berettaprofessor
New member
I've looked into safe deposit boxes several times; all the contracts I've seen locally (3) say "no firearms."
Long-term storage/ safety question
- Thread starter Jackie
- Start date
I don't want to get into the pros and cons of one type of gun oil over another but, no matter what the environment, there will always some humidity in the air. Add in gun powder residue and finger prints and you might just have rust on a firearm after years or even just months of storage..
I've used a product called Break-Free CLP with great success. Once the volatiles evaporate you're left with an invisible silicone coating that protect the metal. Be very careful to shake the bottle first to mix the product.
I'd clean every firearm to remove as much gun powder residue as possible. I've even heard of some owners stripping their firearms down as much as possible and putting metal components into the dishwasher. Being careful not to lose small parts, the very hot water and detergent will really clean out every nook and cranny. Let the washer cycle through the drying cycle and then check for any water residue. Apply the oil onto the clean, still hot surface while wearing gloves such as auto mechanics sometimes wear. You don't the acid in your sweat to touch the bare metal.
Then wrap the firearm in a clean cotton rag. I'd really avoid plastic wrap as it tends to trap humidity and won't let the firearm "breathe".
Enjoy your trip
I've used a product called Break-Free CLP with great success. Once the volatiles evaporate you're left with an invisible silicone coating that protect the metal. Be very careful to shake the bottle first to mix the product.
I'd clean every firearm to remove as much gun powder residue as possible. I've even heard of some owners stripping their firearms down as much as possible and putting metal components into the dishwasher. Being careful not to lose small parts, the very hot water and detergent will really clean out every nook and cranny. Let the washer cycle through the drying cycle and then check for any water residue. Apply the oil onto the clean, still hot surface while wearing gloves such as auto mechanics sometimes wear. You don't the acid in your sweat to touch the bare metal.
Then wrap the firearm in a clean cotton rag. I'd really avoid plastic wrap as it tends to trap humidity and won't let the firearm "breathe".
Enjoy your trip
Absolutely DO NOT put the guns in cloth bags! When you return, you stand a good chance of having three rust sculptures.
Go to your local Ace Hardware and get a spray can of LPS 3. (Have them order it from their warehouse if they don't have it locally.)
Spray each handgun liberally, and let them sit out for a few hours to allow the paralketone to "dry."
Place each handgun in a ziplock bag and squeeze as much air out before the final closure.
This is a tried and true method of very long term storage. I lived in south Florida for many years and long term stored all my guns this way. Never had any rust, ever.
Regarding a safe deposit box, I wouldn't worry about bank policy. What you put in there is your business, not theirs. That is absolutely the safest way to store those guns. Just carry them into the bank in a briefcase or lunch box or whatever you have. It's all private. Just like the military policy: "Don't ask, don't tell."
Look at it this way: Suppose you did put the guns in a locked vault and then put that vault in public storage. Somebody breaks in and just takes the vault, then opens it at their leisure when they get home.
45reloader
New member
I would not call 3 to 6 months long term storage.
My guns have no issue in the cloth cases.I spray them with CLP. Then do not wipe off.It goes straight into the cloth case and has lasted years.
My guns have no issue in the cloth cases.I spray them with CLP. Then do not wipe off.It goes straight into the cloth case and has lasted years.
If you must store them at a storage unit rental place, pay WAY ahead; i've read two recent stories about problems with this kind of storage. One guy was deployed & returned to find his autopayment hadn't gone through for a couple of months, followed by the storage rental place auctioning his stuff. Another guy's unit was broken into from an empty unit next to it. Having used these places for storage before, i can see how that could happen very easily.
Good Luck! I would get them to a relative, in a locked box.
Good Luck! I would get them to a relative, in a locked box.