Leather and gun storage

[Certaindeaf]

I throw sheets over my reloading presses/gear and garaged (unheated) motorbikes. Sure keeps the dust off with no issues.

 

[CWL]

Have a cover custom made from heavy canvass. Then soak the whole thing in beeswax, let dry & brush the fabric before use. You could also oil the canvass, but it will be messier to use.

I'd still keep some sort of humidity absorber inside the case though.

 

[rcmodel]

I would be real wary of a cow hide of unknown origin you bought somewhere.
No way to know whether it was properly tanned or just salt cured to keep the hair from slipping.

I think if I was you?
I would commision a upholstry shop to make a cover out of OD green canvas, as orginial looking as possible.

Or better yet, buy an orginial military cover from one of the surplus places like Sarco or somewhere.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/U-S-WWII-19...306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46086e97f2
http://www.cranetechnologiesinc.com/50CalM2GunCover.html

rc

 

[homatok]

Try to find a "car cover" of the type used for long term storage of automobiles. These covers breathe so moisture will not collect and lie on the metal. Air circulation is your friend!

 

[22-rimfire]

There are acids used in the tanning process. I would suggest a sheet.

 

[oneounceload]

Folks with multiple homes who close them up for periods of time have been using plain white sheets for eons - since your stated concern was simply dust and not long-term corrosion protection, I would use the sheet - preferably a fitted one with the elastic edge to keep it snug (and get a solid top for your tumbler so you and the gun aren't exposed to that dust)

 

[Ehtereon11B]

I only have one firearm that has a corresponding leather holster. And it is never in said holster other than carry. I purchased it off someone who didn't even know he had it and stored in the holster for 30 years. Even though it was a relatively dry area, it still had quite a bit of rust on it. Bought it for $60 not even knowing it would fire again. Thankfully it did.

Air circulation and dry air. Weapons will love you.

 

[jhco50]

A lot depends on what part of the country you live in. In Texas I would never store any kind of gun in a holster, but in Colorado I don't have a problem with storing in a holster. It all depends on the humidity level in your area. I would add to make sure the leather is vegetable tanned.

One thing you might try is to polish your firearm with auto polish such as 2000 Washes or Nu-Coat. Polish it inside and out, including the barrel and stock. This is what I came up with when I lived in Texas and got tired of sloshing oil on my firearms. This is a long term storage method. You can remove it with Hoppe's #9 or a similar solvent.

 

[Trent]

jhco50, neat idea; I never thought of using a wax based coating.

If it's good for my '73 mustang, I'm sure it'll be good for my boomsticks.

 

[TrueTexan]

Check out a sailing center and get some sail cloth you don't want anything that traps moisture.

 

[Trent]

Doesn't sail cloth = canvas?