Anybody packed guns for long-term storage?

Question

I have some handguns that I need to store for a couple of years. Can anybody recommend a lubricant that won't gum up like regular oil?

Answer 1

Clean the gun thoroughly and wipe it all clean. Then pack it into an airtight bag sucking any air out of it as you close it. Your gun will keep indefinitely without any trouble. It is the air and the elements couples with humidity and moisture that ruin anything. No air, No moisture, No decay.

Answer 2

Militaries have long used a preservative product called Cosmoline, which is thick like petroleum jelly, to coat all the metal parts. This stuff is a mess and probably not for your needs.

If I were you and storing several handguns for a few years, I'd do the following.

Get a good sized ammo can that seals up well. One that can fit your guns if possible, or several smaller ones. Even the plastic ones sold at sporting goods stores will seal good.

First, disassemble and clean everything real good. Seperate all metal parts and non metal parts. Generously coat the metal parts with a synthetic lubricant product containing silicone. I'd use Breakfree CLP, as it is synthetic and contains stable preservatives. Regular oil will get gummy over time, particularly if in a hot climate.

Put your metal parts in a heavy freezer type sealing bag, or get some gun storage bags like the the Inhibitor (first link below). Non metal parts, plastic, wood, etc. can go in another freezer bag. You will want to use different bags for different guns and use a marker to label them.

Pack your plastic bags in the ammo cans and add dessicant packs (second link below). A good source of these is the warehouse manager at your big electronics store. All their electronic stuff has these little packs in them and if you ask nicely they will save some for you. These will take any moisture out of the air inside the cans, so it can't do harm on your metal.

Seal up the cans and find someplace safe and dry.

I have a few firearms packed away in my mom's attic for about six years now like this. I checked on them last year and they were fine. Honestly, I would not hesitate to bury these like this underground for a few years without damage. Just pick a spot that has a low water table and is not prone to getting swamped.

Answer 3

Get some military surplus rifle grease, also known as cosmoline. Take the guns apart, apply a thick coat of grease, put it back together, smear the outside with grease. Take a cotton cloth and saturate it with grease and wrap the gun in it. Put the gun is a 4" PVC pipe and use PVC cement to cap on the ends if you want to bury it, if you want it above ground put it in a wood box, not plastic. Make sure the gun is thoroughly cleaned before doing this by soaking the disassembled parts in Hoppes9 solvent for a few hours, wiping them down and then proceeding to grease them. This takes a while to get the grease off when you need to use it but guns stored in this method have been known to last 60 years and longer in great condition. If you bury it remember to put in some moisture absorbing packets.

Answer 4

I wiped mine down inside and out with corrosion X heavy duty.. It's a greasy substance that wont run into the wood. I stored it 6 months in an unheated un ac humid storage unit with out any problems. PS.. You probably wont need to store them three year. Unless you are deployed or in some overseas duty locations. Once you graduate boot camp and get set up somewhere just bring your guns. I have been in the Army 22 years. One of the best parts is all the recreational shooting I do. From the weapons you allready mentioned it looks like you can get involved with 3 gun, CMP bullseye, IDPA or USPSA. When you get to your first duty station just ask your NCO's who in the unit is into shooting competition or hunting they can get you briefed on the local laws and storage issues.

Answer 5

I agree with DJ that cosmoline is a good choice, but there are modern versions of it available to replace it which are MUCH better.. There is a product called R.I.G. (Rust Inhibiting Grease.) Much like the consistency of cosmoline but a bit lighter in volume. You can easily make a Rig Rag by taking a cotton washcloth or towel and spread this Rig product on the surface. You squeeze and work the rag with your hands making the rag soak up this light grease, then simply wipe it on your firearms. Store your treated rag in a quart Ziploc bag and it will last indefinately..Works on ALL types of metal firearms finishes. It is the best rust inhibitor, and firearm lubricant/protector/moisture barrier, I've ever seen or used in my life. I recommend this product to my friends in military service to treat the guns before leaving on extended tours. GREAT for short term or long term storage of firearms of any type.

RIG can be purchased from Brownells.com or any quality gun parts distributor here in the U.S. It comes in small 1.5 ounce jars up to a 16 ounce size. Economical and inexpensive protection under any temperature or moisture conditions........

Answer 6

Not going to bother answering this question because a couple of others already have. Just wanted to pass on a bit of history.

Old gun nuts....lovers of old guns, not old-aged gun lovers (lol)....will know about the old rice trick. Communist countries and lower tech countries like China etc, often would pack their old military weapons in boxes and pour dry rice over them. It's nature's best dessicant. You can find weapons stored in Russian warehouses since the last Czar that are in mint condition because of it. China still does it to this day. Works every time.

If you know any foreign cutlery folks, they'll tell you that you can still order knives from Pakistan that come packed in crates full of rice.

Old military farts like me, we use rice in everything from our salt shakers to our footlockers (small box or bag to keep your brass clean). Old military uniforms, as collectors will tell you, often still have rice in the pockets from storage. Japanese folks wrap their cutlery in rice paper for the same reason.

Answer 7

You mean like the 8 inch capped PVC tube 18 inches long buried in the back yard ?

-did I say that out loud?

clean them well,lube them, not oil, and hide,er, STORE them
in an airtight canister. the lube may harden some in storage.

Answer 8

Ten points to DJ. That's the way the Air Force had us do it when putting away WRM small arms for 10 year storage. CLP is the preferred lube for nearly all military arms. Pack your bags with plenty of desiccant and ensure it's all air tight and you should have no unpleasant (rusty) surprises.

Answer 9

hoppes No 9 will work but the best oil for long term storage would be that nasty stuff they put on surplus rifles. then, depending on how big your pistol is, you just stick it in a Ziplok bag and put it in your safe.

Answer 10

Dunno about the oils,but DJ was right about the ammo can.Get one that seals well and preferably store all your guns.I bought one for .50 BMG and I love it.I store anything I don't want getting ruined in it.