Need to store guns in NON-climate controlled environment

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tcpip95
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Need to store guns in NON-climate controlled environment

Post by tcpip95 »

I need to put my gun safe and guns into storage for about six months. This is a non-climate controlled location. Temperatures will get down into the teens in the winter, and humidity will probably get high. I will not have access to them during this time. Site will be secure.

What do I need to do to protect them in this environment? Suggestions greatly appreciated.
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rentprop1
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Post by rentprop1 »

I have several long guns in a non AC storage garage since my divorce

I snatched a handfull of umbrella bags from Publix ( the longer the better ) , sprayed everything down with WD-40 ( everything ) umbrella bag inside a soft case, some are just in gun socks.....been almost a year , well 13 months exactly and no signs of rust, in fact there is excess WD-40 everywhere, double up on the bags, they are fee :mrgreen:

p.s. I did the same thing with handguns and mags except I took gallon zip lock bags ( sometimes cut off the lip lock as not to scratch ) , sprayed them down and put them inside those soft sided pistol rugs
rug357
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Post by rug357 »

Back in the early 90's I stored away all my guns for about 38 months in my parent's garage in a plain steel cabinet. Cabinet was exposed to South Florida weather with no protection all that time. All guns were completely cleaned then sprayed down inside and out with generous amount of Eezox synthetic lubricant. Guns were individually put in cardboard box and laid in the cabinet. When I finally started taking them out I found rust on parts of the steel cabinet but all my guns were pristine including my prized Colt Python with the Royal blue finish. Now days I use Rem Oil on springs and other metal parts of Glock mags, P-mags (non-metal magazines) and put them in a cardboard box and put them on my shelf in the garage. Some mags have been sitting there for 10+ years but I never seen any rust.

Around early 2000 I saw a product called Patriot Protectant or something like that at LGS. I was developed as protective spray that was applied to steel to prevent rust in salt water environment. I got a small spray bottle and used it on a blued S&W revolver that was kept on a open fisherman boat. I sprayed the gun inside and out and it left a thin gray film on the surface. Despite being kept on the boat 24/7 for over the summer in a Tupperware container the revolver never had signs of any rust. Unfortunately I've never been able to find that product again.

If you use any good protective oil or other gun care product and keep the gun away from any item that will retain moisture I think it should be okay for long time. If you still have any doubts you can always get some cosmoline spray and use it.
Last edited by rug357 on Fri Oct 18, 2019 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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rug357
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Post by rug357 »

rentprop1 wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2019 5:45 pm I have several long guns in a non AC storage garage since my divorce

I snatched a handfull of umbrella bags from Publix ( the longer the better ) , sprayed everything down with WD-40 ( everything ) umbrella bag inside a soft case, some are just in gun socks.....been almost a year , well 13 months exactly and no signs of rust, in fact there is excess WD-40 everywhere, double up on the bags, they are fee :mrgreen:

p.s. I did the same thing with handguns and mags except I took gallon zip lock bags ( sometimes cut off the lip lock as not to scratch ) , sprayed them down and put them inside those soft sided pistol rugs
Rent

I didn't think plastic bags or pistol rugs would be good idea as they will retain moisture.
You may not be of my flesh and blood, but you are of my heart and soul.

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rentprop1
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Post by rentprop1 »

I would agree that there is some moisture present on the bags you're going to have that in a non climate controlled facility .....however the umbrella bag or garbage bag with the oil inside on the firearm kind of has shielded it from any type of moisture.... even those plastic gun cases with the egg crate foam inside will retain moisture the idea is to keep it away from the steel on the firearm.
We have reblued several Pistols that were left in the plastic cases with no protection between the steel and the foam ....moisture somehow found its way against the steel... the foam actually Wicks any oil away from the gun
tcpip95
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Post by tcpip95 »

I was planning on wrapping them in packing blankets, and placing them inside the safe.

If I place them inside the plastic bags first (soaked down with WD-40), and throw in a bunch of silica packets, would that keep them protected enough?
dammitgriff
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Post by dammitgriff »

Saw a video on YouTube where someone with lots of time on their hands tried about 12 different corrosion protective products currently available on the market over a month or two with steel plates, one half treated and the other half untreated.
Hornady One Shot and Frog Lube came out on top, with WD-40 Specialist coming in close behind.
R/Griff
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Whoutink
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Post by Whoutink »

I have seen things rust with wd40 on them. It's better then nothing, but not the best option. Maybe try this if you're gonna go the wd route https://www.wd40.com/products/corrosion-inhibitor/
Quote from that page:
"A long-term rust preventative that protects metal parts, blocking rust and corrosion for up to 1 year outdoors or 2 years indoors."
So even the "long term" stuff isn't really long term.
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rentprop1
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Post by rentprop1 »

I've seen those tests online and only the one where the guy puts it in the humidity chamber shows the true results most lubricants are all crap based on his test.

WD-40 was just a suggestion you need some type of oil suspended in aerosol to make your life easier if you're going to do multiple firearms....

As for the blankets around the guns I think that's pretty much Overkill as long as you get a good CO2 oil on them and some kind of padding so they don't bang together you should be good to go I would be cautious about using too much padding that may trap additional moisture inside of a safe
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