Long-term rifle storage

odugrad · October 21, 2021, 10:21 AM

This is probably a question for our resident metallurgists.

Lots of materials will erode or degrade over time. Is the same true for gun barrels, bolts, etc.?

In other words, does long-term rifle storage in a safe or case lead to a breakdown of the metals or components of a rifle?

Thanks, all!

rickyrick · October 21, 2021, 11:27 AM

If stored cleaned, dry and lubed will go a long time.
Some cases can make moisture problems worse.

The old Russian rifles packed in cosmoline (Grease type substance is all I know about it) look like the day they were stored when you get it all cleaned back off.

Clean, dry and lube is the key.

BobCat45 · October 21, 2021, 01:28 PM

I cannot speak to wood or polymers, but the steel and aluminum alloys used in rifles are stable over time (unless exposed to very high temperatures) but they are subject to rust and corrosion.

I recall reading that cosmoline is basically the same petroleum jelly sold under the brand name "Vaseline", but thinned for application (it thickens when the carrier evaporates).

If you google cosmoline you will find all sorts of commercial sources. One brand name I know and trust is Rust-Veto.

odugrad · October 21, 2021, 01:53 PM

Gotcha. Thanks for the info.

I just wasn't sure if the integrity of the metal or anything got compromised with time.

If guns are cleaned and lubed when stored is there a need to periodically pull them out and re-lube them?

Shadow9mm · October 21, 2021, 04:13 PM

Depends on the lube used and storage conditions. If property oiled with a good oil, in a cool dry environment, could easily go years without issue.

Moisture is a tricky thing. For wood stocks, too much will make it swell, too little will make it dry out.

In relation to steel, it causes oxidization, aka rust. Thus keep Moisture low, but not bone dry if your dealing with wood stocks.

Temperature plays a part too. Heat increases the speed of chemical reactions. Heat also allows the air to hold more moisture drying things out. Cold Temps slow chemical reactions. But don't hold as much Moisture and can cause condensation causing rust.

Most guns are stored at room temp in a house leaving Moisture control as the main variable. There are 2 options I am aware of. Silica gel packs to absorb moisture. And golden rods that add a little heat to prevent condensation.

The main defense will be your oil if stored long term. I have tried many, rem oil, weapon shield, break free clp, frog lube, slip 2000, Lucas, Lucas extreme duty, ballistol and eezox, to name a few. As far as rust prevention eezox has by far been the best at rust prevention while being ok as a lubricant. If your having rust problems, or will be doing long term storage, I highly recommend a good wipe down with eezox. Its the best I have tried so far.

**44 AMP** · October 21, 2021, 08:00 PM

back in the 70s a couple bought an old house in the Finger lakes region of NY. Owner deceased, no family, they bought the house and everything in it from the estate.

House was built sometime before or during the Civil War. (lots of houses that age in that part of the country).

During renovation, they found a trunk in the attic (old house attics are not well temperature controlled). Inside the trunk, along with some disintegrating scraps of uniform and a collection of Civil War dated letters was a large and strangely heavy block of paraffin wax.

Sealed inside that block of wax was an 1860 Colt revolver, in perfect "new" condition. Metal and wood perfectly preserved for over a century stored in a place with temps well below zero in the winter and reaching over 100F in the summer in a fairly high humidity area.

If you want to store a firearm long term (years, decades or longer) that is what I would recommend. Clean the gun, remove ALL oils and grease, dry the gun, and seal it in wax. THICK wax. No air or other chemicals can get in, nothing inside can react with anything. With today's tech, I would vacuum seal the gun in a plastic bag and then seal the bag in a wax.

Protect the block of wax from damage and I'd bet a century down the road the gun inside will be exactly the same as was the day it got sealed in the wax.

Regular gun cases have air in them. Whatever moisture is in the air when the case is closed is trapped with the gun. And if there is any air, given enough time, the carrier (the slippery part) of oils and greases will evaporate, leaving a solid, hard residue. These will glue the gun shut. For intentional long term storage, remove all the oils and greases before packing it away.

