How do YOU store your ARs?

There isn't a right way, except to NOT store it in a rug or other close-fitting wrap. Guns should be able to breathe a little so nothing is holding any moisture against the metal.



(Yes, there are some specialized socks and bags which are treated to prevent moisture on the gun. Generally bare is best.)

I think this has been covered before, but...

Mine isn't used for HD, so hammer down/bolt closed and nothing chambered...muzzle up.

Muzzle up, chamber closed, hammer back, safety on, that's how mine are stored

Muzzle up, dust cover closed, hammer down, chamber empty.

HD AR, chambered, safety on, and when in the safe, muzzle-down.

Everything else, empty chamber, safety on, loaded mag.

I don't store anything in a case, though I do have one gun that I keep in a gun sock.

Ready use rifle gets stored muzzle down, empty chamber, and full mag inserted.

BSW

IIRC, SOP for storage at the base armory was muzzle up, bolt/ duct cover closed, hammer back, safety on. This makes more sense for garrison issue.

For mine, its stored muzzle up, bolt closed, hammer down, safety off, mag inserted.

Garrison storage did not have quick deployment in mind, but rather safe handling to troops en masse, who would be inserting mags and chambering rounds.

Muzzle up, empty chamber, hammer forward (trigger pulled), dust cover closed, mag inserted

In a large medium quality safe, SBR with can first, cleaned, lubed, muzzle up, empty chamber, closed chamber, full mag inserted.

I am tight on room in my safes. The AR'S get stored in them no mag, bolt closed, hammer down. I alternate muzzle up and down so they all fit. I also have one in a rack on the wall in my man cave.

HD carbine gets stored in rack by bed, loaded chambered, safety on.*

*cue the " not drop safe" hand ringing.

In a case, muzzle up, empty chamber, bolt closed, empty 20 round mag in place.

What are the pros and cons of going muzzle up versus muzzle down and vice versa?

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Almost nothing at all.

The only (exceedingly slight) concern is where you want oil to run as it migrates. For those who keep ARs a bit "wet", do you want the oil to eventually run toward the muzzle, or toward/into the buffer tube? Seeing as we usually aren't talking about even a teaspoon of free oil that might stain the floor or get on your clothes, this is usually less than zero problem for anyone.

Arizona - got no worries...

They're metal and pastic, we're dry and never flooded... My biggest concern is keeping these black and not so black rifles from "assaulting" the pretty wood ones. They get their own segregated safe away from forward assists, brass deflectors and the odd, haunted dust cover.

Otherwise, springs extended and butts down unless there's a pad. Some of the more mix-'n-match stuff and scope committed uppers stay on a shelf above.

chris in va said:

Mine isn't used for HD, so hammer down/bolt closed and nothing chambered...muzzle up.

Click to expand...

same here.

Fossil4Life said:

I'm seeing two different ideas of thought here where muzzle orientation is concerned. Some say muzzle up, others muzzle down.



What are the pros and cons of going muzzle up versus muzzle down and vice versa?

Click to expand...

For me, loaded long guns in an HD role while stored in the safe are stored muzzle down because in a moment of rushing to retrieve the item from the safe I want to ensure I am not muzzle sweeping my head and other vitals while pulling it out of the safe quickly.

Unloaded long guns are stored muzzle up to protect the crown however I take my time and do not muzzle sweep myself while retrieving them either.

Fossil4Life said:

I'm seeing two different ideas of thought here where muzzle orientation is concerned. Some say muzzle up, others muzzle down.

What are the pros and cons of going muzzle up versus muzzle down and vice versa?

Click to expand...

I just do it as a quick reference.

If it's muzzle-down, it's chambered. If it's muzzle-up, it's not. All my guns are stored with loaded mags, and the muzzle up/down thing is not a replacement for safety... It's just a quick way to know which one is chambered at the time. Doesn't hurt that it's not pointing at my face, and that it's harder to snag a trigger when your finger is guarding it...

No AR but others are stored horizonal on hooks in pegboard on the wall of the vault. Actually only a few are right now. Another project to finish this winter. sigh

In an RPG crate:

HD AR15 is either laying flat under the bed, or propped up muzzle down, condtion three.

ARs in the safe are muzzle up, condtion three.

All of them have dust covers closed and black plastic caps on the flashhider. Yes, I have shot several caps off at the range...

Don't store any gun in safe with one in chamber.

taliv said:

The one next to the bed is muzzle down bolt closed on empty chamber full mag.
The ones in the safe are muzzle up bolt locked to rear safety on.

Do not store or carry bolt open with a full mag.
Don't store muzzle up if the barrel is full of solvents.
Don't store in a case.

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Why not store with bolt open, on a full mag? Serious question... (New AR15 owner here...)

Unloaded in the safe. Safety off, hammer down, dust cover on, muzzle up.

Didn't build my AR for home defense, Built it to be a service rifle.