Protecting firearms in storage - Arms and the Woman

Shooting Industry, Feb, 2003 by Lisa Parsons-Wraith

After your customers' guns are clean, they need to consider how to keep them rust free while in storage. There are many great rust-blocking products available for you to sell.

Birchwood Casey's Sheath Rust Preventive drives out moisture from metal pores and places a transparent protective film to seals the surface. It also loosens rusty or frozen parts, and acts as a lubricant and bore cleaner. Sheath is available in spout or aerosol cans, and very handy Sheath Take Alongs. These are individual 5x8-inch cloths impregnated with Sheath Rust Preventive and sealed in a foil packet. Sheath Take Alongs also make great bore cleaners/protectors when run through the bore.

Kleen-Bore's Rust Guardit is another good rust preventative choice. Sprayed on, it is a non-greasy, non-cracking, non-peeling coating that protects metal from rust and corrosion for nine to 12 months.

Hoppe's Gun Grease is designed to protect firearms when they are not being used. When applied to the bore or exterior metal parts, Gun Grease displaces metal sweat from gun surfaces. It provides long-term protection when cleaning is delayed and also lubricates moving parts while protecting them from corrosion.

Shooter's Choice has in its extensive gun-care line Rust Prevent Preservative/Lubricant. Its anti-oxidation, moisture-displacing agent protects against rust, pitting and corrosion. A spray-on, Rust Prevent penetrates metal, lubricates and prevents electrolysis.

Muscle Product's Firepower FP-10 removes powder and lead, prevents copper build-up and lubricates while protecting firearms against corrosion.

Cosmoline, the old standard from Brownells, is a serious rust-prevention option. It is a soft grease that can be brushed on at room temperature and will take some serious effort to remove.

Some products work best when combined with a storage sack. Brownells Gunwrap is chemically impregnated brown paper. When wrapped around steel and sealed in plastic, it will prevent rust for more than 10 years. Gunwrap will not damage bluing or steel, but is not recommended for aluminum, silver, brass or copper.

Brownells has made gun storage even easier with their Triple Tough Rust-Blox Storage Kit. It consists of tough, flexible storage bags that are puncture resistant, semitransparent and have a 0-percent moisture transmission rating. Rust-protected items sealed inside will remain rust and corrosion free indefinitely. The sacks are resistant to all petroleum-based oils and solvents, and are non-biodegradable. They are so tough they will never break down, even in full contact with soil or moisture.