Question about silica gel packs for firearms storage

[KingPolymer-III]

I store many of my firearms in the plastic cases with foam inner lining,  and then place them in my safe.
  I visited a friend who has small packs of silica gel inside the plastic cases.  He highly recommends them.
  I want some addittional feedback.  I clean my guns very thoughroughly and always wipe them off before placing them in the plastic cases.  What exactly does the silica gel do chemically?

[Cig Zauer]

Good question...doesn't it do something to control moisture?

www.dehumidify.com/FAQ.html

EDIT: found a useful site and it states something about storing firearms with it.  The silica gel packs help control the moisture to prevent rust and corrosion.

[BRASMAN]

This is an excelent thread. I have been dealing with this myself and have not decided yet how to go about it. I need something I can put in a small safe with two handguns. My locker does not have this problem but the smaller safe with thiker walls has a real problem with corrosion. How long do those gel packs last before you need to change them? I guess you could just coat your pistol in grease but who wants to pick it up like that.

[KingPolymer-III]

Thanks for that link,  I really appreciate it. and also Brasman brought up a good point.
"How long do those gel packs last before you need to change them?"
  I have no idea am a seeking feedback as well, and also, where is a good place to buy them?  CDNN? Cheaper than Dirt?  etc?

[Grendel]

If you take em out every couple of months and stick them in a warm oven for 30 minutes I believe they last indefinitely

[Dos]

I bought a silica pack from Academy.  They keep them in the area where they have their gun vaults. (Logical)      I think my bag is 8 or ten ozs and cost about 6-7 dollars.   As for longevity, it depends on your location.  Here on the Gulf Coast we have high humidity. And of course, if your vault is in a climate controlled environment that is another factor.  My pack has been in the vault(which is about icebox sized) for 2 years and I have not yet had to recharge it (by oven heating).  I also have a night light bulb (7 1/2 watt) that I use in conjunction with the Silica Pack.  I think they are a good investment as I have no moisture problems and my vault is not in a temperature controlled environment.  Before I added the silica, I did have a slight moisture problem.  If I recall correctly, the instructions on the packs inform you to recharge when the pack weighs a certain weight (due to moisture absorption).  So far so good.  I reccomend them.   King in Florida you have high humidities like we do here.  Get yourself a bag and rest easy.  Cheap investment for a worthy cause.      
Edited to add:  Recharge silica pack when the crystals begin to "clump" together and the pack becomes firm and not pliable.  This indicates moisture absorption.

[BRASMAN]

I think that is what I am going to do. I thought about one of those rods you plug in but I do not want cords and stuff running into it and my one safe is to small any way. Thanks for the information it is very useful.

[Dos]

Here's a scan of my silica pack from Academy.  It is @ 5"x7" and 1 1/4" thick.

[KingPolymer-III]

Very nice indeed, thank you for sharing it.  I will get them.
Can somebody link me to academy?

[BRASMAN]

Ditto. Linkage please.

[KingPolymer-III]

I am going to check with the local Sports Authority here and also in the Cabellas and Midway catalogs.  Out of the three, one has got to carry it.

[KingPolymer-III]

Ok, I have some links.

Opinions please?

www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=799452


www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=322511

[Dos]

Here's a link that offers similar product:  check out the 450 gram packs that protect up to 33 cubic feet.   200 grams protect up to 15 cubic feet.    

www.utahsafe.com/Hydrosorb.html

and this one   www.jakesmp.com/CSD_Silic...004_C.html

[Dos]

Quote from King:  "Opinions please"?

King, you need a minimum of @15 grams of silica per cubic foot of vault space.   Figure the cubic ft volume of your vault and buy accordingly.

Gee, I thought everybody had an Academy store.  Rest assured, they are in Florida, just not near you.

[KingPolymer-III]

Dos and other folks:
  Ok, so mine is the Sentry GS5251 and it says in the manual with the safe that I have, it has 11.19 cubic ft.,so thanks,  I just figured out what I need, and the ones inside the small pistol cases,  I will get the super small flat packs for.  Excellent, and much needed in the Florida humidity to protect your valuable firearms.