I wasn't sure where best to put this thread so I thought those that frequent this area of the site would have to most interest in and most information on the topic.
What humidity level is best for firearm storage? I recently purchased a temp and humidity monitor had placed it in my gun storage area. It is in the basement so I wanted to make sure that the humitidy level wasn't too high. I have a dehumidifier that runs in the basement and in the midwest summer months it seems like it never shuts off. Currently the Temp has been running between 74 and 78 degrees and the humidity has been running between 44% and 47%. I had done some research that said that anything under 60% for steel is GTG and that when storing firearms you don't want it too dry because it will cause cracks in the stocks of guns.
What do you guys think? Anyone have any official guidlines? I wouldn't be worried about it exect like I said the guns are stored in the basement. I have another area of my basement that I may someday make a SHTF storage area and I would like to get some idea what I would need to do to control moisture in that space as well. (to help relate it to the section topic).
__________________
"I don't go shooting without my guns and they don't go shooting without me!"
jashoffa, i live down in az... im always worried about humidity and it seems funny but we only get about 10 to 20% humidity here some times higher during our "monsoon" season...
my rule of thumb is to check every week clean every two weeks during high humidity times... when cleaning, i oil heavier during high humidity then during low humidity times, but am forever checking for surface rust... if you have an ac unit that helps lower the humidity level as well, but if you have a swamp cooler then it dont help any tust me i have a swamp and it sucks...
__________________ 12-21-2012: Party like theres no tomorrow!!!
Last edited by larmus; 07-07-2009 at 01:30 AM.
Reason: add a bit
if they are in a cabnet or a (preferably) gun safe there are several things you can do.
first dessicant material (i'm using 2-1 pound cans) and at least 1 preferably 2 different moisture indicators.
heat source to raise dewpoint. I prefer the electric "Golden Rod" set up. this keeps outside temp. changes from exchanging air in and out of the safe allowing longer intervals between recharging dessicant.
I have some guns in my basement, I keep the Humidity controled at 60-65%. I have not noted any issues. If I don't wipe the outside of my dies down before storing for a period of time, I have seena little rust there. Other than that give the guns a little love now and then, all is good.
I made a gun cabinet out of an old freezer that still seals. I put a 10pound opened bag of the silicon kitty litter and several packs of silica gel inside also. seems to keep things dry.
The silicone sacks are indeed nice.
A word of caution, if you do any kind of refinish operation or are near one, be carefull, silicone will cause major fish eyes in a paint job.
Hi every one first post here had to sign up so I could post this.
Some oil a couple silicone sacks and a Seal-a-Mealer vacume seal that baby no air no rust With the right grease and oil you might try digging a hole and stashing the thing.
I don't know. I keep the .410, 870, and pellet gun in the bathroom closet, which is a bad idea considering that when I get out, the whole room is foggy. There's rust on the .410, but no sign on the others.
I have 2 bags or minute rice hanging in my safe . yrs ago a buddy of mine said this would absorb the moisture . I've had guns in the safe for over 20 yrs and no rust problem .
__________________ I might not be playing with a full deck... But I am playing with a full clip!!! (gunnut2u)
actually the rice probably would work pretty well. I put a few grains in my saltshaker and spices to keep the moisture from clumping the contents together. lots of humidity down here.
A golden rod is pretty good, I used one when we lived in SE Texas.
In the winter, the humidity was so high that my rifle stocks would get mildew on them. I don't even want to talk about what happened to leather!
For rust issues, a light coat of Breakfree CLP will outperform any gun oil I have ever seen. When I was a pup I thought the gun oil from a cleaning kit would keep my rifles from rusting. When I found rust forming on my rifles 3 hours after wiping them down I knew I had to find something better.
When the Navy mothballs a ship, they put climate control units (think intelligent air conditioners) aboard that hold the interior humidity at 35%. Provided the units keep running, the ship will be preserved indefinitely. Of course, they will have greased and oiled things like the guns before they get to that point; but I'd go by the Navy's standard of 35% for preservation.
With the right grease and oil you might try digging a hole and stashing the thing. 
