Gunsmithing guns and weather

[blazinpixels]

im not sure if this has been posted before i couldnt really find anything. but its been about 1 to 30 degrees outside and my rifles and handguns are in the garage in a safe.

is super cold weather bad? as long as i clean and oil them up once a month or so i should be fine right?

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: guns and weather

I would think they should be fine, do you have a dehumidifier in the safe? The bad news is when you take them from cold to warm or vice versa, its the rapid temp change that causes condensation and then rust. I suppose if you kept them always cold or always warm it shouldn't be much of a problem. But with the cold It does seem like there will be some moisture creeping in.

 

[blazinpixels]

Re: guns and weather

okay cool. there in the truck now i got to move them upstairs to the warm and i guess i will just watch over them and make sure to oil them today. thanks for the info

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: guns and weather

Always let them adjust to the temperature slowly and uncovered, before you store them, and of course oil em up like you mentioned. Good luck!

 

[Clark]

Re: guns and weather

When the temp rises fast at high humidity, large cast iron tools are at risk for rust, if left at outdoor temps.

I cover the table saw and other things with an old sheet to slow the convection of warm wet air.

But in a shop with a concrete floor and even one light bulb of heat, there is no real danger of condensation.

 

[former naval person]

Re: guns and weather

I put a always burning 60 watt bulb in the safe. (I use a 130 volt bulb...lasts about 5 times as long on a 120 volt circuit) Keeps the contents relatively warm and dry. With EEZOX and a bulb...NO problems. JMHO

 

[head2h2o]

Re: guns and weather

Dehumidifer and oil are your friends. As long as you use these, especially the oil, you should be fine.

 

[Shortdraw]

Re: guns and weather

Worry more about the humidity than cold. Minnesota garages are horrible places to store firearms. A few of my friends heirloom rifles were horribly pitted after a month in the garage. Another friends rifles rusted in a damp basement. Also, a gun safe or cabinet is better than a case. Silicon impregnated gun socks are your friend.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: guns and weather

Mine are in my safe in my uninsulated garage with a dehumidifier in the safe. I can't really say that I've had any problems. I noticed a small amount of surface rust on one of my rifles that really needs to be duracoated, but it wiped off with a clp wipe. The problem with that is that I didn't think to wipe it down prior to putting it into the safe so there really was no protection on it from the moment it went into the safe. Since then I have not had any problems. If you don't have a "hot stick" or dehumidifier in your safe, spend the $30 to $50 to get one. I can tell the difference in the air temp inside the safe to outside the safe when I open the door! Also as mentioned the gun sock would be a great idea as well, I think I'll get me a few to put my guns in for extra protection!