Semi Auto HD Gun, How Long Fully Loaded In Safe, Without using it?

[sigbear]

I have a Sig P220 .45 as my home defense gun, I rarely shoot this gun but keep it clean and lubed, my concern is that keeping it in the safe for long periods of time (2-5 years) without use, the gun may not be dependable in a HD situation. I know, I Know, clean it once a year and it should be fine, but, leave it for 5 years, would you depend on it?

How long can you keep a semi-auto loaded with full mag. in your safe without using it? 1 year, 2 years, 5 years?

I am considering going back to my .357 mag. revolver as a HD gun because I have kept it in the safe for 5+ years without using it, and when I took it out to shoot, it still went bang every time.

Sigbear

 

[geronimo509]

I revolver is probably your best bet, they always go bang. Todays ammo should last 5 years so that shouldnt be a problem.

 

[CPshooter]

I don't see why you would have any issues with the gun itself. Even magazine springs don't fatigue from continuous (long-term) compression, but they fatigue from repeated compression. So the ammo is the only thing I'd be concerned about, but even then a revolver doesn't make the ammo last any longer.

That being said, I still don't think your ammo will go bad after 5 years. If the gun is cleaned, lubed, and not subject to humid conditions in the safe it should be just fine. Even after 5 years!

 

[CWL]

If you don't shoot that gun for 5 years, you shouldn't use it for SD. The gun and ammo will still be dependable, but you won't be.

Use a gun that you regularly practice with. If your life is important, practice, practice, practice.

 

[Corner Pocket]

Well said, CWL. My sentiments precisely.

Corner Pocket

 

[f4t9r]

5 years no problem

 

[Yo Mama]

I revolver is probably your best bet, they always go bang. Todays ammo should last 5 years so that shouldnt be a problem.

Ever seen how many parts are in a revolver, especially a DA revolver.
And today's ammo will last alot longer than 5 years.

You should be fine for many many years. Guns are made to have bullets in them. For guns you have like this over time, every 10 years I'd have a gunsmith look her over.

 

[Ruggles]

I still shoot .303 British ammo from the 1940s and 50s. God knows it was not stored under ideal conditions. Todays ammo should last at least as long if not longer.

 

[jaydubya]

Thirty-five years no problem! That's how long my Browning Hi Power, magazine still loaded with Navy ball, sat in my sock drawer before I got interested in bang-bang again (it was my personal weapon during the Vietnam War). Each round chambered, fired and ejected. I have since fired thousands of rounds from that handgun and those magazines. I did replace the magazine springs last year, just in case. I do the same with the recoil/firing pin spring set, perhaps more often than required -- but springs are CHEAP! Recommend Wolff Springs.

Cordially, Jack

 

[threefeathers]

I've been using 4 1911 mags that one of my mentors had from the WW2 era and they worked flawlessly after sitting for over 30 years.
That said, I hope you shoot more, in a moment that you will have only gross motor skills, without training you will be the weak link.

 

[twoclones]

If you don't shoot that gun for 5 years, you shouldn't use it for SD. The gun and ammo will still be dependable, but you won't be.

That was my first thought.