ruger 357 magnum longtime storage

[therealdeal1]

hello, I am hoping I can receive some honest feedback even if its conflicting. I appreciate all feedback. I didn't have much firearms teachings growing up, but my friends family had weapons+hunting parties also. Last decade I volunteered for the war and did receive extensive knowledge of the m16 the 4yrs active. I also now work for an agency which has commissioned m16's, 9mm's, and shotguns.
a couple yrs ago my family&I bought a home, so we decided to buy a shotgun(mossberg 500) for defense of animals, intrusion, etc. It came with the "test shot" from the dealer validating it and I shot it twice. a year later I bought a ruger 357 magnum and shot the shotgun two more times and the ruger w/my wife(11shots total). I havent cleaned the weapons. common sense you clean weapons but I also feel that(as I have read after googling too) that a weapon will be reliable even after one or two shootings. I have based this on my own intuition; I am sure most of you know more than me. I have seen rusting rifles while in service, and I always cleaned my weapon. I figured if I shoot again I will thoroughly clean both whenever that may be(immediately after). this might be yrs. I have stored in case. I have googled and cant find answers without your help. If I store my weapons for yrs and yrs and yrs, its good right?? It is for emergency only(though I did enjoy shooting them). I am very familiar with how to load, fire, clear, etc these weapons. I bought the revolver on purpose too(rather than 9mm). I just cant seem to figure out the storage thing. I mean its not going to 'blow up' just sitting there right(pun intended/I understand it wont literally 'blow up')?? both are in a nice case I bought w/shotgun w/knife, directions, safety stuff, ammo, flashlight, "lighter" thingees people use @ highway accident scenes. theyre nice @ moment and all cleaning stuff is in case too. if it leaves my mind and they stay there in properly heated/air conditioned home for yrs is this ok. they will be cleaned if shot again unless I have screwed up and need to soon. please help if possible

 

[therealdeal1]

it is a big 'pelican case' I guess(not a wooden/glass case as other examples)

 

[TiteGroups]

Sounds to me like you bought some guns, test fired them a couple times and put them away without cleaning them. They should be fine. You might want to consider putting some oil on them, or have someone else oil them from time to time if you can't. Just have whoever is going to do the oiling check to make sure they are unloaded first. They need to be competent in handling firearms also.

 

[wwb]

No matter what, I always run an oily patch through the bore and wipe down all the exterior surfaces with an oily cloth before putting a gun up.

If it's been fired quite a bit and/or will be put up for a long time, then it gets stripped, thoroughly cleaned, and oiled.

 

[G2]

Nice liberal coat of RIG in and out.

 

[therealdeal1]

thanx. yes I also have a trigger lock on the magnum which goes thru the pretty long barrel. it barely fits so its pulling and/or in contact with the weapon. hopefully this a is ok? its silver(I think its stainless steel). pretty much yes I just wanted to test fire them- they are unloaded. I could tell by looking that if the revolver is fired more it will need cleaning because signs were immediate but wanted to make sure they would be fine @ this point for storage

 

[wwb]

If you are running an uncoated stainless steel cable through the bore, get it out of there and get coated cable, a regular trigger lock, or a lockable cabinet. That's a fine way to destroy the rifling.

 

[Hugh]

Welcome to the Ruger forum.

Yep, you bought a couple of firearms, test fired them, then put them away in what may be long term storage without cleaning them.

That being the case, I suggest you make sure they are not loaded, which you have already said is the case. And, I suggest you clean them both following instructions in the respective manuals. And, like others have said, a light coat of oil. That way, you can be sure they are properly lubricated and will operate properly when you need them most.

 

[Pal Val]

I worry not about the guns. Ther are replaceable. I worry aboyt the chance of you needing them and then realizing that a couple shots was far from acceptable practice. Shooting a gun may be like riding a bicycle, but shooting a gun safely and accurately under pressure is more like riding a mountain bike down a steep grade. It takes practice.

My friendly advice is that you take your guns to a range, get some practice with them (better if under qualified instruction), and then give them a good cleaning and oiling.

 

[therealdeal1]

we shoot firearms at work. yes, they are all unloaded and also have two trigger locks each(one being the trigger 'key' guard that came with them. the trigger lock in the revolver is the one gun shops give customers when they buy firearms lots of times: they're like yellow or blue and have the little covering over the cable. it Barely fits the ruger- is this ok?? I need to change that if its not. some oil can only help so I will take the advice about the RIG. I have some kind of special lub he sold me and a sheep cloth(or something of the sort). they are for safety but I am still to 'scared' to leave them not locked up, unloaded, and triggerlocked. our children are very young but I do worry about that sort of thing

 

[M'BOGO]

The interior of the case was not discussed. I am not a chemical composition expert, but I have seen foam degrade, and do very strange things over time. The concern I am bringing up is gun oil in contact with foam over the long term (several years). There are silicone treated "gun socks" that it might be a good idea place your firearms in something of this sort.

