Storing Guns in Foam Padded Cases

[Onomea]

Have always read that was a no-no, storing guns in foam lined cases, because the foam holds moisture.

I recently acquired a gun in a satin covered, foam padded, leather presentation case. The gun is from the mid 1980s, but it looked to me like a previous owner had probably relined the case himself at some point. The foam beneath the satin was deformed and crumbling to powder, so I removed it, along with the satin covering, with the intent of refurbishing it.

Looking online for suitable foam, I found a company called Case Club (Case Club - Manufacturer of Hard Sided Cases & Custom Foam Inserts) which specializes in gun cases and in foam. The site explains that there are different types of foam. Polyurethane foam is open cell foam and holds water. Polyethylene is closed cell and does not. So I ordered some polyethylene.

I followed up with an email inquiry, explaining that I'd always heard that foam was not good for gun storage, asking their opinion. Received a prompt reply saying that all their gun cases used polyethylene, that polyethylene with a desiccant and a waterproof case was the way to go, and adding that pluckable foam, for example, is polyurethane...

I also asked if gun oil would damage polyethylene, to which the resonse was no, it would not.

Anyway, I find this interesting and pass it on.

[Yendor357]

I won’t store my guns in a case of any sort, not for more than a few days. Guns have to breathe. My gun closet is dry concrete blocks all around with a heavy steel door. I have a forced air furnace/ac duct in there for air circulation. In 30 years, I’ve never had a speck of rust.

Closed cell foam is way better than the sponge type of foam. But me personally, I wouldn’t do it for long unless the gun was covered with cosmoline. I absolutely detest rust on a gun of any sort. Rust is just dumb neglect that is so very easily prevented.

They’ve made fuel tanks out of plastic for years now, so I wouldn’t think a little oil would break down a good quality closed cell foam.

Gun in a case? Not me.

[rockquarry]

If I couldn't keep long guns or handguns in a safe, I'd store them in a closet uncased and wipe them down annually with a lightly oiled soft cloth.
Leave bores and cylinders oiled as well. If you have incredibly high humidity and/or your home is not air-conditioned, wipe them down twice a year. You should have no problem with rust.

[THE PILGRIM]

Repost- back when I ran I Buy Guns Ads,
Get a call.
Would you be interested in a WIN Model 61?
What’s your address?
When I get there it’s laying on the dining table on an unzipped sheepskin wool lined case.
The side showing is fantastic ! High 90s.
I pick it up and look at the other side.
Made me want to cry! Heavy, ugly pitting end to end!
It had apparently been stored laying flat for a long time in that sheepskin.

[Onomea]

My post, this thread, is making me reflect upon the purpose of gun cases. Most, I think, are for travel, a way of keeping the gun secure in transit. I think this was likely as true in the past as it is today. I bet those beautiful old English and French fitted double rifle cases, for example, were designed for getting your rifle from, say, Paris or London to Kenya. At home or on safari, they probably were not used to store the guns.

(At least if you knew what you were doing... Maybe when Lord Humphrey Bisdale Acleby III wanted one of his rifles, he'd say, "Bertie, get me my .416 Rigby!," and Bertie would go to the gun closet, get the carefully stored rifle off the rack, wipe it down, put it in its case, and take it back to Lord Humphrey and present it to him....)

Today we still have presentation cases in use. We often see them for beautiful Smith revolvers on this site. And there are guys who refurbish them beautifully. What are these used for, do you think?

My guess is, again, not for storage.

My guess is for display. Maybe displayed in the home, or maybe if taken to a gathering of like-minded friends as a conversation piece.

Thinking about why I am refurbishing the case I mention above, I think part of it is trying to make the gun look like it was when it was new. Maybe it is like guys who like to keep, maintain or find original boxes, although I have never been into that.

Also, i would think, for display, like putting a favored picture in a frame for the wall.

My interest is not for storage, as I agree with the posters above who cite better storage methods.

I do think, though, if one is going to refurbish a foam lined case, it makes sense to use the polyethylene foam.

There's Huey gun cases, for example. Extremely high end and beautiful. Surely guys buy those simply because when displaying their guns they enhance the beauty of the gun.

For those of you who have nice presentation cases, especially older cases, or who have bought nice ones, how and why do you have or use them?

