When I asked about this in a shop on Bruton St, they said guns 'look' better butt down, and don't over oil them and you won't have a problem. I figure if there is that much oil, it's as likely to drip down into the fore end, so I opt to spare the lube and look at them they way the look best.

i have some guns barrel down and some butt down...i still think a gun still looks better barrel up or hanging on the wall...nice gun room you have there...charlie

Chuck, no there isn't a big pool of oil, but the wood floor has oil stains on it where the muzzles rest. I don't think I'm putting enough oil on the receiver that it would ever damage the wood, but it makes you wonder how so many guns did get oil soaked. With that thought in mind, I store them muzzle down.

Paul, I was just playing with you a little. I'll bet in the old days most of those guys never took the guts of the guns apart. If the action got sluggish, inject some oil into the firing pin holes and into the well of the receiver and your good to go.

The question of storage is kind of like "What size shot should I use for 16 yard trap" or "What type of grease should I use on the hinge pin". You get many answers and they all say the correct answer is what they use.