Storage

[Brush Buster]

I always store my guns in a Lockable Safe wiped down with Gun Oil , Muzzle down and Keep two out for displaying on the top of two different cabinets in my Little Gun Room and those guns are In their Leather Cases with the Lid Open for display ! Then switch them out every week or so , Our Daughter is grown so no Children here to be concerned about the two out of the safe ! When she was younger and we seemed to have kids around all the time I locked up every gun and even had a safe for all the ammo !!!!!!

[Phil Yearout]

The Old Pine Cabinet. Can't imagine not having 'em out where I can see 'em.

[double barrel]

There is a couple of reasons I store my shotguns muzzle down, one is to stop from crushing the rubber recoil pad and the other is gravity keeps the oil from going into the stock.

[Clark McCombe]

Makes sense now to store muzzle down.
Of course the relatively expensive safe and another older gun cabinet I have are configured to store muzzle up.
Fortunately there is no end to this Parker addiction.
Next project would be to configure a proper gun room for storage and admiration!

[David]

Interesting thread and have learned a few things already so thank you to everyone sharing their experiences. Dean I’m going to ask for a follow up - I have a field gun and competition type gun I store in their cases - is the worry moisture accumulation in the case ? Or is there something else going on in the closed case - they are in the molded plastic clamshell type case with fabric interior that the guns were purchased with.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by David Safris

Interesting thread and have learned a few things already so thank you to everyone sharing their experiences. Dean I’m going to ask for a follow up - I have a field gun and competition type gun I store in their cases - is the worry moisture accumulation in the case ? Or is there something else going on in the closed case - they are in the molded plastic clamshell type case with fabric interior that the guns were purchased with.

The problem arises because of the metal parts of the gun being in contact with a fabric or foam liner where there is no air circulation coupled with humid conditions. This a problem in long-term storage under these conditions. Certainly not a problem for short-term storage of just a few months between inspection, use and subsequent cleaning and oiling before being stored again.





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[Stan Hillis]

The foam rubber linings in molded plastic cases are subject to deterioration. When that happens the foam sticks itself to the gun, both wood and metal. It can be cleaned off but it is a pain in the rear, and you are subject to damaging the finishes on the gun in so doing.

I will never use these type cases for storage, only for transport, etc.

[B. Dudley]

The guns also seem to just fit in there better with the muzzle down.

[David]

Thank you Dean for the explanation. ok - new fears unlocked ! both are in socks inside the case and are fairly new so hopefully that takes some risk out of it - but I can see where this could happen over time. I like the cases as I know the gun is safe from handling and transportation damage - hadnt thought of the long term storage risk.

So am I the only person who has gotten a gun out of the safe and turned a bit too quick and whacked the end of the barrel on the top of the gun safe. I have also been putting my gun together standing in the back of my 4 Runner and banged the barrel on the lifted back door that is high enough to stand under ..but not high enough for you to throw a shot gun up on your shoulder. So many ways to make mistakes.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by David Safris

Thank you Dean for the explanation. ok - new fears unlocked ! both are in socks inside the case and are fairly new so hopefully that takes some risk out of it - but I can see where this could happen over time. I like the cases as I know the gun is safe from handling and transportation damage - hadnt thought of the long term storage risk.

So am I the only person who has gotten a gun out of the safe and turned a bit too quick and whacked the end of the barrel on the top of the gun safe. I have also been putting my gun together standing in the back of my 4 Runner and banged the barrel on the lifted back door that is high enough to stand under ..but not high enough for you to throw a shot gun up on your shoulder. So many ways to make mistakes.

The man who many years ago introduced me to Parkers, and knew more about firearms in his little finger than I would ever know, sold me my first Parker complete with LOM case. He said lube it and leave it together not taking it apart every time you transport it. Buy a good quality full length case. He said sooner or later you will be at your tailgate or in your gun room attempting to assemble your gun and the barrels or forend will slip out of your hands and be damaged. He was right about that. Ask me how I know.

Plus, gun socks are cheap. Buy a bunch and use them when storing your gun and when transporting them in your full length case.