How about some pics?!

[Yaworski]

Most of my guns are in Doskocil boxes with foam. No rust issues after decades.

[djohns6]

So when I see people say that you should never store guns in a foam lined case , or a cardboard box , or a gun sock , etc. it makes me chuckle . Once again somebody telling me that I shouldn't do something that I have been doing successfully for nearly 50 yrs . Yeah , I'll get right on that ...

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by djohns6

So when I see people say that you should never store guns in a foam lined case , or a cardboard box , or a gun sock , etc. it makes me chuckle . Once again somebody telling me that I shouldn't do something that I have been doing successfully for nearly 50 yrs . Yeah , I'll get right on that ...

I think people were just offering helpful suggestions, not mandating you change your ways.

[Oldengineer]

Those of us that live in Arizona don’t seem to fully understand what this is all about!

[glowe]

There is no polymer foam that is capable of rusting steel. That is how simple the answer is, as all foams are made from petrochemical feedstocks. There are no chemicals in foam that attack metals. Water, on the other hand can and does rust steel. High humidity will penetrate the foam and if the revolver is stored in a humid environment, it will rust. Degradation of plastic as it oxidizes over time results in a VOC being dispersed. That is a gas that all petrochemicals expel as they deteriorate, including oils and fuels.

These cases are called "Presentation" and that is just what they were built for. I believe that eye appeal sold many S&W 44 Magnums over another brand because of how they looked in the store.

[DWalt]

I screwed up the finish of my as-new Hi-Standard .22 Olympic rapid fire pistol by storing it in a foam-lined plastic pistol carrying case. A sad story.

[RobertK3026]

I store all my Springfield's in there foam lined cases and I store my S&W ones in a Pelican foamed lined case for 40 years, but I add desiccant packs that I get from electronic shipping boxes, oil regularly and use Mothers Mag Polish on the surface.

[johngalt]

I store mine both rugs and foam padded cases. Never had any rust issues.

[GypsmJim]

The only "cases" own are ones that I built myself. Either from scratch or a re-do of an old silverware case.

I don't get the "foam" approach. Why do that? My cases are wood, with wood separators between the gun or guns. Then I cover the inside with either felt or velvet.

Like others have said, they have been sitting there for 50 years with no rust.

[Oldengineer]

My wife has commented that she wishes that I touched her as much as my Smiths! I’m working on it. I have a dedicated dirty (?) microfiber cloth basket �� for the weekly laundry. Old t-shirts get included. Maybe I don’t have enough Smiths?

[waffles]

I use those silicone impregnated gun socks then inside the safe (or sans sock if it's something I use a lot or don't care about). Foam cases are for to the range and back, not long term storage.

[sophie]

Originally Posted by Yaworski

Most of my guns are in Doskocil boxes with foam. No rust issues after decades.

Originally Posted by djohns6

So when I see people say that you should never store guns in a foam lined case , or a cardboard box , or a gun sock , etc. it makes me chuckle . Once again somebody telling me that I shouldn't do something that I have been doing successfully for nearly 50 yrs . Yeah , I'll get right on that ...

Well, me too guys. I always enjoy reading the warnings coming from every direction about storing guns in boxes with foam or pistol rugs for any length of time because of rust forming on surfaces. For foam to hold moisture you’ve got to have water present, right? Dry foam doesn’t create moisture, does it? Nope, it doesn’t. I’ve got pistols that’s been stored in brief cases with foam for 45 years. No rust on my guns. I actually wrap my pistols in red shop rags and wrap the guns in anti rust paper too whether they be in foam cases or gun rugs. I’ll admit the guns are not exposed directly to the foam, but I’ll not change at this point in the game.

[bluetopper]

All my handguns are in a locked up store room in the garage area in zip up rugs in a safe with a light bulb on. Have been for years. No problems.

[Nevada Ed]

When I was in the Navy and sent to be with the CB's;

all our Colt 45's and Rifles, etc, were packed in wooden boxs, without any foam, as the way for storage and shipping ot our destinations.

Humidity is what you need to keep from your guns, or at least a good cleaning and grease every 60-90 days, if you live in Guam or Florida.

