Managing humidity questions

[addiction]

Hi,
I just moved here from a sunshine state where humidity was not an issue, So my question is what do I need to start doing do keep my guns from suffering, I have glocks, AR15s, M1A, Ruger 10/22, and a shotgun....

I usually only worried about the inside of barrel, coated them with CLP after cleaning. however I did not clean them after every time I shot them, maybe once every other month or so depending on how much I have shot them....the Glocks are rarely cleaned...

At present I do not have an air tight safe, only a gun cabinet, so will that be an issue?

Read More

 

[mjbskwim]

I use Bore Stores and a safe rod. If you use a safe,then you just need the safe rod.

Big Spring Enterprises-Bore Stores Homepage

They are fantastic.Had 3 older guns stored at my sisters house,for 3 years, with no additional rust afterwards.

 

[NWnewguy]

I use the Eva-Dry E-500. I found them when they were selling 5 of them together for about $75. I use all of them at the same time, and when they get saturated, I just plug them into the wall and they dry out. I have one of the rods in my small safe, don't really know if it works or not, but other people say that they do. Even here you won't have to worry about the Glocks, unless you plan on leaving them outside in the rain. The ones to check frequently are the ones with a fine deep bluing. This is another reason I am a big fan of stainless.

 

[B-Towner]

I use the Eva-Dry E-500...when they get saturated, I just plug them into the wall and they dry out.

I use the Eva-Dry EDV300 (smaller than the 500) in a small safe and it works fine. I bought it on Amazon, though I've seen them in stores around here. It'll go a few months before it needs drying.

 

[EZLivin]

I use Eva-Dry and Goldenrod dehumidifiers at home in various applications. They work. Biggest test of the Goldenrod was in a small storage room. There were humidity issues prior to installing the Goldenrod; no issues whatsoever after the Goldenrod was in.

 

[SVT-ROY]

Eva-dry 500 here as well. I found 2 for 43 delivered. I use one in a 12 gun fire safe. Need a few more for under the sinks.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Check these prices, lot better than amazon.

900 Gram Rechargeable Silica Gel Dehumidifier

I use one 900gram in a 12 gun safe and two of them in my walk in closet. In the safe it last 3-4 months and in the closet about 45 days. Recharges in 200* oven in two hours.

 

[addiction]

thanks, looks like one or two of those will get the job done.

 

[Swedish K]

if you want to "do it on the cheap" for a start you can google making your own desiccant packs. They aren't plug in to recharge but good for a temporary solution. Just go to the craft store (michaels, etc.) and you can usually find silica gel / crystals in the flower arrangement area - they use it to dry flowers. Get a bag of the stuff - 2 lb if I recall for about $8. pour some into a coffee filter, fold the edges of the filter over and staple / tape together so you don't loose the crystals - I tend to use 2-3 thick on the filters to avoid tears. seal up the unused portion of the silica in an airtight container for next time you replace your packs. Also you can "recharge" the silica by removing it from the filters, spread it out on a baking pan (with edges so you don't spill it in the oven and attract the wrath of the spouse). put it in the oven on a low setting for a few hours. immediately after removing from the oven you need to put it into an airtight container ( I used an ammo can) and seal it up leaving it to cool off while sealed for a day or so - that way it won't absorb any moisture while it cools. repackage in the coffee filters and you are good to go for another 3-6 mos depending on the humidity of your home.

As for your gun locker not being air tight - to help seal up the safe you can tape or caulk any gaps in the seams and tape the bolt holes over then get a roll of the sticky back foam for sealing doors / windows, etc. at your local hardware store / home depot / lowes and use it to create a tighter seal around the inside of the door. Another option for sealing the door would be to get a roll of the flexible magnet material and cover the door seams on the outside but it would cost you more than the foam tape.

Good luck and congrats on moving to a more gun friendly state.