Foam Gun Cases--Good for Long Term Storage?

[Dick Flanagan]

I will be buying a gun safe to store a dozen or so handguns in. My idea has been to put each gun in a hard-exterior foam-interior gun case and then stack these cases inside the gun safe.

I have read, however, that foam-interior gun cases are bad for long-term storage because they retain moisture inside the foam. I have also read that for this reason Bore-Store gun cases/socks are better to store them in.

I live in a dry climate. Should I be worried about the foam-lined cases? What about putting guns in Bore-Stores and then placing the Bore-Stores inside foam-lined cases?

I like the idea of stacking cases inside a safe, but I also worry about the long-term condition of my guns. Opinions??

 

[.41Dave]

I use Kleen-Bore "The Inhibitor" storage bags, then put the bagged guns in foam lined hard cases. If you are not as paranoid as I am about rust, you could just use ordinary ziplock bags.

http://secure.armorholdings.com/kleen-bore/product396.html

 

[armabill]

Anything that holds moisture in is not good.

 

[tegemu]

Moisture will still gather in a dry climate. If the gun is stored, safely and securely in a gun safe, what would you need a case for? There are good gun grease's for long term storage that would work better for you. I think RIG used to make some long term storage grease.

 

[Dick Flanagan]

My use of the term "long-term storage" is inappropriate. My intent is for the guns to live in their foam-lined cases 24/7, but be available to use at any time without undue muss/fuss/cleaning.

The problem I was trying to solve with the cases-inside-a-safe is the inefficient use of space when a typical shelved safe interior is used only for handguns. There is usually ten inches between shelves, but less than three inches is required to store a handgun lying on its side. (I don't want to store them vertically like books.)

I can stack four cases on each shelf--two across and two high, effectively allowing me to use the normally "wasted" space by having one gun stored atop another. At least that is my intent. This will be my first safe (Amsec BF6030) and I am trying to do things right the first time without undue experimentation.

Can anyone offer any comparisons of the Bore-Store socks vs. Kleen-Bore bags? The bags advertise a three-year effective life. Any thoughts on the longevity of the socks?

Thanks for everyone's comments. THR ofers a wealth of experience and information.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

just dont put them in foam sided cases, i just leave mine in the closet and they havent rusted

 

[dairycreek]

The absolutely best kind of storage situation for a gun is in a dry area where the air can circulate around it. Putting guns in hardside cases for storeage is to invite rust big time. The only time my guns go into hardside cases is for travel for protection purposes.

I use two methods for storing my handguns in a safe. One is to use a tiered, plastic, file folder storeage device. These can be purchased at Office Depot and don't cost a lot. I put my handguns in them and store them somewhere, safe, dry, and under lock and key. They allow for total air circulation and that's a good thing. Another way I have effectively stored my handguns is to spray an old, woolen sock with gun preservative (I currently use EEZOX and it works very well) put the gun in the sock, and, once again, put them in a secure, dry place where air circulates. This will keep the gun nicely for some time.

No matter where the guns are stored they should periodically be examined just be on the safe side.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Would spraying the foam with silicone lube help at all? Obviously not long term, but maybe for a month or so?

 

[LAK]

I think that in your climate, casing would be a mistake - unless the cases are of the Browning Vault, Pelican, Hardigg type etc with a rubber O-ring seal - and sufficient dehumidifying agent is inside each case. Such cases are not cheap - especially for long guns.

I would simply make sure that each one intended for longterm storage is thoroughly stripped, cleaned, and a thorough coating of suitable protectant - be it grease, oil, or wax be applied to every square millimeter of metal.

My personal choice of protectant for the bores and internals would be grease. On the externals; Rennaissance wax - because it can be applied to wood internal and externals. Where the two protectants meet on metal - run the grease alittle over the wax so there are no gaps in coverage. Do not let exposed metal rest against anything.

Remove and inspect each gun every month or three for any signs of corrosion. Clean and reapply protectants every year or two.

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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[XavierBreath]

Here in humid Louisiana I store guns in one of three ways.

1. In the plastic foam lined boxes you describe. I spray the foam with BreakFree when new. I wipe the gun down with BreakFree prior to storage. I have had no problems in almost 15 years doing this.

2. In old cotton basketball socks soaked in BreakFree. No problems.

3. Hanging open by the triggerguards, from cup hooks, wiped down with BreakFree. No problems.

These guns include parkerized, blue, stainless hard chrome and nickel examples. Notice a pattern?

 

[Clipper]

My long guns all reside in a variety of foam or flannel lined hard and soft cases, but one thing they all have in common is the silicone impregnated gunsocks on them all. I have never had any corrosion problems with socked guns.

 

[Old Fuff]

Easy answer...

Go to www.brownells.com

They sell several products that use VIP (vapor inhibitor paper). This material gives off a vapor that prevents rust. Gun companies often ship new guns wraped in VIP, and the military services use it to store guns. So:

1. Wipe down the gun with a light oil to remove traces of fingerprints, etc.

2. Wrap the gun in a piece of VIP.

3. Place the wrapped gun in a zip-lock plastic bag. (DO NOT EVER SEAL A GUN IN A PLASTIC BAG WITHOUT THE VIP WRAP!)

4. Put the bagged gun into the hardcase and then stack them in the safe. The protection can last up to 5 years.

When you want to use the gun simply open the hardcase, take out the bagged gun, unzip it and take out the gun, unwrap it, and it's ready to go.

Put the wrap back into the bag, and close it. When you're done using the gun clean and re-wrap it. Then put it back into storage.

 

[Ala Dan]

After lubricating my handguns, I store them in "Sack-Ups"; before placing
them in my safe (RSC)~!

 

[Airburst]

XavierBreath
Here in humid Louisiana I store guns in one of three ways.

1. In the plastic foam lined boxes you describe. I spray the foam with BreakFree when new. I wipe the gun down with BreakFree prior to storage. I have had no problems in almost 15 years doing this.

2. In old cotton basketball socks soaked in BreakFree. No problems.

3. Hanging open by the triggerguards, from cup hooks, wiped down with BreakFree. No problems.

These guns include parkerized, blue, stainless hard chrome and nickel examples. Notice a pattern?

You're a salesman for Breakfree?