Long term storage

stitchclimber · 11-12-2007, 11:50 AM

I've got a couple of shotguns and possible a rifle that I don't use that often that I was wanting to put away long term for more of a longterm SHTF/gun grab scene. My grandparents have a farm out in southern Illinois and I have some items already stored in their attic. There's quite a bit of temperature fluctuation that happens there.

What would be the best way to store a long gun? Cosmoline? or would just oiling it and casing it work?

Let me know your thoughts.

rckymtnboy · 11-12-2007, 12:09 PM

stitchflimber,
First off, you're going to want to clean those guns thouroghly and make sure to break it down as much as you can to get all the grit and gun powder from the components of the gun. If you're going to be able to check on these guns every once in awhile, especially during the humid months, then you can just give them a good coat of Rem Oil, inside and out, even on the wood and they should be fine. Rem Oil has a small amount of Teflon in it, which helps repel moisture. Don't leave them in their cases, they will just trap any moisture in with the gun. Use a gun sock. They usually have silicon in the material which will also help repel the moisture.

If you're looking to leave them for say, 5-10 years unchecked, then you're going to want to go the cosmoline route. Avoid storing them in cases, even with the cosmoline. You can also coat the stock with what's called "Stock Finish". It seals the wood and prevents any moisture from causing the stock to swell or crack. Just make sure you don't get any near the checkering cause it's really hard to get out and will build up and turn white.

The worse thing you could do is try to shrink wrap them, or use anything that doesn't allow them to "breath". The army bought 2500 sniper rifles back in the 80's and stored 400 for a short-term. They shrink wrapped them and within a few months, the guns were covered in rust, and the aluminum parts were corroded.

Hope this helps.

stitchclimber · 11-12-2007, 10:59 PM

Where does one buy cosmoline? I'm going to be living a good ways away, and won't be by to check on them but once every couple of years.

billy · 11-12-2007, 11:17 PM

i found this:
The best rust preventive preparation I have found is the Lee Liquid
Alox bullet lubricant. This is actually the same material used by the
Ziebart Co. to rustproof automobiles, and is a mixture of 45% calcium
soap and 45% mineral spirits (petroleum distillates). According to Alox
Corp., who sell the product under the stoc no. 606-55, this material
was intended to be sprayed on to protect naval machinery on the decks
of ships against salt spray. It is very much like the cosmolene grease
used on weapons during WWII, except that it does not have to be heated
to be applied, and it can be readily thinned by dilution with mineral
spirits, or heated in a double-boiler (taking proper precautions
against fire). I have used this on weapons which have been exposed to
complete salt water immersion, and it did a better job protecting them
than anything else I have used. The only drawback is that it dries hard
and is somewhat difficult to remove, but the material does come off
readily with military rifle bore cleaner (Mil-C-372B or Mil-L-63460),
or by use of steam cleaning, a vapor degreaser or scrubbing with
ordinary firearms cleaners. It must be removed from the bore prior to
firing, as would any grease or wax, because it would constitute a bore
obstruction. If you wanted to bury a gun in a container for several
years, and have it ready for future use, I would clean and lubricate it
well with Mil-L-63460, known commercially as Break Free CLP, then coat
all exposed metal surfaces with Lee Liquid Alox. If you need to be able
to fire the weapon soon after taking out of the container, do not put
the Alox 606-55 in the bore. The Mil-L-63460 will protect it. I would
then wrap the weapon up in sheet polyethylene plastic, containing
about 100g of silica gel packets, and place the whole thing in a hard
gun case, preferably made of fiberglas or ABS plastic with rubber
gaskets, wrap this in a tarpaulin, and bury it on a slope with good
drainage, where it is protected by overhanging rocks or trees.
Ammunition should be sealed in plastic bags, then placed in military
style steel ammunition cans, which have been thoroughly coated with
Alox 606-55, then wrapped in plastic and buried. All the seams of the
plastic wrappings should be sealed with tape. If you use fresh
ammunition of good quality and it is protected from heat and light, it
will be OK in storage for at least 40 years.
--

EHCRain10 · 11-13-2007, 03:10 PM

has anyone thought of using one of the food saver vaccum sealers for long term storage?
i would like to think that the vaccum would remove most of the water in the air and if you tossed a few of the gel packs in with each gun they would take up the water?

any thoughts on this?

samuel · 11-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHCRain10

has anyone thought of using one of the food saver vaccum sealers for long term storage?
i would like to think that the vaccum would remove most of the water in the air and if you tossed a few of the gel packs in with each gun they would take up the water?

any thoughts on this?

A jelpack absorbs water but the oxygen is still there.You need a sealed container that can stop the atmosphere from coming in and something like powdered magnesium that will oxidise faster than steel to take care of the oxygen.I think Billy,s idea was rhe best except for the gel-packs. sam.

