Storing Long Guns Upside Down

[Gunsmith Dan]

Basically it matters only for long term storage and how well your gun safe seals out moisture and dust.

Storing firearms with muzzle end up eventually lets dust settle down the barrel. Dust is the number one reason firearms rust in long term storage because dust attracts and absorbs moisture, which leads to rust.

Storing firearms muzzle down with the action closed and locked will cause moisture to travel up the barrel and get trapped in the chamber area, again causing rust.


SOOO ...... either way has it's own unique issues so just make sure if in long term storage use a good gun wax as it will not attract dust and will seal out moisture ( I recommend Renaissance Wax, also known as Res Wax). I also would recommend investing in a very good dehumidifier plus a desiccant as a back up if you have no power. If planning to store muzzle down make sure to leave the action open to allow moisture to travel out of the chamber and if muzzle up make sure action is closed/locked and place a cotton cleaning patch dry and clean just barely pushed into the bore on the muzzle end.

[bsg]

Basically it matters only for long term storage and how well your gun safe seals out moisture and dust.

Storing firearms with muzzle end up eventually lets dust settle down the barrel. Dust is the number one reason firearms rust in long term storage because dust attracts and absorbs moisture, which leads to rust.

Storing firearms muzzle down with the action closed and locked will cause moisture to travel up the barrel and get trapped in the chamber area, again causing rust.


SOOO ...... either way has it's own unique issues so just make sure if in long term storage use a good gun wax as it will not attract dust and will seal out moisture ( I recommend Renaissance Wax, also known as Res Wax). I also would recommend investing in a very good dehumidifier plus a desiccant as a back up if you have no power. If planning to store muzzle down make sure to leave the action open to allow moisture to travel out of the chamber and if muzzle up make sure action is closed/locked and place a cotton cleaning patch dry and clean just barely pushed into the bore on the muzzle end.

good suggestion on the Renaissance Wax, which is also the only agent i apply to gunleather.

[hermosabeach]

Of you have a recoil pad and especially if you have a vented/ honeycomb recoil pad, then gravity will crush the recoil pad over time.

[hermosabeach]

[Jimi Jah]

Store them like fine wine, horzontally.

Be sure to rotate them every 2 months.

[BlK Lantern]

Storing horizontally would require a "wide safe" unless you have a "safe room." Unfortunately, I can not afford a safe room. I've been using a light application of Ballistol for storage.

Thank you All...

[gwgn02]

Optimal storage is to rack them at a 77.4 degree angle facing due east.

[-hanko]

Store them like fine wine, horzontally.

Be sure to rotate them every 2 months.

Just make sure the barrel is tilted downward, just a bit.

Does storing long guns upside cause damage (kinking) to the barrel in the long term?

I can't believe I read this...how can a barrel "kink" by the weight of the weapon above it.

I agree with the Renaissance Wax for wood or metal...I also use Rig Grease for metal on guns I don't shoot more than once a year or so.

[mike.h]

Optimal storage is to rack them at a 77.4 degree angle facing due east.

corollas effect no doubt, nice

[SDM44]

Every armory I've ever seen stores muzzle up.

This.

I also do the same, but it's probably for the same reason that armory's and shops do this.... it's just easier to place a long gun back onto a rack or stand when the stack on the ground, due to the balance and weight distribution of the long gun. Most guns aren't going to balance on their small 1/2" diameter muzzle, as opposed to sitting on a wide 2"x4" buttstock that has a somewhat flat surface.

I get the oil issue, but I never drown my guns in oil and throw them into the safe. I'll always wipe off excess so nothing runs, but keeping everything still lubed and operating smoothly.

[sd_shooter]

I "inherited" a couple guns from the in-laws. Both had severe rust at the muzzle because they had been stored upside down on carpet. The carpet had some moisture from the subfloor, causing rust.

I would much rather have rust on the butt plate than the muzzle

My vote: Stock down, muzzle UP