Also a good idea to have any springs that can be "at rest" at rest for long term storage. Modern coil springs should not be damaged or weakened even by decades of being under a load, (I've seen magazines loaded for decades that were fine) but why take a chance??

stagpanther · October 22, 2021, 05:05 AM

Interesting about the wax--I actually use a lot of it in the artistic activities I do. The interesting thing about natural beeswax is that it is impervious to degradation (except extreme temperature swings or contact damage)--indefinitely. Parrafin, BTW, is a petroleum/hydrocarbon distillate.

imashooter · October 22, 2021, 06:44 AM

"This is probably a question for our resident metallurgists.". Nothing surprises me anymore regarding the absurdity of mankind. Why not a blue ribbon panel of earth sciences PhD-types?

rickyrick · October 22, 2021, 03:16 PM

You can also eat beeswax in a pinch. I have a couple of blocks of it... I might try encasing a rust-prone tool in some as an experiment.

BornFighting88 · October 22, 2021, 04:49 PM

If you don’t mind your safe smelling slightly of moth balls, most pharmacies have “Camphor Gum” blocks for sale dirt cheap. They brake down over time, so don’t put them directly on anything aside from a shelf or ledge. But stick a block of that stuff in there, and it sucks away any residual moisture that might get in there. I have my safe in the driest temperature controlled room of my house, but there is always that little bit of humidity that will get in there. One block lasts about 5 months for me. When it breaks down, get a dust buster and vacuum up all the dust. Then stick a new block in there. Care free storage.

But back to your point. Alloys used in gun metal these days is top shelf. Aluminum alloy is superbly stable in the normal storage conditions. Steel is very much similar, just the propensity to rust if not cared for is an issue. But as mentioned many times by other members of the Forum. Clean, dry, lubed. It’s a recipe for success.

Stainless steel is what most of my guns are made of, and the metal is just made for storage it seems. Not a lick of tarnish/rust/whatever stainless does.

Brass, though, that’s another story. At least in my experience. Just the slightest changes in conditions can lead to T A R N I S H a plenty. I need to come to a better solution than what I hav now for storing brass-laden arms. Tips anyone??

Dfariswheel · October 22, 2021, 06:42 PM

The old methods of long term storage and preservation of guns has been overtaken by technology.
The military no long slather guns with thick coats of grease that makes a mess and requires extensive efforts to remove before a gun can be used, not to mention soaking into the wood.

These days gun are stored in VCI Vapor storage bags.
These special "hard" plastic bags contain a material that gives off a vapor that drives out air and moisture and surrounds the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for up to and more then 20 years.

The reason this is the preferred method is because the weapon can be removed from the bag, the bore wiped out and fresh lube applied and the weapon is ready to use.
Some of the brands are also vacuum sealed.

These VCI bags are sold by a number of companies, with a prime brand being Z-Corr.

Brownell's sell special plastic bags and VCI sheets to make up your own storage bags.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-prod1197.aspx

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-prod1154.aspx

NOTE..... DO NOT use standard plastic bags to store guns.
Ordinary plastic bags not only will pass moisture, the plastic itself contains a certain amount of water.
The correct bags are made of a special "hard" plastic that won't allow water vapor to pass, and is similar to the bags electronic components are shipped it.

Cosmoline is a grease, not a version of Vaseline.
Real Cosmoline has a wax-like property in that when warmed up it becomes thin enough to be gotten into all small holes and crevices.
This is the stuff that generations of recruits spent days trying to get off rifles with just hot water.

So, for the best possible protection without the messy application of greases or waxes, just buy VCI bags and be perfectly safe.

BornFighting88 · October 23, 2021, 07:44 AM

I have seen these bags for long term storage. When Obama got elected the first time, and the country’s freedom loving gun owners went into a panic, Brownells and other online outlets were capitalizing and selling those bags and the hard plastic tubing shells to store them in whatever you wanted to, a room, underground, etc.