[djohns6]

Keep your safe dry and wipe your fingerprints off of your guns before storing . I keep a couple of old well worn baby diapers to wipe down with . 100% cotton and very absorbent . A cup of silica gel on the shelf . No rust .

[Roofuss]

Originally Posted by Oldengineer

Those of us that live in Arizona don’t seem to fully understand what this is all about!

LOL !
Yep, lived in Arizona for 35 + years and I just stored my guns in my Fort Knox safe, never had any issues when dealing with very low humidity levels. We moved to Montana several years ago..and now its a somewhat different story. My safe has a couple electric warming rods, and 2 de-humidifiers and had no issues .

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Last year I purchased a new in case Colt Python Hunter...1980-'81 vintage. The foam in the Zero-Halliburton case had disintegrated over time...it had a reputation for that. There was bits of foam all through the revolver...the brass Colt/Leupold disc on the scope had turned green as had the brass on the cleaning brush handle.

It took time to clean everything up to like new again...no worse for the wear but it shouldn't have been allowed to happen. I added new reproduction foam to the case and all is as it should be. I do not store the revolver in the foam...it's kept in a safe.

Foam cases are to transport a firearm in safely...not a long-term storage option.

[Onomea]

Thanks for posting the pic of your refurbishment, Snidely. That's pretty much what I am intending to do. I'm also considering flocking, which doesn't look that hard, but am unsure as to how well it works on foam. (I'm thinking foam may flex to much for the flocking to remain adhered properly...)

Edited to add: I looked up Zero Halliburton cases. Very nice indeed!

Anybody else have examples of presentation cases to show us?

[Ματθιας]

I have a stripped lower that I put in foam lined Walmart special small clamshell gun storage case many years ago. I forgot all about it and a year or two later when moving some stuff I found the box. When I opened the box the lower had the same pattern of the foam stained on the receiver. It was a pain to get off!

[Narragansett]

My rifles are stored open in a gun safe. My handguns are stored in pistol rugs, some felt and some foam and I have never had a spec of rust, discoloration or a freckle, and there is nobody fussier than me.

Back in 68, I had a lawyer friend that i shot with ask me about how I took care of my guns. I told him oily rag. He have me an 8" square piece of real lambs wool and a can of Kel All pure industrial grade silicone. He showed me, treat the wool with silicone, rub it into the fibers, and wipe your gun down. Retreat the wool from time to time.

Since then I have never used another product and never seen a spec of rust. Now, I must say, I do wipe them down every 3 months or so.

My silicone is available at many hardware stores, and a can lasts 10 years. Probably a 10-12 oz can. This is pure, no petroleum additives.

Why lambs wool, because the fibers get into everywhere including screw slots. Remember real lambs wool. Buy a skin with a few friends, and cut it up into squares.

My product is from Kelloggs Professional Products in Sandusky , Ohio.

You will not be sorry. Oh, and a treated piece of wool lasts 10+ years.

No Rem Oil for me

[Tom S.]

Originally Posted by Onomea

Anybody else have examples of presentation cases to show us?

Here's the case that came with my 629:

[Tom S.]

Here's the case that came with my Model 57:

[skwchock]

Thanks for sharing this information. It was useful...

[Onomea]

Very nice, Tom! Thanks for posting the pix. Now those beautiful cases are clearly for display and not for travel. I like the glass front/top.

[TOM BECKWITH]

S&W used foam in the 41 and 52 boxes for a short period. As I recall in the A500,000 range. That foam has some breakdown problems - probably oil related. No metal damage I noted.

[SSGRock]

A few years ago I started wiping my pistols down with oil then put them in a plastic bag and store in shipping box.

[growr]

I have been saving all of the silica packets that come in medicine bottles and save them to store inside the cases of my firearms, handguns get two packets, long guns get 3...

Never had a rust issue on any of them even though they are in original cardboard or foam lined cases.

Randy

[ISCS Yoda]

I guess all of my handguns not out and about for home defense use are stored in gun socks or gun rugs and most of my long guns are in gun socks or stored "nekkid". If I didn't use external protection the guns would touch each other and risk being scratched.

Hmmmm....I have one rifle stored in its original case and it is foam padded. l have to look at that.

