How to store guns in a safe - boxed or unboxed ?

Florida Guy

Florida Guy

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Wondering if the effects of humidity will effect a gun more if left exposed in a safe (like on a gun rack).
I will be buying a safe in the next few days.
 
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Cardboard is a moisture attractant, especially in a humid environment, so it's not an ideal storage option. Personally, I use pistol racks in the safe with dehumidifier rods and dessicant containers placed around. I find applying some Breakfree CLP on my blued guns periodically keep the finish rust free. Wax on nickel finish guns and stainless steel pieces are nearly maintenance free. I have never stored arms in the newer plastic cases so I can't offer any opinion on doing so. A dehumidifier rod and dessicants are a good investment. Good luck.

Cheers;
Lefty
 
I've been looking at those Bore Store covers and wonder if they really work. I know they would help in not letting the gun get nicked up.
 
I also live in Florida. Try to find a safe that has a cut out for a plug in heater like a Golden Rod or similar. I have been told that an incandescent bulb will do the same thing but I don’t care for the thought of breaking a glass bulb in my safe. They do make those rubber coated safety bulbs though but they aren’t cheap. I also use about twice if not three times the recommended amount of desiccant packs. I take them out monthly or when I can remember and dry them back out in the oven. I have no idea how long I can get away with doing that but it has been a year now. My guns all set in vinyl coated racks. The vinyl is supposed to be safer at not rubbing bluing off than felt. I’m still not sure on that one though. I have seen plenty of rub marks from guns left in felt racks but I haven’t known anyone long enough that had vinyl coated racks long enough to see the results. I wipe grease on steel guns that wear rubber stocks and if they aren’t going to be used any time soon then I remove the wood and set them in the closet since I’m not trying to dry out the wood. Hogue and Uncle Mikes don’t seem to be true rubber ( I think they are Santoprene) but the Pachmayrs are pure rubber so I Armor All them so they don’t dry out and shrink or grow white powder. I try not to open the safe more than I really should since all that does is rush the humidity right back in and trap it yet again. My safe is also in the house in the A/C but all that does is cut a minor amount of the humidity from the air. That is about all I can think of to recommend.
 
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I keep mine in silicone treated gun socks. Cases are kept in a separate cabinet.
 
older handguns w/original boxes are stored in their box w/gun RIG'd and wrapped in wax paper. Never had a problem with moisture that way. Newer stuff goes in silicone treated gun socks which I also use for long guns. Protects against dings and have never had a rust problem despite the high humidity around here.
 
Mine all go into silicone treated gunsocks then I stack them up in the safe for space saving reasons. You can get a lot more guns in the safe without the boxes.
 
I've had the same (unlined, unfireproofed 25 cu ft.) safe for 24 years, in 3 houses. Even in this swamp, all I've used is 1 18 watt Goldenrod, running continuously. Guns boxed and in gunrugs (not recommended, but I have had no problems) because it seems most folks discard the boxes. Gives me a reason to go in every month or so and check on them. As long as the safe is in your "living space" (their comfort range is similar to humans) you should be good to go. Enjoy. Joe
 
desi2358 said:
older handguns w/original boxes are stored in their box w/gun RIG'd and wrapped in wax paper. Never had a problem with moisture that way.
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This sounds OK to me. The key element here is RIG on the guns, and anything that won't rub off the RIG or be damaged by it. When I have it, I use S&W paper. If not, I RIG the gun particularly carefully and drop it in a plastic bag, which protects the foam or whatever in the box. Most of my guns in the safe are in boxes. A few are not, but are RIGGED.

"My" method has been tested by several years storage in a storage shed in Norfolk, VA. It worked.
 
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