Is there a good way to store guns long term in hard cases?

[country bear]

I am wondering, do any readers have a good way to store guns long term in the hard cases that are lined with the egg crate type foam lining. I understand that the foam wicks the oil away from the gun, and this is not the best way to store them, but just the same, neccesity for this type of storage prompts me to querry those with some experience. I am thinking about cutting flannel cloth material to cover the foam, oiling the gun, placing a disecant bag inside. Any thoughts or experience along these lines.....'preciate it.

[Arizona Highlander]

Years ago (we're talking 1980's) I bought a used M1A that came packed in one of those hard travel cases - the kind with the soft foam inside lining.

The rifle wasn't worth a damn (it never did work right, even after a trip to Springfield Armory for repairs) but I did own it for a few years, and I kept it in that foam-lined hard case the whole time. It never did show any sign of damage from the case.

Now, I've always lived in a dry climate, so it's hard to say how it would have fared if I was living in a place like Mississippi. So, you should probably take my experience with a grain of salt. In retrospect, were I doing it now, I probably would buy one of those cheap, cloth "gun socks" and (after cleaning and oiling the piece) simply dropped it into the sock before I encased it in the hard case. And, while I don't know if it would make a difference, I think adding a bag of dessicant would sure be good, cheap insurance.

Be that as it may, I never had a problem. :)

[country bear]

Highlander, thanks for your input. Experience speaks volumes. I do live in a humid enviorment. I do like your idea of a gun sock. Solves one issue. They do get used, so I need access to them, just want to protect them the best that I can afford to, while keeping in mind that I want portabilty as well. Thanks again.

[funfaler]

Country Bear, you Ole'Rattle Snake!

Think about getting a Silicone Gun Sock to put your rifles in, before putting in the case. Also, a little extra, external oil might help, as well as putting a little Break Free CLP on the foam itself (not sure how the foam will handle it).

If you put the gun in the case, then the whole thing in a vault with controlled environment, that would be a big help as well. My vault has a dehumidifier in it and none of the rifles I have in hard cases have any issues.

[country bear]

Kind of sounds like I need to save for a safe. Where does all of this end? The start was getting the hardware up to protect the family. Next was ammo to support the hardware. Which is still not resolved to the extent desired. Next supplies to keep the family fed. Which is still not resolved to the extent desired. Next comes a way to protect what I have from those who may want to help themselves to the fruits of my labors while I'm out laboring to protect what I have that is worth protecting. Seems like I should have started with buying a live in vault to start out with. I may have run across a nice large gunsafe used. So if I can rapidly come up with the funds, and it is still there, I will go that route. Back to your post, thank you. I like the idea of a silicone gun sock inside the hard case. That should provide a short term solution to plan "a" if plan "b" falls through. I just hate to spend the money on a vault that could be used in other preparations. It's all about choices, just trying to make the most of what I have to work with.

[Ponce]

Cheaper than Dirt . com...... has a sleeve where you placed your gun inside and it wont get rusty....... about $5.00 bucks each.

[funfaler]

Kind of sounds like I need to save for a safe. Where does all of this end? .

It never ends ;) It is a way of life.

A safe has many functions, not the least of which is to watch over some of your valuables when you can't. It is a peace of mind item, protects against rust, fire ?, theft and unauthorized access.

Once you start thinking that you "have everything you need" you are diluting yourself on what you really need. Atleast you will always have goals:p

[Mainer]

Another possibility for storage:

Check out Poly Gun Bags at www.polygunbag.com

[weapons_762]

i think i would use heavy wax paper and use some extra oil then wrap it up and then put it in your case.