Storing documents,jewelry,guns,ammo in a Safe?

COASTER · June 10, 2014, 10:48 PM

Hi folks,

I am wondering if you have any experience in storing jewelry,documents,guns and ammo in the same safe? Does this mix cause any damage to documents and jewelry? I cannot afford to get two separate safes due to how small my apartment is so I need to make do with one safe. Appreciate any advice.

Jay24bal · June 11, 2014, 12:13 AM

Just don't set the guns on top of the documents (where the oil can transfer to the paper), and you should be fine.

If you are concerned, buy a small, document fire box and place it inside the safe to store the documents in.

COASTER · June 12, 2014, 09:37 PM

Thank you Jay24bal.
My concern was mostly if the lead in the ammo/gun would corrode any gold or silver jewelry that I might store in the same place.

kilimanjaro · June 12, 2014, 10:28 PM

Don't over-oil the guns and you should be fine.

I've stored papers, coins, jewelry, in with the guns for 35 years, with no ill effects to anything.

COASTER · June 13, 2014, 10:25 PM

Kilimanjaro-
I sure appreciate your insight. Sure feel better now!
Thanks

Jay24bal · June 13, 2014, 10:34 PM

Huh, I never even considered that the different metals may react.

While I do not have 35 years of experience like Kiliamenjaro to back it up, I have not seen any signs of such reactions after 10ish years (I am only 28!).

Good luck.

stephen426 · June 13, 2014, 10:55 PM

Be sure to keep a rechargeable desiccant pack in your safe if you live in a humid area! Otherwise your guns can rust and your documents can mold. I keep 3 rechargeable dehumidifiers and rotate them out one at a time to charge. If you get a large safe, there is a product called Golden Rod that is basically a heating element. It is supposed to work my heating up the air and forcing out moist air. Be careful not to place any items that can damaged by heat too close to the heating rod. Papers will yellow or brown if placed too close. Jewelry should be fine in the safe. Silver will tarnish no matter what you do. Gold, platinum, and diamonds should be fine.

COASTER · June 15, 2014, 09:59 PM

Jay24bal and Stephen426

Jay24bal- Thank you for your comments-

Stephen426- Thank you and I will make sure to invest into dessicants for my safe-

PT-92 · June 16, 2014, 01:10 PM

Can't personally speak to the potential adverse effects of metallic storage non/reaction but I am glad I read the thread to see others comments here just in case I do so in the future (learn something new every day in the forums!).

However, in the many years I have been storing my modest collection of firearms I have never purchased a more important, cheap and easy solution than the aforementioned Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifiers

! Literally these things should be required Basic Storage 101 items as the return on a say roughly a $50 investment (depending on quantity and type) render years of rust-free guns.

While I do meticulously maintain all of my valuables including firearms, my stuff is located in a basement which in the Mid-West can be subject to Extreme Gulf moisture/humidity (forget immigration, if they could just find a way to keep that awful humidity from crossing the southern border it would be Fantastic

).

June 10, 2014, 10:48 PM	#1
COASTER Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Posts: 81	Storing documents,jewelry,guns,ammo in a Safe? Hi folks, I am wondering if you have any experience in storing jewelry,documents,guns and ammo in the same safe? Does this mix cause any damage to documents and jewelry? I cannot afford to get two separate safes due to how small my apartment is so I need to make do with one safe. Appreciate any advice.

June 11, 2014, 12:13 AM	#2
Jay24bal Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 735	Just don't set the guns on top of the documents (where the oil can transfer to the paper), and you should be fine. If you are concerned, buy a small, document fire box and place it inside the safe to store the documents in. __________________ I like guns. Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " Jay24bal "

June 13, 2014, 10:34 PM	#6
Jay24bal Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 735	Huh, I never even considered that the different metals may react. While I do not have 35 years of experience like Kiliamenjaro to back it up, I have not seen any signs of such reactions after 10ish years (I am only 28!). Good luck. __________________ I like guns. Once Fired Brass, Top quality, Fast shipping, Best prices. http://300AacBrass.com/ -10% Coupon use code " Jay24bal "

June 13, 2014, 10:55 PM	#7
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	Be sure to keep a rechargeable desiccant pack in your safe if you live in a humid area! Otherwise your guns can rust and your documents can mold. I keep 3 rechargeable dehumidifiers and rotate them out one at a time to charge. If you get a large safe, there is a product called Golden Rod that is basically a heating element. It is supposed to work my heating up the air and forcing out moist air. Be careful not to place any items that can damaged by heat too close to the heating rod. Papers will yellow or brown if placed too close. Jewelry should be fine in the safe. Silver will tarnish no matter what you do. Gold, platinum, and diamonds should be fine. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

June 16, 2014, 01:10 PM	#9
PT-92 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2007 Location: "Undisclosed Bunker" Posts: 1,464	Can't personally speak to the potential adverse effects of metallic storage non/reaction but I am glad I read the thread to see others comments here just in case I do so in the future (learn something new every day in the forums!). However, in the many years I have been storing my modest collection of firearms I have never purchased a more important, cheap and easy solution than the aforementioned *Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifiers* ! Literally these things should be required Basic Storage 101 items as the return on a say roughly a $50 investment (depending on quantity and type) render years of rust-free guns. While I do meticulously maintain all of my valuables including firearms, my stuff is located in a basement which in the Mid-West can be subject to Extreme Gulf moisture/humidity (forget immigration, if they could just find a way to keep that awful humidity from crossing the southern border it would be Fantastic ). __________________ NRA Life Member “A free people ought...to be armed..." ―George Washington

June 12, 2014, 09:37 PM	#3
COASTER Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Posts: 81	Thank you Jay24bal. My concern was mostly if the lead in the ammo/gun would corrode any gold or silver jewelry that I might store in the same place.

June 12, 2014, 10:28 PM	#4
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Don't over-oil the guns and you should be fine. I've stored papers, coins, jewelry, in with the guns for 35 years, with no ill effects to anything.

June 13, 2014, 10:25 PM	#5
COASTER Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Posts: 81	Kilimanjaro- I sure appreciate your insight. Sure feel better now! Thanks

June 15, 2014, 09:59 PM	#8
COASTER Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Posts: 81	Jay24bal and Stephen426 Jay24bal- Thank you for your comments- Stephen426- Thank you and I will make sure to invest into dessicants for my safe-