Anyone store cases in their safe?

[labnoti]

There's another recent thread inquiring about the risk of rust when storing guns in soft cases. I read that thread, but have a slightly different question. I'm looking to store guns in a safe, RSC, or lock box.

I have two long guns, and might acquire another two or four in the coming years. None of them are high-value - my kid's .22's, a pump action shotgun, that kind of thing. So I'm not looking for elaborate protection from theft or fire. I just need to secure access to them.

I noticed the practice in demonstration is to store guns in a safe without a case, but presently, I always store and transport my guns in a soft case. I would also consider using hard cases for storage and transport, but I need more security than just a Pelican case and trigger lock for storage.

I can see how someone trying to fit 14 long guns in a costly safe that's already stuffed full of gypsum isn't going to try to stuff the cases in there too. But I only have two, four, maybe six guns at the most.

I noticed a lot of the entry-level drywall box type RSC's don't have adjustable shelves and the gun racks aren't removable without busting them out. It's almost like I have to pay more for a higher-end model to get removable racks so I can have a plain empty box.

Am I a fool to want to put guns in cases in the safe?

 

[Varminterror]

Am I a fool to want to put guns in cases in the safe?

The simple answer to this simple question, is "yes."

We don't store firearms in cases because there's no mobility for air and humidity. Within the safe/RSC, you've further restricted air and humidity movement. Throw a desiccant of some flavor into a safe/RSC, you eliminate those humidity issues. Throw it into the safe/RSC, but with the firearms stored within soft or hard cases, you've done NOTHING to protect your firearms against the humidity swings.

 

[WestKentucky]

It's not just metal that falls victim to cases. I once left a wood stocked Remington 12 ga in a eggcrate style foam lined case for about a week. Every single spot where the egg crate was touching the wood left a wavy mark on an otherwise shiny and beautiful vintage stock. I was not happy, but I did it to myself. I refinished the stock and sold the gun.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Nearly all of my handguns are in soft cases in a RSC. Been storing them like that for years. With proper precautions, there is nothing to worry about.

 

[RavenTai]

Cases travel, they get placed in humid hot trunks, damp hunting cabins, while at a shooting range mine even got caught in an summer afternoon rain shower.

Theoretically if your cases stay dry in a dry stable temperature house the guns will be fine. But it only takes one event to cause damage.

I would leave a case open in your home for a week or better to acclimate it before I stored guns in it long term, and only if your house has low humidity and a stable temperature year round

I have had several guns in cases for the last 4 years, the space was not temp regulated, no damage, but they were in a space with a dehumidifier set to 30%.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Cases travel, they get placed in humid hot trunks, damp hunting cabins, while at a shooting range mine even got caught in an summer afternoon rain shower.

Theoretically if your cases stay dry in a dry stable temperature house the guns will be fine. But it only takes one event to cause damage.

I would leave a case open in your home for a week or better to acclimate it before I stored guns in it long term, and only if your house has low humidity and a stable temperature year round

This.
The atmosphere in the case is going to be whatever it was last time it was opened. If you must open 'er up on a humid day, allow it to dry in their conditioning for a day or two before using it for long term storage. Also, no matter how you store it, the gun itself must be protected. Oils are good, but modern technology has given us various Teflon and silicone based low maintainance protectants.

After shooting, my guns are wiped down with a clean microfiber cloth, then given a layer of silicone spray top to bottom. It protects and is safe for all metals, plastics, and wood parts. I allow it to air dry for a few minutes, leaving behind a slimy coating. They are then placed in a dehumidified soft case and into the safe they go. Before shooting, the silicone is quickly and easily wiped off. My only caveat is not to use it if you are going for a matte or dull finish to your wood, as some people prefer for milsurps or unreflective tactical plastics or hunting wood. Me, I like things shiny- and rust free.