Gun Storage Cases

[guitarguy314]

I have two guns right now. A ruger blackhawk in it's plastic molded case, and a wonderful S&W Model 25.

What kind of case should I get for the 25? I have one of those cheapie foam lined plastic cases. But I have read that these aren't so good for the guns. Something about holding moisture on the gun.

And then I read that the regular plastic cases ruger and others ship in are bad for gun bluing.

Can anybody chime in?

Thanks

L

 

[Ehtereon11B]

If you don't plan on getting any other weapons I would recommend getting a Winchester eVault safe or something similar.

If you plan to start a small collection, get a full sized safe. Shop around to get a good price for a decent safe good against crime and fire.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A oiled piece of flannel wrapped around a gun before putting it in a case is a good rust preventative measure.

 

[beatledog7]

Those cases are meant for transport, not longer term storage. Factories ship guns in them or in cardboard, but factory new guns are typically also slathered in rust preventatives.

Do not store firearms in those shipping boxes.

 

[Drail]

Exactly right. Cases are for transport only. Do not store any gun in any case. Store them on a shelf or a rack in dry open air. Enclosing them inside anything that can trap moist air will guarantee rust. A safe has to be dehumidifed or packed with dessicant. Open a safe on one fine humid day and then close it and your guns are doomed. Keep them all oiled.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

With a little care, you can safely store them in cases. Been doing it for years with zero damage.

 

[TennJed]

With a little care, you can safely store them in cases. Been doing it for years with zero damage.

Completely agree. I store most of my handguns together in one large rifle carrying case. I take them out and wipe them down with oily rags a couple times a month. (or clean them completely after range use) Also put a coat of Johnston's Paste wax on my blued guns a few times a year.

 

[bergmen]

Exactly right. Cases are for transport only. Do not store any gun in any case. Store them on a shelf or a rack in dry open air. Enclosing them inside anything that can trap moist air will guarantee rust. A safe has to be dehumidifed or packed with dessicant. Open a safe on one fine humid day and then close it and your guns are doomed. Keep them all oiled.

A large part of the risk of corrosion has to do with two things (other than properly oiling guns prior to storage):

1) Climate. If you live in a humid climate, dessicants in the safe are very valuable.

2) Proximity to the sea coast. If you live within a mile of the coast rust is a constant problem. A good storage preservative (there are many) is essential for proper protection.

I have stored my guns in cases like this for 50+ years:

But I live in California (dry climate) about 50 miles from the coast. Zero corrosion issues in that time. I also have a shotgun I have owned for 50+ years (blued steel receiver) that is packed in a foam lined plastic hard case that looks like brand new:

Dan

 

[beatledog7]

it's true that some people use foam-lined cases for storage and avoid rust, but it's also true that some people can walk on a high wire and not fall off.

The simple truth is that these cases are designed for transport, not storage.

 

[oldbear]

I've used the "Bore Store" silicone treated bags for sometime now, and have been very happy with the results. I put my revolver in a Bore Store then place it the storage case.

Their web address is http://www.borestores.com/

 

[Walkalong]

With a little care, you can safely store them in cases. Been doing it for years with zero damage.

Same here, but I never put guns away cold or hot, I let them acclimate to the indoor temp, and I always wipe them down after they get to room temp.

Depending on the dew point, I can sometimes take a still cool from the air conditioning gun out of the rug at the range and it will immediately condense water all over it. I have to leave it out a few minutes before shooting. (This is a worst case scenario) The same can happen if you bring then into a cold house when they are still hot from the outside temps. Even if it isn't so much that it is obvious, water can form on the metal.They must be let to dry completely, and then wiped down with an oily rag etc.

If they are not put away dry in their gun rug, they will most certainly rust. The risk is there though, so it is up to each individual how they wish to store their gun.

 

[Captcurt]

I second it.

