Actions open or closed in safe?

[r1derbike]

Actions closed, and one in the pipe. Big bag of desiccant in there too.

 

[perpster]

Ruger Mini-14s and Mini-30s have a tendency to "freeze" if stored with the action closed. Something to do with rusting/binding in the gas block. Have heard of them needing to be whacked with a mallet or dowel to be freed-up.

 

[horsemen61]

For me they are closed

 

[GBExpat]

Ruger Mini-14s and Mini-30s have a tendency to "freeze" if stored with the action closed. Something to do with rusting/binding in the gas block. Have heard of them needing to be whacked with a mallet or dowel to be freed-up.

Hmmmm ... first I have ever heard of that. I bought my first Mini-14 in ~1978 and my second 10 years later. Never experienced "action freeze" after they were not used for an extended period of time.

Later today I will pull my "1988" (the only one that I now have) from the gunsafe and check it. If the action is anything but smooth, I will post an update.

 

[lightman]

I'm with the Retiredchief and the Queen, on this. I leave the bolt open on my bolt guns and all others in as a relaxed position as possible. That is, bolt closed, firing pin fired. A couple times a year, I take everything out and look it over, and give it another rub down with an oily rag.

My safe is in the house, in a controlled environment, so rust has not been a problem. I have a golden rod in the safe, and a moisture meter, just for kicks. Forgotten fingerprints are a bigger problem. Lightman

 

[GBExpat]

Here's a pic that I took of my north gunsafe 8-9 years ago.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I hope you never need to use any of those rifles in a hurry!

 

[GBExpat]

I hope you never need to use any of those rifles in a hurry!

In the front rank on the left are 3 SVT-40s and in the front on the right, 2 M1s and 2 SKSs.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Ruger Mini-14s and Mini-30s have a tendency to "freeze" if stored with the action closed. Something to do with rusting/binding in the gas block. Have heard of them needing to be whacked with a mallet or dowel to be freed-up.

The the key word in the issue here is "rusting".

Rusting occurs under known circumstances and they don't involve the action position as a prerequisite. Open or shut actions, rusting is a problem that needs to be nipped in the bud by the proper means.

 

[Cee Zee]

I oil my guns after cleaning them (except for the action of course - a little oil there can cause big problems IMO - I might use some dry lube in places that need it). I store them loaded with the bolt closed (nothing in the chambers). I use a rechargeable desiccant gizmo and I keep up with recharging it. I've never had a problem with rust in my safe with any of my guns. The only time I ever have rust issues is when I get caught in the rain when I'm shooting or hunting. But the right oil for the particular finish your gun has goes a long way in preventing any and all problems with rust.

 

[Warp]

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?

Generally closed, but I almost exclusively own semi autos. I use chamber flags in all unloaded firearms, unless it is visibly obvious that it is unloaded without one (for example, a Glock with no magazine inserted and the trigger in the rear position)

 

[plmitch]

Keep them closed.

 

[Blue Thunder]

What safe? All of mine are loaded and ready to be used if needed. Mostly Pistols and a couple of rifles. Also never had an issue with my Mini-14.

 

[Treedodger]

I would be more concerned about handguns left in holsters that can retain moisture.

 

[clance]

I have a dehumidifier in mine, so all my actions are closed and besides all of my firearms are loaded...