EHCRain10 · 11-14-2007, 11:47 AM

well the vaccum saver claims to remove all the air so my thinking is no air, no oxygen, no rust? i was just wondering if anyone had tried it, and what the results were

ArkansasHunter · 11-14-2007, 01:12 PM

feller put a nice regenerous coating of vasolene on the steel and store them. I've been doing it since I was 6 or 7 years old I'm 53 now and all my guns look new with several over 35 to 40 years old.
Someday I'll have a camara to show yall,
Slickem up good now and don't worry about a thang !!!!...A.H

rckymtnboy · 11-14-2007, 01:48 PM

AH, what's the longest you've stored guns using vasolene? I would think it would harden up and be difficult to remove after a long period of time, say two or three years like he's planning on.

A friend of mine just found a stash of guns that his uncle had stored away in a closet for almost twenty years without touching them. No cases, no cosmoline, just a little gun oil on them. The guns were in perfect shape after a regular cleaning. Depending on the humidity in your specific area, the outcome might be different though. It's pretty dry here year-round.

ArkansasHunter · 11-15-2007, 05:45 AM

30 to 40 years. Now when you ask how long, I mean thats how long I've used it.
All my guns and I have several get handled, looked at, hunted with and played with !
So I have to wipe off the vasolene when i handle them and reapply later.
I suppose if you were storeing a firearms for 3 years are longer you might look for something else and what that might be I don't know...A.H

billy · 11-15-2007, 06:23 AM

vaseline evaporates?
i didnt know that.
i thought it was inert.

SilentSoul · 11-15-2007, 01:48 PM

I have read it would not be good to put it in something like a food saver bag because it couldn't get all the air out, if there was any air or water in there it would oxidize.

You can also use dry ice to remove the atmosphere from a container, it replaces it with nitrogen.

madcratebuilder · 11-16-2007, 08:13 AM

You can get a spray on lube, anti-rust product called LPS. They have LPS 1,2 and 3. Higher the number the longer it protects. I use it on machined castiron blocks, stored in a unheated shed they have been rust free, I try to respray every three or four years.

ArkansasHunter · 11-16-2007, 09:37 PM

Vasolene doesn't evaporate in my climate and has worked fine for many years.
My Guns are in a gun cabinet and periodicly I take one out to admire, most of the times I do this I do not wipe it down or off because the stocks are all I handle and I don't put the vasolene on the stocks...A.H

11-12-2007, 11:50 AM	#1
stitchclimber Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The great northwest Posts: 945	Long term storage I've got a couple of shotguns and possible a rifle that I don't use that often that I was wanting to put away long term for more of a longterm SHTF/gun grab scene. My grandparents have a farm out in southern Illinois and I have some items already stored in their attic. There's quite a bit of temperature fluctuation that happens there. What would be the best way to store a long gun? Cosmoline? or would just oiling it and casing it work? Let me know your thoughts. __________________ turning up the radio, got just enough religion and a half tank of gas...

11-12-2007, 12:09 PM	#2
rckymtnboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: I am a dual resident. Posts: 340 Images: 20	stitchflimber, First off, you're going to want to clean those guns thouroghly and make sure to break it down as much as you can to get all the grit and gun powder from the components of the gun. If you're going to be able to check on these guns every once in awhile, especially during the humid months, then you can just give them a good coat of Rem Oil, inside and out, even on the wood and they should be fine. Rem Oil has a small amount of Teflon in it, which helps repel moisture. Don't leave them in their cases, they will just trap any moisture in with the gun. Use a gun sock. They usually have silicon in the material which will also help repel the moisture. If you're looking to leave them for say, 5-10 years unchecked, then you're going to want to go the cosmoline route. Avoid storing them in cases, even with the cosmoline. You can also coat the stock with what's called "Stock Finish". It seals the wood and prevents any moisture from causing the stock to swell or crack. Just make sure you don't get any near the checkering cause it's really hard to get out and will build up and turn white. The worse thing you could do is try to shrink wrap them, or use anything that doesn't allow them to "breath". The army bought 2500 sniper rifles back in the 80's and stored 400 for a short-term. They shrink wrapped them and within a few months, the guns were covered in rust, and the aluminum parts were corroded. Hope this helps. __________________ When they come for my guns, I'll give 'em the bullets first!

11-12-2007, 10:59 PM	#3
stitchclimber Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The great northwest Posts: 945	Where does one buy cosmoline? I'm going to be living a good ways away, and won't be by to check on them but once every couple of years. __________________ turning up the radio, got just enough religion and a half tank of gas...

