Silicone treated gun sacks?

[marktx]

I have vaguely heard a few stories about how silicone treated gun socks can save the day but I really don't know a whole lot of "tech" about how helpful they might actually be. I get one for all my guns as it seems like cheap insurance to help avoid rust and/or dings from other guns in storage.

Can someone educate me?

 

[Win75]

I don't have a scientific answer to the silicone sock question but I have used them for years. They do protect from bumps and bruises. They also seen to help with rust because I have not had that problem either.

 

[A man with a gun!]

I keep a 870 behind the seat of my truck in a simple silicone gun sack. It's a working gun and at the end of the day usually has a fair amount of dirt and dust covering it.

Everytime I take out the 870 I find it's cleaned itself. The sack is magic.

Some might think that eventually that dust would become abrasive to the firearm but so far, that doesn't seem to be the case.

No problems with rust, scratches or dust. I couldn't be happier.

 

[Im283]

I love them things. I have them for all the long guns. If nothing else they have stopped dings and dents in the stocks. Dunno about rust never had that problem to begin with.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've used them for years. Once a year I turn all the gunsocks inside out and spray them with silicone (in a well ventilated area) let em dry then turn em inside in, and I give the guns a quick wipedown before putting them back. They are great for protecting the guns from dings in the safe, but I don't think I would rely on them for total rust protection in all climates.

 

[JCMAG]

I use them. I've noticed that the oil stays on my gun longer inside the sock, ie. instead of evaporating or otherwise disappearing to parts unknown.

As said by Kingcreek, while the gun socks are not magical and you should prevent rust in your usual fashion, the silicone stockings do seem to help as an extra measure of prevention as well as a pleasant means of protection against dings and scratches.

Of course, I can answer you the technology aspect: silicon neither attracts nor absorbs moisture, therefore providing a barrier against water and other fluids. Not a perfect, air-tight barrier, but better than nothing.

 

[hksw]

I've been using Si coated gun socks for about the past 10 years. Prior to that, I've either just wiped everything down with a good coat of oil and wrap them in a cleaning cloth or towel or used rust inhibitor impregnated plastic bags. The stiff thick plastic bags tend to not conform to the shape of the gun very well so they take up a lot of space. Switched over to socks which cling to the shape of the gun due to their elasticity and tight fit. Plus, they are somewhat thick so provide a little cushion from the guns being knocked around.

The type of silicone used in the fabric is hydro- and hygrophobic so does not absorb water or moisture very well (unless you submerge it where then it has no choice). So, it is somewhat important to clean your gun thoroughly of wetness/moisture and oil/coat your gun with your choice of protectant before putting in a sock as it will not only inhibit water moisture from penetrating inward from the outside but also outward from the inside. I've had no issues with putting a dirty but dry gun back into the socks without cleaning, though.

I've got about 80% of my guns in socks. The others are either (Food Saver) vacuum packed or are the stored in a place where rust is not an issue.

 

[scrat]

never needed them. i have too many of the padded zipper cases to use to transport guns to the range that keep them better protected against dings and dents. Then at home all long arms go in the safes.