 

[therealdeal1]

guyz thanx for your help. yes its a real nice case that says you can throw me, kick me, toss me and I'll be fine. it has nice foam greyish sides that puff out. did I put this lock on wrong by pyutting it thru barrel?? I couldve sworn thats what salesman said but maybe he meant thru rounds holder or just even over and thru where the cylinder pops out?? he gave me a lock and that is already locked over and thru the cylinder where it pops out. thats why it wonr fit in the gun case that came with it. I'm thinking of just leaving it 'as is' for emergencies. I am absolutely positive I can rely on both weapons, and I know what to do if need be(its just crucial time might be eaten up due to me being extra safe). it wont deterioate 'as is' right now over the next 50 yrs right?? this is my main concern.

 

[Hugh]

guyz thanx for your help. yes its a real nice case that says you can throw me, kick me, toss me and I'll be fine. it has nice foam greyish sides that puff out. did I put this lock on wrong by pyutting it thru barrel?? I couldve sworn thats what salesman said but maybe he meant thru rounds holder or just even over and thru where the cylinder pops out?? he gave me a lock and that is already locked over and thru the cylinder where it pops out. thats why it wonr fit in the gun case that came with it. I'm thinking of just leaving it 'as is' for emergencies. I am absolutely positive I can rely on both weapons, and I know what to do if need be(its just crucial time might be eaten up due to me being extra safe). it wont deterioate 'as is' right now over the next 50 yrs right?? this is my main concern.

I cannot imagine putting part of a lock down the barrel of any firearm. I suggest you look into the manual for your revolver and discover the page that discusses locks. You may find a page and image like the one here. If your revolver is a GP-100 the manual for that revolver probably has a similar image. If you did not receive a manual for your revolver, go to www.ruger.com and download one, they're free.

 

[mattsbox99]

I'd hate to need those firearms and have to go through all that garbage.

My advice is take the locks off and throw them in the garbage, then load the guns, stick the shotgun in the closet, stick the revolver in your nightstand, and TEACH your children proper firearm safety as they age.

 

[Rclark]

My advice is take the locks off and throw them in the garbage, then load the guns, stick the shotgun in the closet, stick the revolver in your nightstand, and TEACH your children proper firearm safety as they age.

Ditto. First thing I do is get rid of the locks (garbage) on my guns. Of course keep out of reach of toddlers.....

All my kids know how to fire and clean my guns (and theirs now). You grow up with them ... no more mystery. Plus they are an enjoyment to just go out and shoot. In fact, tonight after work I went for an hour at the gun club and shot a couple .22 six shooters and a .45 Colt Vaquero. Feel the tension just go out of your body after the first few rounds .

As for cleaning them.... Well, I clean 'em after I shoot em. Oil 'em up if going to be in the cabinet for a time. Otherwise I don't worry to much about oiling them.... But I do make sure they are clean. Dislike a dirty gun ... if it doesn't have to be....

 

[therealdeal1]

yeah after I posted that I just thought to myself that theres just no way it should be on that way. I took it out of the barrel and my directions have that same cylinder pix. I elected to just pop the cylinder and lock the top of the frame w/the lock(like one pictured) instead of even putting thru the cylinder. yeah the babies arent old enough to be a threat at this point anyways, but I still got the triggerlock on each of them. trying to take it slow or figure out the best plan little by little. someone saiddont have one in the chamber on mossberg but thats not an issue cockin it from tube anyways. I think I get 6 in tube and one in chamber if thats even right terminology. I can get to those weapons quick if need be, but yes time constraints can be counted in seconds like you sortof mentioned. I also have a speedloader for the ruger gp100 357 so I got 12 shots there

 

[Hugh]

Why do I come to the conclusion that "therealdeal1" is not truly the real deal? Stop screwing with us. What country or planet are you really from?

 

[therealdeal1]

its just the first time we've owned personal weapons+we're building our family so I dont want to be too rash. oh, the planet was taxachusetts but now we're in a different commonwealth(state we're my wife grew up). ps-my grandpa was 28yrs navy like you/other was machinist mate for two(both WWII). my dad and I were army but for only 4yrs.anyways, I just have no experience storing longterm but I am not clueless w/the weapons(just new to being personal gun owners). the guy at the store suggested the cable thingee go thru the barrel but I have the bolt going under the top of the frame(yes, I have that same picture you posted in the case but figuered under the frame was enough)? still appreciate the help, this is the beginning of the rest of our lives with these weapons