11-12-2007, 11:17 PM	#4
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,164 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	i found this: The best rust preventive preparation I have found is the Lee Liquid Alox bullet lubricant. This is actually the same material used by the Ziebart Co. to rustproof automobiles, and is a mixture of 45% calcium soap and 45% mineral spirits (petroleum distillates). According to Alox Corp., who sell the product under the stoc no. 606-55, this material was intended to be sprayed on to protect naval machinery on the decks of ships against salt spray. It is very much like the cosmolene grease used on weapons during WWII, except that it does not have to be heated to be applied, and it can be readily thinned by dilution with mineral spirits, or heated in a double-boiler (taking proper precautions against fire). I have used this on weapons which have been exposed to complete salt water immersion, and it did a better job protecting them than anything else I have used. The only drawback is that it dries hard and is somewhat difficult to remove, but the material does come off readily with military rifle bore cleaner (Mil-C-372B or Mil-L-63460), or by use of steam cleaning, a vapor degreaser or scrubbing with ordinary firearms cleaners. It must be removed from the bore prior to firing, as would any grease or wax, because it would constitute a bore obstruction. If you wanted to bury a gun in a container for several years, and have it ready for future use, I would clean and lubricate it well with Mil-L-63460, known commercially as Break Free CLP, then coat all exposed metal surfaces with Lee Liquid Alox. If you need to be able to fire the weapon soon after taking out of the container, do not put the Alox 606-55 in the bore. The Mil-L-63460 will protect it. I would then wrap the weapon up in sheet polyethylene plastic, containing about 100g of silica gel packets, and place the whole thing in a hard gun case, preferably made of fiberglas or ABS plastic with rubber gaskets, wrap this in a tarpaulin, and bury it on a slope with good drainage, where it is protected by overhanging rocks or trees. Ammunition should be sealed in plastic bags, then placed in military style steel ammunition cans, which have been thoroughly coated with Alox 606-55, then wrapped in plastic and buried. All the seams of the plastic wrappings should be sealed with tape. If you use fresh ammunition of good quality and it is protected from heat and light, it will be OK in storage for at least 40 years. -- __________________ Last edited by billy; 11-12-2007 at 11:20 PM.

11-14-2007, 01:48 PM	#9
rckymtnboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: I am a dual resident. Posts: 340 Images: 20	AH, what's the longest you've stored guns using vasolene? I would think it would harden up and be difficult to remove after a long period of time, say two or three years like he's planning on. A friend of mine just found a stash of guns that his uncle had stored away in a closet for almost twenty years without touching them. No cases, no cosmoline, just a little gun oil on them. The guns were in perfect shape after a regular cleaning. Depending on the humidity in your specific area, the outcome might be different though. It's pretty dry here year-round. __________________ When they come for my guns, I'll give 'em the bullets first!

11-13-2007, 03:10 PM	#5
EHCRain10 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dinwiddie, VA Posts: 117	has anyone thought of using one of the food saver vaccum sealers for long term storage? i would like to think that the vaccum would remove most of the water in the air and if you tossed a few of the gel packs in with each gun they would take up the water? any thoughts on this?

11-14-2007, 11:47 AM	#7
EHCRain10 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dinwiddie, VA Posts: 117	well the vaccum saver claims to remove all the air so my thinking is no air, no oxygen, no rust? i was just wondering if anyone had tried it, and what the results were

11-14-2007, 01:12 PM	#8
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,710	feller put a nice regenerous coating of vasolene on the steel and store them. I've been doing it since I was 6 or 7 years old I'm 53 now and all my guns look new with several over 35 to 40 years old. Someday I'll have a camara to show yall, Slickem up good now and don't worry about a thang !!!!...A.H

11-15-2007, 05:45 AM	#10
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,710	30 to 40 years. Now when you ask how long, I mean thats how long I've used it. All my guns and I have several get handled, looked at, hunted with and played with ! So I have to wipe off the vasolene when i handle them and reapply later. I suppose if you were storeing a firearms for 3 years are longer you might look for something else and what that might be I don't know...A.H

11-15-2007, 06:23 AM	#11
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,164 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	vaseline evaporates? i didnt know that. i thought it was inert. __________________

11-15-2007, 01:48 PM	#12
SilentSoul Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 603 Images: 1	I have read it would not be good to put it in something like a food saver bag because it couldn't get all the air out, if there was any air or water in there it would oxidize. You can also use dry ice to remove the atmosphere from a container, it replaces it with nitrogen.

11-16-2007, 08:13 AM	#13
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 593	You can get a spray on lube, anti-rust product called LPS. They have LPS 1,2 and 3. Higher the number the longer it protects. I use it on machined castiron blocks, stored in a unheated shed they have been rust free, I try to respray every three or four years. __________________ The difference between a hot dog and a weenie is a fine line.....

11-16-2007, 09:37 PM	#14
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,710	Vasolene doesn't evaporate in my climate and has worked fine for many years. My Guns are in a gun cabinet and periodicly I take one out to admire, most of the times I do this I do not wipe it down or off because the stocks are all I handle and I don't put the vasolene on the stocks...A.H