How long can a gun be stored without use?

[mr00jimbo]

Without ruining the finish or anything? I have it in the costco safe and I hope it doesn't corrode or anything (took the matt out that was producing the fumes but hope it'll be okay just sitting around doing nothing)
Pardon my ignorance, just checking.

 

[slicknick]

If it's oiled and clean it should last for a while (years)

 

[hr]

aside from the mat, a lot of the guys /w costco safes, like to air it out for a while before using, you should also look into having some dessicant in the safe just in case to draw up moisture,,,

but yeah if prepped properly you could store it in there for a LONG time

 

[Boomer686]

If it's oiled and clean it should last for a while (years)

x2. Long term storage (and I mean real long without periodic inspection) you should use grease.
For the most part, what we have stored in our homes, an occasional quick wipe with an oily rag, swab the barrel & you should be good to go indefinately.

Regards,

 

[phronq]

Grabbing one of those plug-in dehumidifier rods won't hurt, either. It comes apart so you can slip the wires in through one of the bolt-down holes.

 

[HKfan]

My grandfather had a Greener shotgun that he kept oiled very well. He took it out of the wax paper and oil in one time in front of me for the first time in 15 years. Not even a mark, good as the day it was made.

 

[leftent]

As long as it is oiled and in a low humidity environment it will be OK pretty much indefinately.

 

[Chris7_62]

Drown'er in cosmoline like the Warsaw Pact countries do with theirs.

 

[Rapt]

Well I saw a rifle that had been soaked in cosmoline that was 50 years old and still looked brand new. So I'd say that stored properly they'll last longer than you.

 

[Ceska]

Drown'er in cosmoline like the Warsaw Pact countries do with theirs.

Great Chris! All we need is more cosmolined up rifles

LOL to tell you the truth I am starting to love the smell. Does this mean I'm becoming a milsup junky now too? Arrg my bank account!!!

Anyone who has cleaned up one of those chinese sks's that they stored in drums full of cosmo knows the smell never really gets out of your skin

 

[gambit]

OK what is cosmoline and where to buy it?

 

[TheFrenchCanadian]

OK what is cosmoline and where to buy it?

Here's a good article about cosmoline:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/cosmoline/index.asp

TFC

 

[the Carpenter]

Anyone who has cleaned up one of those chinese sks's that they stored in drums full of cosmo knows the smell never really gets out of your skin

So THAT'S what that funk of yours is !

 

[boxhitch]

I disagree. Storage time should be kept to a minimum. Age is cruel. Must be used to keep alive. Like whisky, ammo has a shelf life too, and must be used up.

 

[slicknick]

Good point