Bear Bums – Bear Hunting

The subject of proper rifle storage has different meanings for different people. Some will say the most important aspect is safety; where others will argue it is ensuring the rifle is safe from damage like fire or corrosion.  Most of us including me want all of the above with the least effort.

No matter which example is your idea of proper rifle storage, here are some suggestions for you to get your rifle out from under the bed or stuffed in the garage in a corner and into an improved environment.

I’m a gun safe fan but a good cabinet is the same.  Even a big box or small shed is better than the random corner of the room or under the bed stuff.  We all should consider our rifles prized possessions and treat them as if our grandkids will inherit them and use them.  That said a cabinet or safe seems a better investment or gift.

Likely my most imprinted memory of the night before opening day of the duck or deer or elk hunt, as a kid, was the smell of Hoppe’s Gun Solvent as we cleaned our gun in preparation for the hunt.

The post season cleanup of a gun doesn’t hold the excited memory but is pretty important in keeping a rifle functional for me and my grandkids.

The first rule in storing rifles is to keep them away from moisture/humidity and keep them stored at a stable temperature. Many gun cabinets/safes are equipped with the ability to add warming units. Some rifle owners use a simple low-energy “curly fry” fluorescent bulb and find that these will run continuously for about 10,000 hours with very low power consumption. You also want to make sure your cabinet or gun safe has a good seal or gasket around the edge. This seal is also important for fire protection.  The more humid your environment the more critical the prevention of moisture becomes.

When doing your rifle maintenance try to wear a pair of lightweight cotton gloves, especially if you have sweaty hands! This prevents the exposure of moisture, and hand oils which will reduce the chances of corrosion as your gun sits after use.  Don’t under estimate how much bad gook your hands can leave on a gun.

For long-term storage, all metal parts (inside and out) should get a coating of grease. Pay particular attention to the bore, chamber, and breech face. Brownell’s sells a product called Rust Inhibitive Grease that works perfectly for long-term storage.  This year I purchased a WWII German 8mm from Mitchell Mausers that had been in storage for over 60 years.  The thick grease it came with was messy but easy to get off and left me with a like new, very functional fun rifle.  For shorter storage I’ll often use light oil instead of grease.  Time spent on this step is time well spent!

Although you will know how the gun was treated prior to storage, a family member or hunting buddy might not. I suggest attaching a note to the rifle that clearly states, “Grease coating – - bore, chamber and bolt face. Remove grease prior to firing!” Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.  Cleaning up a gun after storage will be another topic but knowing, or remembering how you stored your gun last year or 10 years ago is a great saver.

Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. There is also an array of products available to prevent scratches, dents, and provide moisture protection.  These products are available through several online retailers or places such as Cabela’s or Brownell’s.

Be sure to always store firearms so they are not easily accessible to unwanted users and ONLY STORE UNLOADED RIFLES. Always store ammunition and the rifle in separate places to maximize safety for your self and family.

I have a spot in front of the TV in the family room where I can spread out a gun safely and work on it while I watch the hunting channel.  This has given me the time I need to keep up on my rifle maintenance chores.

The stuff we can use for cleaning and maintaining our gun make great small gifts.  Try hinting for this stuff as gifts and keep a head of what you need.

Here is a link to the Hoppes oil that I love to use (it’s around $14 through Amazon):

Or Brownells has smaller amounts starting at around $4 (a little bit of this goes a long way in my experience):

Gun Solvent

At Brownells you can get pretty much any type of gun cleaner you’ll need for proper rifle storage.