Is is safe to store your rifle in a fitted case for long periods of time? I'm sure the famous makers intend for their case to protect a very valuable rifle or shotgun but I wonder if the material could draw moisture. Are there any special tricks one should know or precautions one should take?
thanks

I never store a firearm in a case, scabbard, etc. longer than for short periods and/or transport. They're all made of stuff that can attract and trap moisture. For long terme storage, I want air to circulate around the guns.

I take all my doubles out of the cases, and place them in a gun vault, the cases.are stacked in a clouset!

My two doubles stand muzzles down in the gunsafe!

quote:

My two doubles stand muzzles down in the gunsafe!

That makes two of us.

Make that 3. Gun safe with a golden rod dehumidifier.

why muzzle down? keep the goldenrod farther from the wood maybe?

If you have a recoil pad (especially leather), due to the weight of the rifle, pressure over time can distort the shape of the pad. That's the main reason I do it, but there may be others.

Another reason is that if there are lubricants that will run, it'll run down the barrel instead of pooling onto the stock thereby weakening the wood where it's inletted into the action. Once the wood becomes soft and gummy, time for a new stock.

If you've ever worked on old doubles - they often have rotted wood from excess oil dripping down.Most shooters use too much oil...Never store guns in closed cases They can trap moisture .I've seen a gun taken out of a case completely covered with moisture !!!

Gentlemen,
thanks for the knowledge. I shoulda known, just like with women, anything that sexy is gonna have a down side.:^)

Another golden rod in gun safe. Never considered putting the doubles muzzle down, but my try it.

But when you live in Vegas you can ask questions like.................what's humidity?????

If she's a sexy woman, the higher costs are in daily maintenance. You don't think she's purty w/o a little help, here and there, do you?

If you have a humidity problems consider Intercept Protector

My gunsmith keeps all the really top end guns(all he touches) in their cases in a humidity-temp controlled vault.no problems-maybe because he controls humidity.easy way to keep gun&case together.

After cleaning, I run an oiled patch through the bore. The gun is stored muzzle down in a chair cup.

Dave