Storing firearms question

[wishn4more]

My bride and I have decided to sell our home and build another. Looks like we've got a buyer much sooner than expected, so we'll be moving into an apartment for a while. I'll rent a "garage" along with the apartment to store a fridge, furniture, lawnmower, etc...
I only have a locking gun cabinet, not a safe. I am wondering if my guns would store better in the fridge (plugged in and running!), or just in the gun locker with some dessicant? I figure that the fridge is like a big dehumidifier, so no problems until I pull the irons out -- then I'll need to handle the condensation. So am I thinking straight?
No flames, I am really wondering.

 

[RNB65]

Where do you live? How long will they be kept in the storage unit? Do you have insurance in case they're stolen from the storage unit?

If a dry climate, you shouldn't have a problem. If a humid climate, you have several options. Wipe them down with Eezox and you won't have a problem. Stop by the storage unit weekly and wipe them down with CLP should also work. Or you could keep them chilled in the fridge.
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[BlazingAngel01]

RN hit it on the head just don't shoot with a Cold Barrel you lose accuracy.

 

[garymc]

Yeah, that would be like hunting deer in November or something.

 

[p2000sk]

If you use the refrigerator...
About two days before you move to the permanent residence,
unplug the fridge so that the infridge temperature SLOWLY
equalizes to the apartments air temperature. Then
condensation should not be a problem.

If you need one "real quick", just grab it and it'll be hot real
fast. Then condensation should not be a problem either.

 

[tntwatt]

spend 5 dollars on a tube of silicon and some rubber weather stripping. If the studs are exsposed in the garage, bolt the locker to the wall then seal up all the wholes in your locker with the silicon, put the weather stripping around the door so that it seals when closed. Then put a big bag/can of dessicant in the locker with your guns. I did this here in Ga and my guns stayed rust free and dry. Good idea for lockers even at your new home.

On a little negative note. Be very careful not to let anyone see your guns or your locker when you move. Rental storage is not the safest in the world. You'd be much better off finding a buddy or family member you trust to that'll store them for you.

 

[CWL]

Wrap your guns with corrosion-protectant paper. You can also roll it into tubes and insert into the barrels. This stuff is used on guns and knives to fight corrosion.

Cheap too.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1197&title=GUNWRAP? PAPER

 

[wdlsguy]

I would find a way to squeeze my locking gun cabinet into my apartment.

 

[wishn4more]

I'm in lovely San Antonio

Not exactly the driest place in the country...
Fitting a gun cabinet into the apartment is do-able, but I figured "someone" would notice. No one thinks anything about the dufus (me) putting a fridge into storage.
It looks like probably 4 months without access to the "cold cabinet", by the time I fill in the garage/storage with the extra stuff (couch, dining set, curio cabinetS, bins, buckets and boxes.
I figure that I can slip a few long guns in along with the rakes, hoe, and shovels I'll be keeping then stick'em in the fridge. If no one sees, no one is tempted... Besides, it'll be a lot of work to get the junk from in front of that fridge!
Thanks for the tips on dessicant and corrosion resistant paper. Sounds like a cheap tube of silicone can go a long way to helping if the cabinet is close to hermetic.

 

[moooose102]

i agree with wdlsguy, keep em with you. i had an inlaw who ended up in jail because he would bust into storage units, steal the stuff, and have "garage sales" to get rid of it. he didn't do that for long, but ended up with 3 years out of it. i dont know much about it, they lived in a different state. and i guess he had been in jail prior to that. if you do put them in storage, make sure you have insurance on them!

 

[ShunZu]

Sold our home, building a new log cabin. Moved in to a small 2 bedroom apartment. Similar situation as you.

Took my gun cabinet to a friend's house that has a decent alarm system. Put my "could-be-replaced" pieces in it. Paid a safe company $250 to move my Champion (60 cubic footer) 2 miles to the apartment. Even on its big dolly when they wheeled it in, I wouldn't want to see the sub-floor under the carpet when we move out. Lots of crunching sounds on the way in... BUT, it's here, they're with me, and temperature isn't a problem. My other alternative was to move them to my barn... -- and even with 2 heating rods in it, that wouldn't have kept them to the proper temp they need to keep from rusting.

You may also want to consider renting an storage unit that has environmental control. They have them around here (if you trust their security) for about $85 a month, a 12X12.
Good luck.
Congrats on selling the home in this market!

 

[scrat]

Oil the heck out of them outside and inside. even putting individual plastic bags around each gun will ensure that it stays dust free and well oiled. Id rather clean up oil than rust.