Optimal humidity for gun safes

[no_problem]

For those of you who live in the west coast or the southwest (So Cal, Nevada, Utah, NM, etc.) This question may not be seem applicable.

I live in a rather humid area. I have a golden rod and can spread out dessicant to adjust the RH. With the summer showers that are prevalent, what does the hive mind think is an optimal humidity for gun safes?

Keep in mind, beyond the obvious that the metals and steels in your guns and actions need to be kept dry to prevent oxidation, also that too much humidity can harm woods. If you have 50-100 year old wood stocks on some older guns like Garands, 03A3's, etc., too much humidity can rot them, and too little humidity can dry the oils from the woods.

 

[mpmarty]

Zero, Zip, Zilch 0% relative humidity is perfect. My gun safes have silica gel packs in them about ten pounds each safe total. My safes are in a small room with a dehumidifier running constantly and in the mountains of Oregon our humidity runs only from twelve to twenty five percent in the first place. By the way, low humidity doesn't draw oil from stocks, it removes the natural water content of the wood fibers causing them to shrink and expel that nasty oil you don't want in there to begin with.

 

[feedthehogs]

Location, Florida.
Humidity level as measured by a hygrometer in each safe is 70% with not one problem with rust or wood in 20 years.
Use a large box of silica in each safe.

 

[atomchaser]

I live in coastal Florida and the humidy in my safe is consistently around 60%.
It's in the garage with a golden rod and and a couple dessicant cannisters. Too low humidity isn't good for the wood stocks. The will dry out and crack.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would strive for about 50% relative humidity. There should be no condensation on the metal as long as the temperature extremes are avoided.

 

[Alphazulu6]

Too low humidity isn't good for the wood stocks. The will dry out and crack.

They arent cigars.... But they do require a tad bit of care

#1. loosen up the barrel mounts a little. This is the preferred method if you are storing them for long periods of time, if they are prone to experiencing temperature changes, or you are going to check them under an airplane (unpressurized compartment). The wood stocks will not crack if you ensure they can expand/contract without putting strain surrounding the barrel mounts. Just make sure you tighten them back up before you shoot them again. I personally use a slight torque wrench/screw driver so they are always the same tightness and it saves me from alot of sight-in time once I take them out to the range

#2. Actual humidity is really more an issue if the weapons are not in a temperature controlled area. Rule of thumb is that your guns want to live in the same conditions you do, not too hot not too cold. If you ensure that the himidity is not over 70% and the temperature is not over 95 degrees especially for extended periods of time you should be fine.

#3. Oil ALL metal parts with a light coat of Hoppes gun oil. I prefer their elite type. Its a little more pricey but it seems to really stay on the guns. CLP and other all-in-ones will dry up over time but a good gun oil will ensure that your firearms are protected for a long, long time.

Hope this helps!

 

[glockman19]

+1 for mpmarty. I agree.

Zero, Zip, Zilch 0% relative humidity is perfect.

 

[a1abdj]

Although I have never researched it in depth, I have been told 30 to 40% at a constant temperature. This information was from a museum that stores firearms.

I have seen many instance of humidity levels reaching 70% without rust issues, but the contents were well prepared for that type of storage. Just because you won't get an oiled gun to rust at 70% doesn't mean that 70% isn't a level capable of causing rust.

 

[Blue Line]

I live in SW FL and have a golden rod running in the safe all the time. I can attest to the fact that too little humidity can dry things out too much, seals in my 1100 dryed out. I replaced them and keep them lubed a little more. The golden keeps the safe at a stable temp, that keeps the condensation away that leads to rust.
Lube, oil and golden rod.

 

[JohnBT]

Zero? Never happen around here. It's too dry in any case.

I don't know what it is in my damp dirty basement, but it's 75 degrees and 85% humidity outside right now. I suppose if we get some thunderstorms this evening it'll go up, but it hasn't rained in weeks it seems.

The measured humidity in my large safe - with 2 GRs running - runs from 35% or so in the winter to maybe 75% in the summer when there's water running across the floor after a hurricane passes through or a particularly bad gully washer of a thunderstorm.

Maybe I'll get central air put in. Nah, I've made it 27 years. It's just that the thought of cleaning up all that plaster dust from installing ductwork makes my head hurt. I suppose I could run the ducts up the outside of the house and cut vents through the 14-inch-thick brick walls. That would disturb less plaster, but look like heck. Shame there's not a way to run ac through the radiators.

John

 

[0007]

Humidity isn't really a problem - I'm in coastal Florida also. The key is to keep a rerlatively constant temperature; which keeps the guns from getting condensation on them from temp fluctuations. I used Golden Rods in both of my safes, and put a 25 watt light in one when the Golden Rod finally stopped working. Never had a problem of rust in either safe. House doesn't have air conditioning.