Gun Storage Climate

[ZanderMan]

The only cure is to seal up all basement doors and vents, then lay thick plastic sheeting atop all exposed dirt, and install a dehumidifier that is permanently plumbed to empty outside.

So much this. My sealed crawl space here in NC is 62F and 45% humidity year round.

[Wobbly]

At least in the humid Southeastern US, people who do not seal and dehumidify can have black mold growing on their floor joists or even inside their air distribution system. Black mold on timber is worse than having a termite infestation, and mold inside heating duct work can cause all sorts of hard-to-trace respiratory issues.

People who do seal their basement/crawl spaces experience much more effective air conditioning and heating, and an overall higher level of comfort in the living area.

[mrcabinet]

As others have stated, keep the metal oiled and you'll be fine.

Here in LA (lower Alabama) controlling the moisture content in bare wood is a constant battle. I strive took keep 8% MC (moisture content) in the material before finishing. 7 to 8% is acceptable for hardwoods, with 7% preferred. 12% is fine for softwoods. Keep in mind that heat alone does not change the MC in wood. Heat does, however, cause moisture changes to occur faster. Fortunately, most wood on firearms has at least a seal coat on all surfaces, which greatly reduces and ebbs the flow of moisture both in and out of the wood.

For anyone interested, here's is the basic relationship between wood's MC and RH (relative humidity), with equilibrium moisture content (EMC) shown as well. EMC is what actually affects the MC.

0% RH = 0% MC = 0% EMC
30% RH = 6% MC = 6% EMC
50% RH = 9% MC = 9% EMC
65% RH = 12% MC = 12% EMC
80% RH = 16% MC = 16% EMC
99% RH = 28% MC (approx.) = 28% EMC (approx.)

Most homes with heat and AC will run 6% MC in the winter and 9% in the summer. In most of North America the outside EMC is 12%, summer and winter. Along the coasts and in the SE, 16% EMC is common.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to MC in wood, but that's because it affects wood products manufacturing in ways that would amaze you. The bottom line is that so long as you store your firearms in an environment with somewhat stable RH - like a room with regular HVAC -you shouldn't have any problems.

[mbliss57]

I use Ren wax on all Blued and nickel revolvers and semi auto pistols. Then if I am storing I wipe down with an silicon lubricant. Store in a safe with a de- humidity bar. I have had no issues. I have quite a few higher priced revolvers from Colt and S&W, so keeping them rust free is a very high priority for me. So I may go a step farther than some might.

[Trh9905]

Thank you Mrcabinet and Mbliss57.


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[razorback1]

Install a Golden Rod in your storage room just like in a safe.