Rifle Storage question

[ICU22250]

Hey guys, so here's the thing, I'm running out of room in my safe and was thinking about storing one of my rifles in my Pelican 1750. Is this a bad idea? Will it begin to rust inside the hard case or will I be Alright? The rifle is cerakoted but I'm leery of the whole rust thing, afraid it will rust inside my barrel... what say ye?

 

[spife7980]

I used to store before the safe (and still do store some things) in a case like that, only I dont close them up and I jamb a sock or stuffed animal or something in the seam to ensure that it stays cracked open and has air flow. Close it up tight and its a recipe for rust IMO.

 

[ICU22250]

Well, that was kinda what I was thinking but hoping I was wrong.. I hate to even leave the case cracked in case of the kids or just any kind of freak thing happening as far as damaging my rifle, like the wife attempting to move it around. Lol..

 

[...]

i keep a bunch of desiccant packs in my rifle cases that i store rifles in.....never had a problem.

i would just check them regularly for rust and keep a light coat of oil on it and i dont imagine youd have an issue.

 

[ICU22250]

I put about 4 or so of those desiccant containers in the case around the action, bipod, and magazine area. I also ran an oil patch down the barrel and wiped down the magazine before she went into the case.. I told the wife to snag me some more of those desiccant containers from work..

 

[Sendit6.5]

I have a bunch stored in soft cases. Really thick soft cases. Mostly ones from Kryptek camo nowadays because they make a awesome one. I've had kids and dogs knock them over and NO problems. Since they breathe, no rust. I HATE storage in hard cases that're air tight.

I've gotten away from hard cases except for airline travel. They're heavy and bulky and a general PITA. I use soft cases and throw them in the truck to bounce all over creation on the ranch and no problem.

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[Sendit6.5]

Double post on accident.

 

[jlow]

I think it really depends on where you are storing the rifle/bag/case combo. If the surrounding is properly controlled in terms of humidity, you should be OK. However, if it is a moist humid basement, no amount of aeration, desiccant will help. This is why running a good de-humidifier is important.

 

[L.R.Novice]

I feel that any foam, cloth or porous material contacting the metal can hold moisture against it potentially causing rust. The risk increases as the surface area of contact increases and the airflow around the interface decreases. For that reason I don't leave firearms in any cases for extended periods of time. This is based on my experience of storing rifles in a basement that would routinely exceed 70% humidity before installing a dehumidifier.

 

[Fursniper]

Time for a bigger safe brother, face the truth, you're gonna need one sooner or later anyway.........

 

[ICU22250]

Time for a bigger safe brother, face the truth, you're gonna need one sooner or later anyway.........

Ha! I knew this was coming.lol. I think I'm gonna make other arrangements, got too much invested in this pig to see it start to rust... I'd love to have another safe, it just ain't in the cards right now but I know I'll buy another one in the near future...

 

[ICU22250]

Thanks for all the replies fellas....

 

[101stinfantry]

ICU, I once had that same sort of issue, and stored a fairly expensive rifle in a pelican case, in my basement. I never ran into any issues with rust, but I run a fair sized dehumidifier down there too. Recently, added a Liberty Fat Boy, and sold my old safe so they all fit...........for now.

 

[jlow]

A new and/or bigger safe would not reduce you chance of rust if it sits in a humid basement. It is neither the safe, nor foam, or any porous material that cause rust but water in the form of humidity. The foam and or porous material will certainly make things worse if you have a humid basement, but it is only a “symptom” and not a “cause” or root of the problem which still comes down to humidity.

Put in a good quality dehumidifier, run it and see how much and how quick water collect in its reservoir and you then will understand the scope of your problem and why no amount of drying agent/gold rod will help. I have so much water come out of the dehumidifier that it does not drain into a reservoir which will fill in no time, I drain it directly into my sump well which is emptied outside.

 

[Cartman]

I live in a relatively low humidity area. I once had some extra barrels I left on the guest room bed under a bedspread for a few months. Surface rust struck. I'm now gtg with goldenrod and extra safes. Well worth the investment.

I did't look where you live but places like California will charge YOU with a crime if some kid breaks into your house, steals a gun that you didn't have in a state approved security container, and uses it in a crime. Or something like that. Not worth it to take a chance.

That said, if you are looking for chemical protection I now swear by Eezox. It is all kinds of awesome.

 

[ICU22250]

I live in WV, I'm not aware of any laws like that here.. I'm gonna make room in the safe for this rifle and figure out what to do with a cheaper rifle in the mean time...

 

[Cartman]

Eezox

 

[pineoak]

Sell the rifles you don't use anymore (1out, 1 in rule). Or move the .22s & cheaper rifles over to a bolted down "gun cabinet" for $150.

 

[Threadcutter308]

The other thing to consider (not that it's nearly as bad as any kind of rust on an expensive firearm) is that any/all chemicals you use to preserve your gun(s) will outgas and attack foam inside the case, particularly when there is no ventilation. I've seen a number of foam liners rot into significant piles of dust and it's a pain to clean up.

 

[ICU22250]

The other thing to consider (not that it's nearly as bad as any kind of rust on an expensive firearm) is that any/all chemicals you use to preserve your gun(s) will outgas and attack foam inside the case, particularly when there is no ventilation. I've seen a number of foam liners rot into significant piles of dust and it's a pain to clean up.

Never thought of that! That would suck... Pineoak, you know damn well if you sell one ya gotta buy another one. Lol...

 

[Marksman]

I wouldn't hesitate putting a silicon gun sock on a rifle, then leaving it in a foam case.

 

[NovaHunter]

I am also running out of safe space. Plan on turning a closet into a gunsafe. I bought a bunch of storage bags for my guns, can't remember the brand but similar to ZCORR storage bags.

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[Greg Langelius *]

I would suggest a steel gun cabinet. Not as secure from fire, it still provides a storage space that is lockable and can be secured to building studs.

I wouldn't want to store a firearm in a container/sack that serves a vapor barrier unless it also contained some form of moisture absorbent capability as well.

Many gun safes rely upon several layers of Drywall/Gypsum Board to provide their fire protective barriers. If you are building a secure gun room, applying extra layers of drywall (don't forget the floor and ceiling) can provide an added degree of fire safety.

Greg