Storage

odugrad · June 21, 2013, 02:41 PM

I was just on the semiauto rifle forum and someone said a rifle should not be stored in the case it is bought in. I store all my handguns in their cases locked up and have never had any issues.

Should handguns be stored in their cases? If not, where?

Thanks.

Bluestarlizzard · June 21, 2013, 02:49 PM

Do you have a humity problem where you live?

Sorry, you live in virginia! So do I! So, yes, humidity is an issue!

Desecant pouches or tins will help if you need to keep them in cases. Hard plastic cases without foam would be best.
Foam, cardboard, anything that absorbs moisture is bad.

Airflow and dehumidifer is best bet.

Doyle · June 21, 2013, 02:49 PM

No. Cases trap moisture and promote rust. Yes, there are various protectant oils you can use to mitigate this but the best solution by far is to not let the firearms sit in a moist environment at all. That means no case and the use of come kind of moisture control devise within the safe.

**Mal H** · June 21, 2013, 02:51 PM

If you're talking about the plastic case most handguns come in without a foam lining, that's fine. You didn't say which rifle thread you were reading, but most likely they were saying don't store a rifle in the cardboard box most rifles are shipped and sold in in. Even those boxes are probably ok for storage in a dry atmosphere, but I can see how cardboard could cause some moisture retention/rusting issues.

SaxonPig · June 21, 2013, 02:52 PM

I ruined my first shotgun by storing in a padded case. rusted all over. The metal need to be kept free of moisture and stored in a way that allows air to circulate around it. No padding.

odugrad · June 21, 2013, 03:09 PM

I have Sig and Springfield cases. They have the plastic type foam not the soft fabric type foam. Do you think these would be okay?

Bluestarlizzard · June 21, 2013, 03:12 PM

No foam. All those little air bubbles trap moisture.

absolute0 · June 22, 2013, 08:26 AM

Do yourself a favor and buy a bunch of the soft cloth, silicon impregnated sack-up style cases. They're about 4 bucks each and will protect your guns against incidental contact in the safe as well as corrosion.

g.willikers · June 22, 2013, 05:25 PM

Storing in cases is ok, with precautions.
It's important not to let the guns lie down flat in the cases.
Store them stock down instead, so there's space between gun and case.
Spraying the inside of the soft case with silicone helps, too, as does the afore mentioned socks.
Lube them liberally, in addition, and all should be well for many months, at least.
That's the way mine are stored in very humid conditions most of the year, without any problem.

oldgunsmith · June 22, 2013, 06:49 PM

Since an old girlfriend years ago "invented" the "recycled Levi" gun case that's what I use, if anything, to keep one in for any length of time. She'd cut off the legs and sew them together end to end, then sew one end shut. They can breathe and it doesn't take up any extra room in the safe. The gun, of course, still needs to be lubed for storage.

June 21, 2013, 02:41 PM	#1
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: The East Coast Posts: 477	Storage I was just on the semiauto rifle forum and someone said a rifle should not be stored in the case it is bought in. I store all my handguns in their cases locked up and have never had any issues. Should handguns be stored in their cases? If not, where? Thanks.

June 21, 2013, 02:49 PM	#2
Bluestarlizzard Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 347	Do you have a humity problem where you live? Sorry, you live in virginia! So do I! So, yes, humidity is an issue! Desecant pouches or tins will help if you need to keep them in cases. Hard plastic cases without foam would be best. Foam, cardboard, anything that absorbs moisture is bad. Airflow and dehumidifer is best bet. __________________ Mal: "If anyone gets nosy, just...you know... shoot 'em. " Zoe: "Shoot 'em?" Mal: "Politely."

June 21, 2013, 03:12 PM	#7
Bluestarlizzard Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 347	No foam. All those little air bubbles trap moisture. __________________ Mal: "If anyone gets nosy, just...you know... shoot 'em. " Zoe: "Shoot 'em?" Mal: "Politely."

June 22, 2013, 08:26 AM	#8
absolute0 Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2005 Location: Zimmerman, MN Posts: 242	Do yourself a favor and buy a bunch of the soft cloth, silicon impregnated sack-up style cases. They're about 4 bucks each and will protect your guns against incidental contact in the safe as well as corrosion. __________________ "Ice to See You" -McBain

June 22, 2013, 05:25 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Storing in cases is ok, with precautions. It's important not to let the guns lie down flat in the cases. Store them stock down instead, so there's space between gun and case. Spraying the inside of the soft case with silicone helps, too, as does the afore mentioned socks. Lube them liberally, in addition, and all should be well for many months, at least. That's the way mine are stored in very humid conditions most of the year, without any problem. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

June 21, 2013, 02:49 PM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	No. Cases trap moisture and promote rust. Yes, there are various protectant oils you can use to mitigate this but the best solution by far is to not let the firearms sit in a moist environment at all. That means no case and the use of come kind of moisture control devise within the safe.

June 21, 2013, 02:51 PM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	If you're talking about the plastic case most handguns come in without a foam lining, that's fine. You didn't say which rifle thread you were reading, but most likely they were saying don't store a rifle in the cardboard box most rifles are shipped and sold in in. Even those boxes are probably ok for storage in a dry atmosphere, but I can see how cardboard could cause some moisture retention/rusting issues.

June 21, 2013, 02:52 PM	#5
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	I ruined my first shotgun by storing in a padded case. rusted all over. The metal need to be kept free of moisture and stored in a way that allows air to circulate around it. No padding.

June 21, 2013, 03:09 PM	#6
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: The East Coast Posts: 477	I have Sig and Springfield cases. They have the plastic type foam not the soft fabric type foam. Do you think these would be okay?

June 22, 2013, 06:49 PM	#10
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	Since an old girlfriend years ago "invented" the "recycled Levi" gun case that's what I use, if anything, to keep one in for any length of time. She'd cut off the legs and sew them together end to end, then sew one end shut. They can breathe and it doesn't take up any extra room in the safe. The gun, of course, still needs to be lubed for storage.