Much better than what I put down.

langenc · November 3, 2021, 09:02 PM

Just get a jar of Rust Inhibiting Grease (RIG) and a RIG rug (sheepskin).

Slather that on rather heavy, inc under stock, for LONG term storage. Never see rust including fingerprints, if applied every time a gun is handled.

Ive not taken to putting in bore but am considering a couple of 'masterpieces'. Id label those to dry patch before shooting to prevent damage which probably wouldnt occur w/ the small amount Id apply intrabore.

Comments??

natman · November 4, 2021, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dfariswheel

The old methods of long term storage and preservation of guns has been overtaken by technology.
The military no long slather guns with thick coats of grease that makes a mess and requires extensive efforts to remove before a gun can be used, not to mention soaking into the wood.

While cosmoline is very effective, I wouldn't use it unless you have access to the unlimited supply of cheap labor the military enjoyed. Technology has moved on. There are very effective anti-corrosion products that are far easier to apply and remove.

RIG Grease
LPS3
Breakfree COLLECTOR

RIG grease is highly effective but is a bit of work to remove. LPS3 works great also, and wipes off easily. Breakfree COLLECTOR doesn't have to be removed if you don't want to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dfariswheel

These days gun are stored in VCI Vapor storage bags.
These special "hard" plastic bags contain a material that gives off a vapor that drives out air and moisture and surrounds the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for up to and more then 20 years.

VCI bags are the way to go. Here's a good source:
https://www.polygunbag.com/

I used a combination of Polygun bags and Breakfree COLLECTOR on a large collection of guns where ease of application and removal was a serious consideration. Some of them were in storage for more than 10 years with no rust.

GeauxTide · November 5, 2021, 10:41 AM

My safe is in an AC room, but if I was worried, I'd run an electric humidity stick. Goldenrod on Amazon for 40 bucks.

Glen-Bob · November 7, 2021, 11:02 PM

For long term storage both climate controlled hand uncontrolled at times. I cleaned, treated with either breakfree products or birch wood products. Once treated I vacuumed sealed in regular food saver bags I made from rolls of material. Guns were then placed into a “shop box” on wheels. During times of deployment and military duties I have left in this condition for years with no adverse effect. I opened some recently had been sealed since 2001-2002. I would not argue the methods of others but this worked for me. Several that were opened last were Royal Blue Colts and they looked as good as when they went in to the bags.

October 21, 2021, 10:21 AM	#1
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: The East Coast Posts: 477	Long-term rifle storage This is probably a question for our resident metallurgists. Lots of materials will erode or degrade over time. Is the same true for gun barrels, bolts, etc.? In other words, does long-term rifle storage in a safe or case lead to a breakdown of the metals or components of a rifle? Thanks, all!

October 21, 2021, 04:13 PM	#5
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,974	Depends on the lube used and storage conditions. If property oiled with a good oil, in a cool dry environment, could easily go years without issue. Moisture is a tricky thing. For wood stocks, too much will make it swell, too little will make it dry out. In relation to steel, it causes oxidization, aka rust. Thus keep Moisture low, but not bone dry if your dealing with wood stocks. Temperature plays a part too. Heat increases the speed of chemical reactions. Heat also allows the air to hold more moisture drying things out. Cold Temps slow chemical reactions. But don't hold as much Moisture and can cause condensation causing rust. Most guns are stored at room temp in a house leaving Moisture control as the main variable. There are 2 options I am aware of. Silica gel packs to absorb moisture. And golden rods that add a little heat to prevent condensation. The main defense will be your oil if stored long term. I have tried many, rem oil, weapon shield, break free clp, frog lube, slip 2000, Lucas, Lucas extreme duty, ballistol and eezox, to name a few. As far as rust prevention eezox has by far been the best at rust prevention while being ok as a lubricant. If your having rust problems, or will be doing long term storage, I highly recommend a good wipe down with eezox. Its the best I have tried so far. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

