I have a need to put a few of my most beloved "family heirloom" S&W handguns (all of them blued steel) into long-term unattended storage and I'd like some ideas on how best to do that without spending a fortune. I'm thinking bank safe deposit box but the key is achieving the highest level of finish preservation and corrosion resistance. I would guess they should be vacuum-sealed in plastic somehow but exactly how to pre-treat them and do that properly is the question. I have not always had great luck with similar attempts at same in the past.

Strange timing........just yesterday saw a Cheaper than Dirt ad for

"Firearm storage bags"......... got me to thinking; checked on Amazon..... and found a whole bunch of stuff.......ordered a 3 pack of Zerust weapon Protection bags 10x50" ($15) to check them out.

See that they have smaller bags 10x18 inches ....................

RIG grease, wrap with VCI paper, and store in a silicone treated gun sock. The seal on a vaccum packed gun will eventually break down.

Yeah, I've wondered about using them. If I could be sure that they'd work as well as I need them to work, I'd go for them.

Remember that these are most likely going into a bank safe deposit box for a while. There can't be any odor that might tend to give away the box's contents.

Presuming they will be in a climate-controlled environment and the box contents will not be shaken aggressively, I would lubricate the internals normally, wax the exterior surfaces and wrap in a breathable Sack-Up/Bore Store or something similar. Vacuum sealing in plastic with a food processor seems excessive unless your bank branch is located underwater .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Well, I have stored successfully before (short-term) in bank safe deposit boxes without any obvious corrosion or discoloration issues. I stored bone dry (for no giveaway odor) inside velvet pouches placed within foam padding and cardboard boxes. I'd like to do a little better protection-wise next time around as I can't be running down there simply to check on condition.

The safe deposit box vault has no special climate control and, in fact, is open to the bank business area climate-wise all day long. The vault has fire sprinklers... but box contents are otherwise unlikely to get physically wet.

There is one irreplaceable gun in particular that I am super-concerned about. I might have to do some experimentation at home to convince myself of any recommended preservation technique as I have not had the greatest luck on some pieces in the past.

Zerust, Zcorr, and other companies provide some great long term (five years) storage options, including treated storage bags and rust prevention tabs and capsules.

Gun Storage Products - Zerust

Gun Storage Bags - Zerust Consumer Products

Bags and other products are available with free shipping, on orders over $20

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I would want to know where the vault is located and where your box is. My banks vault is in their basement and it's been know to take some water and I would be concerned with excess humidity. I would prefer a box a little higher up in the stack just in case a pipe breaks one day.
Box rental is not cheap, does anyone you trust have a house where you can bolt a safe to the floor?

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Back to back World War Champs.

This works

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

The safe deposit box in question is on the first floor of the bank. I would hope that flooding or excessive moisture are not issues.

For this particular "need", a safe in someone else's house wouldn't be appropriate.

Interesting. Never heard of it before. Look's like it's worth a look!

I would only trust Renaissance Wax,,,,

Cosmoline!!!!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Birchwood Casey has had a product for decades that displaces moisture and puts a light film over the metal. It is currently called Barricade but it used to be sold under the name SHEATH


From their website . . . . . . .
Barricade Rust Protection rapidly drives out moisture from metal pores and deposits a transparent protective coating which seals the surface. It’s the best way to protect your firearms from rust. Withstands 500 hours in ASTM humidity test and 96 hours in ASTM salt spray test. Barricade Rust Protection is also an excellent penetrant for loosening rusty or frozen parts, as well as a good lubricant and an effective bore cleaner. Take your pick of how you’d like to protect your firearms – with a variety of can options! It’s never been easier.
33127 - 1.5 fl oz, Take-Along Size Aersol
33128 - 4.5 fl oz, Spout Can
33135 - 6 oz net wt, Take-Along Size Aerosol
33140 - 10 oz net wt, Standard Size Aerosol - See more at: https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Clean....a7GZeUzo.dpuf

No mention so far about the stocks? As you said blued, assuming wood stocks?
For long term storage, does everyone remove wood stocks to make sure of nothing trapped under wood that could affect metal and/or depending upon selected metal treatment, that wood is not affected?
We have all heard about rubber or plastic stocks forearms having rust underneath when left on for a period of time. Wax treatment, minimal if any affect on wood, but others, grease, oils????? Asking more than anything?

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

I had to store my guns when I went overseas for a few years. I went with the safe deposit box. This was in New York State in 1978. I had limited options on what products I would use so I cleaned, greased, oiled and wrapped them. I put them in the original boxes and wrapped them so nobody could see what they were. They stayed in the box for 7 years and came out as good as new. I made sure I prepaid the box rental and really didn't give much thought about my choice in storage. If you do a good job cleaning and greasing/oiling you'll do just fine.

I would suggest taking the stocks off each gun , putting them in ziplock bags and labeling them, and storing them separately.The guns themselves I'd grease and seal in a waterproof bag ( not sure how a ziplock bag would do with the grease..but it would be protected and well covered so no corrosion could start).

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Wow!!! Too many products to test them all. How does one decide? Especially when one doesn't have a lot of time to evaluate?

Anyway, thanks to all for the great suggestions. Tough choice ahead!!!

I recently accepted a similar challenge for a buddy that is going on a 3 year assignment OCUS. His guns will receive a light coat of RIG and be placed in a gun safe with a Golden Rod that will sit on a platform in my basement. There will be no issues....

RIG grease, wrap with VCI paper, and store in a silicone treated gun sock.

It is what I'd do.

Seems quite a few guns packed with cosmoline are still in perfect condition and many weren't subject to the best environments either

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Rig Universal Grease inside and out - ALL PARTS! Wrap in a few layers of waxed paper, then in a layer of heavy duty Aluminum foil. You should be good for many many years to come.

Store WITHOUT grips or stocks on gun.

RIG Grease and Bore-Stores. I have stored rifles this way for years and never had a bit of rust.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

+ 1 on the Zcorr bags . Wouldn't use them on a nickel plated gun but for blue / parkerized they work fine for years .

I've never owned a nickle plated gun,mostly all are/were blued.

What's bad about these storage bags with nickle and what is recommended for nickle?

I have a SS 625-2;is Zcorr OK for it?

It's been a very damp spring with down pours daily here in south central Texas so all my guns are lubed and in Zcorr bags when I'm not at the range or carrying it.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

"Museum-grade" is an oxygen-free, light-controlled environment. You won't find that in a safety deposit box. I visited the NRA Firearms Museum a couple of months ago. Even there, I suspect they've got a crew of people doing constant maintenance. It would be interesting to exchange ideas with them. Bank vaults are secured. Perhaps they would be too secure during a government-declared bank holiday or when the bank was visited by federal law enforcement officials.