Tips for long term firearm storage?

[VMIRat1995]

Does anybody have any suggestions on preserving firearms for long-term storage?

I don't plan to shoot mine for a long time (no time with a newborn at home).

Anyway, any ideas? Should I just clean them and lube them with a light coat of oil (as usual) or are there any other longer lasting solutions?

Thanks!

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Lube them, a lot. Then store them horizontally so the oil doesnt seep away from the barrel into the chamber.

And store there somewhere cool/dry.

 

[rustymaggot]

clean them really well. and remove all leather items. remove wood stocks if convenient. then use a heavy oil, or grease and coat every nook and cranny. leave nothing uncoated. motorcycle chain wax works great for this, but so does grease. wrap them in plastic trash bags with a few dessicants inside. tape em up well and rebag. tape it up, rebag. then either leave in a rifle case or wrap up in a sheet and tape that up. the triple bagging is more for keeping oil or grease off the nice insides of your cases. store wood and leather in same case but not in same plastic as metal.

the dessicants are extremely important for long term storage. specially in wet storage areas. removing wood is not as important as removing leather as leather can hold a lot of moisture. the wood holds less and the dessicants usually absorb whatever the wood puts out.

if you have to store the gun case in a very wet area(leaky cellar, ect) wrap that in contractors stretch wrap(found at home depot) and add a few more dessicants to keep rust off the case hardware.


EDIT: CLEAN GREASE OUT OF GUNS REALLY WELL WHEN RETURNING TO USE. EXESIVE GREASE CAN SPLIT A BARREL (DONT ASK ME HOW I KNOW THIS)

 

[Geronimo45]

Cosmoline.

 

[rustymaggot]

http://www.maximausa.com/products/chainlubes/chainwax.asp

this stuff is very similar to cosmoline. but it sprays on liquid and penetrates and then sets up. i love this stuff. kinda tacky to the touch but doesnt attract dirt as bad as any oils ive used. has a very pleasant smell. smells like a cross between a candle and a clean motorcycle.

 

[Ala Dan]

RIG lightly coated all over the firearms, then place in the proper
size "Sack-Up". Correctly done, this gives the firearm maximum protection
from all the elements.

 

[ATAShooter]

Breakfree Collector