Methods for Long Term Storage

[sschrick]

What are some good ways to store guns for long term without having a proper safe or hard/soft cases?

Should I just clean them up good, oil them and then what?

I know not to store them in leather holsters, but not sure how/what to store them?

Any suggestions, please.

[johnnychimpo]

Just keep them wiped down good with oil or a silicon cloth if your storing them in the open. Don't store them inside anything that holds moisture (especially anything with open cell foam).

[StPatrick]

Midway USA and Brownells both sell silicone-impregnated gun socks that are very cheap. There's also socks made by a company called Bore-Store that are for long term storage that provide a higher level of protection, but are slightly more expensive. As noted above, a good wipedown with a silicone cloth before storage will prevent most issues.

As far as traditional cases, if you acquire some, they're geared towards transport and short term storage. The sock style cases are for storage. If you have a safe or get one later, dessicant packs are available and are cheap insurance against corrosion. For info on those, contact TGO member Av88tor - he runs the Nashville Safe House.

[mikegideon]

Midway USA and Brownells both sell silicone-impregnated gun socks that are very cheap. There's also socks made by a company called Bore-Store that are for long term storage that provide a higher level of protection, but are slightly more expensive. As noted above, a good wipedown with a silicone cloth before storage will prevent most issues.

As far as traditional cases, if you acquire some, they're geared towards transport and short term storage. The sock style cases are for storage. If you have a safe or get one later, dessicant packs are available and are cheap insurance against corrosion. For info on those, contact TGO member Av88tor - he runs the Nashville Safe House.

Bass pro sells the same thing if you want to buy them locally. They're gray. I have a bunch of them for pistols and long guns. I stored them that way before I had a safe.

[Jonnin]

It depends on the gun, how long "long term" means, and so on.

If you plan to store the guns for decades and they are made of steel that will rust, you may want to tear them apart and coat them in cosmo or whatever modern compound (you can reassemble after, just want to coat it good everywhere and that means a breakdown). It worked in 1930, and it still works. Its messy to apply and messy to remove, but it works.

If you want to store it for a couple of years, wiped down with light, thin oil (rem oil works great) and the sock, as mentioned.

If the gun has finish (is not stainless steel) you should make sure the finish is intact everywhere. That means even areas that normally wear off with use, like come areas where the slide runs across the barrel in an auto, for example. Areas where the finish is gone, you might consider using one of those finish touch up kits on it (even the sharpie looking "blue touch up" pens will prevent rust for a long while) or other "cold blue" or similar type things.

Naturally, the enemy here is moisture. If you can store it in a place that has moisture control (dehumidifer, heater combo in a cheap safe or even just a box of some sort) or chemistry nearby (moisture removing compounds that you replace every so often) are a big help. On par with this, you want to avoid some things. Dust is very, very bad: dust covers the gun, then soaks water from the air (at least in TN humid summers) and then rusts. You want to store the gun in something.... a plastic box from walmart (good place to use the moisture sucking chemistry compounds), or a cardboard box, whatever. You want to avoid (for long periods) anything touching the actual metal that can hold moisture --- just like dust, a sock (literally, one you would wear on your foot) over the muzzle is probably bad (its ok for short term, just not years on end). The socks that are made for guns are not what I meant here. Really that is the key... just do not let anything touch the metal directly long term, protect it from general dampness and humidity, and it should last forever.

If the gun has a wooden stock, if you want to store it for decades+, you will want to treat the wood before you store it --- a few good rub downs with appropriate wood oils for example.

Whatever you do, you should inspect your stored guns from time to time, at least once a year if you can manage it. That way, if something does start to rust or rot, you can deal with a minor problem rather than a complete restoration, and address the source of the problem with your storage before it gets out of hand.

[Dave Shooter]

I've used RIG, Rust Inhibiting Grease, with satisfaction. Put it in the bore and on exposed metal; you will need to remove it from bore before shooting. It will not run off like some oils.

[Caster]

Simple answer to a simple problem. The whole world's been using this for a long time.....because it works!

http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

[gjohnsoniv]

Simple answer to a simple problem. The whole world's been using this for a long time.....because it works!

http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

I can't believe they have a website...

[Caster]

Why not? Shamwow and Tater mitts get a website. This on the other hand actually works!

[gjohnsoniv]

Why not? Shamwow and Tater mitts get a website. This on the other hand actually works!

True. What are Tater Mitts?

[Caster]

Peel taters with gloves, no knife needed!

[gjohnsoniv]

*Facepalm*

[atlas3025]

Why not? Shamwow and Tater mitts get a website. This on the other hand actually works!

Are you suggesting that Tater Mitts don't work? I need to know!

[chances R]

Ezoxx is suppose to be one of the best 'clean' products (vs. cosmoline) then put in a gun sock.

[seez52]

I second RIG. does not take much and I've used it for years.