OK to store gun in soft case?

As long as the soft case is properly stored in a cool dry area. For longer storage a few packets of desiccant in there wouldn't hurt and as long as the case is a quality case. I don't see a problem with doing it.

Ron

I don't.
Gun cases are for transportation, not storage.

Even the best case will trap humidity in the padding and hold it next to the metal of the gun inside it.

Not to mention, it wipes off or absorbs anything you put on the gun to prevent rust.

I store my 50+ collection in open air gun cabinets in no direct contact with anything that could hold moisture.

I'd rather they get dusty then rusty!
But they don't, as I wipe them down with R.I.G. and a RIG-RAG every so often anyway.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31842/Product/RIG-reg-UNIVERSAL-GUN-GREASE

rc

I don't.
Gun cases are for transportation, not storage.

Even the best case will trap humidity in the padding and hold it next to the metal of the gun inside it.

Not to mention, it wipes off or absorbs anything you put on the gun to prevent rust.

I store my 50+ collection in open air gun cabinets in no direct contact with anything that could hold moisture.

I'd rather they get dusty then rusty!

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^This!^ Storing a gun in a soft case is asking for trouble, IMO. Had it happen to me before, old shotgun in a case, inside a closet, still got rusty. The fabric absorbed enough moisture from the air to cause havoc.

OK to store it in the case? All the way zipped/partly zipped?

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No!

I would agree with RC leaving in a softcase is a bad idea. I left my marlin 336 in a hard case and the darn thing rusted on me.

It depends a lot on your climate. I've lived in California for 58 out of my 62 years and have had zero problems with firearms storage in soft cases (sometimes for decades).

I do have all cloth cases (Boyt, etc.) and I make sure they have been wiped down with an oily cloth before storage. Zip 'em all the way up, put them in the closet and all is well.

All of my handguns are stored in cloth rugs, zipped all the way up in my gun safe. Decades without the slightest issue at all.

Dan

Even the best case will trap humidity in the padding and hold it next to the metal of the gun inside it.

Not to mention, it wipes off or absorbs anything you put on the gun to prevent rust.

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Oh, and the foam found in many many gun cases will break down in the presence of some to most popular gun oils leaving a gooey mess that makes Cosomoline look like a good time getting off.

None of my guns would be in one for any length of time.

I make many of my own gun "cases" out of canvas. Now I'm pretty lucky here in arid Colorado, but I never had a problem with rust. Each gun has its own wipedown rag stored with it inside the cases. The last thing that touches the gun is its own rag and last thing that goes in the case with the gun is that wipedown rag.

I use those red rags from the auto supply stores just because they're "special-looking" and I don't use them for anything else.

Every once in a while I thoroughly wash the rags and boresnakes, which I occasionally run through the guns dampened with gun oil.

The cases I make are not for protection from severe bumps and scratches, althought they're somewhat protective anyhow. They're to keep dust and stuff off the guns in storage and handling around the house and mild transport. (I have too many to get cabinets and commercial gun cases for all of them.) The canvas allows the contents to "breathe" while keeping the dust and stuff off of them.

I have no doubt that in more severe climates, storage-wise, this system would be inadequate, but for out here it seems to be eminently suitable. The defining differences would seem to be general humidity and proximity to salt water. (My theory is that waves make salt spray, and when the water in these droplets evaporates, it leaves tiny particles of salt drifting around pretty far inland. I used to live in New York City, where things like tools, etc, rust very easily.)

I don't have pix of any of my canvas long gun cases, but here's an example of a canvas case I made for a small auto with a mag pouch. A long shoelace forms a tiedown closure for the case so the top flips over to hold the mag in the pouch. For the long gun case closures I use 1/4" poly cord. Very simple, very easy. I do have and use some hard cases, especially for my handguns, but for general casual use and storage, these suffice.



And here's what it looks like on "laundry day" at 230RN's house :




Terry, 230RN

Extreme cases...

