Managing Humidity Around Stored Firearm Cases
Do not confuse stored firearm cases with perfectly protected equipment. You might not even notice excessive moisture in and around your case until some yellow or brown coloration begins to show up on a zipper, a latch, or on any other metal part that is stored within the case. Even when a case seems to be perfectly dry when it is opened, there could be many precious moisture-filled air masses stored within it, especially if it was moved around recently in cold and wet conditions. Be vigilant and do visible checks, store your cases in sensible places, and begin to do some maintenance work as soon as you detect the first signs of any potential problems.
Start with the case, not the safe
In addition to protecting the firearm from impact and from dust, a firearm case can trap moisture. A soft gun case typically is made of absorbent fabric, padding or of closed-cell foam. A wet range trip means that the gear will likely remain damp for a while. Hard gun cases typically are not the best choice for storing guns for long periods of time in a storage room, since they are often closed up tightly in the room and do not allow moisture in the case to escape.
In order to put your cased firearms into storage, first inspect the outside of the case for any signs of moisture, and then open it up and look around the inside of the case for similar indicators of moisture. Allow the case to completely dry out in a suitable location or room before storing it away with your Firearms.
Read the early signs of moisture
First you must recognize the early signs of corrosion, which in most cases are minor and easily repaired. These signs include small orange or brown dots, hazy areas, roughness to the surface, and changes to the finish of a part. Remember that corrosion starts to form on items such as sling swivels, magazine components, small screws and other metal parts that are enclosed in a case. Also pay attention to any stale odor or staining inside a case.
Be aware of any condensation that appears in a case. This can happen if you bring cold equipment into warm, humid air. Also be aware that if you store your cased firearms in a basement, garage, shed, closet or similar location, condensation can form on the case due to its proximity to the exterior of the structure. All of these scenarios indicate a pattern of moisture in the storage location and should be addressed.
Check the storage environment
The area around a case is important. Basements, garages, sheds, and closet spaces against exterior walls are all subject to a variety of temperature fluctuations and therefore can develop moist or even damp conditions. Even if the firearm is stored in a safe, conditions within the safe can be quite different from the surrounding environment.
Keep a humidity monitor near the storage location and note changes in readings throughout the day or over seasons. However, do not rely strictly on the numbers, rather use them as a trend. Also note the location in which you place the monitor to be sure that you are getting an accurate reading of the air as it exists around the cases, and not near a heat source, vent, or even moisture absorber. Damp, musty smelling locations with condensation on surrounding objects need to be improved.
Storing firearm cases on the floor and against walls can create the perfect environment for the development of moisture related corrosion. Store cases away from walls and ensure there is sufficient space around cases for inspection as well as to permit good airflow. Storing a case in a corner of a room may provide the best protection against unauthorized access but creates the perfect environment for corrosion development.
Choose moisture control with restraint
When it comes to moisture control in your stored firearms, products are available but they need to be used with caution and within stated parameters. For example, a desiccant pack in a soft case is good for an enclosed space, provided the pack is of sufficient size for the case and is either replaced as required or re-generated as directed. And, as with any absorbent product, a saturated pack is of no value whatsoever.
A dehumidifying device that can be placed in a safe can be an effective means of controlling humidity in a secure storage space. These devices should be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Loose chemicals, damp materials and heaters of any sort should never be stored in a case with a firearm. They can leak, overheat or cause damage to finishes.
Moisture control devices must support regular inspection of the stored firearms and not hide persistent conditions of high humidity in the storage location. Such conditions need to be solved by storing the wet equipment elsewhere until it has dried.
Build a simple inspection routine
Set up a simple process to inspect firearms that you have stored. The process should include a number of items that you check each time you access a stored firearm. These include: 1) checking the case for signs of moisture; 2) checking exposed metal parts for signs of rust; and 3) checking the hardware that attaches the case for any signs of corrosion or stiffness. Also, clean any fingerprints from appropriate metal surfaces using a clean lint-free cloth and according to the care and cleaning of the specific firearm and its parts as outlined by the manufacturer in their instructions. Additionally, make sure that any product that you are using for moisture control is approved for use on the specific finish of your firearm and does not leave any residue on the firearm.
Wait a reasonable time for all wet items such as shooting clothing, towels, targets, etc. to dry before storing them in their respective cases with their firearms. Always handle your firearms safely ensuring that they are pointed in a safe direction at all times and are opened where appropriate. Also ensure that your firearms are in an unloaded condition as described in your manufacturer's instructions before you start to clean them and always refer to your manufacturer's instructions for correct cleaning of your firearms and their respective parts.
Record your findings for repeated occurrences of moisture-related problems. Note where the case was stored, if the firearm was ever transported in the rain, or left outside in cold weather. Also, note what changes occurred to resolve the problem. Simply keeping a record will help you determine if the problem is due to the same closet, time of year, or case.
Know what should not be ignored
Surface discoloration, pitting, broken springs, stuck fasteners, case swelling and breakdown are issues that need to be evaluated by a qualified gunsmith. In some cases it may be necessary to disassemble a firearm to inspect for hidden corrosion. Don't try to force stuck parts or fire a firearm that you suspect may be damaged.
Storage of firearms also includes protection against unauthorized access. This is subject to local rules and accordingly may change. Accordingly, always refer to the current official version of local requirements on storage of firearms as well as of ammunition for responsible storage.
Ordinary gear maintenance is adequate to stave off preventable fire-arm exposure. Be sure to dry any gear before putting it in its storage case; check both the case and the fire-arm itself from time to time for signs of moisture; monitor the storage location for changes in humidity; be sure to replace (or re-generate) any moisture-control products in that location from time to time; and be on the lookout for early signs that the storage location is developing into a problem. All in all, routine maintenance is far better than an urgent repair job.
