Old cotton socks for pistol barrels.

[stchman]

My safe is pretty crowded and I have placed old socks over the barrels of a few pistols I have.

These are just regular old socks, not silicone treated gun socks.

Any problem with doing this?

Thanks.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No problem. I have a pistol or two in an old cotton sock myself. Just start with a well oiled gun and dry sock. If you want to get fancy, turn the sock inside out and spray with silicone or your favorite oil.

 

[bannockburn]

I typically use silicone treated gun socks but I have a couple of guns wrapped up in cotton socks. I like to give the gun a good coating of RIG Gun Grease as it stays put once it goes on.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've been doing this for years. I lightly brush on protectorant (usually CLP) on the gun before I put in in the sock. Never a problem.

 

[aarondhgraham]

There's no problem if you oil the gun first.

But remember, cotton holds moisture rather than wicking it out to evaporate,,,
There's a reason one wears wool socks rather than cotton socks in cold damp regions.

I'm not saying this with an empirical test backing me,,,
I just think that cotton (if that is what the socks are) is a bad choice.

JMHO

Aarond

.

 

[Mizar]

It's critical to sew the toe holes first.

 

[Merle1]

There's no problem if you oil the gun first.

But remember, cotton holds moisture rather than wicking it out to evaporate,,,
There's a reason one wears wool socks rather than cotton socks in cold damp regions.

I'm not saying this with an empirical test backing me,,,
I just think that cotton (if that is what the socks are) is a bad choice.

JMHO

Aarond

.

Second this. I have had bad experiences with untreated metal.

 

[1KPerDay]

I keep my old cap and balls in wool socks. Dad did it so I do it.

 

[Drail]

Use monkey socks.......

 

[Merle1]

Use monkey socks.......

I'm sure I'll regret this, but what are monkey socks?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Cotton doesn't make moisture. It will not harm a properly stored gun. I have at least 2 dozen collectors guns wrapped in oily flannel and then stored in a pistol rug.

 

[Merle1]

Cotton doesn't make moisture. It will not harm a properly stored gun. I have at least 2 dozen collectors guns wrapped in oily flannel and then stored in a pistol rug.

No it doesn't, but it sure holds it. No oil/rust prevention is likely to cause a problem if exposed to temperature swings.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I always let my guns acclimate up to room temperature with the soft cases open after bringing them in from outside in cold weather. I also leave them open a bit to ensure they dry on damp or humid days. Never have had a rust issue.

 

[hso]

Never use cotton. Wool is fine, but cotton traps and holds moisture.

 

[doubleh]

As stated before, cotton hold moisture. I quit wearing cotton sock many years ago because of this. Gives you cold feet in winter and damp, smelly feet in summer. I wear synthetic socks and use the same type socks to store my pistols. I use paste wax to protect all my firearms and this would probably make cottons socks work for storage but I still don't use them.

 

[morcey2]

I'm sure I'll regret this, but what are monkey socks?

They're red-heel socks that are used to make sock monkeys.

turned into this

Not sure how that helps with gun storage, but it might work.

 

[aarondhgraham]

"Cotton doesn't make moisture. It will not harm a properly stored gun.
I have at least 2 dozen collectors guns wrapped in oily flannel and then stored in a pistol rug."

I never said it "makes" moisture,,,
I stated: ...cotton holds moisture rather than wicking it out to evaporate.

How did you get "makes" moisture from that?

Aarond

.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

"Cotton doesn't make moisture. It will not harm a properly stored gun.
I have at least 2 dozen collectors guns wrapped in oily flannel and then stored in a pistol rug."

I never said it "makes" moisture,,,
I stated: ...cotton holds moisture rather than wicking it out to evaporate.

How did you get "makes" moisture from that?

Aarond

.

I didn't think I quoted you and "got" anything from something you said.

I don't dispute that cotton holds moisture.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Let me simply my thinking:

I think if you put a dry gun in dry cotton and store it in a dry place, it will be safe...
By "dry"...I mean moisture free, not oil free.

I have a pile of blue guns, and steel scopes stored in cotton flannel in a climate controlled environment. Each item was oiled before wrapping. Never had any rust in many years of this way of storage.

Anyway, all this chatter made me go check a Weaver K10 I wrapped in an oily cotton rag. I bought the scope, inspected it, and stored it away....in my basement, which is climate controlled...According to the postmark on the mailing tube, I stored it away in Jan 2012. It was still rust free.

 

[Merle1]

They're red-heel socks that are used to make sock monkeys.

turned into this

Not sure how that helps with gun storage, but it might work.

Well, that was much better than I was expecting - thanks!

 

[herrwalther]

Old Army maxim "Cotton Kills." Traps moisture and will not wick it away, which can really be a bad thing for cold weather. Use wool or a silicone treated sock to protect against rust.

 

[Drail]

Don't use anything that can absorb any moisture from the air and hold it next to the metal. I have seen far too many beautiful old shotguns ruined by "unknowing" owners doing that. They would zip up their grandfathers vintage heirloom shotgun in a cheap zippered fleece lined foam padded case, slide it under the bed and forget about it. Or place an fine old revolver in a leather holster and store it for a long time - in the holster. Then when they got it back out it was covered in surface rust. Cases and holsters are for transporting firearms only - never ever for storage. The best way to store firearms is thoroughly oiled in open air or in a climate controlled safe. The relative humidity of air down on the floor is always higher than anywhere else in the room. And all it takes is one humid day's air entering your house and soaking into to everything that will absorb moisture. Basements and attics have ruined more firearms than you would believe. And the old Army maxim "Cotton Kills" is an absolute fact. Morcey2 - thank you so much for the photos of monkey socks. That made my day. I had no idea that there was anyone on this planet who did not know what monkey socks were. I was wrong...again. I have obviously become too old.........

 

[Panzerschwein]

You need to lube up your gun before you stick it in a sock.

 

[Drail]

If you lube up your gun then why do you think it needs to be in a sock? The oil is protecting it. The sock is not.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The sock is to keep from banging the guns together if your safe is stuffed.