Bore Stores work. They work well enough that I am working on getting a distributorship. They come in over 20 sizes and 2 colors. Grey and pink.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

I have a PARA 1911 in the same case it comes from the factory with. A 3 gram packet of silica desiccant in the case keeps it from developing rust. My main gun safe is still in another state so I have taken over a small closet in a dry room and keep quite a bit of silica in there. Guns are designed to be abused a little bit. A rifle in a gun sock with some desiccant nearby will last 100 years and not have any rust on it. Worked for my grandfather and great-grandfather.

 

[zenner22]

There's something forgotten about how factories ship their guns in cases. They coat them in oil and they put them in a plastic bag so the metal does not touch the foam of the case.

I have had guns rust in foam cases, zippered pouches. Then I started putting them in plastic zip lock bags inside the foam case and the problems stopped.

I also use Bore-Stores cloth silicone treated pouches and they work great too, never had a problem with them. I have quite a few for rifles and pistols.

 

[Drail]

Everyone who has stored their guns in rugs and cases without having rust issues are fortunate to not live in an environment where humidity in your house is at acceptable levels. But to tell folks it's perfectly OK to do this is to ignore the fact that not everyone has the same conditions. I have seen way too many guns ruined from improper storage, usually in a soft case under their bed laying directly on carpeting. You may get lucky and you may ruin a gun. Keep your guns oiled and store in dry open air and monitor the humidity level in your house closely and check them frequently.

 

[bergmen]

Everyone who has stored their guns in rugs and cases without having rust issues are fortunate to not live in an environment where humidity in your house is at acceptable levels. But to tell folks it's perfectly OK to do this is to ignore the fact that not everyone has the same conditions. I have seen way too many guns ruined from improper storage, usually in a soft case under their bed laying directly on carpeting. You may get lucky and you may ruin a gun. Keep your guns oiled and store in dry open air and monitor the humidity level in your house closely and check them frequently.

See post #8. Safe storage is conditional as I mention. I happen to live in a dry climate far from the ocean. For me, storage as you see in the pictures and as I describe has worked perfectly for 50+ years.

Dan

 

[Captcurt]

Saw a good article in Gun Test magazine on rust preventatives. S&W has one out that is excellent. Even worked in a salt test.

 

[TennJed]

Everyone who has stored their guns in rugs and cases without having rust issues are fortunate to not live in an environment where humidity in your house is at acceptable levels. But to tell folks it's perfectly OK to do this is to ignore the fact that not everyone has the same conditions. I have seen way too many guns ruined from improper storage, usually in a soft case under their bed laying directly on carpeting. You may get lucky and you may ruin a gun. Keep your guns oiled and store in dry open air and monitor the humidity level in your house closely and check them frequently.

Well I stated I have done it for years with no problems but I wipe them down and use Johnston's paste wax on them....I am not sure about the exact level of humidity in my house, but I have lived my whole life in Mississippi, and it is pretty darn humid here. As a matter of fact when I took up reloading a couple of years ago my dies started to rust within a couple of weeks. I posted about it here and the verdict seemed to be I have high humidty in my reloading room and I did not coat the dies good enough when I first got them. My guns have always been stored in the same room. I feel comfortable in saying that guns can be stored in a high humidy enviroment in foam lined cases if proper care is taken. I am not recommending it to anyone, but I can honestly say it has worked for me. Again I am NOT recommending it, there are much better storage options, but the topic of this thread is related to my experiences

 

[guitarguy314]

Thanks for all of the replies so far guys!

I live in northwestern Florida, so humidity is abounds, but my guns are in a safe in my bedroom closet. I usually take them out to inspect them once a week at the least. When I'm done, I wipe them down with one of those hoppes silicone rags, and put them away.

I will add a desiccant to my safe, , but the thought of laying my guns out in the safe kinda scares me. The safe isn't a gun safe, it's just an old drop (depository) safe, no shelving to speak of.

Also, I'm not talking about storing them for years on end. I know this is something that everyone does differently. I store them with snap caps in them, is that okay?