October 21, 2021, 08:00 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,839	back in the 70s a couple bought an old house in the Finger lakes region of NY. Owner deceased, no family, they bought the house and everything in it from the estate. House was built sometime before or during the Civil War. (lots of houses that age in that part of the country). During renovation, they found a trunk in the attic (old house attics are not well temperature controlled). Inside the trunk, along with some disintegrating scraps of uniform and a collection of Civil War dated letters was a large and strangely heavy block of paraffin wax. Sealed inside that block of wax was an 1860 Colt revolver, in perfect "new" condition. Metal and wood perfectly preserved for over a century stored in a place with temps well below zero in the winter and reaching over 100F in the summer in a fairly high humidity area. If you want to store a firearm long term (years, decades or longer) that is what I would recommend. Clean the gun, remove ALL oils and grease, dry the gun, and seal it in wax. THICK wax. No air or other chemicals can get in, nothing inside can react with anything. With today's tech, I would vacuum seal the gun in a plastic bag and then seal the bag in a wax. Protect the block of wax from damage and I'd bet a century down the road the gun inside will be exactly the same as was the day it got sealed in the wax. Regular gun cases have air in them. Whatever moisture is in the air when the case is closed is trapped with the gun. And if there is any air, given enough time, the carrier (the slippery part) of oils and greases will evaporate, leaving a solid, hard residue. These will glue the gun shut. For intentional long term storage, remove all the oils and greases before packing it away. Also a good idea to have any springs that can be "at rest" at rest for long term storage. Modern coil springs should not be damaged or weakened even by decades of being under a load, (I've seen magazines loaded for decades that were fine) but why take a chance?? __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 22, 2021, 05:05 AM	#7
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	Interesting about the wax--I actually use a lot of it in the artistic activities I do. The interesting thing about natural beeswax is that it is impervious to degradation (except extreme temperature swings or contact damage)--indefinitely. Parrafin, BTW, is a petroleum/hydrocarbon distillate. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

November 5, 2021, 10:41 AM	#15
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	My safe is in an AC room, but if I was worried, I'd run an electric humidity stick. Goldenrod on Amazon for 40 bucks. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

October 21, 2021, 11:27 AM	#2
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	If stored cleaned, dry and lubed will go a long time. Some cases can make moisture problems worse. The old Russian rifles packed in cosmoline (Grease type substance is all I know about it) look like the day they were stored when you get it all cleaned back off. Clean, dry and lube is the key.

October 21, 2021, 01:28 PM	#3
BobCat45 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: East Bernard, TX Posts: 523	I cannot speak to wood or polymers, but the steel and aluminum alloys used in rifles are stable over time (unless exposed to very high temperatures) but they are subject to rust and corrosion. I recall reading that cosmoline is basically the same petroleum jelly sold under the brand name "Vaseline", but thinned for application (it thickens when the carrier evaporates). If you google cosmoline you will find all sorts of commercial sources. One brand name I know and trust is Rust-Veto.

October 21, 2021, 01:53 PM	#4
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: The East Coast Posts: 477	Gotcha. Thanks for the info. I just wasn't sure if the integrity of the metal or anything got compromised with time. If guns are cleaned and lubed when stored is there a need to periodically pull them out and re-lube them?

October 22, 2021, 06:44 AM	#8
imashooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 395	"This is probably a question for our resident metallurgists.". Nothing surprises me anymore regarding the absurdity of mankind. Why not a blue ribbon panel of earth sciences PhD-types?

October 22, 2021, 03:16 PM	#9
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	You can also eat beeswax in a pinch. I have a couple of blocks of it... I might try encasing a rust-prone tool in some as an experiment.