[Hoosierville IRN]

Originally Posted by DWalt

I screwed up the finish of my as-new Hi-Standard .22 Olympic rapid fire pistol by storing it in a foam-lined plastic pistol carrying case. A sad story.

Me too. In my case a once beautiful Gold Cup National Match.

Have not had issues with fabric or fleece lined pistol rugs. Oil 'em up and stick them in! I check them every few months just to be sure they are okay.

[.38SuperMan]

In my career if 55 years I was a commercial photographer. Through much of my career I stored cameras and lenses in cases with closed cell phone. Halliburton, Pelican and many others use closed cell phone in their cases. Granted guns are valuable but professional cameras and lenses are way more expensive than the average gun. Motion picture lenses can easily exceed $100,000 for a set of lenses and a single Hasselblad digital camera without a lens can run $85,000.

In the 55 years I was in the biz I never say a camera or lens damaged from closed cell foam.

I have a few guns in cases with foam but typically have my handguns in high quality gun rugs. I take them out a couple of times a year and wipe them down with a silicon cloth and run an oiled patch through the chambers and barrels. My king guns are in another safe and not in a case or sock. The humidity in my home runs on average45% and in my king gun safe I have a goldenrod just for safety. Even then I take them out a couple of times a year and wipe them down and run an oily swab through the barrrl. Again I’ve never had a problem.

[Drm50]

A few years ago a guy I knew passed. His boy inherited the guns and had no use for them. Everytime I saw him for the next 3 years he kept saying he was bringing guns up and making me a deal on them. Finally he comes up one night with guns. He had bought those $20 plastic, foam lined cases for the long guns and stored them in his basement. When you opened case guns looked new. The bottom sides were rusted so bad they were fused into the foam. Caused by condensation in non ventilated storage. The vinyl soft cases can do same thing.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

I've kept a P35 in it's fleece lined zippered case in since I bought it new in 1972.....No issues.......My 41 lives in another zippered fleece lined case......Again NO problems.......As I have told ya before a lot of my handguns live in foot socks.......No problems.......Even held at gun point I'd NEVER put a gun in a plastic bag to store......Maybe only if you wanted to hide it in the towelette tank when you have to use the bathroom.

[FZ1UKS&W]

I use Midway USA silicone treated pistol rugs for all of my guns. A friend turned me on to them. He's been using them since the early 80's and it shows. Just like everyone else a little treatment throw them in the rugs park em in your safe rinse and repeat every so often. These rugs are made well and inexpensive. I also keep 6 x 6 desiccant pack all over my safe. I get them by the thousands for free(too expensive at the LGS) so I switch them out every month or so even though I don't need to, but it keeps them dry for sure!

[Echo40]

I've had several guns stored in the foam-lined cases they shipped in, dating all the way back to 2015, yet none of them have ever rusted.

Meanwhile, I've had two guns rust on me which had been stored inside of a safe for a mere 6 months.

You can store firearms in foam-lined cases, and they won't rust unless you're living somewhere with absurdly high humidity, don't oil your guns at all, and can't be bothered to toss a desiccant pack or two in there.

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I store most handguns...whether in a box or a rug...in vapor treated paper from Brownell's...blued handguns in particular.

BROWNELLS GUNWRAP™ PAPER

[Onomea]

I am pleased how my refurbishing the inside of the case turned out.





I used two one-inch and one half-inch layer of polyethylene foam, cut to case size. To make the layers fit flush in the lid and the lower half of the case, I needed to thin two of the foam pieces. I used a bread knife on a cutting board, with a thin book under the point of the knife to keep the far edge of the foam cut in place while I eyeballed the front edge as I cut.

The four-layer fit was pretty good, but to get the corners of the lower half insert perfectly flush with the top edge of the lower half, I sliced four thin shims off the remaining foam, one for each corner, placing them below the second bottom layer, beneath the layer under the gun.

To cut the one-inch layer to fit the revolver and extra cylinder, I made outlines of both on a thin piece of cardboard, cut along the outlines with an X-acto knife, and then pinned the outline to the foam. Following the cardboard outline, I used a thin box cutter and the X-acto knife to cut the foam.

[hardknocks]

I ruined a WW2 CZ27 I got from my grandfather
Stored in a zippered gun rug.
That's a fact. Depressing.
Ymmv
Good luck