Proper Gun Storage

[BigAinaBuilt]

I've got a few rifles I keep locked away from my kids in a safe and was wondering about silica gels or maybe some other helpful tips that you guys could offer as to how I should be storing my rifles?? I currently always clean my rifles after every hunt and then reoil them before placing them in a gun sock inside of the safe and when a few of the boys come by and ask to check out my gear I usually try and wipe them down with a gun cloth before placing them back in the safe. Is this sufficient?? What about storing ammo?? Can I keep them with the guns in the safe?? I figure a few of you Texans could definately give me solid information on this subject. Thanks for the advice guys!

[mley1]

Man, I'm sorry I'm just now seeing this post. I've owned and kept guns here in Texas since I was 12. The thing to keep in mind is that moisture is your enemy, period. If you put your gun away with any moisture on it, it will rust. Period. Even stainless guns will rust if neglected.

What I do is clean the gun thoroughly before putting it in the safe for long term storage. I like to keep a good oily rag in the safe to wipe them down periodicly too. If I take one out to shoot or handle it I ALWAY'S wipe it down with an oily rag before placing it back in the safe. For long term storage I will also run an oily patch through the bore after the thorough cleaning. Using this method has kept my guns rust free for many years. I still have the shotgun, a .22 rifle, and a deer rifle that I got when I was a kid. The method works.

I do store ammo in my safe as well. I have not had any trouble with that at all. There are some things to be cautious about. And, that's moisture. Again, moisture is your enemy. I had a box of .270 that got wet one time. I thought nothing of it and put it back in the safe in the wet cardboard box. When I went to shoot it a few months later. The brass had turned greenish on me. I cleaned it up as best as I could. Then I tried shooting them. Most would not fire. The moisture had somehow contaminated the powder. So, alway's make sure any guns or ammo you put into the safe are dry. The guns should have a coat of oil. The ammo should be completely dry, no oil at all.

Something to keep in mind about moisture is that it can seep into the smallest of places and wreak havoc on your guns. If you hunt in the rain and get your gun wet be sure to break it down and get ALL the parts dried and oiled. Or, you'll have small inner parts rust and possibly break on you.

I live close to the coast and these methods have worked well for me over the years. I hope they help you too.

[wcoutdoors]

I have a good size safe and I use what is called a heating rod.  What it does is warms the air enough inside the safe to keep it moving and building up moisture.  I have no problems with rust or anything.  You can buy them thru most gun dealers, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, etc.....I also have a silica container that is reusalbe.  It turns pink and when this happens, you just place it in the over for about 2 hours and it dries out and turns purple and you place back in the safe...... do something though, guns are an investment and you want to keep them in top form....

[mley1]

I thought about getting one of those heating rods. But, I don't have a way of plugging it in. How did you get it plugged in? To control moisture in the air of the safe I've been using these little plastic tubs with the silicon that collect moisture. But, I didn't start using them until a few years ago. You'd be surprised how much moisture will collect in those little tubs. I still go through all the trouble of cleaning and oiling the guns though.

[BigAinaBuilt]

Thanks for the responses guys! My girl is always getting on my case about how I treat my guns, Wiping them down with oil and buying each one its own sock and all! I actually looked into a dehumidifier to put in the safe to trap whatever moisture gets in. I don't feel comfortable with the plug in type so I think I will go with the change color and then bake option. Thanks again for the responses guys!