[Tom Savelle]

When I received some guns from my dad's estate last year, I went out and purchased a Stack-On gun locker. The fine folks at Outdoor Emporium gave me the run-down on dehumidifiers and I selected a Remington brand model, one that I periodically plug in to the wall to re-charge the dehumidifying mojo.

I've been diligent about checking it monthly to see if the magic crystals are changing color, and plugging it in.

Today, I did my monthly check, and noted all was well. That was until I took out one of the guns to take a stroll down memory lane, and found rust on the barrel. Further inspection revealed more rust.

I guess the obvious solution is to add more dehumidifying apparatus. I know this is a forum full of opinions - am I barking up the wrong tree with this device that I have: http://www.remington.com/products/a...dehumidifier/model-365-mini-dehumidifier.aspx

Other than more dehumidifiers, what do other folks do to combat this problem?

Thanks for any advice. These guns were important to my dad, and they're important to me. I want to take care of them right.

 

[Chris Scoones]

If it's not, but it's an option, move the gun safe / locker inside the house.

If you're using one of those soft cases, remove the gun from it.

Drill a hole in the safe to feed power into it so you can run the dehumidifier all the time.

 

[ronbow]

I use the heat bar. It has been plugged in for 5 years. No rust. May have an impact on the wood in the gun stocks, like too dry? Chris is right, keep guns out of case, not touching, inside house, not in a damp basement, always light oil cloth before resting to get finger prints off and a very light oil coating on the metal. I have pieces back to 1865 that look great.
Ronbow

 

[13223]

How did your father store them? If they were free from rust when you received them then it would seem to me that his system worked well. Keeping firearms clean is important. A light coating of oil is probably your best defence against rust.

 

[Han Double]

get some barricade made by birchwood casey. that stuff is amazing! rub down all the metal with it and forget about it. Hoppes also makes this stuff, its a heavy duty paste that also just plain kicks ass, although the paste would be more suited towards guns that rarely get used as it stays greasy for a while.

I used to live in an upstairs apartment with a leaky roof and the humidity was unreal. we would get mold growing on the walls constantly and my guns would rust over night unless thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. I used both of the products I mentioned above and was a very happy camper.

 

[steelydan]

Sounds like you need some air circulation...convection.
Golden Rod in the BOTTOM of the safe uses about the same current as a 100watt bulb and causes air to circulate through the safe. Slight reduction in humidity but the circulation reduces condensation.
Also buy a silicon cloth to wipe your guns down

 

[J3000]

So you guys really don't keep your guns in socks/bags/cases when in the safe? Am I the only one who does that?

 

[Luvlite]

Keeping a gun in a case is a good way to risk developing rust if any moisture was in there when it was put away. Socks are an "it depends" situation. Beretta and other companies produce a sock that actually inhibits rust but I still wouldn't keep them in there for long periods of time.

Waterfowl hunting in the salt has taught me there is no substitute for preventing rust like getting the firearm dry and putting it into a safe where temperature conditions are stable. In addition, regular application of RIG grease or similar is mandatory. Don't forget to put a *light* coat of gun oil down the bore after cleaning and a bit of choke grease on your shotgun's choke threads as well. Good point on the silicon rag to remove prints as well.

 

[Tom Savelle]

Thanks to all-

Dad kept the guns in a climate controlled safe. That simply is not an option for me at the moment - space wise or $$ wise. I know that is the penultimate solution. Curiously, as fastidious as he was about his storage, I never saw him clean a gun. Never. In 38 years. Not a single time. So, it stands to reason that I received guns in need some some cleaning attention. That is a great suggestion, thanks, and I see a Saturday afternoon project in the near future.

I'll also consider a goldenrod. I may have to modify the locker to accommodate it, but necessity is the mother of invention, right?

@ Josh - I had considered some sock type thing, but made an assumption that it would trap moisture, instead of protecting against it. You have found otherwise? Is the sock somehow treated to resist moisture?

As for the rust that has started - suggestion on how I address cleaning that up without negatively impacting the bluing of the barrels?

 

[J3000]

@ Josh - I had considered some sock type thing, but made an assumption that it would trap moisture, instead of protecting against it. You have found otherwise? Is the sock somehow treated to resist moisture?

I have not had any rust problems with the stuff in my safe (mix of my guns and guns owned by friends). But I am NO expert on guns or gun storage. So my experience should not be used as a reason to do or not do anything as it is probably just dumb luck that has kept me rust-free if cases can really cause problems.

 

[Gone]

My gun safe is in the basement where it is admittedly cooler and damper than upstairs. I have a styrofoam block under the safe so it doesn't sit directly on the concrete slab, and I have a Goldenrod in the safe. 9 years and no issues with rust whatsover- the Goldenrod works like a charm to keep warm air circulating.

 

[Bryan Williamson]

I have no goldenrod/heater/dehumidifier whatsoever in my safe and have had no problems...is this odd or am I tempting fate? The safe has been in the garage, on concrete for 10 years. I do however, clean all guns at least once per year (often more after shooting), never store inside a case and always keep them well oiled and free of fingerprints. I'm tempted not to mess with a good thing but curious if i should?

 

[Be Jofus G]

Unless you live in a submarine or your safe doubles as a shower stall, you shouldn't need de-humidifiers.

 

[Be Jofus G]

So you guys really don't keep your guns in socks/bags/cases when in the safe? Am I the only one who does that?

If it's not oiled metal, oiled wood, oiled plastic or oiled leather, no it goes in the closet.

 

[Guest]

Get the safe elevated off the floor and use a goldenrod or those white pellets. A good cleaning every three months is in order to ensure long life.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

I keep most of mine in my gun room in a display case or on the wall. The gun room's on the third floor of the house, and the weapons don't have a rust problem. I also keep others in an armory, again on the third floor, but it's not heated nor cooled. No rust there, either. I periodically wipe them down with a good gun oil, and when I take them out for use, wipe them down with a fresh cloth and remove the oil. No problems with rust at all.

 

[Hem]

Move to Montana(east of the divide) nothing rusts here...I take it back you guys in Washington stay put.Hope you find a solution,nothing more upsetting than rust on heirlooms.