Plastic/Foam Gun Cases & Long Term Storage

[roo_ster]

I need to organize the long guns in my dead-bolted gun closet. I thought that maybe buying cheap hard plastic single gun cases with foam interiors might do the trick.

Have any of you had good/bad experiences with the foam-lined cases? My dad always said they rust guns, but my SW1911 came from the factory in just such a case. I HAVE had trouble with an old cloth case. The less said the better, but there was pitting involved.

The cases would also be handy, uh, cases to take the rifles to the range in.

Also, I have read here or elsewhere about a special kind of "gun storage paper" used for gun storage in lieu of cosmoline. Any ideas as to a source?

Thanks for any light y'all might shed on the matters.

 

[dtalley]

I have an assortment of soft cases and hard pastic cases that I keep my long guns in. I sprayed the inside of them with a light coat of Rem Oil and have never had any problems. I take the ones I don't shoot often out about every two months to check them. No problems so far.

 

[1 old 0311]

Wrap them in a oily rag then put them in the case or use RIG . That works.


Kevin

 

[M-Rex]

For both my hard plastic cases, and my leather gun rugs, I spray the inside foam with 3-in-1 Silicone Spray lubricant. I have yet to have any of my firearms show any rust.

 

[Telperion]

Make sure the foam is a closed-cell material. Open-cell foams will trap moisture and eventually rust guns. Do a search on VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) paper, that should give you some info too.

 

[Old Fuff]

Vapor Inhibitor Paper (VIP) wrap is available from Brownells (www.brownells.com). They also sell plastic bags that you seal the gun in after it is wrapped. Never seal a gun in a bag without this wrap!. Yes, handguns often come ih plastic/foam lined hardcases - but they are usually wrapped in some kind of VIP material. VIP eliminates the need to keep the gun greased up, which is the reason the military services use it now.

 

[DT Guy]

I'm no chemist, but I've seen some of the foam (actually, it was the lining of a Homak gun locker) MELT, leaving a mess on everything it was touching.


Makes me a bit leery about using it for long-term storage....



Larry

 

[Old Fuff]

Some people make the mistake of spraying chemical preservatives on the foam, which in time attacks it. If you wrap the gun in a piece of VIP and than enclose it in a sealed plastic bag the vapor will portect the gun, and the bag will prevent any damage from the foam - anyway, it is no longer necessary or advisable to spray it with anything.

 

[jbrekken1]

Bore Stores Long Term Storage Cases

What about these?

I like the idea of a little padding as well.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/st...850&title=BORE+STORES+LONG+TERM+STORAGE+CASES

 

[f4t9r]

cases with foam are fine
Just check the guns every couple months wipe them down and never had a problem

 

[Berek]

I make sure there's a light coat of GO on them and add a home-made dessicant pouch (1" diameter cloth tube with dessicant gel in it). Haven't had any problems so far...

Berek

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Open cell foam that is older can cause nasty problems on your gun. My Automag sat in the original shipping case and has lightly peppered a bit of the barrel with black discoloration from the foam. It does decay with age. It was only about 30 years old and it actually has etched the metal.

My only suggestion, is if you do this, you check the condition of the gun at least 1 time per year.

I store in nylon style zip up bags and I HEAVILY oil my guns. The excess has absorbed into the bag and offers excellent long term rust protection.

Were I to go overseas, for a few years, I would go to a vapor barrier system.

 

[Manedwolf]

Why not oil them up and put them in a silicone sock ($4 at Wal-mart, even) before locking them into the cases?

 

[Russs]

Use flexible barrier packaging material with VpCI technology

Check out www.zcorrproducts.com for some bags that I have used for 4+ years and not had one bit of rust on any of my shotguns, including some old Ithicas with engravings and such on them.

 

[WmCC]

For a period of several years back in the 50's and 60's, I utilized armorer's paper or wax paper as a moisture barrier. Most mouton and cotton lined cases would hold moisture and promote rust with great speed. For the past 37 or so years I have sprayed the interior of all cases, (foam and fabric), with spray silicone and have had no corrosion. I respray the case interiors once every five years.

If you use CLP on your weapons and keep silicone in the cases, you can then search for something else to worry about... your corrosion issues will have been handled.

If you elect to try this procedure, it's a good idea to take the cases outside to treat them. Saturate the lining reasonably well and allow the carrier to evaporate for a few minutes. You can use the large (less expensive) cans of spray silicone found at auto parts stores or discount stores... the brand does not seem to matter.

Over time, the silicone impregnated liner will cause the excess oil on exposed metal surfaces to appear to migrate a bit and also cause light to refract slightly. Both of these characteristics are of no consequence. In addition, unlike many gun oils, silicone is beneficial to wood grips and rifle/shotgun stocks; it will not soften the wood.

Good luck.