Hard Rifle Cases That Won't Cause Rust?

Question

I have all my rifles sitting under my bed in unzipped soft cases or gun socks. I know that unless you buy a fancy kind of moisture-preventing soft case, zipping a gun in there can cause brutal rust, especially in humid climates like where I live.

Does anyone know of a hard (aluminum, plastic) gun case that I can store my rifles in that will repel moisture and won't cause rust? I'm tired of all these darn soft cases and gun socks sitting around.

Thanks, y'all.

P.S. - I'm going this weekend to buy my first hunting rifle. I'm stoked!

Answer 1

Hey lets stop and think here for a minute. Hard cases are not I repeat NOT for storing firearms they are for transporting them.

I know you want the nifty super duper mag hunting rifle. But I think your money would be better spent on a safe or cabinet of some kind. Stack on makes some that are rather cheap they do not offer the protection of a safe but they offer more than having them just out in the open. If you have a Gander Mtn close by go and check out there gun safes. I have seen some in Wal-mart that are made by Sentry that will offer better protection over a stack on metal cabinet. These run around $100 to $300 not a whole lot. Then you would not have to worry about your firearms rusting in a hard case which they will rust in there no matter what you do. I have seen even stainless Guns finish ruined because they were stored in hard cases. Stainless steel is not RUST PROOF.

I know not the answer you were looking for but I think it would be a better use of money.

Not sure why I get a thumbs down on this answer. I am trying to help this guy out.

I would not even worry about dessipacks. You have to replace them every so many weeks or months. Get a security safe like the one at the first link below and get a Golden Rod Dehumidifier like the ones at the second link.

Answer 2

The answer about hard cases not being for long term storage is correct. A soft or hard case will allow moisture which causes rust. I also agree that you should have a gun safe or cabinet that locks securely., Under the bed is the first place a burglar looks, with the closet and behind doors being second and third. You can get a fairly inexpensive cabinet for $150.00 and add a couple of dessicant packs to absorb moisture. Another option is to purchase some of the heavy plastic storage bags the military uses, clean and lube the firearm and place it, and a dessicant pack into the sealable bags and then put them in your hard case, but at least use a trigger lock for safety. You can order the bags from "U.S. Cavalry" or look them up in shotgun news, or many of the sporting goods stores carry them as well. By the way, leaving the hard case open doesn't solve the moisture problem, the side touching the foam can still rust if moisture collects there.
Good luck and congratulations on your first hunting rifle.
Shoot safe

Answer 3

All the hard rifle cases that I know of use foam. Some advertise foam that is moisture resistant or give you silica gel packs with it. You can store a gun in a hard rifle case for long periods but ONLY if you coat all the metal with a good layer of gun grease or high quality, long lasting gun oil (thick stuff) and maybe back it up with a large pack of silica gel.
The bore will have to be greased or get a good mop of preservation oil. Even then you will have to check the silica gel indicator to see that it has not changed color. If so, it will have to be recharged. It is true that cases are not meant to store guns for long periods (they are for transport), but you can pull of case storage if you don't mind the mess involved. A locker/safe is better (you will still want the oil and silica gel, however).


RUST IS NEGLECT!

Answer 4

Best Rifle Cases

Answer 5

Rust is caused by condensation that forms inside a closed gun case. You have to keep the moisture out of the gun case in order to prevent rust. Pelican makes a dandy gun case that can be sealed up nice and tight but you have to keep the moisture out or guns stored in it will rust just as in any other case. There are gun socks that are impregnated with a rust preventive. I would put my rifle in one of those before storing it in the case. The next thing I would do is to get one of the moisture absorbing packets and put it inside the case before sealing it up.

I must warn you that a gun case as good as a Pelican does not come cheap. Quality costs but it can pay in the long run.

If you have, or can save up, the money, I'd buy a good gun safe. Get a good one, not some cheap sheet metal junk. Depending on the size, you should expect to pay from about $300 to well over $1,000. Yeah, they are pretty expensive but if you put a Golden Rod drier in it, it will keep your guns dry, rust free and safe from theft. It's the ultimate way to go.

Answer 6

Don't store guns in cases. Any case can cause rust to form.

Answer 7

DO NOT BUY STACK ON! They use to be good stuff now Chinese CRAP. Make sure you ONLY buy US Made. You will regret not doing it. Better off building a cardboard box and wrapping in plastic. Any Chinese safe has a 8 monte MAX break in, any case has a small pin break in lock and WILL rust, quick freeze or leak.

Answer 8

Look at the rifle cases from Pelican Cases. http://www.pelican-case.com/1742rica.html
They will stand up to anything you will do with them and are well worth the money.

Answer 9

The only way that you can totally prevent a gun from rusting, is to first, put a heavy coat of grease on it, then, store it in a totally air proof container, that is filled with dried nitrogen.
otherwise, the rust mites will find a way to get to the gun.

Another option, is get a gun that is ALL stainless steel, with NO regular steel parts