help me out here on why keeping your gun in the factory storage case is bad.

I understand its not a moisture sealed case but if your gun is cleaned and lubed well before storing then what is wrong with keeping it in the factory case?

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M&P FS 9mm

Well let me tell you a story, I had a Model 52 Smith that sat in my safe unused for years, I wiped it down occassionally, but the the factory box eventually wore away the blueing on one side. I think if your going to use a factory case/box you need to take extra precautions. Keep it in the brown paper provided with the firearm, and insure you use a product like RIG on the outer surfaces. Personally I now keep all of mine in a fleece lined pouch that has a simple single velcro closure. I have 5 of the M&P's all stored the same, I also wipe them down with a silicone impregnated cloth's after each use.

It's not bad if you retain the treated paper that the factory wrapped it in when new. The problem arises when you put the pistol in direct contact with the foam. There is moisture in the air, there are air pockets in the foam, as temperature changes moisture can condense from the air and onto the surface of the pistol. If left in the case without paper for extended periods of time corrosion or discoloration can occur. When I buy a new one, I remove the pistol and magazines from the box, put all the stuff that came with it. (paper wrap, lock, literature, extra grips, optic mount plates, etc) back in the box and then put it up in storage for the day when I may want to sell it. I then buy an individual case (or rug) to store and transport the pistol. When I put the pistol in the safe, I don't have the case completely zipped so air can circulate. Anyway, it's worked for me. HTH

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Minimize the variables

ok so lets say the paper is gone, what if I used regular kitchen wax paper to wrap the gun and mags in? would that be a good idea?

what would be a good replacement wrap found around the house that's good to use?

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M&P FS 9mm

I worked at a GM dealer for years. Anytime we got large metal parts like heads, manifolds, or engines, they were wrapped in the same paper. I have accumulated boxes of this special paper over the years. So if you know any techs who work at a car dealer, ask them for this paper. GARY

What's strange is that many gun boxes & gun safes also have the same foam.

It's not that complicated. It's all about the trapping of moisture and sandwiching the metal with it. Not necessarily just the contact of the foam. You can lay your gun on it and not have any problems, and by the same token, if you're in a dehumidified room, you won't have any issues either unless the foam inside the box trapped moisture from outside when you were transporting it.

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M&P40c/15-22/SD9VE/Mossy500

I wouldn't put anything metal on anything that can absorb moisture.

As temperature and humidity levels change, there is the chance of condensation forming on your gun. If it does, and the gun is in contact with an absorptive surface, that surface will suck up the water and hold it on the gun's metal.

Photographers have to be really careful shooting in very cold weather, then bringing the equipment into a warm building. Just like a cold soda can sweats, so does the inside of a camera or a gun. If that moisture can't readily dry off, you have rust potential.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

S&W used to sell the sheets of brown wrapping moisture inhibitor paper. I don't know if they still do, but use that and some silica gel packets, and you won't have any problems. Some people use the silica gel packets that come in medicine bottles.

Think this way tool chest in a damp basement. i lined the doors with the more expensive rubber liners the kind that's black with the holes in it it's none slip Top chest. Bottom chest was lined with there cheaper liner black but solid no holes .. after one year the tools in the top chest rusted and bottom chest have been fine in fact there have been there for 25 years now with no issues..
I would use that brown paper that comes with the gun if you must use the case. I have done this from time to time I add some Hopys gun oil to the paper too every so often..Brown paper bag may work too..
When working on motors after parts were cleaned they would rust over night to stop this news paper with oil on it would do the trick cylinder walls were rust free as long as you wanted them to be..Wipe a gun down with gun oil and leave it in the open air in a gun safe or where ever is better then enclosing the gun in something that will hold moisture or act like a wick.. Steady low humidity and steady temps think ammo box with a drying agent in it.. never had a issue using them.. Just some iders to think of.. George

I would just buy a couple of the impregnated gun cloths and wrap my pistol with that before putting it in the case.

If you are going to store in a case, I recommend putting a couple sticks of chalk in the case; a cheap fix. I do this with my tools in garage (in humid Florida) and it works well to elimiate moisture and prevent rust.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Chalk? I never heard of this before! It can be had at the dallor store for the big fat sticks!! Really! george

Along the same lines as a impregnated gun cloth, you can get a silicon impregnated gun sock like this one:

Amazon.com : Allen Company Knit Gun Sock for Handguns (14-Inch) : Soft Pistol Cases : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41qlmGd1ywL.@@AMEPARAM@@41qlmGd1ywL

It will create a moisture-inhibiting barrier between the metal and the foam.

Personally, for guns that I have in storage, I've used ZCORR VCI bags for several years and haven't had any rust issues at all.

https://www.zcorrproducts.com/collec...l-storage-bags

thanks guys, I have a silicone cloth and i'll just keep it wrapped up in that then put it in the case.

quite often when I have metal in a foam case such as tools, I will spray or soak the foam in motor oil or wd40 then squeeze it dry so its water proof and adds rust prevention but not messy. is this something that would be ok to do for the foam in a gun case? would it solve the moisture trapping risk?

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M&P FS 9mm

S&W paper, and I use clean T-shirt rags to wrap my guns after using Flitz, and I have had no problems.

I think the problem you would have doing this is that when you pulled the pistol out of the case it would spit out of your hand like a watermelon seed. (I'm not a fan on storing firearms in oil, there are many other options already mentioned. I prefer the silicone socks. I buy the long rifle ones and then cut the size I need for pistols.)

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Minimize the variables

Everything has it's own Bore Stores. Bump protection as well as rust prevention. $6-8, and well worth it.

Richard

Does silicone harm the polymer frame of an M&P? I've been storing mine in the factory box, but maybe I should get a Bore Store.

Lots of great ideas guys, most of which I never thought about before! Thanks!

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Former USN, Retired US Army

point taken "i had a homer simpson moment" and I wasn't thinking about the grip issues it would cause.

I could use some silicone spray to waterproof the foam as a precaution so it doesn't trap or hold any moisture and use it in combination with the other things mentioned.

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M&P FS 9mm

You can buy VPI paper in a lot of places. If it's good enough for S&W factory who am I to argue.

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Back to back World War Champs.

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks sells moisture inhibiting paper. They ship all their tools in it. Probably can get it cheaper somewhere else but I bought a tube of this five years or so ago and still have plenty.

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks USA | Uniwrap

I suppose it's fitting, their tools and our guns are about equally valuable. (I have quite a few of their planes, I like the Stanley originals but they're getting too valuable to use)

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Minimize the variables

Where can I get it?

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1241

LN makes great tools. I have several LN planes and other tools as well. Expensive, but they work great. Have never regretted anything I bought from LN.

Also don't put a hot gun in contact with the foam it will melt pretty easily!

Wax, I use Johnson's paste wax or better yet renaissance wax.

Put a few coats on the gun.

3

Nothing is foolproof. If silicone will keep water out, it will keep it in. Be absolutely sure your gun is dry before storing this way.

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Freedom isn't free.