I keep a golden rod in the safe and run a dehumidifier in manland. My nominal humidity is 38-42% in the room. The safe is lower because of the sealed door and golden rod. What's the ideal humidity for guns and ammo?
ideal humidity
- Thread starter flundertaker
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I believe zero would be the ideal humidity. Here in Colorado we are pretty dry. I don't bothering oiling the outside of my guns, they do not rust as there just isn't any moisture in the air so the closer to zero, the better.
Stu
Stu
OP
That was my initial thought as well but in very low humidity environments I have seen wood furniture dry out and crack so I would be concerned about stocks doing the same. I think some humidity is a good thing I just don't know how much.
MichiganScott
Member
The NRA National Firearms Museum recommends 70 degrees and 50% humidity for firearms.
I believe wood cracks and warps from differential shrinkage. The outside dries before the inside, so it literally pulls itself apart. If you ever talk to a stockmaker, they will wax the ends of the wood and dry it slowly over a period of 2-3 years before working with it. It can be vacuum kiln dried, but they still prefer to let it sit.
I believe wood cracks and warps from differential shrinkage. The outside dries before the inside, so it literally pulls itself apart. If you ever talk to a stockmaker, they will wax the ends of the wood and dry it slowly over a period of 2-3 years before working with it. It can be vacuum kiln dried, but they still prefer to let it sit.
Hummm, interesting thought on the wood. I have a slew of S&W's from the 60's and on and haven't seen a sotck crack yet. Average summer humidity in Colorado is around 10-20% with a really hot day hitting 5%. I don't think I've ever heard of a grip crack yet due to dryness.
Stu
Stu
So what is the rest of the house like?
MichiganScott
Member
I haven't either. I suspect that's because the wood is properly dried before being formed into grips and then slowly absorbs moisture from the air. Usually the humidity in a home doesn't change fast enough to cause the cracking.
I will say I've had paint on my walls hairline crack during the winter when I painted during the summer when the humidity is 80% plus.
I'm thinking the less humid the better as for rust prevention, while some humidity may be ok to prevent problems with wood, etc. but I really don't know.
I have a question for the OP. What dehumidifier are you running?
I have a question for the OP. What dehumidifier are you running?
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70% humidity 70 degrees F - - for my HUMIDOR of course 
I would think that a humidity level of under 35% - 40% would cause problems with wood stocks drying out and checking. Your metal however would be very happy.
I would think that a humidity level of under 35% - 40% would cause problems with wood stocks drying out and checking. Your metal however would be very happy.
Very interesting thread. My guns are in kept in their safe which is in my woodshop where the temps are allowed to drop to 42 when I'm not in there and can hit 80 during the summer months. Humidity between 5 and 50%. Lots of wooden grips both on guns and in a pile and never even thought of a grip cracking much less seeing one crack. Has anyone here ever seen a grip crack because of a lack of humidity?
Stu
Stu
Although I've seen lots of cracked grips, stocks, etc, have no idea what caused it. I can see where ultra dry environment could cause wood to shrink where musical instruments, etc may crack or seperate but solid wood, I just don't know. Low humidity in Okla has never been an issue I'm aware of so high humidity and rust is more of a concern to me.
As was mentioned above, 70 degrees and 50% humidity is the "ideal". I have been pretty well able to main that in my vault.
jepp2
Member
From the responses you have an ideal temperature for metal and an ideal temperature for the steel portions of the revolvers. Ammo also have an ideal temperature that is different from the handguns. So revisiting your original question, "what are you most interested in"?
OP
Based on the responses, I dont have the luxury of having space, equipment or technology to have individual "ideal" humidity for my ammo, guns, cigars, etc. I guess I will have to settle for a compromise for them all. I can control the temperature and have no problem maintaining 75*. Five degrees cooler would be costly, especially in the summer and I dont really think 5* would make a significant difference. Humidity I can keep between 38-42%. This may be a little low for the wood but I think 50% is too high for ammo and powder. I appreciate the feedback.
Intheshop
Member
We "shoot" for 60-70 degrees and 50% humidity here.
Lot's of $$ equipment and a small hoard of figured woods.The woods(we build traditional archery bows/gunstocks/period furniture)are tolerant of a little more or less humidity......but really try to keep it consistent.IOW,s...avoid big swings.
I usually avoid these threads because they seem to be so geographical?What goes on in the SW has not a lot to do with the deep SE?Further geographics within one's house/building.....meaning,I'd be interested(JMO)in controlling the whole house as much as say,just a safe?
Lot's of $$ equipment and a small hoard of figured woods.The woods(we build traditional archery bows/gunstocks/period furniture)are tolerant of a little more or less humidity......but really try to keep it consistent.IOW,s...avoid big swings.
I usually avoid these threads because they seem to be so geographical?What goes on in the SW has not a lot to do with the deep SE?Further geographics within one's house/building.....meaning,I'd be interested(JMO)in controlling the whole house as much as say,just a safe?
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