I believe it would be a non-issue. It all depends on how long the gun is stored away without maintenance. Why do you suppose they store arsenal guns for years and decades by dipping them in cosmoline? Any gun will rust eventually if left unattended long enough.

I stored a stainless Mini-30 in a soft case in the basement and it corroded

Why do you suppose they store arsenal guns for years and decades by dipping them in cosmoline?

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Because they love the smell of cosmoline in the morning.

I put a prized shotgun in a soft case and after several years it had a bad case of rust. When I took it to a gunsmith for restoration, he told me it was a common problem that he saw often with soft cases. Lesson learned the hard way,never to be repeated. Soft cases are great for prevention of dings and scratches during transportation, but never use them for long term storage. In very low humidity areas you might get away with it, but why take the risk?

I dont see the problem as long as it is in a properly ventilated/AC area. I have had one of my AR's in a soft case for years and there is nothing wrong with it. And, I still have two AR's in plastic and one long gun still in the factory plastic and I have no problems at all as far as I can see. They look the same as they did the day I brought them home.

Be patient SilentStalker, you'll have your mind changed in due time.

Ok, so what would be the best way to store them? Don't tell me a hardcase unless it is airtight because otherwise I can't see what the difference is. I mean I assume that the foam in those cheap manufacturer cases could hold moisture just as easy as fabric I would assume. So, unless it is a safe with a dehumidifier or a pelican air tight case then I see how it makes no difference. You guys are making mennervous now since I have had several sitting in plastic for years.

A safe with a Goldenrod would be the best. In any event, the guns need to have airflow around them, or at least the ability to "breathe". Confinement can cause condensation, which will cause you heartache. And fabrics absorb moisture from the air, especially cotton, commonly found inside gun cases.

So, what about the foam stuff in a hardcase? Does anyone know if it holds moisture? So, an airtight/watertight pelican case is a bad idea? What about those that ^^^do not have/cannot afford a safe yet? I figured keeping them oiled up in plastic was about as good as a silicon sock but maybe I am wrong. I am saving for a safe but my next problem is location as anywhere but upstairs is too humid IMO for where I live. I mean even with two dehumidifiers going I am not sure it would be enough and unfortunately the size safe I want will be too big to go in any of our closets except the mast bedroom and the wife will never allow that to happen. So, either I get a smaller safe to go in one of the smaller closets, it goes downstairs in a realmhumid environment or, it is out in the open for all to see which I ^^^do not like. Suggestions?

I store all my guns in silicone treated socks and they will not rust

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/93...eated-polyester-blend-gray-with-black-logo-52

SilentStalker said:

So, what about the foam stuff in a hardcase? Does anyone know if it holds moisture?

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Sure does. I've seen some heartbreaking damage done to blued guns stored in foam.

My blued guns get an oily wipedown, stuck in a gun sock or Bore Store And then in a gun rug. Stainless don't get the gun sock.

Of course, I take them out once in awhile for fondling and wipedown.

Oh yes. Don't store in a leather holster, either. The tanning chemicals eat the finish.

Here's what I've come up with for my system.
Long term storage: I know I'll only take it out to fondle maybe once in a decade to shoot. My grandfather's shotgun is an example of this. The gun is oiled and stored in a storage bag I bought that is a copper color. It is a plastic cloth like material... the manufacturers tag has long disappeared.

The between range trips storage: I am putting this gun away but just till next range trip. My 22 rifles, pistols, etc. They get put in a silicon sock and stored after cleaning and oiling.

Home defense: Once a month removed from location and lightly cleaned with a oil cloth.

I bought one of the soft cloth carries that was at a gun show once... Dont' waste the money...... the barrel on rem 700 had light rust after a few weeks.

A guy on this forum or another talked about spraying with your lubricant of choice.. his was wd-40, spraying the chamber and letting the gun rest muzzle down for a week then putting it into a silicon sock then a soft case with extra silicon puches.