Long Term Storage

[Beekeeper]

Due to wifes health I am putting a large number of rifles in long term deep storage.
What is your best ideas for a preserative for barrels?
Now use kroil but it doesn't seem to be the best for older Milsurp and antique barrels.

Thanks!!
beekeeper

[Outpost75]

Lee Liquid Alox is 55% solids of calcium soap in a mineral spirit carrier. It is very similar to a Lubrisol product used to protect decktop equipment, winches, etc. which are exposed to salt spray.

http://www.lubrizol.com/IndustrialAdditives/MetalworkingAdditives/Products/ALXO2188.html

It is also chemically similar to Ziebart rust proofing used on your car, but uses a different carrier.

I have had good results using Lee Liquid Alox for long term storage as a substitute for cosmolene, mixing it 50-50 with Break Free Collector, which keeps it from drying out, making it easy to remove. Break Free Collector is pretty darned good by itself.

http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/oils-lubricants/rust-prevention/break-free-collector-s-kit-sku100003225-25946-51078.aspx

[fouronesix]

Get the bore CLEAN of ALL fouling first then liberal amount of CLP, MPro7 or Eezox in the bore. Wipe exterior with same or apply something like Ren. wax if worried about chem attack on wood finish. Put in a "Sack Up" sock. Put into synthetic hard or soft case then into secure storage.

[Mk42gunner]

Cosmoline has worked for generations. It is a bit messy, but works.

With that stated, I would clean the rifles and use a good grease, RIG comes to mind. Then vacuum seal them, perhaps with some dessicant inside the bag.

The US Military has gotten away from using cosmoline to preserve weapons, last I knew they used something like the VCI Paper and sealed the guns in an aluminized bag. We called it Level A packing.

Robert

[MtGun44]

No direct experience, but check this out.

http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

I sprayed down a crankshaft journals with this (below) in about 1971 and have stored it in the garage ever
since without any corrosion whatsoever. A lot of that time was in Fla and WVA where rust is a SERIOUS
problem for finely finished steel surfaces. The actual can said "CRC Marine Soft Seal" but this appears
to be what is sold now, at least in the US. The description sounds the same. Kinda like spray on "cosmoline
light" - waxy amber film with close adhesion and extremely durable. Will wipe off with petroleum solvents.
As an aerosol spray it may be a bit tricky to get into a bore, but saturating a patch and swabbing should
do it.

http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/?s=06026

Ask Jeff in NZ about whether CRC Marine Soft Seal is readily available there. It popped up several
times but only on NZ and Austrailian web pages. May just be a name difference.

Bill

[Bad Water Bill]

I LOVE RIG

Had to hide ALL firearms in 1973. RIG was just wiped on everything and not removed till 2003.

No rust anywhere and I live in Chiraq area.

[bhn22]

You can buy spray on Cosmoline. http://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

It'll give you plenty to do when you awaken them from their slumber :bigsmyl2:

[scb]

I like RIG but prefer this:
http://www.lpslabs.com/product-details/612
I buy it here. (can't find it locally)
http://www.mcmaster.com/#lps-rust-and-corrosion-inhibitors/=pi7qw5

[Blacksmith]

Beekeeper
You like Kroil then check out Kano Laboratories rust preventatives under their Industrial Specialties line:
http://www.kanolabs.com/indSpec.html

[quilbilly]

Look for fishing reel grease with silicone as an additive. I once had a T/C muzzleloader stolen from my truck and when the thieves discovered it was not much value to them, they tossed it into a local river. A year later divers found it and the sheriff's office returned it after a year under water. All the interior parts covered in the reel grease were good as new and salvageable. Sadly not the rest.

[koehn,jim]

As others have said spray on cosmoline. sorry to hear about your wifes health.