Author Topic: Storing rifles long term?  (Read 842 times)

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Offline HuntingGuy

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Storing rifles long term?
« on: March 01, 2006, 11:47:29 AM »
Hi all.  I ran into a rifle purchased as an investment brand new in box.  The gun is now in my safe, unfired.  I would like to hold on to this gun for the next 10-15 years.  What is the best way to store a gun like this to prevent any discoloration/rust ((and be able to sell it at another time as truly NIB))?  Bbl is blue, stock is wood.

Thanks for the suggestions  :D
HuntingGuy
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Offline savageT

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2006, 02:32:17 PM »
savageT........Have you hugged a '99 lately?

Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most.

Offline lilabner

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2006, 05:43:37 AM »
You have some humidity but no salt air to deal with. If you have a dehumidifier in your safe, I think a light coat of silicon or something similar would probably take care of the barrel and action. If the guard screws aren't torx or socket head, you'll need a gunsmith screwdriver to remove them so they aren't damaged. The bore should be cleaned thoroughly, then protected by a good coat of oil or grease. If you take the gun out to handle it, I wouldn't return it to the safe without removing the fingerprints (which will cause rust spots) and restoring the protective coating. If you gunk the gun up too much, there's a chance the gunk might seep into the stock and damage or discolor the wood so don't overdo it. If you want to be extra careful, store the rifle muzzle down to help keep lubricants away from the stock. I would wax the stock exterior but I don't know that it's really necessary. I've bought military rifles that were stored for decades in cosmolene, a thick grease. It is nasty to clean up and darkens the wood but it does protect against rust. Just my 2 cents. Since this is an investment rifle, get some expert advice!

Offline victorcharlie

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2006, 07:34:23 AM »
Respectfully, Historically, firarms have not done as well and not returned as much as traditional investments have over time.  If you bought retail, you are probably upside down already.   That's not to say that firarms with historical context haven't done well as a few have, but generally a good mutual fund will more than likly do better over time.  

But hey.....the wife was going to make a fortune off her beanie baby's right?  It's been 10 years and she hasn't sold a one........but to her, it's an investment..........I'm still waiting to see the return on investment.......

If it were me, I think I'd make sure to have a dehumidifier in the safe and just wipe the gun down with an oily rag once or twice a year.   That should keep it for many, many years.......
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Tolerance in the face of tyranny is no virtue."
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Offline jvs

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2006, 08:07:19 AM »
I would not store it in the box.

Keep the box under your bed and wipe the rifle down with a thin coat of oil or with a Silicone cloth and keep it in your cabinet or safe, being careful what the rifle rests against.  You should really be careful to remove ALL fingerprints.

I went to a Craft store and bought a few sheets of colored felt, which I used to line my cabinet in places where a rifle would touch.  I also bought some rubber for the floor.

In the long run, your rifle will be worth more because prices will rise for new rifles.  You shouldn't lose any money if you keep it long enough and the laws concerning owning guns don't change.  Whether it will appreciate 50% or more than what you paid is a crap shoot.

If you had bought 10 Colt Pythons or Desert Eagles when they first came out, you'd be sitting pretty right now.   If you're young, buy one gun a year and use them.  By the time you retire, your gun collection will be worth a bundle.
 If you want to run with the Wolves, you can't Pee with the Puppies.

Offline Swamp Yankee

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2006, 08:51:51 AM »
There are products on the market today that are made for guns and long term storage.One that comes to mind is Break Free's "Collector". I would use somthing like that and take the gun out every few months just to check on it. Good luck, Jim

Offline HuntingGuy

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2006, 10:25:31 AM »
Thanks for the reply  :D  victorcharlie in regards to beaniebabies:  Hell, we had a whole room full of those things at first.. Got out just in time, and built a brand new deck and paid off the car with the profits!  All about timing in that game.   :-D  Now your stuck with a bunch of ugly pieces of cotton, tell her you want a gun for every beanie baby she has.
HuntingGuy
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Offline NimrodRx

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2006, 12:04:45 PM »
Okay, if nobody else is going to ask, I will.

What is the rifle?
"Make mine a double. Whether I'm ordering drinks or shotguns, it's always served me well!"  :toast:  :toast:

"It's been my experience that those who shoot most often, most often shoot well."  T. Roosevelt

Offline beemanbeme

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2006, 03:04:53 PM »
uh, real people don't buy guns as investments.  Real people buy guns to shoot and tote around and kill stuff with.  Have you considered golf?? No telling what your big bertha would be worth in years to come.

