Proper gun storage requires more than just getting a good gun safe to store your guns and ammo. While investing in a durable gun safe is not a bad idea, you must consider two major factors when storing your guns if you want them to last long. The factors are temperature and humidity.
Knowing the temperature and humidity suitable for storing your guns will make them last long enough without rusting and degrading. However, many gun owners still find these two factors challenging, with questions lingering on their minds concerning the humidity and temperature considered ideal for gun storage. These questions will be answered and explained in this article.
What are the best temperature and humidity for gun storage?
When stored correctly in an environment with the right temperature and humidity, guns can last long. According to the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) standards, the ideal temperature for storing guns should be between 55° and 85° Fahrenheit.
In warmer temperatures, the air tends to hold more moisture, increasing the chances of gun steel becoming rusty. Also, high temperature attracts the growth of mold and mildew inside the gun safe.
Humidity is the level of moisture or water vapor in the air. So, when there is plenty of water vapor in the air, humidity is high. On the other hand, if the water level in the air is low, then the humidity level is low.
Studies by the National Rifle Association (NRA) conclude that the ideal humidity level for gun storage is 50% humidity at 70° Fahrenheit. When there is plenty of moisture in the air, it increases the risk of gun steel becoming rusty. However, when the humidity level falls below 40%, it could dry out your guns and cause damage.
What Temperature And Humidity Are Too High Or Too Low For Gun Safe?
The safe that you choose to store your gun is vital. Some gun safes, particularly wooden ones, tend to heat up faster, while steel or iron safes heat up slower.
More important is the climate condition of the environment where the gun safe is located. The humidity level and temperature outside the safe will also affect the interior part of the safe when you open and close the safe constantly.
As stated above, the ideal humidity level for a gun safe is 50%, and the temperature should be around 70°F. Humidity levels below 40% may be considered too low for gun storage.
Gun safes should be stored in a place free from too much moisture or a place that is not overly dry. Also, the region where a gun safe is located matters a lot. Take a look at the coastal areas where the land meets the sea. The humidity in such locations is usually high, which can cause guns to rust faster than in drier areas.
Arid regions, on the other hand, lack water. Dry soil, a low level of water vapor in the air, and low precipitation are characteristics of these regions. In arid areas, a gun safe can easily be dried out.
How To Keep Temperature And Humidity Under Control Inside The Gun Safe
Now that you know the ideal conditions for storing your guns, it would be ideal to know how you can keep the temperature and humidity conditions in your gun safe under control. Here they are
Using An Electric Dehumidifier
This device helps maintain the humidity level in the gun safe to prevent the growth of mold and mildew and prevent gun steels and metals from rusting. It works by using heat to evaporate moisture from the safe and is best placed at the bottom of the gun safe for better efficiency.
A power outlet needs to be in your gun safe to use this device. The number of electric dehumidifiers used in a gun safe depends on the number of firearms and ammunition stored and how large the gun safe is.
Using Desiccant-Based Moisture Absorber
This device absorbs moisture from the air through a desiccant material with a high attraction to water. It does not require any electric outlet or batteries in use. A desiccant moisture absorber comes in different sizes and shapes to suit your preference.
It is suitable for a smaller safe, but you may have to use more than one desiccant dehumidifier if you have a larger gun safe. A desiccant dehumidifier is budget-friendly and relatively easy to use. Also, most have indicators that change color when it’s time for you to reactivate the inbuilt desiccant.
Using Silica Gel Packets
While silica is popularly used to suck away moisture from shoes, bags, and other products, gun safes are not left out. It works by reducing the moisture level in the air when it becomes too much. When the air becomes too dry, it releases part of the moisture absorbed.
Silica gel packets are great options for storing your guns in a small space. Ensure that you use an adequate number for maximum performance. The size of silica gel packets that you will require depends on the size of your gun safe. You may need up to 16 oz of Silica gel packets for a large safe.
Using A Hygrometer
A hygrometer is an instrument used to measure the level of water vapor present in the air. Gun owners have long used hygrometers as an extra step to prevent mold growth and rust.
When installed in your gun safe, it will help monitor the temperature and humidity inside the safe, letting you know the appropriate time to resort to using an electric dehumidifier, desiccant humidifier, or silica gel packets.
Not only does a hygrometer monitor the humidity of your gun safe, but it can also help you measure the efficiency of any dehumidifier you are using.
Conclusion
It is undeniable that the humidity and temperature of where you store your guns will determine how long guns will last without succumbing to mildew, mold growth, rust, or even dryness.
While the ideal humidity level, according to the National Rifle Association, is 50% at a room temperature of 70° Fahrenheit, the climate will not always have the perfect humidity and temperature. In that case, there will be a need to control the humidity and temperature of the room through the use of an electric dehumidifier, desiccant dehumidifier, or even with the use of silica gel packets. Once stored under the best humidity level and temperature, you can rest assured that your guns will live a long, rust-free life in good condition.