This question is directed to the physical mechanism for storing pistols. In a dehumidified safe, oiled at least once a year. I don't want to cosmoline them, they are shooters, and I want them readily available.

Presently I have a plastic shelf and simply lay them on the shelf.

(I have a few collector boxes I keep stored outside the safe-I doubt a thief will steal the boxes-and any new cardboard boxes are unfolded and stored along with the accessories from the box and paperwork -just in case the Smithsonian calls.)

I can put in more tightly spaced shelves. But I was thinking about using wooden dowels sticking out from the back wall of the safe that would serve as the storage mechanism by sticking the barrel over the dowel. Or perhaps a nylon or plastic rod, or even plastic covered steel rods. The barrels would appear to be sticking to the back of the safe, with the handles facing the open door, for ease of retrieval.

First, is there any problem with the barrel being deformed or damaged by prolonged "sitting" on a rod? or say if the rod was only 3" supporting a 6" barreled N frame? I am sure a physicist could calculate some migration of atoms to the bottom due to gravity, but for the next 50 years would the barrel suffer? should the rods extend into the chamber or revolver window?

Second, could the point of contact between the rod and barrel collect moisture? Wood would be soft and fuzzy but would probably attract more moisture than plastic. I would probably coat the rods with some light oil before use. But I don't want to use anything that wouldn't cleanup with a quick bore wipe.

I welcome any rational thoughts on my dilemma of running out of gun safe space :-) Thank you.

I use multiple wooden or plastic one piece units storing four to seven pistols. When that exhausts the space, I use cardboard boxes, with one sided wax paper, that fit the specific gun in the safe. You utilize more space one on top of another and I place labels on them for easy recognition. Try to utilize every inch of space available for storage.

Nick

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NRA Instructor\GCA Gunsmith

Clean & nicely oiled, placed in silicone treated gunsock/Bore Store, then placed side by side into safe.
No cardboard, cotton, extra wood (other than stocks) or anything that harbors moisture goes into safe.

I have two 8 gun wooden racks that I have on my safes shelves. The ones on the racks are the ones that I tend to shoot.The rest of my collection live in their individual boxes neatly stacked on the top shelf and they are all occasionally pulled and wiped down.
So far after all these years there has never been an issue.

I put them in bore stores and pile em up.It helps to label them
I think your idea would work fine with wood dowels or rubber coated steel

It does not matter how big your safe is, you will run out of room. I recently inherited another collection and was forced to store more efficiently.

I eventually purchased several Armory racks, Armory Racks - Handgun Racks - RJK Ventures LLC

I have 3 racks for 8 pistols on one shelf. To access a pistol I usually pull out a rack and place it on the bench. The racks work best with barrels less then 6"

I use Handgun Hangers:

Handgun Hangers (4 Styles) – Gun Storage Solutions

And the blued handguns get a spray down with Dillon case lube:

Dillon Case Lube (8 oz. Bottle) (13733): Reloading: Case Preparation Equipment at Dillon Precision

The guns are sprayed with the case lube and allowed to dry.
This lube is lanolin dissolved in alcohol.
Once it drys it provides for a tight rust barrier.
When I want to use the gun I wipe it down with a cotton cloth moistened with Naphtha.
I've been doing this since I moved to North Dakota.
My basement gets damp in the spring thaw and this works.

I would recommend having the guns exposed for visual observation.
I feel being able to look at them would allow
you to see and mitigate any corrosion.

I also use desiccant packs to minimize humidity within the safe.

In a perfect world I would store them in an air tight container
with a nitrogen purge on it along with the desiccant packs.

Ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers! Keep them lightly oiled! I like them in VOC paper in their original box but many people use racks, hangars, gun rugs, etc. What ever you do store them away clean and lightly oiled! As long as you do NOT see rust, pitting or speckling you are good to go!

I'm with Arjay - Ren Wax, then put them in a Bore Store and stack them in a dehumidified safe. Never had a single issue. I ID them with those little, round key tags with model# and barrel length. Different colors for K, N, J frames, or with box, docs and tools.

Agree, wax and a soft barrier between guns. And start saving for a second safe .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Here's a couple of different style racks you can buy from Midway:

61Q9RdZFzyL._SL1200_.jpg

61sKDxRzWiL._SL1500_.jpg

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I just put all my revolvers in silicon treated bore stores. Has anyone ever heard of bore stores causing rust or discoloration on the bluing?

Only the most positive.

I found wooden dish drying racks at one of the import stores. Cost was maybe 5 bucks. Bought two, and cut one down to get as many on the shelf as possible, one rack of 6 plus 2 from the second one I think. They hold the guns upright between the posts meant to hold up a dish. You can see wear on the soft wood uprights from guns being pulled in/out, but never a mark or rust on the guns. They fit the different gun sizes very well. I originally planned on getting a "real" rack but these have worked great for years. Photo attached sideways but you get the idea....on, yeah, I put Velcro hook tape on the bottom and they don't shift in the safe.

Attached Images

IMG_1081.jpg (94.3 KB, 79 views)

I use the handgun hangers, bore store sleeves, a rack, and have a couple laying on the bare shelf. All methods work. As long as the guns are oiled and the safe is relatively dry rust won't be a problem.

I'm not sure how I'd feel about wood. Assuming the wood was dry you'd probably be fine but I'm not sure if I'd trust it.

I'm pretty sure you could have the guns hanging in the safe for centuries before you'd have to worry about the weight of the gun deforming the barrel. A wooden dowel might dry out and break eventually.

Manaboutracks work good

Manaboutracks.com

You can either buy or make these....coated metal rods bent to slide on to shelf.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I put some 1 X 2 vertical strips on the door and screwed pegboard to them. I now have around 16 handguns hanging by the trigger guard on the door. This system can easily be reconfigured just by moving the pegboard hooks. This system has worked well for many years.

White cotton socks..........Stacked..........

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S&W Accumulator

If your safe has lining on the doors, you can take Velcro strips and run it through the trigger guards and hang at least 20 handguns on the door. Also works for the inside walls of the safe.

Wood is fine. If there is any concern about high humidity or moisture, rub in some mineral oil or boiled linseed oil.

I have one of the "lower" pictured racks in my safe. Very inexpensive and does a great job.

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FFL, Patron NRA, Life TSRA

There are several threads on the topic. Here's one, and my solution: How do you keep/store your S&Ws

Well, I say "solution" but I'm out of room. But really, I guess that's a good problem, to have more guns than you have room for.

I'm no physicist but I definitely would shy away from putting my barrels under bending tension for long term storage. Just the idea of it rings wrong to me and since there are so many alternative options why take any chance? I have the metal racks that places like Midway sell for inside the safe. But Midway does sell metal racks that support by the barrel just like your talking about 3 for $8.99. No worry with them about absorbing moisture.
LOCKDOWN Pistol Rack 1-Gun Vinyl Coated Steel Black Package of 3
Most would say I over oil my guns after cleaning but many of my arms I've owned for well over 50 years and not one has a spot of rust on them anywhere.. Just a matter of a quick wipe down before shooting.

First, TomK thats an awesome drawer system.
What I really wanted to comment on was the wire racks which I use to hang my 6" wheel guns below the shelf. No way the barrel will ever bend or warp. Above the shelf I use the the teflon type dividers pictured. Didn't really care for the foam type dividers.
However the most important for the humidity in S. Florida is the coating. I prefer Frog Lube as its non petro based, smells good, and is easy to apply and wipe off. Have used Rem wax on some of my "bright" pistols that are for looks but so far the Frog Lube is my best choice for my "shooters".