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All,

I need some advice on how to store some firearms long-term to protect them from rust and other issues. My wife's sister lost her husband last week. He was young (only 40). He and I have been friends for 23 years. At any rate, he had some firearms, and she wants to store them so they will be preserved until their kids are old enough to inherit them. She asked me if I could come over this Sunday and do that for her. He went to the range shortly before he went to the hospital, and he wasn't up to cleaning them afterwards. My first order of business will be to thoroughly clean all of them. Beyond that, I'm not really sure what the best method would be? I'm thinking maybe just extra heavy oiling on all metal, and then store them with dessicants? Any help / advice is appreciated. This is going to be very hard for me to do, but I think it's very important, and I'd do anything for her.

I had a friend just recently decide he might put some of his pistol up for long term storage, he was going to clean, oil, and vaccum pack them. It sounds reasonable but I don't have any experience with the long term out come.

Oil is not permanent enough, nor is dessicant, the best solution for really long term storage is a waxy grease, such as cosmoline. A real chore to remove, but a better choice. Vacuum packing might help if the containers don't leak.

jimlongley wrote:Oil is not permanent enough, nor is dessicant, the best solution for really long term storage is a waxy grease, such as cosmoline. A real chore to remove, but a better choice. Vacuum packing might help if the containers don't leak.

Leaking containers is a problem, especially with consumer-grade vacuum sealers sold on late-night TV infomercial or in big box membership clubs like Sam's and Costco (ask me how I know). The bags are just too thin and one little microscopic tear lets all the air back in.

Haven't tried a commercial grade product.

A-R wrote:

jimlongley wrote:Oil is not permanent enough, nor is dessicant, the best solution for really long term storage is a waxy grease, such as cosmoline. A real chore to remove, but a better choice. Vacuum packing might help if the containers don't leak.

Leaking containers is a problem, especially with consumer-grade vacuum sealers sold on late-night TV infomercial or in big box membership clubs like Sam's and Costco (ask me how I know). The bags are just too thin and one little microscopic tear lets all the air back in.

Saran-wrapped, vacuum-sealed, saran-wrapped again, and vacuum-sealed again?

The problem with commercial-grade sealers (commercial-grade anything, really) is that you need a commercial-grade budget to get one.

Where does one get cosmoline, anyway?

Dave2 wrote:
The problem with commercial-grade sealers (commercial-grade anything, really) is that you need a commercial-grade budget to get one.

Where does one get cosmoline, anyway?

I was interested in answer, so did a quick search, this site http://www.CosmolineDirect.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has a lot of positive comments from other boards.

how about offer to keep them for her with your collection. that way they can be shot and cleaned occassionally.

I thought about that, but I'm not comfortable with it.

First, they should be stored in a climate-controlled environment; a typical house is better than an unheated garage or attic.

Second, cleaned thoroughly.

Third, grease or some oil that's specifically designed to combat rust. Cosmoline is the traditional method, but RIG is good as well. (For that matter, some old timers used ordinary Vaseline petroleum jelly!) I've sprayed the bare metal surfaces on a mini-lathe in the garage with "Corrosion-X" which has worked perfectly well even in that environment, but I don't leave it unattended for years at a time.

I've read that paste wax applied to external surfaces gives a good level of rust protection. (I wouldn't wax the bore.)

I'd consider cleaning & oiling the firearm and storing it in a case with some VPI - Vapor Phase Inhibiting - paper, available from Brownell's. This is the same type of stuff that major gun makers like S&W ship their guns with.

Clean, oil, cosmoline if you want. Then, get an innner tire tube, place your firearm inside tie both end with a metallic tie. Store it where ever you want.
Done.

i would add putting them in caped and sealed pvc tubing. its easy to do, water tight, damage resistand and easy to open with a pvc tube cutter

My Dad used this stuff and it work well. No rust anywhere and they were stored for about 5 years. We didn't even need to clean before firing.
http://www.break-free.com/products/prod ... liquid.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Having seen some items stored long term; I'd suggest insulation too. :)
(Experienced capped and sealed waterproof pvc tubing buried and ground didn't insulate enough to prevent condensation- next time it will all/sealed pvc and all go into an even larger PVC sealed pip but space between filled with foam insulation.... then once more- This original failure was a 15 year period time)
Condensation can occur even in vacuum packed sealed tight PVC etc in the tiniest air space/void and desiccant is good, but I'd insulate too... and more cosmolenegrease packing next time.

nature abhors a vacume. I wonder if filling a container with a dense gas could displace the corrosive oxygen?

What ever you decide, consider putting instructions on how to prepare the guns for use once the hibernation time is completed. Might be nice for you to put a letter to the kids in there and share a short story about their dad, and why you took the time to prep the guns.

Thanks for helping the family.