How to Take Care of Your Guns in the Summer

This month I will share some information on how to store your firearms during the summer months. Extra care is needed when storing firearms during different seasons. I live in the southeastern part of the United States. Humidity during the summer months is a common occurrence. You may be thinking, shut the door and turn down the AC. That may work to keep your home cool, but there is still humidity in the house, and it can cause issues with your firearms. I have received countless firearms over the years that have been covered in rust, and the stocks are in rough shape.

Let Them Breathe

The most common area I see rust and other issues is when the owner of the firearm hands me his firearm in its case. He says, “My rifle was in great condition when I stored it after hunting season”. Most cases today, hard or soft, have a layer of material to protect the firearm. The layers are made with soft egg crate foam, faux sheep fur, kaizen hard foam, and simple layers of fabric. All of these layers of material can absorb moisture. If keeping your firearms in a case is the only way you can secure them, then set a reminder to open those cases and let them air out.

You need to inspect your firearms thoroughly and wipe them down with a good gun oil that is made for preserving your firearms finish. A word of caution. Don’t soak them in the oil, a light coat will do. If you soak them down, the cases will also absorb the oil and get oil on your stock. You don’t want your wood stocks to absorb the oils it will discolor them. I have used a couple of oils for storing. Take a look at DU-LITE’s Kwikseal.

You can purchase some rather large quantities, or it comes in an aerosol can. A side note: I use it to coat firearms after I have blued them. The oil helps repel water in the small grooves and screw holes. I also use a couple of products from Brownells. Their water displacing oil and their Rust Preventative No. 2™.

Summer Temperature Control

A room with a year-round temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity between 50% – 55%, is ideal for firearms, provided these conditions are constant. Heating and cooling, or rapid changes in humidity, can cause wood and metal to expand and contract. So, if you have that monster gun vault you probably already have a temperature-controlled area. For those of us that have gun safes, cabinets, and lockable racks, in areas that may see more changes in humidity and temperatures extra care needs to be taken. There are numerous products on the market to help you reduce the chances of moisture issues. Probably the most common product is heating rods.

The rods come in many different lengths and are not that expensive. You can install them in your safes or cabinets, and they heat up enough to keep the humidity and temperature constant. Most come with a power cord that can be cut to the length you need. Make sure you review the specifications to make sure you get the right size for the safe or cabinet you have.

Humidity Control

Another popular item is mini dehumidifiers. They can be hung on the inside of your safe or placed on a shelf. Some will need to be plugged in and others are battery operated. The market is flooded with this product. I recommend reading the reviews or calling the manufacture and ask the questions. Some of the best names in the firearms industry have put their name on these products.

Perhaps the oldest and most continually used product for moisture reduction is silica-gel. You have seen them in the past, they are those small white packets you find in electronics. There are all different types and sizes. You can set them in your safes and cabinets and not have to worry about how you are going to plug it in or changing batteries.

These two can be found on Brownells website. They are canisters that hold loose silica. Over time the silica in the canisters will change color indicating that it needs to be recharged. The recharging process is very simple. Place it in the oven at the directed temperature and time. The oven’s dry heat will dry the silica out.

There are other products out there that can be used to reduce dampness, but I don’t recommend them in a safe or cabinet. You can use DampRid in the same room where your guns are stored. It will remove the dampness. It’s Calcium Chloride (a salt), and it’s a one-time use. As it absorbs humidity, it dissolves

and eventually turns to a pasty liquid which must be disposed of. Salt doesn’t do well with firearms. If you do want to use it, keep it at a distance.

Freedom Seed storage

Brass has a different expansion rate than copper, lead, or steel. This difference can affect the seal between the brass and the projectile, or the brass and the primer. The fresh oxygen that makes it into the casing accelerates the oxidization process. In effect, this will decrease the energy delivered when the round is fired. For those wondering about their conceal carry ammo. That ammunition will see more temperature fluctuation than what you have at home. I recommend rotating that ammunition every couple months or so. I rotate my ammunition in their magazines every week as well. You want to make sure the mag springs are working as they should.

Takeaways

All the items I have listed above will reduce your chances of finding that WW2 1911 that your grandfather brought home from the Philippines is rusted. The other best practice is to look at your collection often. Try not to crowd your safe and cabinets, you need to be able to see them all. Also routinely pull the firearms out and inspect them. Trust me, a couple extra minutes pulling them out and wiping them down will save you from paying to get them restored.

Stay cool, it’ll be a hot summer this year.

Semper Fi!

Written by: David Johnson, Leatherneck Gunsmithing