All of my guns are at high risk of drowning right now

[Bridger]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?site_no=01428500

So, my true home is upstate right on the upper Delaware river. Usually nice, and flooding has almost never been a threat. But now it is almost as deep as it once got in 1955.

I'm in NYC right now, just came here yesterday after being upstate for a few days on my own, picking up a Savage Enfield and so on.

Well, I store my curio and relics temporarily on the ground floor of the house, which is in serious danger right now according to the one neighbor who remains in the area. He is on slightly lower ground and the water is up over half of his front lawn.

And now I realize if it gets a few feet deeper, all my recent C&R aquisitions, along with pretty much all of my ammunition (over 25000 rounds) is at risk. This is extremely nerve wracking since I can't go up and move them out!

So please, give a prayer for my guns, they are in danger! Mosin Nagant m91/30 and m44, RC Mauser 98, Czech VZ-24, and my brand "new" Enfield. Damnit! Also my first gun, a single shot 30-30. Oh this is so worrying.

Thankfully it looks like the water is going down a bit, said to peak by midnight maybe, but there is talk of releasing some water into the river from resevoirs. This is so distressing. I hope nobody else ever has to deal with this fear, especially since I can't do anything but pray right now.

Not the end of the world, but I've got a pretty nice collection going...

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Ivan, forsake thee, and leave Bridger and his possessions high and dry.

What did he ever do to you, mindless wind and water?

 

[Bridger]

Heh. Thanks. I've been planning on getting a safe, looking at the fire ratings and such, I think I need one that's waterproof!

 

[El Cid]

Don't sweat the water. All of my guns were submerged in the great Tulsa Memorial day flood of 1976.
Pull them out of the mud, wash them off with a hose then spray them down with WD-40 or equivalent. And I mean soak them with WD-40.

I did this with mine and they all came out ok. The only problems were two Colt pistols, a 1911 made in 1948 and a Peacemaker .45 that I had stored in leather holsters. The acid in the leather ate the blue off where it touched the matal.
The only other problem was all of my scopes except a Lyman All-American were ruined.
If the ammo is factory or centerfire the crimps probably will be tight enough to prevent damage. I am sill shooting some that was soaked. All .22 rimfire shells were ruined.

Disassemble the rifles as far as possible for cleaning. By LOTS of WD-40 or equivalent and lots of paper towls.

 

[Bridger]

Thanks for the advice, but so far by the hydrograph it looks like the water is going down almost as fast as it came up. I think I'll be moving some stuff around when I get home heh.

I guess I ended up worrying more about the surplus ammo that's on the floor, but I'm glad to hear most if it could possibly endure. Especially the stuff in sealed cans I haven't opened yet.

Still disconcerting, especially when I can just sit here and watch a graph of the water level go down.

 

[dinosaur]

I'm assuming you aren't able to watch the local news. The flooding is worse than 1997. Many areas in NE Pa have been hit hard.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Not that anyone really needs an reason to leave NYC, but this sounds like a good reaon if there ever was one.
NYC will be there to go back to if you really want to, will your guns?

 

[Bridger]

Heh, I grew up in NYC, and trust me, leaving it is a goal. I have to finish college first though.

As it is, the hydrograph site shows the water going down, so I'm safe for now. Next time I leave the house I'm putting the guns in the canoe in the garage

I really now feel for all the people who lose their property to flooding and hurricanes and so on. And since there is no 100% guarantee against fire it seems, I'll definately make sure I don't skimp on that when I get the safe!

 

[Old Fuff]

This might or might not work for you, but in the future I would suggest that you leave a spare housekey with a trusted friend or neighbor. In a serious emergency such as this they could move your guns or whatever. On your return you could pick up the key or leave it where it was, depending on the circumstances.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'd use Break Free over water on the metal. As for the wood, let it dry slowly (oven drying may promote warping).

Neptune, recede your waters from the dwelling place of Bridger. Harm not his home, carpet and guns. Spare him his family album and make him not want of repairs. I offer you libations (flush) to appease your anger.

 

[Bridger]

Heh I love the prayers. I'll let my Enfield and Mosins know people wish them the best when I can hug them and caress them once again.

I do have a spare key near the neighbor, but I don't know how much he would look forward to moving all that ammo. I think most of my neighbors know we shoot and hunt, but I don't think they should know to what extent. The UPS guy probably knows though

 

[reagansquad]

Just transfer them to me via my FFL. I'll make sure they stay dry.