Offline HuntingGuy

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2006, 05:40:45 PM »
I knew an ignorant moron would punch in [and I mean really.. Do you not have anything else to do?]  I bought a Ruger MKII .375 after the unsuccessful find of a Model 70 Safari Express .375 H&H.  I ended up getting a lead on one of them at a very fair price after I purchased the Ruger, so I bought it.  Now I have 2 .375's.. And a need for one for hunting.  I own plenty of guns I shoot and hunt with... But I figure I will hunt with the ruger and save the winchester now for a while.  Cheers  :D
HuntingGuy
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Offline NimrodRx

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2006, 07:03:47 PM »
Good for you huntingguy!  Who knows, that winnie may end up appreciating.  At the very least, it's going to hold its value.  Besides, we've all spent money a heck of a lot more foolishly...
"Make mine a double. Whether I'm ordering drinks or shotguns, it's always served me well!"  :toast:  :toast:

"It's been my experience that those who shoot most often, most often shoot well."  T. Roosevelt

Offline Redhawk1

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2006, 03:19:10 AM »
Quote from: HuntingGuy
I knew an ignorant moron would punch in [and I mean really.. Do you not have anything else to do?]  


Was your comment really called for?
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Offline HuntingGuy

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2006, 09:51:51 AM »
Don't know if his was, either.  I will apologize on the inappropriate comment and it may have been the result of a bad day, but people really should do their research before they go saying things like that.  It just doesn't make sense to me.  Again, apologize to anyone I may have offended  :D
HuntingGuy
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Offline Slamfire

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #13 on: March 03, 2006, 07:05:40 PM »
I'd put some Johnson's paste wax on the interior surfaces of the wood. It wouldn't hurt the outside of the wood or the metal either.  :D
Bold talk from a one eyed fat man.

Offline msorenso

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #14 on: March 03, 2006, 07:17:40 PM »
uh, real people don't buy guns as investments. Real people buy guns to shoot and tote around and kill stuff with. Have you considered golf?? No telling what your big bertha would be worth in years to come

 :?  :?  :?  :?

Why would someone actually write this????  [/quote]
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Offline NimrodRx

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #15 on: March 03, 2006, 07:52:05 PM »
Johnson's is a good recommendation.  Any kind of PURE carnuba wax is good.  Just make sure there are NO cleansers in it.  I like Mother's wax.  NOT the cleaner/wax.  Did I mention that it must be PURE carnuba wax.

Better question...

"uh, real people don't buy guns as investments. Real people buy guns to shoot and tote around and kill stuff with. Have you considered golf?? No telling what your big bertha would be worth in years to come"

Was YOUR comment really called for?????
"Make mine a double. Whether I'm ordering drinks or shotguns, it's always served me well!"  :toast:  :toast:

"It's been my experience that those who shoot most often, most often shoot well."  T. Roosevelt

Offline HuntingGuy

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2006, 08:41:31 PM »
Thanks for the recommendations, boys!  :D
HuntingGuy
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Offline beemanbeme

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2006, 03:09:14 AM »
Sorry for the disruption that my post caused.  While in essence, its true as every rifle I have is a toter, the remark was meant as a kinda tongue in cheek, kidding sort of thing.  Obviously it wasn't received as such and so I do apoligize to any and all that were upset by the remarks.

Offline victorcharlie

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« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2006, 03:48:37 AM »
I knew you were just poking fun........in the future.....if you need to poke.....poke at Redhawk1......everybody else does!
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Tolerance in the face of tyranny is no virtue."
Barry Goldwater

Offline savageT

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #19 on: March 04, 2006, 04:59:06 AM »
HuntingGuy,
Sorry for logging in late...I had a response but couldn't get it to "take" right after you posted.
I like the paste wax idea inside/on the stock, and for that matter, on everything metal and wood!. I picked up a can of Butcher's Bowling Alley Paste Wax.
As for the bore and the bolt, I like to use RIG or if you can't find it use Vasoline Petroleum Jelly.  They're both great preservatives proven in salt-water testing.
Jim
savageT........Have you hugged a '99 lately?

Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most.

Offline HuntingGuy

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #20 on: March 04, 2006, 09:26:00 AM »
Sounds like I need some..... WAX!!!  Will see if Gander MTN. has anything, otherwise will try MidwayUSA.  I appreciate the comments, always good help here.  Will let you know what the final 'treatment' ends up being, too.  Thanks again guys   :wink:

savage-  How would you go about applying the RIG or jelly?  Just on a patch?   :D
HuntingGuy
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Offline beemanbeme

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Storing rifles long term?
« Reply #21 on: March 04, 2006, 03:18:58 PM »
Haven't done any long range storage but when I was gonna hunt in wet weather I've used plain old Johnson's paste wax in the barrel grooves and receiver cuts.

Offline NimrodRx

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« Reply #22 on: March 04, 2006, 05:42:56 PM »
Well said victorcharlie.  In the future, let's just poke fun at Redhawk1.  :-D

Save your money and look for wax at an auto parts store.  Mother's Car Wax (NOT Mother's wax/cleanser) is pretty reasonable.  Midway does carry RIG and it is second to none.  You can get a jar of it for $5 that will last you for ever.  [/list][/code]
"Make mine a double. Whether I'm ordering drinks or shotguns, it's always served me well!"  :toast:  :toast:

"It's been my experience that those who shoot most often, most often shoot well."  T. Roosevelt