How do you store them?

[Joe Chartreuse]

Mods, if this is in the wrong place please move.
I am not a gun collector- mostly- but am geared toward self-defense. I certainly have several that I do not use often, or are not part of my self defense ( needing instant access) group. Yet I also know several collectors. In my case, those firearms not often used are stored in boxes/ safes with moisture absorbent and oxy absorbent packs. Longarms are stored in case or silicon sleeves for the less valuable with the same absorbent packs. However, I see collectors storing guns- long and short- on racks / displays without any protection. Am I being over cautious or are the collectors that I know not protecting their firearms properly?

 

[Mobuck]

A lot depends on temp and humidity of the area where stored.
During my recent gun room clean out, I removed dozens of long guns from cases (both hardside and soft) that had been stored on horizontal racks for 5-15 years. It'd been at least 5 years since most had been inspected but we found no issues with their condition. My 'gun room' developed a crack in the concrete wall several years ago which resulted in water seepage but I use a dehumidifier and air circulation fan to remove the excess moisture.
I'd say this is probably one of the poorer storage scenarios but still no problems as long as the air is circulated. IMHO, about all the desiccant packs do is retain moisture. We used them to reduce moisture in stamp storage containers and that was a failure.

 

[blume357]

I think the main issue with what you ask is the safe.... I think this is more of a problem than the environment.... the mass of a safe causes condensation when the space it is in changes temperature, even slightly....
I have a number of guns stored in a basement area that has very little temperature change but is humid and only in metal cabinets and have no problem at all.

But then I see where you live and I'm pretty sure you are required by law to store the guns in some kind of locked 'box'. We have no children or friends that have children... and a number of my guns are "just around".

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

But then I see where you live and I'm pretty sure you are required by law to store the guns in some kind of locked 'box'. We have no children or friends that have children... and a number of my guns are "just around".

That requirement is only for homes where minors dwell.

 

[blume357]

Good to know, I thought everything had to be unloaded and locked up in New Jersey... shows what I know....

 

[drycreek]

In thirty years of living in our home I have never had rust form on any gun. This includes the contents of two safes, a conventional bookcase/gun cabinet, and various handguns in various drawers and the headboard of our bed. This is Texas, and humid as hell.

As far as safety is concerned, the insurance protects against theft and locked doors protect against unwanted attention from visitors.

 

[Kevin]

How many guns are you talking about? Not necessary to answer, but if you have the time, is it possible to just wipe them down with something every so often?

I bought some of the renaissance wax. It’s as good as they advertise. I also found some of the brown “rust proof” paper. I bought a pack of 100 (12” by 12”) sheets on Amazon. It feels like the same stuff that companies ship brand new guns in. If they still use it anymore.

 

[jimbo1096]

I have two safes and in those safes, guns that are in their boxes are cleaned once a year and then every time they are checked, they are wiped down with a silicone cloth. Guns that don’t have their box are put into a silicone storage bag. Long arms are stored in their box or, if often used, I wipe down wirh a silicone cloth and stored barrel up in the safes. Those that are out of the safe and available for immediate useare checked often and wiped down with a silicone cloth.
Both safes have a dehumidifier in each and also I have one dehumidifier rod.

 

[protoolman]

I have no actual idea about what's best, but most of the corroded guns I've seen were rusted on one side because they laid in a case that got damp on the bottom side. I've always tried to keep mine lightly oiled with air circulation around them. So far so good? That said I lived in Montana and western ND where humidity wasn't an issue. Right now I'm in Minnesota where it's a lot higher. So I may need to study on it.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

I store some of my handguns in old winter socks, that I stray down with oil every so often... no issues and the thick material protects them pretty well...very low tech and cheap when you don't have enough gun rugs.....

 

[Bennj1]

Here in NJ all my ammo and firearms (except my night stand gun) are stored in a locked closet. Maybe if I lived down the shore it might be a problem, but never an issue with rust inland.

 

[06dilly]

It may seem obvious but first be sure to go over any gun before storing. New ones can be as bad as vintage.

I had a new sig 320 that came in a pair. I shot one so no issue there. The second one never got touched for a few years. When I did it was locked up so bad from the factory grease. So now even new ones get checked and at least field strip cleaned.

Collectibles usually get a full disassembly cleaning and oil. I’ve seen more ancient crud than I ever thought possible. Probably from the guy that just sprays WD-40 on it and puts it away!

Once clean… then into a safe with a golden rod. Just the gun! No cardboard, paperwork or boxes to hold moisture. I use hold up rods so that nothing touches the gun except the rod in the barrel and the tip of the butt if the gun is not fully suspended. Some use silicone sacks and pack them in there like cordwood, I just like the clean look of suspended guns.

Cardboard boxes which can be very valuable are shrunk wrapped and stored separately.

I check them about once a year and lightly wipe with oil as needed. It gives me a good check on the condition and to make sure they are preserved.

TomD

 

[blume357]

Little side note on storage... wife and I have no children and more to the point at our age no grandchildren...
I generally have about 5 or 6 semi-autos around the house in slightly hidden locations... they are all the same brand and type of gun and they all have a round in the chamber.... since we have no children visiting ever I never worried about it.

Well our next door neighbor has two grand children 5 & 7 (girl and boy respectively) and they come and visit them often and over the last two weeks they now like to come over and especially the 7 year old boy wants to go down stairs and look at my stuff. (I've got way too much stuff)

I had to follow them and watch them carefully while they are messing around of course and in retrospect it seemed to me it would be easy for one to slip away to another room and possibly discover one of these guns.... What to do?

Here is my solution.... guns are still in their hiding places and loaded but there is not a round in the chamber... these are all chambered in 357 Sig and so to chamber a round takes a good bit of work/ strength ... I'd say 50% of the women out there probably can't work the slide on one of these Sig P239's.. They are all marked with a piece of tape showing me the chamber is empty. I don't think a 7 year old boy let along a 5 year old girl could do this even if they knew how.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Glad you emptied the chambers. The ONLY time I have one in the chamber is when I am carrying THAT weapon. At home? I can and have lived without the extra round, and cocking is quick.

 

[stonebuster]

Good to know, I thought everything had to be unloaded and locked up in New Jersey... shows what I know....

In CT all firearms, loaded or unloaded have to be stored in a "locked container" except when you're carrying on your person. Kids or no kids. Class D felony-5yrs in jail. Make sure you know your state laws. Stinks, but it is what it is.

 

[snowman04]

All my guns are in the safes except for the Mossberg 590A. That one is cruiser ready in the closet, just in case... No little ones around.