Firearms storaage

[Darryl]

OK, I am out of space for my firearms.

Only place I have to store them is in the attic now.
This is not a question of "security, I know security. It is a question about environment.

Here is my situation.
I have a large "walk in" Attic.
I am in California where the humidity is fairly low. I don't have rust issues now.
The attic is open to the outside air through small vents under the eves.
It's very dry in there.
The temperature can get fairly hot in there. We have days that are in the mid 90's (about 1 1/2 months).
Some times (maybe 10 or so days) we get up to 102 outside.
Now, the attic is hotter then that, I know
For the most part of the year, it is not too bad in there.
We are talking about firearms, not ammo. My ammo is stored elsewhere properly.
In the winter, the outside is in the 40's to 560's Rarely does it go below 40 into the upper 30's. Mostly 40 to 55 range.
The attic is pleasant in the Winter.
Our weather is a bit more "mild then most.

Humidity is not a problem.

My worries is the summer or heat.

Thoughts?

Dolk

[Junk Yard Dog]

Cosmoline spray, pull the action out of the stock, spray it down with cosmoline, or brush it, you can get the brush on stuff now. Let it dry, put the wood back on, wrap it tightly in plastic so no air can get to them, and that's it. I have had firearms stored over 25 years like this with no problems no matter were you store them.

https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

[Junk Yard Dog]

I use cosmoline to store lots of things, not just firearms. Tools, parts, I spray it on the underside of the truck, I have things stored with it in cool, and hot places, don't make any difference so long as you wrap the guns. The wrap is mostly so dust and mouse crap don't stick to the rifles as the century's go by.

[awalker1829]

I have a spare bedroom that has a key lock. It's on the second floor and has nothing on the door to indicate what is in it, other than the key lock. The gun racks are in the closet space and if I remove the mat on the floor, the closet doors will close up normally, hiding any sign of what's inside. Pistols go on the shelf above the rifles in the closet. The rest of the room has ammunition cans and crates stored, but as it's on the second floor, no one can see in the window. The room gets plenty of air circulation and is heated/air conditioned so that's not an issue.

I also have two metal security lockers in my bedroom closet. They are positioned so that the closet doors can be closed to hide them. Right now they're empty as the former contents now occupy the closet in the other room. The number of people who know I collect firearms is kept to a minimum.

[Darryl]

I have a spare bedroom that has a key lock. It's on the second floor and has nothing on the door to indicate what is in it, other than the key lock. The gun racks are in the closet space and if I remove the mat on the floor, the closet doors will close up normally, hiding any sign of what's inside. Pistols go on the shelf above the rifles in the closet. The rest of the room has ammunition cans and crates stored, but as it's on the second floor, no one can see in the window. The room gets plenty of air circulation and is heated/air conditioned so that's not an issue.

I also have two metal security lockers in my bedroom closet. They are positioned so that the closet doors can be closed to hide them. Right now they're empty as the former contents now occupy the closet in the other room. The number of people who know I collect firearms is kept to a minimum.

this is not about "where to store" firearms. It more about "will the heat bother or harm them.
My spare room is full now! LOL

Darryl

[steelbuttplate]

As long as you don't have anything that is painted. That heat will blister paint.

[etprescottazusa91]

As long as you don't have anything that is painted. That heat will blister paint.

Heat will make them sweat oil and can dry out wood leading to cracks, our zero humidity is also responsible for dry wood, In Arizona we need to oil wood as much as metal. At least roofs don't blow off where you are located.

[SA1911a1]

I have a spare bedroom that has a key lock. It's on the second floor and has nothing on the door to indicate what is in it, other than the key lock. The gun racks are in the closet space and if I remove the mat on the floor, the closet doors will close up normally, hiding any sign of what's inside. Pistols go on the shelf above the rifles in the closet. The rest of the room has ammunition cans and crates stored, but as it's on the second floor, no one can see in the window. The room gets plenty of air circulation and is heated/air conditioned so that's not an issue.

I also have two metal security lockers in my bedroom closet. They are positioned so that the closet doors can be closed to hide them. Right now they're empty as the former contents now occupy the closet in the other room. The number of people who know I collect firearms is kept to a minimum.

this is not about "where to store" firearms. It more about "will the heat bother or harm them.
My spare room is full now! LOL

Darryl

I am afraid that a 120 degree attic would damage any wood over time. I suspect that if the place is as dry as you suggest that there would be large temperature swings in most every 24 hour period.

Just a suggestion:

If you could find a space, inside the house, 6' x 3' x 3', I can tell you that you can buy a $300.00 "gang box" tool box and stack 80 long-gun in it securely. I know this for fact, because it is where I put mine if a bad storm is coming. The things are weather proof and you can put it on castors. (or not) The lock as securely as a medium grade "gun safe." You could throw a piece of plywood on the top and use it for a good, solid work bench.

Of course, if you need to dig out the rifle on the bottom row, you have some work ahead of you, but if you are like me, you have some rifles that you will never shoot again, and they could go on the bottom.

[Darryl]

Thanks Steve. That sounds like a good idea.

I've run out of room in the garage and my spare bedroom.So it may be time to thin out the collection.
I have never sold a firearm, so I have my first to my last one purchased.
A lot of them I will never fire again.

However, I will never sell anything of my Revolutionary War collection. Probably not anything older then 1900 either.

Anyone looking for a Bazooka?

[steelbuttplate]

How much ?

[Rowdy1]

OK, I am out of space for my firearms.

Only place I have to store them is in the attic now.
This is not a question of "security, I know security. It is a question about environment.

Here is my situation.
I have a large "walk in" Attic.
I am in California where the humidity is fairly low. I don't have rust issues now.
The attic is open to thee outside air through small vents under the eves.
It's very dry in there.
The temperature can get fairly hot in there. We have days that are in the mid 90's (about 1 1/2 months).
Some times (maybe 10 or so days) we get up to 102 outside.
Now, the attic is hotter then that, I know
For the most part of the year, it is not too bad in there.
We are talking about firearms, not ammo. My ammo is stored elsewhere properly.
In the winter, the outside is in the 40's to 560's Rarely does it go below 40 into the upper 30's. Mostly 40 to 55 range.
The attic is pleasant in the Winter.
Our weather is a bit more "mild then most.

Humidity is not a problem.

My worries is the summer or heat.

Thoughts?

Dolk

You can install a fan at one end to circulate the air and lower the temperature. Used to live in S. California and worked for me.

[Darryl]

You can install a fan at one end to circulate the air and lower the temperature. Used to live in S. California and worked for me.

I have a fan that kicks on at around 100 F.

Not going into the attic (for now)...I think.

I found some more room for now.
I may sell some of my doubles, triples of my standard Russian M91/30's Mosins. Maybe a few of my doubles of my Finn also.
That will make a lot of room. Maybe....and some cash!

Darryl