how do you guys store your gun parts? receivers, reciver parts, bolts, barrels, stocks? Thanks.

Boxes, draws, bags, shelves, corners,... There's some stuff up in the rafters to I think!

I'm not exactly the most organized guy in the world. If I were I'd probably be more consistant about marking parts somehow, either with tags, taped on labels, etc. If I know something is going to be stored away indefinately, I'll coat with a rust inhibitor. Hope someone with more organizational discipline can give you a better answer!

Where you cant find them

I like the plastic shoe boxes as I can label them and have one for each gun that comes into the shop. Oil can always be cleaned off when you need it to be. I have had too many rust issues here on the west side of Oregon to not use it. Use it and use it with abandon.

I don't use so much as to make the parts swim in it but a good coating is very cheap insurance against a whole lot of extra work or loss.

I also use the plastic boxes made for wrapping paper for storage of pattern stocks as my shop space is limited and I don't have the wall space to hang them all.

You might already know this but be careful of those gun cases, as leaving guns in them long term can create a real rust issue.
My 2 cents

carefully labeled and stored, and then impossible to find

ditto.
i've tried to have things perfect in the shop. but it only takes a job or two and things are all over the place.

True answer..... As best you can.

For small parts, I use ziplock bags. Boxes work well, until you drop it or tip it over. For longer items (barreled actions, complete guns waiting for bluing, etc.), I use plastic wallpaper trays. They're almost the right size, cheap, and they stack when not in use. The down side of them is that they're not real durable. . They eventually crack or break. I've even had them collapse in the middle when carry a heavy load across the shop. Luckily, that hasn't happened often. They're also not quite long enough for some barreled actions, particularly repeating shotguns with fixed barrels. I've been looking at these;

http://www.usplastic.com/catal...=15206&cookie_test=1

The 30" or 36" long ones would be about right. Maybe a few of each. They're pricey, but so are the wallpaper trays after you've replaced them a few times. I haven't pulled the trigger on them yet. Anybody got a better idea for storing dissassemble guns on the shelf?

Brentp, sorry for hijacking your thread.

I made up some simple wood boxes that stack, but do not nest. Plywood bottom, 1x sides, glued and screwed. I made them wide enough to fit plastic trays left over from frozen dinners for the small parts. Hand holes in each end for carrying. Two top-notched cross pieces to hold the barrel off the bottom. Materials can be found at the curb on trash.

I use clear Tupperware containers that hold everything but the barrel. They stack neatly and consume a minimal amount of shelf space. They also offer some protection from corrosion for long term storage. This is important given my state of affairs. Stuff stays clean with no rust for years. I also keep freezer Ziploc quart and gallon bags. The freezer line of Ziplocs are a lot stronger than their regular bags and hold up well in the shop.

A friend of mine uses plastic containers that are maybe 12”x9”x6” deep. He cuts notches in the ends of the tubs for the barrel/barreled action. Everything but the stock fits in there. He also stores all paperwork such as instructions or special directions in the tubs. These stubs are stacked on shelving unit and when he starts working on the guns he pulls the tubs down and puts them on a bench. As they get completed, they go in the stocks and out the door. He moves a lot of guns through his shop every year and has the best scheduling system I have ever seen in a gunshop.

I have ~50 file folder boxes [17"x13" 10" high] with gunsmithing and reloading materials and tools. These have lids and can be stacked 6' high. The boxes are from Costco.
I fold an 8.5"x11" piece of printer paper in half and scotch tape it to the end of the box.
I use a Marks-a-lot felt pen to write on the paper.

The barrels and stocks will not fit.
I have (4) 5 gal plastic buckets filled with barrels.