proper storage of blued guns?

N

nodule

New member
Hi,

I just purchased a MINT S&W Model 19-4 that I want to be sure it
will last MANY years in this MINT condition.

Currently, its just in the original blue cardboard S&W box. I plan on
getting the current S&W blue plastic case with the foam inserts.

Should I wrapped the gun in the brown paper or a silicone treated
gun sock before placing it in the plastic case?

I have heard is NOT a good idea just to place the gun right on the
foam, since it may eventually have moisture or rust form.

Thanks!
 
Original box is best.

Leave it in the original cardboard box wrapped in the S&W treated paper. It should stay pristine for many, many years to come. Wipe the gun down with a treated gun cloth every few months. All liquids eventually dry out. keep it in a dry place with few temperature swings for long term storage.
You can also buy rust inhibitor pads that you can drop into the box, or get a rust inhibiting barrel plug.

The plastic case and foam is okay, but I wouldn't store that Model 19 in it for long term. The foam in the case will continue off-gas and deterioriate as well.
Not so good for a blued finish. You caould also just rest it in a steel wire pistol rack without harming the finish.

Regards,
Gearchecker
 
Coat the gun with RIG grease. I have used it since 1980 for long term storage. I have also stored handguns in a hard case with the foam inserts and used again, RIG grease. Result zero rust. Shoot and enjoy it. It won't do you any good in the condition it was in when you purchased it when you are dead. They are meant to be shot.
 
(don't tell anybody, but I just store my blued guns on a metal shelf, on a silicone impregnated cloth. I wipe down and clean every month, and inspect for any corrosion. No issues, in New England)
 
Are looking at long term storage?

Or do you want to take it out and show people occasionally?

If you are talking about long-tern like 5+ years storage then I would recomend Cosmoline.

If you are just talking about normal storage, then oiling it, light coat of grease or even wax (depending on the finish), a few dessicant bags in the case will keep it fine. I have an oily cotton cloth that I keep some of my pistols in, it's about the equivilant of a Remington Moisturegaurd cloth. Having a dehumidifier in the room or closet where it is stored also helps.
 
The treated paper is VPI [vapor phase inhibitor] treated .That with a light coating of RIG will do the job well !!
 
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ok

Ok, will the blue plastic case by fine if its always wrapped in the paper
first, or a silicone treated gun sock, than placed in the case with foam inserts?

Also, I am not talking about long term storage, my plan is to use the gun at
the range, say maybe monthly.
 
Do you have a safe? If so, and it has a Goldenrod (or other humidity-control device) I believe you will be fine. I wipe my blued guns down once or twice per year with Eezox if they don't get shot. It is arguably the best corrosion protectant out there, It's not cheap or easy to find, but it's worth it.
http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

Everything that gets shot gets cleaned with Ed's Red.
 
Nodule, the problem is that the foam can trap moisture, and the thing you have the gun wrapped in might not protect against corrosion in that circumstance

The thing to remember is that "foam ain't all just foam". There's a galaxy of plastics out there

You'd want something like a closed cell polypropylene foam if my memory serves; bear in mind that a moisture resistant material is not the only consideration; gun oils and greases can degrade plastics and they can end up sticking to your firearm

I have stored firearms in Pelican cases, long term with no ill effects. By long term I mean they lived in those cases when I wasn't shooting them, for a period of two years. But I inspect and clean monthly
 
Don't store it in the foam lined case. Use that for short trips to the range only. Keeping it wrapped in the treated paper is good but don't store the gun and the paper in or near anything that can trap and hold moisture from the air (like the cardboard box or any fabric/plush/foam cases.) Brush a thin coat of Eezox or CLP on the gun and check it every 2 or 3 weeks. Just remember to keep them in a dry location. Basements and attics and garages are not good. Just keep them oiled and dry.
 
I would have suggested you do what Aarond the wise once told me. Stick it in a zip lock bag filled with oil.

But since you gonna shoot it once a month, the cleaning after the range time is enough maintenance to prevent rust imho.
 
I believe the said firearm is not mint anymore after being removed from the box and shot. However, you can attempt to keep in 'near mint' condition.
 
If you keep your guns with a light coat of quality oil, this is a non-issue. I have yet to see rust penetrate a good coat of oil.

I also use silicone cloths to wipe interior surfaces.
 
Long term or short term I store mine in open air storage, in racks, in a safe. I usually wipe them down every couple of months with a rag lightly oiled with either Eezox or Barricade. When after shooting, they get their regular cleaning & oiling. Also in the safe I have an inexpensive temp & humidity monitor, about the size of a credit card. I also use a dehumidifier and VPCI emitter shield so that I can monitor and control the environment in there. I've never had any rust or corrosion issues, even on the couple of nonshooters I have in there.
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Don't store it in the foam lined case. Use that for short trips to the range only. Keeping it wrapped in the treated paper is good but don't store the gun and the paper in or near anything that can trap and hold moisture from the air (like the cardboard box or any fabric/plush/foam cases.)
Click to expand...

Respectfully, there are many foamed plastics that do not trap or hold moisture, and that do not experience melting or degrading when exposed to gun oils. This is a thing that people have great confusion over. Typically, a firearm is shipped in a foam case that should not be used for storage, because it's almost always a cheap open cell foam

But better solutions exist
 
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I wipe my blued guns down once or twice per year with Eezox if they don't get shot.
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Eezox is a superb corrosion inhibitor, a good carbon solvent and even a pretty good lead and plastic solvent, but it sucks as a lube, especially on aluminum alloy parts. Also, as has been previously noted, it ain't cheap.

I use Eezox on all my bores (which is the most important part to prevent rust on) but I use Break-Free on the moving parts.
 
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