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I have a few unfired older Winchester rifles. What is recommended on how to preserve the wood and metal? They are stored in a gun safe in socks. Thanks.
I presume you’re not talking about antiques. Unless you live in an arid climate, put some source of low heat like a 40 watt light bulb or Golden Rod inside to drive out any humidity. Nothing else to worry about.
All Winchester have been fired so you have guns that have been unfired since leaving the factory. Me, I just wipe them down with a oil rag and store them in a sock in the safe. If you oil up the internals then you will have oil wicking into the wood causing dark areas in the wood. I have a golden rod in the safe along with desiccant. The safe sits in a gun room with a heater and dehumidifier.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I oil my guns at least once a year. A very small amount of oil can go a long way. This also allows me to inspect the guns for problems. I would recommend socks too but make sure they allow the gun to breath. Socks stop dings. Trapped moisture can cause big problems. I live in a normally dry state but I do have a goldenrod in my safe. I have guns that I have been treating like this for over 60 years. I do not see any oil related problems on the wood. If you slather on the oil in time you might have a problem. Water will cause wood to go black too but the water has to be there for a very long time.
The golden rod on the bottom of a safe creates a convection in the safe making it less likely to have condensation. The sock helps with dings. Barrel down can be an advantage in flooding, it also keeps oil from going down into the butt stock and wicking into the end grain. Controlling humidity is a must, to dry wood shrinks, to wet the gun rusts. Use any oil sparingly, I like to use a sheep skin pad to apply. I don’t use oil on stocks, I use wax. Make sure your hands are salt and bleach free before handling! A lot of the covid wipes contain bleach! T/R
Thank you all for the advise.
I should mention my FORT KNOX gun safe is in the garage. I live in California climate. I had a Remington 700 KS Stainless and the sight was rusting so I sold it. I admit I hadn’t see it in over three years. The safe key was lost.
I purchased these items from AMAZON for now.
ThermoPro TP65A Indoor Outdoor Thermometer Digital Wireless Hygrometer Temperature with Jumbo Touchscreen and Backlight Humidity Gauge
New and Improved Eva-dry E-500 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier x 2
I have a DRI-ROD and will replace it with a GOLDEN ROD. I use Sack-Up gun socks. They are treated with silicone. They fold over the gun butt and have a draw string. I read they could trap moisture. How do you use your gun socks?
The Winchester Museum uses Renaissance Wax which is microcrystalline wax polish. Is anyone familiar with this product?
If your Remington rusted your doing something wrong and it’s good that you are addressing it. In a house with central air and heat is best, temperature and humidity changes are not good, they cause condensation. Dehydrator crystals in the safe are a good move. Socks are only a problem when wet. Humidity around 50% in the safe with no change in temperature. T/R
Lever Action said
I have a DRI-ROD and will replace it with a GOLDEN ROD. I use Sack-Up gun socks. They are treated with silicone. They fold over the gun butt and have a draw string. I read they could trap moisture. How do you use your gun socks?
The Winchester Museum uses Renaissance Wax which is microcrystalline wax polish. Is anyone familiar with this product?
Really think 1 or 2 Golden Rods are quite enough, esp. in Cally. They don’t do a better job than a light bulb, but don’t need replacing. Ones I’ve got are 30+ yrs old & still putting out heat.
The Renaissance Wax is a great product, but I would assume the metal should be cleaned with a solvent to make it adhere properly. Or can it adhere over a previously oiled surface?
Most fire proof safes have a temperature activated seal, meaning when the safe gets hot the seal swells to seal. Some do not have air tight seals. The problem is smoke is corrosive and the damage to the guns has already began before the seal swells. I installed a additional seal along side the original, a soft cheap weather stripping siliconed in place to keep the smoke out until the heat seals the factory seal. This seal makes it air tight and your dehydrator crystals last longer. T/R
I started using Boeshield T-9 about 10-15 years ago to wipe down firearms. Have never had a problem with rust in the safe; HAVAC home in South West Louisiana. Some firearms have had nothing but an annual wipedown for years- no issues.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
I found this product test for rust prevention.
EEZOX appears to be the winner.
Another good read.
Corrosion Testing (New Pics – 5-08-12) (m4carbine.net)
rwsem said
I started using Boeshield T-9 about 10-15 years ago to wipe down firearms. Have never had a problem with rust in the safe; HAVAC home in South West Louisiana. Some firearms have had nothing but an annual wipedown for years- no issues.
Does it have any affect on case colors or wood? T/R
The only CC I have is a modern repro and one that had already greyed- no notable change in either. I have not had any darkening of the wood. It turns to a wax but is easily removed with more Boeshield or cleaner of choice.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
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