What is the best way to store firearms in a safe if you are gone for 3-4 months at a time and don't have time to check dehumidifier canisters etc. Will spreading a number of silical gel packets through out the safe be enough?
Wipe them down with Ballistol??
Store in a gun sock??
all of the above
Right now I have over 570 grams of the silica gel spread out
thanks for the input

Depends upon your location.

Clean it,
Lube it,
Remove grips, store in a Baggie.
Coat it with RIG (Rust Inhibiting Grease) from Birchwood Casey.
Wrap in VAPOR PAPER (the Brown Paper new firearms come in).
Put into a Plastic Baggie.
Store inside an "O" Ringed waterproofed case or ammo box, inside your safe equipped with a Goldenrod Heater.

You'll be GOOD TO GO FOR LONGER THAN 4 MONTHS.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

I think this is something that gets overblown all the time; but it is a fair question and you deserve a fair answer. It is understandable, because of the investment we have chosen to make.

I am all for free enterprise; increasing business opportunities; and market demand. That said, what does a person need? Not much.

Buy some basic gun oil and soft case... that's it. No need to put an excessive amount of oil on either.

A basic cleaning--getting the barrel, exterior, and ensuring no finger prints to encourage rust--and you are good for an easy six months to a year no problem. If in high humidity or other environmental factors, obviously take to consideration.

Personally, I would check, inspect, and apply oil every six months--to the exterior and the barrel.

An acquaintance of mine has museum-grade firearms, big dollar pieces, and all he uses on them is oil and Hoppes #9.

That said, do what you are comfortable with and good on you to ask for additional insight. There are no bad questions.

I get a kick out of the statements you need "XYZ" brand this or that; in which you will find frequently; given that there are not many firearm care products needed.

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Rather be outdoors

If you have a quality fire rated safe that is relatively sealed, you should be in good shape for a few months.

Before you head out I'd make sure they are all clean and properly lubed, make sure your dehumidifier canister are charged, close the door and enjoy your trip. Once the canisters have soaked up most of the moisture in a decently sealed safe you really shouldn't have a problem for a few months.

My safe is in my basement and I have a hydrometer hanging inside to measure the humidity. With a couple of canisters they will usually draw the humidity down inside 15 to 20% from outside within a few days if I don't open the safe. Due to travel, I've not opened it several months at a time and each time I come back the humidity is still in the same range even though the canisters are completely pink.

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- Change it back -

Get stainless steel guns.
Seriously though I would NOT keep any gun in a closed case for a long period of time. Period. wipe down and into a gunsock. As long as they are in a controled enviroment (not the attic or garage) they'll be fine.

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Forum consigliere

Midway and others sell excellent rifle and handgun bags with anti-rust compounds built in.

For added piece of minde they also sell anti-rust gun paper.

Based on my experience with firearms stored in an unheated storage shed in Norfolk VA for a couple of years (humid summer, wet winter, no other seasons), Moonman comes closest to my recommendation. Clean gun, RIG, and nothing to react with the gun or the grease. Over grease, plastic bag is OK. At least two years, NO rust. It works.