases made from material that will absorb water from the air.
You definitely need to clean the guns prior to storage. Clean the bolt and action as much as possible. Use standard cleaning procedures to clean out fouling and copper from the bore. You'll want to leave a protectant in the bore. Some use Hoppes 9 by saturating a patch and running it through the bore once it's clean to leave a small coating in there to prevent rust. I'm not sure how safe Hoppes 9 is in the long run, but I would just use a good non-Teflon based oil such as Butch's Oil or FP-10. Soak a patch with oil, run it through the bore. Soak another and do the same. Then run a dry patch through to mop excess oil and to leave a very light thin coating in the bore.
You definitely need to clean the guns prior to storage. Clean the bolt and action as much as possible. Use standard cleaning procedures to clean out fouling and copper from the bore. You'll want to leave a protectant in the bore. Some use Hoppes 9 by saturating a patch and running it through the bore once it's clean to leave a small coating in there to prevent rust. I'm not sure how safe Hoppes 9 is in the long run, but I would just use a good non-Teflon based oil such as Butch's Oil or FP-10. Soak a patch with oil, run it through the bore. Soak another and do the same. Then run a dry patch through to mop excess oil and to leave a very light thin coating in the bore.
RAMMUNITION
Member
sm
member
Have used RIG grease forever.
Been treating bores, using in adverse condition externally...and internal small parts. Storage of course.
Another alternative (s) is a good car wax, or Johnsons Paste wax. (external). Again Storage of course, but works for carry and the car wax is great for mags, slicker, protects, and doesn't attract grit sand etc when dropped like in mag changes.
Been treating bores, using in adverse condition externally...and internal small parts. Storage of course.
Another alternative (s) is a good car wax, or Johnsons Paste wax. (external). Again Storage of course, but works for carry and the car wax is great for mags, slicker, protects, and doesn't attract grit sand etc when dropped like in mag changes.
ChairborneRanger
Member
Boy, I'll second that comment about RIG----a superb storage lube/grease. RIG even stands for/means Rust Inhibiting Grease (by the way).
sm
member
RIG, yep it works.
I may have tried other gun stuff ( like an idiot once upon a time) but I never quit using RIG. I have some special tools I stored , I check on them about 2x a year been stored for 10 years and still look like new.
I have guns stored off site, RIG of course. I had one of their gun cleaning kits I won many years ago. and dunno where it went, quality rod and the gun oil some really good stuff, perfect compliment to the Grease, btw. See Silencio
http://www.silencio.com/index.html
I may have tried other gun stuff ( like an idiot once upon a time) but I never quit using RIG. I have some special tools I stored , I check on them about 2x a year been stored for 10 years and still look like new.
I have guns stored off site, RIG of course. I had one of their gun cleaning kits I won many years ago. and dunno where it went, quality rod and the gun oil some really good stuff, perfect compliment to the Grease, btw. See Silencio
http://www.silencio.com/index.html
Cosmoline
Member
Mine are getting the ultimate test--in a very damp trailer in a very damp Alaska fall. I coated several with an anti-rust spray topped by RIG grease. These have NO rust on them whatsoever. The one that went in uncoated got rust spots within a week. It doesn't take long!
Also, other metal items coated with anti-rust spray and RIG have done fine out in the liquid sunshine. I have been tempted to coat myself with the stuff!
For very long term storage or "strategic" storage, nothing beats breaking down the weapon and coating every metal part with thick gobs oif cosmoline, then packing and sealing it in an air-tight container. Rig and everything else can be rubbed off and will eventually come off in the air. Cosmoline is here to stay
It has a half life of like 1,000 years. Make sure to keep the stock in a separate container, though. Cosmoline does weird things to wood over time, as many of us have discovered.
Also, other metal items coated with anti-rust spray and RIG have done fine out in the liquid sunshine. I have been tempted to coat myself with the stuff!
For very long term storage or "strategic" storage, nothing beats breaking down the weapon and coating every metal part with thick gobs oif cosmoline, then packing and sealing it in an air-tight container. Rig and everything else can be rubbed off and will eventually come off in the air. Cosmoline is here to stay
It has a half life of like 1,000 years. Make sure to keep the stock in a separate container, though. Cosmoline does weird things to wood over time, as many of us have discovered.- Status
