Using Gun Socks or Not.....

[Falcontech]

I believe that I saw a reference to someone on this site saying to never store you gun in a gun case or gun sock because of moisture retention and the possiblity of rust. Does this also apply to silicone impregnated gun socks?Supposedly they will wick the moisture away from your firearm keeping it safe. True or Not?

Thanks

 

[Rupestris]

I have no experience with the silicone impregnated gun socks but...

...this is what can happen to a firearm left in a cloth or foam lined gun case and stored in a location that experiences changes in humidity and/or temprature.

You can see the fabric print in the rust if you look.

 

[kudu]

I keep most of my guns in socks in the safe to help prevent bumping them when I get guns in and out. I wouldn't suggest this unless you have humidity control in the safe. I will occasionally transport one in a sock, but it doesn't protect it from hard knocks like a heavy case or hard case.

 

[mattw]

As long as it is inside your house where the temp. and humidity is controlled it should be fine, I cant imagine the cases being a good weather barrier.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I use the socks for short distance transportation, no storage for any length of time. I've seen a few rust covered guns that were kept in socks for too long under dampish conditions.

 

[Kingcreek]

I'm with Kudu on this. I use em so I can get >30 guns in my 30 gun safe. like sardines with alternating bore-up/bore-down. Humidity is controlled and I turn the socks inside out and spray with silicone once in awhile. cheap and easy.
I don't trust that claimed "moisture wicking" stuff. They do a pretty good job of preventing those annoying little safe dings and scratches, but they are not a storage system.

 

[Kestrel]

Kingcreek,

What kind of silicone do you spray on them? Is just a big can of silicone spray (Liquid Wrench brand, I think?) from HomeDepot the same thing?

 

[hksw]

Only time I've had a problem was when I stored an 1187 in a soft gun case that was lined inside with nylon. This trapped any moisture in the case and the gun developed some surface rust (easily removed with Flitz). After that incident, I ripped apart the case (saved the foam) so that it would no longer be used. Otherwise, I had never had any of my other guns rust inside a soft or hard case or a gun sock before then as their fabrics and foam are more open than that plastic lined one and allowed the moisture to pass through.

IMO, if you have been shooting in cold weather (that is, colder than where you store your guns), it's probably a good idea to let the gun equilibrate with the storage temperature before packing away. This will prevent any moisture from condensing on the surface.

This is what I use when storing guns since the rust incident. Boeshield.

 

[JNewell]

My experience is like Kudu's. I've not had a problem with the silicone-impregnated socks. I don't live on the Gulf Coast or anyplace like that, but I don't live in AZ, either. My safe is in the basement where the humidity is a little higher than upstairs -- no problems to report.

 

[Kingcreek]

Steve,
I've had a couple different cans of spray silicone around here. I recall the most recent being labeled "Camp Dry". I think it is pretty easy to find 100% silicone.
Let the gunsock dry before turning rightside out and inserting firearm of choice.

 

[Red Label]

I don't like to keep my guns in a sock for any longer than necessary, like to the range and back and thats about it. BUT!!! I do happen to have in my possesion four Winchesters that were in socks and never saw the light of day for almost 25 years!!! Yes, I said 25 and not a spot of rust on them. They were also not in a climate controlled house either. Splain that one. I can't!!!

 

[EVIL5LITER]

Well, with a climate controlled house, shouldn't that be enough?