Storing firearms in hard case?

[rustrash]

I Wonder if you guys could help me with this.
Before I go ahead and buy my first rifle I am going to buy storage. What I was looking at getting was a big Plano case that will do me for my first and maybe second firearm however the more I look into it I see alot of people saying that storing them in locked foam case is not a good idea.
has anyone had any problems in doing this?
if so, am I better spending the same money on a cheap can-tire stack on for the time being?

any help would be much appreciated

Rustrash

[Keller]

It depends on the type of foam and the amount of moisture that will be inside the case. I'd find a way to get a gun cabinet.

[vagrantviking]

I've seen quite a few guns start getting rust spots from being stored in cases and one or two actually destroyed by severe rust.
Mind you the extreme was a very fine BPCR that was fired in the rain and then forgotten about in the case for months. The rust and foam were bonded together so it had been cut from the foam and scraped off just to see what it was. That being a $5000 gun totally trashed... Not sure if he ever got it rebuilt or not.

That said, I do sometimes store a few guns in there cases for a month or so at a time. Don't like doing it and live in a generally very dry area. Should really stop because I fear it's just a matter of time before I regret it.

[Squadron303]

Not a good idea, unless the gun is stored in packing grease/oil and in plastic, (like they come in the factory). Cases with foam are meant for transport, not storage. I've seen the same as above, a Remington ruined from being stored in a hard case with foam.

[Weapontech]

Times are different - and some of the new hard-case products are excellent for longer-term storage, especially for 1 to 2 firearms.

You will want to purchase the Midway USA hydrosorbent silica gel dessicant dehimidifier ($5.99 US) to put in the case - some cases come with a cutout in the foam for that exact purpose.
Keep your guns clean and well oiled; I used to put a layer of butcher paper over the foam to prevent the oil from being wicked off the rifle.

Never had a rust issue, never had "safe dings" and saved big $$ on not needing a safe until I had a larger number of firearms.

[3macs1]

Times are different - and some of the new hard-case products are excellent for longer-term storage, especially for 1 to 2 firearms.

You will want to purchase the Midway USA hydrosorbent silica gel dessicant dehimidifier ($5.99 US) to put in the case - some cases come with a cutout in the foam for that exact purpose.
Keep your guns clean and well oiled; I used to put a layer of butcher paper over the foam to prevent the oil from being wicked off the rifle.

Never had a rust issue, never had "safe dings" and saved big $$ on not needing a safe until I had a larger number of firearms.

Times might be different but RUST sure has not changed. One is looking for problems storing firearms in any model of hard case especially if the OP has the room for even a cheap storage safe. Wish I had pics of some I had purchased from guys storing them in hard cases under the bed over the years. Just not the best combination when there is other options
To each their own I guess
Cheers

[bsand]

Times are different - and some of the new hard-case products are excellent for longer-term storage, especially for 1 to 2 firearms.

You will want to purchase the Midway USA hydrosorbent silica gel dessicant dehimidifier ($5.99 US) to put in the case - some cases come with a cutout in the foam for that exact purpose.
Keep your guns clean and well oiled; I used to put a layer of butcher paper over the foam to prevent the oil from being wicked off the rifle.

Never had a rust issue, never had "safe dings" and saved big $$ on not needing a safe until I had a larger number of firearms.

X2 on desiccant packs. I have three in my 1750 pelican, I have shot in really windy/rainy conditions without any rust forming on my Remington 700. The Savage in a soft case different story, little rain nothing inside shooting line and next morning surface rust all over barrel. Quick wipe down good to go.

I've recently switched it to store my c8iur, so it still stays in the pelican 24/7 not a single issue.

I also kept my Schmidt and Bender PMII inside the pelican since I mounted it on my rifle. No issues with it or the tangent Theta being stored long term inside the pelican.

Pelican can be had for under 300$ shipped for the biggest carry handled model 1750 from productioncase.com they drop ship directly from pelican. Smaller rifle sized ones are between 200-300 shipped

[Robert Nicholson]

Of course, for a non-restricted rifle, you don't need a case. Just a trigger lock and then tuck it away in a closet. But a cheap Stack On is a good
thing to get for starting out. I tried the hard plastic with foam case thing and it is bad for the rifle for all the reasons mentioned above.

[Magellann]

I wouldn't do it for long term or permanent storage, plus I wouldn't buy a case until you have the rifle first. That way you know what length it should be.

[Nic3500]

I wouldn't do it for long term or permanent storage, plus I wouldn't buy a case until you have the rifle first. That way you know what length it should be.

+1. I see so many rusted rifles at the range come hunting season, I estimate 90% of the time they were stored all year in the hard case.