Best way to store your rifle to prevent rust?

[AliasNeo07]

Hello all.

I shoot pistols 95% of the time. Well, let's say I HAVE shot pistols 95% of the time. That will probably change because I got my first AR. And I am concerned about storage. With my handguns, I clean them, wipe em down, and put them in my safe with dehumidifiers. Problem is, I do not have a safe large enough for rifles. The only rifle I have now is a 10/22 and I don't worry too much about it.

I have a soft rifle case that I bought with my AR. If I wipe the outside of the rifle with a rust inhibitor, and throw it in that case with a few silica packs, will I be good to go? What about the internals?

I realize it's an AR, and most of it is stainless, and I shouldn't feel the need to baby it. However, for periods where I go a long time without shooting it I would like to keep it as rust free as possible, and it gets really humid where I will be storing it.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

Both soft and hard cases, are not the way to store rifles , or any guns for that matter. Cases will hold moisture. There fine to take your guns to the range, but long term storage, Id steer away from that.

A safe with a dehumidifier is the way to go. If you are planning to get more rifles - you might as well invest in a safe.

 

[K31]

Eezox.

And +1 on not storing firearms in a case.

 

[hvymax]

Gun socks work really well.

 

[krashmania]

Bring all of your guns over to my house, problem solved.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Low moisture area, EEZOX or CLP, and a gunsock and you should be ok Frankly the socks are probably neutral, but they keep dings away.

 

[MEGALUG]

Eezox.

And +1 on not storing firearms in a case.

Even pelican cases?

 

[AliasNeo07]

Alright, well, besides getting a safe, what is the best way to store it, rust resistance wise? And should I not worry about the internals?

 

[guthook]

Besides dipping it in a vat of cosmoline, EEZOX rules.

Keep it in a low humidity area.

+1 on the no case storage rule. Blued guns will rust easily in cases.


Has anyone found a good source recently for EEZOX? Midway stopped selling it and I'm almost out!!!!

 

[AliasNeo07]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into eezox to wipe down the outside of my AR. I should have rephrased my original question. What I meant was, if a safe is not an option, what should I store the gun IN? Like an airtight box or something with some dehumidifier packs? Or just a gun sock? Or nothing?

Thanks.

 

[Topher]

Is a gun cabinet an option?
Cheaper than a safe... Use a "golden rod" dehumidifier in the cabinet.
If that is not an option then you will have commit to regularly pulling out your guns and cleaning / oiling them every few months.

The heavier oil/grease you use the long you can go between checks but the more important you clean the guns before use.

As a temporary fix find a place that has very little temperature change and "air exchange" and use desiccant.

Just my two cents.

Good Luck.

 

[Longhammer]

Hafers. IP. has EEZOX in stock. Liquid and aerosol. I just bought some yesterday

 

[rouchna]

As others have said...Eezox is the way to go.

 

[sailskidrive]

WD-40

For my "collectable" guns, meaning stuff I inherited from my grandfather, I spray the parts down with WD-40, wipe off the excess and store them in the safe in a silicone treated gun sock.

WD-40 is very inexpensive and was designed for the USAF as a corrosion inhibitor back in the 50s.

 

[guthook]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into eezox to wipe down the outside of my AR. I should have rephrased my original question. What I meant was, if a safe is not an option, what should I store the gun IN? Like an airtight box or something with some dehumidifier packs? Or just a gun sock? Or nothing?

Thanks.

The only correct answer is bank vault. Any other reply and everyone will jump on you, preaching of how irresponsible you are or how lame your measley little safe is.

For an AR, just rub the whole thing down with CLP and wipe off.
Again, storage in a case is a bad idea due to the moisture concerns.
Lock it up somewhere dry (non-rain forest environment) if you won't be using it soon.

My AR's and don't sit long enough to worry about storage issues. When I get back from the range, they get a full cleaning anyway.

 

[Semper Noctem]

For my "collectable" guns, meaning stuff I inherited from my grandfather, I spray the parts down with WD-40, wipe off the excess and store them in the safe in a silicone treated gun sock.

WD-40 is very inexpensive and was designed for the USAF as a corrosion inhibitor back in the 50s.

Citation?

WD-40, or Water Displacement Sulution 40th attemp, was developed by Norm Larsen who was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles, by displacing the standing water that causes it.

WD-40 is prone to collecting dirt and other particulate and isn't the best option for long term use.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[tdt91]

Sounds like you would prefer to keep it in a closet or something. Try to store it standing up and ust keep it clean and oiled. You will be fine as long as it's not in a high humidity area.

 

[camotruck]

Citation?

WD-40, or Water Displacement Sulution 40th attemp, was developed by Norm Larsen who was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles, by displacing the standing water that causes it.

WD-40 is prone to collecting dirt and other particulate and isn't the best option for long term use.

Just my 2 cents.

+1 on the collecting of particulates. I thought it was a NASA pocket protector. Either way a BFR is a BFR. in this case (Big Friggen Rocket)

As far as storage I have most in safes but many stand in the open in a locked room. I've seen bad things happen to guns stored in cases, and it didn't take long.

 

[Vince55]

Both soft and hard cases, are not the way to store rifles , or any guns for that matter. Cases will hold moisture. There fine to take your guns to the range, but long term storage, Id steer away from that.

A safe with a dehumidifier is the way to go. If you are planning to get more rifles - you might as well invest in a safe.

Just got a 16 gun safe. Damn thing weighs about 300 lbs. Had to brace up the floor under the house so it wouldn't sag after a time. What's a good de-humidifier to use in it?

 

[Forest]

Even pelican cases?

They will retain the moisture same as any other case.

However if you keep the rifle oiled in CLP (very thin film) and put a large dessicant bag in there it will probably be ok as long as the foam isn't damp when you put the rifle in.