Safe storage.

[cheezit]

As my collection continues to grow my safe is getting smaller. I'm looking for suggestions on how to keep them from getting damaged while in storage.

[WTR]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

[cheezit]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

Thank you, I don't do that one at all.

[Liberty]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

I'm probably showing a lot of ignorance here, but why?

[troglodyte]

Get another safe.

As flippant as that may sound that is where I am at. I don't have any "valuable" firearms but they are piling up. I also have found that if you buy a 24 gun safe that one half will be used for pistols, jewelry, important documents and other accessories, the other half will not hold 12 guns unless you perform Tetris moves every time you take one out or put one in. Realistically an X-number gun safe will hold 1/4 of the stated capacity of long guns comfortably.

I also need to find a reproductive inhibiting safe. It seems like every time I close the door they multiply.

Until then I try to put my least used long guns in the back and arrange the scoped/non-scoped long guns so they fit more comfortably. Regardless it gets tiring and bangs up the firearms more than necessary.

[carlson1]

I put every firearm in a gun sock before it goes in the safe. This helps protect them some.

[twomillenium]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

Huh? How would that help keep his firearms from getting damaged???
Now back to the OP, wipe the firearms that your do not use frequently (more than a couple of months) down with a gun oil or such. There are many good ones (I like tri-flow). Put them in a gun sock preferably those that are silicone impregnated or you can spray the inside yourself (I like tri-flow) by tuning the sock inside out and then adding a light spray. Have been doing this for years and can tell the difference on a couple that did not get this treatment.

[sjfcontrol]

I also need to find a reproductive inhibiting safe. It seems like every time I close the door they multiply. :shock.

How do I get one of those? I'd happily take yours off your hands!!!

[WTR]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

I'm probably showing a lot of ignorance here, but why?

Has not happened to me but I have read about it. If your ammo happens to "cook" off during a fire, it can apparently reek havoc on the weapons.

[Liberty]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

I'm probably showing a lot of ignorance here, but why?

Has not happened to me but I have read about it. If your ammo happens to "cook" off during a fire, it can apparently reek havoc on the weapons.

I suppose. But if there is enough heat to cook off the ammo, I would imagine that a lot of havoc would have already been reeked. A good fire resistant could hold off the cooking off I would think.

At any rate, my thought was more along the lines of keeping a few loaded mags or rounds nearby the guns makes tactical sense.

[strogg]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

I'm probably showing a lot of ignorance here, but why?

Has not happened to me but I have read about it. If your ammo happens to "cook" off during a fire, it can apparently reek havoc on the weapons.

I suppose. But if there is enough heat to cook off the ammo, I would imagine that a lot of havoc would have already been reeked. A good fire resistant could hold off the cooking off I would think.

At any rate, my thought was more along the lines of keeping a few loaded mags or rounds nearby the guns makes tactical sense.

To add, think about it this way. Sure, the ammo won't go off and start creating bullet holes (not enough case pressure will form without a barrel), but you still have extremely flammable powder and a volatile primer in each round of ammo. Couple that with extreme heat in a house fire. And don't forget that the safe will seal and insulate during that time. Insulation goes both ways; it will keep the heat out, but it will also trap whatever heat is generated inside. And of course, the sealing... that part will probably not bode too well if you have enough live ammunition in the safe as pressures inside increase.

I keep all of my ammunition outside the safe in a ventilated closet a good distance from the safe other than a loaded mag or two next to it on a high shelf.

But to answer the OPs question, either play tetris or put them somewhere else (like another safe). The sock idea is a great one, but at that point, you're liable to turn your collection into a giant pile. I know that's what will happen to me.

[Texian]

You might want to get a dehumidifier. Also,you need to remember that Most gun safes do not provide any real burglary protection

[WTR]

I keep my extra ammo in a small Ridgid "job box", It is therefor contained in a steel box. We had a case here where the Fire Chief let a home burn because he could hear ammo cooking off in a garage ( ignorant about ammo cooking off). I do have a weapon with a loaded chamber in the house, but it will be on my person.

[cheezit]

Make sure you do not store ammunition and weapons together.

Huh? How would that help keep his firearms from getting damaged???
Now back to the OP, wipe the firearms that your do not use frequently (more than a couple of months) down with a gun oil or such. There are many good ones (I like tri-flow). Put them in a gun sock preferably those that are silicone impregnated or you can spray the inside yourself (I like tri-flow) by tuning the sock inside out and then adding a light spray. Have been doing this for years and can tell the difference on a couple that did not get this treatment.

I tend to oil the insides and use renaissance wax on the out side.

I have been considering the socKS but was wondering what else is out there for options.

I've been told a second safe is not an option either

[twomillenium]

I tend to oil the insides and use renaissance wax on the out side.

I have been considering the socKS but was wondering what else is out there for options.

I've been told a second safe is not an option either

I use a wax or light grease for long term storage, but still use the sock. I have heard the military now stores firearms in vacuum sealed bags. Anything that keeps humidity or moisture off the firearm. (even those with parkerized finishes