October 22, 2021, 04:49 PM	#10
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	If you don’t mind your safe smelling slightly of moth balls, most pharmacies have “Camphor Gum” blocks for sale dirt cheap. They brake down over time, so don’t put them directly on anything aside from a shelf or ledge. But stick a block of that stuff in there, and it sucks away any residual moisture that might get in there. I have my safe in the driest temperature controlled room of my house, but there is always that little bit of humidity that will get in there. One block lasts about 5 months for me. When it breaks down, get a dust buster and vacuum up all the dust. Then stick a new block in there. Care free storage. But back to your point. Alloys used in gun metal these days is top shelf. Aluminum alloy is superbly stable in the normal storage conditions. Steel is very much similar, just the propensity to rust if not cared for is an issue. But as mentioned many times by other members of the Forum. Clean, dry, lubed. It’s a recipe for success. Stainless steel is what most of my guns are made of, and the metal is just made for storage it seems. Not a lick of tarnish/rust/whatever stainless does. Brass, though, that’s another story. At least in my experience. Just the slightest changes in conditions can lead to T A R N I S H a plenty. I need to come to a better solution than what I hav now for storing brass-laden arms. Tips anyone??

October 22, 2021, 06:42 PM	#11
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The old methods of long term storage and preservation of guns has been overtaken by technology. The military no long slather guns with thick coats of grease that makes a mess and requires extensive efforts to remove before a gun can be used, not to mention soaking into the wood. These days gun are stored in VCI Vapor storage bags. These special "hard" plastic bags contain a material that gives off a vapor that drives out air and moisture and surrounds the metal with a vapor that totally prevents rust for up to and more then 20 years. The reason this is the preferred method is because the weapon can be removed from the bag, the bore wiped out and fresh lube applied and the weapon is ready to use. Some of the brands are also vacuum sealed. These VCI bags are sold by a number of companies, with a prime brand being Z-Corr. Brownell's sell special plastic bags and VCI sheets to make up your own storage bags. https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-prod1197.aspx https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...-prod1154.aspx NOTE..... DO NOT use standard plastic bags to store guns. Ordinary plastic bags not only will pass moisture, the plastic itself contains a certain amount of water. The correct bags are made of a special "hard" plastic that won't allow water vapor to pass, and is similar to the bags electronic components are shipped it. Cosmoline is a grease, not a version of Vaseline. Real Cosmoline has a wax-like property in that when warmed up it becomes thin enough to be gotten into all small holes and crevices. This is the stuff that generations of recruits spent days trying to get off rifles with just hot water. So, for the best possible protection without the messy application of greases or waxes, just buy VCI bags and be perfectly safe.

October 23, 2021, 07:44 AM	#12
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	I have seen these bags for long term storage. When Obama got elected the first time, and the country’s freedom loving gun owners went into a panic, Brownells and other online outlets were capitalizing and selling those bags and the hard plastic tubing shells to store them in whatever you wanted to, a room, underground, etc. Much better than what I put down.

November 3, 2021, 09:02 PM	#13
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Just get a jar of Rust Inhibiting Grease (RIG) and a RIG rug (sheepskin). Slather that on rather heavy, inc under stock, for LONG term storage. Never see rust including fingerprints, if applied every time a gun is handled. Ive not taken to putting in bore but am considering a couple of 'masterpieces'. Id label those to dry patch before shooting to prevent damage which probably wouldnt occur w/ the small amount Id apply intrabore. Comments??

November 7, 2021, 11:02 PM	#16
Glen-Bob Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Location: NW FL Posts: 64	For long term storage both climate controlled hand uncontrolled at times. I cleaned, treated with either breakfree products or birch wood products. Once treated I vacuumed sealed in regular food saver bags I made from rolls of material. Guns were then placed into a “shop box” on wheels. During times of deployment and military duties I have left in this condition for years with no adverse effect. I opened some recently had been sealed since 2001-2002. I would not argue the methods of others but this worked for me. Several that were opened last were Royal Blue Colts and they looked as good as when they went in to the bags. __________________ Trust in God. Prepare your hands for battle.