Worry about a stored gun?

[Fatman]

Question inspired by a co-worker.

Let's say you have a pistol that's been in your safe, untouched for a year. Do you ever worry about anything when you bring it out to take it to the range? Other than a quick clean/lube, do you do anything special?

 

[NOMI WASP]

Why would you worry. Guns don't have expiration dates. I clean and lube after each range trip so I wouldn't worry. Lube may not even be needed.

If it had a loaded magazine, I would check the first round for setback or dents on the case and if any was found I wouldn't fire it.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The only thing that will harm a firearm sitting static in a safe, closet, drawer, etc. is moisture. Absent that, a gun sitting unused will quite literally last forever.

 

[bannockburn]

I would look for rust (never have found any), and function check the gun in question. Add lube if required. I rotate my loaded mags every couple of months so that would be a cursory check on them as well. Other than that the gun should be good to go.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

No worries.

 

[herrwalther]

Just a year? I have had firearms sit longer than that and be fine. I check on my safe queens every few months for moisture signs.

 

[Lucky Derby]

You're in the south east? It can be humid there. Other than rust from moisture there is really nothing to worry about.

I recall a story from a couple of years back. An elderly gentleman used a .38 revolver that had sat loaded next to his bed since the end of WWII for self defense. It worked just fine.

 

[snooperman]

No reason to worry if it has been cleaned and stored properly.

 

[mgmorden]

Wouldn't even cross my mind. Never heard of "age" killing a gun. Its a shotgun rather than a handgun bu I think on my 20ga I went 15 years once without firing/cleaning/etc and it went bang just fine the next time I took it out.

 

[KenW.]

This thread reminds me; I've kept a XD45 in a lockbox under the back seat of my truck for several years. Maybe I'll take a look at it. Used to keep my Colt Double Eagle there. Did for many years without any problem.

I live in the second driest state, so humidity is not a problem. Plastic/polymer/composite is not moisture-sensitive. All other parts deserve a little oil. Mag springs don't go bad from being depressed: as proven by my Grandad's Nazi hi-power that stayed loaded since 1945.

 

[RG7X]

No reason to worry if it has been cleaned and stored properly.

This pretty much sums it up. I had a bad experience when I first moved to FL and left my collection with a friend. When I picked up a month later, all of my weapons had accumulated rust (some surface and others pitting). I was an idiot and should have cleaned them before storing.