Actions open or closed in safe?

[monotonous_iterancy]

My hypothetical question about the possibility of shooting rust out of a bore has me thinking about a real question now.

When storing guns in a safe, do you leave the actions open or closed? Of course, I check the chamber every time I remove one.

But here's my quandary. In gun stores, I see them leaving the actions on pump shotguns, and bolt action rifles closed. In my safe, I usually leave bolt actions open, and shotguns closed. Semi-autos really have no choice, and I assume it might cause undue pressure on the springs to leave them open.

If the action is closed, couldn't that lead to moisture buildup? After all, there's only one direction open, then if there was any amount of condensation at all, where would it escape to?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Sounds like what you really need is a dehumidifier

 

[jmr40]

My bolt actions are open because it gives me a little more room to fit them together. I've never thought about it, but wouldn't hurt from a moisture point of view. My lever actions would take up too much room opened, so I probably wouldn't leave them that way. Not practical with doubles or any break action either.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Store them barrel down. I alternate them in my safe as it allows for more useable capacity.

 

[ATLDave]

If air can get in to cause condensation, why would it be unable to get out? I don't think it can possibly make any difference to rust risk. If you've got enough moisture in the air to cause rust in a bore, deal with the moisture.

As for how I store mine, I store them with the hammer down/striker released. That pretty much necessitates a closed action.

 

[9mmfan]

All the actions in my safe are closed, though my two double barrels are broken down on the top shelf. I never gave it much thought, just seemed to be the way to do it. At least for the long guns.

Handgun actions are closed 'cause they're all loaded, except the Ruger Mk III and the Nagant 1895. Well that and most of them are revolvers.

 

[230RN]

It's dry enough most of the time here in Colorado that you don't have to worry too much about aeration of the barrels.

I personally keep them closed and uncocked. I have a wide assortment of dummy rounds I can "click" --or "thunk" --the firing pins down on if the hammer isn't accessible, and there are other techniques for closing actions and letting the firing pin or hammers down gently without letting them snap.

There still seems to be a debate about whether keeping a spring tensioned wears it out, or whether cycling wears it out more, or which. There was a small sidebar-type article in the American Rifleman on this subject recently which I glommed onto, hoping to get a definitive answer, but the article itself was still kind of wishy-washy about coming to any real conclusion about it.

So I suspect there are other variables involved, like type of steel, percent of compression, temperature of storage, whether they're mag springs or action springs, or whatever. For me, I prefer to keep them relaxed when possible, except for my carry magazines. I work those through their cycles fairly often at the range. So far, so good.

Main problem I used to have with storage seemed to be bugs getting into the barrel, as I discovered since I usually check the barrel visually if a gun's been put up for a while. I don't have a safe, so I keep the long arms in proper cases in a locked room. Handguns I keep in their cases... or my carry holster.

Terry

 

[oneounceload]

Semi-autos really have no choice, and I assume it might cause undue pressure on the springs to leave them open.

False, springs weaken by "work", not by sitting. The only loaded guns in my safe are in a holster, no other gun even has ammo in it. The one or two that are loaded are never in those silicone socks, the others are. Since I am the ONLY one who goes and out of that safe, my system works well for me - and yes, I STILL double check any gun in a sock - but I do not leave any actions open on any guns

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

So in other words, it doesn't matter whether you leave the actions open or closed? There's no pros or cons to either besides space?

 

[RickRandom]

I leave mine closed when not in use.

 

[jrdolall]

I have never intentionally left an action open in my safe. Unintentionally for sure but I don't ever recall seeing any moisture in a gun due to a closed action.

 

[22-rimfire]

My actions are always closed when they are stored whether in a safe, a long standing in a corner, or a handgun on a piece of furniture. Some are loaded but most aren't. I always check to make sure they are unloaded or I know for sure if they are loaded if I handle them.

 

[Nite Ryder]

I think you are over thinking a problem that doesn't exist. I can't see that it would matter one way or the other what condition the actions are in, no one is going to be using them while they are in a safe, and air will circulate around regardless. If you do have condensation in your safe, you need to get a dehumidifier or you will have rust on everything.

 

[Lex Luthier]

Well lubricated and all closed actions. The .40 cal right inside the door is cocked and ready to defend the collection.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

My hypothetical question about the possibility of shooting rust out of a bore has me thinking about a real question now.

When storing guns in a safe, do you leave the actions open or closed? Of course, I check the chamber every time I remove one.

But here's my quandary. In gun stores, I see them leaving the actions on pump shotguns, and bolt action rifles closed. In my safe, I usually leave bolt actions open, and shotguns closed. Semi-autos really have no choice, and I assume it might cause undue pressure on the springs to leave them open.

If the action is closed, couldn't that lead to moisture buildup? After all, there's only one direction open, then if there was any amount of condensation at all, where would it escape to?

Two things:

1. Clean and oil your guns before putting them away in storage. This is your primary defense against corrosion, PERIOD.

2. Consider dehumidification. It's cheap.


If you have condensation issues, then having your actions open or closed isn't going to help you inside your safe. Condensation is a factor of humidity and temperature conditions. Either lower the humidity, increase the temperature, or a combination of both in order to eliminate condensation.

And did I mention to make sure your guns are clean and properly oiled?

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

Just set up a schedule where you check and wipe your guns down on a reqular basis. Add some dessicants to the safe and you should be ok.

 

[ball3006]

I use LPS2 as my final bore swab and wipedown fluid. Never had a problem with stored guns no matter where they are. LPS 2 dries after application and is a rust preventative....chris3

 

[doubleh]

All the actions are closed in my safe. I live in an area where Mother Nature dehumidifies everything. Light coat of oil in the bore and Johnson's wax on the outside. No rust problems at all since the 1960's.

 

[GBExpat]

I store bolt-gun bolts on the inside surface of the gunsafe doors. I can get more longguns in the safes that way.

All firearms are properly cleaned & oiled, I have small fans for air circulation, rod-heaters, rechargeable desiccant units (for Spring/Summer/Fall usage), and I never let the RH get anywhere near 60%.

 

[Akita1]

Action closed with dehumidifier.

 

[natman]

I sometimes store bolt actions open, but only to get the bolt handles out of the way.

I doubt if there is any difference as far as corrosion is concerned. You should focus your concern on things that will make a difference, like oiling and dehumidification.

 

[SouthernBoy]

Closed and unloaded when in my safe.

 

[madFive]

I always store them with the actions closed. Most of mine are semi's and I don't want to risk something bumping them and slamming them closed on empty chamber. I always clean 'em good before storing them, so the only thing running down into the action is oil that should be good for them anyways.

If you're worried about rust, the best modern solution is to de-humidify. And be sure to clean them good and apply oil immediately if they are exposed to the elements.

 

[mac66]

Now that I think about it, i always leave my guns in the safe unloaded and empty with the actions closed and unlocked or uncocked, firing pin down on a empty chamber. That is except for my pump shotguns which I like to leave open. I have no idea why I do that.

 

[Smith357]

Locked and Loaded When I reach into the safe I want to pull out a gun not a makeshift club