Location for a Gun Safe

[ezypikns]

I'm considering buying a gun safe, but I literally have no place inside my house in which to keep it. The only enclosed place I have available is neither air conditioned or heated, and as anyone who's ever been to Texas in the summer knows, that's going to be a pretty hot place.
Is this advisable at all, and are there measures I can take to reduce humidity inside such a safe?

Thanks

 

[DragonFire]

Cold shouldn't hurt anything, and given that it's going to be inside, I doubt that the inside would get hot enough to be a problem. I think that wood stocks would be the most at-risk item in the safe. Humidity is probably a bigger issue than heat.

There are a variety of ways to control humidity within a safe that range from disposible bags of whatever-that-moisture-absorbent-powder is called, to electric powered dehumidifiers that you will need to run a cord into the safe to use.

I got a small canister of that powder that I "recharge" in the oven when it needs it (as indicated by a small blue dot in it). Which option is best for you would depend on how big a safe you have, and what you're going to store in it.

Even in the worse case, I think if you perform "routine" cleaning and oiling of whatever is in the safe you'd prevent any serious harm. Depending on how extreme the conditions are in the safe, and how valuable the firearms are to you, would determine how often that that routine maintenace would have to be doen.

 

[hceptj]

I have the same problem for storing a safe. I use a golden rod dehumidifier and dessicant (rechargeable kind). I haven't had any problems with rust, moisture, etc.

By the way, I live in Texas...

 

[ldyates]

Had to go to a closet

I bought two smaller safes instead of one large one and put them in two closets due to space limitations.

This might be an alternative. I have no clue how secure they are... but it may just be secure enough if mounted properly.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/TRAP414-947-894.html

 

[Siderite]

The rechargeable desiccant is called "silica gel" and can be purchased in packets (like what come with electronics) at most gun shops and locksmiths.

For this purpose, however, I’d recommend getting the metal-encased ones for recharging, as I’ve accidentally destroyed the cardboard/paper packets in my oven (make sure your oven doesn't run hotter than the dial says).

Here’s the one I have: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=623716

Like DragonFire mentioned, it has a blue window on top that turns pink when it needs to be recharged.

 

[kellyj00]

we've got high humidity here in KS too.

A lot of folks will keep all the silicon beads from every package they can and put those in their safes. You can 'renew' your silicon beads by putting them in a very low heat oven for about an hour or so.

I use an old sock to keep mine in. I just reheat them in the oven every six months or so.