How To Keep Guns Dry In A Gun Safe?
Moisture is one of the silent killers of guns. If you store guns in a safe for some time, this could eventually ruin your guns. You shouldn’t store your guns in excessive moisture, as it can cause rust and possibly misfires.
This is why your firearms should be kept dry inside a gun safe. Dehumidifiers are a quick solution for this.
Why Do I Need To Keep Guns Dry?
Guns are susceptible to rust in the presence of moisture. Moisture will cause them to degrade over time. You might be aware that it is not advisable to use rusty firearms.
Who is to blame for this? Misfires might occur. To prevent damage to a firearm, owners must ensure that the firearms are kept dry in the safe.
How Much Humidity Should I Keep In My Gun Safe?
According to the NRA, you should store your nightstand gun safe at a room temperature of 70 degrees and between 30-50% humidity. Dry air could cause problems with your gun stocks if it becomes more than 20%.
What Causes Moisture Invasion In Gun Safes?
There is an ever-present presence of moisture and humidity in the air. There is always some humidity, regardless of the level. A little bit of moisture gets inside when you open a gun safe to store or remove your firearms.
As there is more moisture in the lower part of your house, if you keep it in your basement, even more moisture could enter. The firearms would have a lower chance of rusting if they were placed outdoors because the air is always flowing.
In a gun safe, however, the air remains trapped, which makes it more dangerous for moisture to spread. Gun safes need to be kept dry inside by taking precautions against moisture.
Isn’t A Gun Safe Enough To Keep My Firearms Dry?
Even if you purchase a handgun gun safe, it may not be sufficient if the gun safe does not maintain the proper humidity level.
If there is excessive humidity, your weapons will be damaged. You may end up damaging your guns if there is insufficient airflow inside the safe.
It is important to remember that there is always moisture and humidity in the air. Regardless of fluctuations in air humidity, it is always present in all weather conditions. Whenever you open your gun safe, you will let moisture into the safe.
As a side note, when you keep your safe in your basement, there is more moisture in the lower part of the house, which means more moisture will get trapped inside your safe.
Your firearms will be less likely to rust if they are stored outdoors. In order to prevent moisture from getting into the safe, it is wise to take precautions.
How To Eliminate Moisture In Your Gun Safe?
To remove moisture from your gun safe, a dehumidifier will be the best solution. The safe can be protected from moisture by using some other methods as well. Finding out what your options are can help you determine which one suits you best.
Understanding Dehumidifiers For Your Gun Safe
You’re best off using a dehumidifier when you want to protect your gun safe from humidity. These filters prevent metal oxidation by absorbing moisture from the air.
It is possible to find these dehumidifiers in a variety of styles, sizes, and types, with varying levels of complexity. Aside from electric options, there are also non-electric ones. You can fairly easily install a dehumidifier inside your gun safe with little fuss.
Electric Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
Electric dehumidifiers work differently than manual ones to ensure that no moisture builds up inside your safe.
Most of these dehumidifiers don’t absorb moisture but rather heat up the room inside, which prevents condensation inside your safe and helps to keep it clean.
You can choose from several variations if your safe allows electrical access. Dehumidifiers powered by electricity are more expensive than ones not powered by electricity, but they are well worth the investment.
There is a hole in the safe that the power cord runs through in order to connect the dehumidifier to the safe. This cable can be attached to the wall or to the floor of the safe.
Non-Electric Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
Gun safes often use one of the following types of non-electric dehumidifier:
Desiccant Bags:
Easy to use and affordable, these are the best options. Furthermore, they can be reused and do not need to be replaced (usually).
Silica:
Moisture will be absorbed and kept dry by this fabric, but you must be careful not to let it touch your gun’s metal because it can corrode it.
Rechargeable Dehumidifiers:
Generally available in a variety of shapes and sizes with different capabilities.
Sealing Your Safe
As another method of preventing moisture from getting into your gun safe, you can invest in a sealant. Sealants are typically designed around vulnerable areas, such as the safe’s door, which is the most vulnerable to leaks.
A variety of sealants can be applied to the inside of your safe’s door, including caulking, silicone, and foam.
Moisture should be kept out of your safe to prevent the items inside from deteriorating. You can use these tips to figure out which option works best for you.
Using Silica Packs
Among the least expensive methods to absorb moisture in a gun safe is the silica gel desiccant pack. Apart from car gun safes, it is also used as a jewelry box, medicine cabinet, and other valuables.
It is composed of silica beads that are capable of absorbing moisture/water vapor until a certain level, after which they must be recharged.
To recharge them, you should bake them for two to three hours at 250 degrees. If silica gel is being used with a gun, it should not come in contact with it.
Silica material: how does it work? You will usually find that it absorbs all the moisture from the surroundings. This is a sure way to ensure your environment stays dry.
Aside from being easy to locate, they are also affordable. It is a requirement that you keep a few of them stored in your safe to keep guns dry. Changing the packs on a regular basis is also recommended.
The majority of people prefer to pack the silica packs in the oven.In this way, they can reuse the packs. To avoid damaging your guns, you should ensure that this silica pack doesn’t touch them. Metal surfaces are known to be damaged by silica material.
Make-shift Dehumidifiers
Putting The Safe In An Air-Conditioned Environment
It’s an easier method. It is unlikely for moisture to get inside a gun safe if it is in an air-conditioned room. Safes in heated environments are no different. It’s simply a matter of opening the safe from time to time to allow some fresh air to circulate.
There is a catch, however: you will only get results if you live in a dry environment. Humidity may make this method ineffective for you if your area has a humid climate.
Using A Bulb
Using a bulb inside the safe is also a cheap alternative. A power outlet must be connected to the bulb as was discussed above for electric dehumidifiers.
It might be necessary to drill a hole in the gun safe’s backside to pass a wire through. Gun safes with predrilled holes at the back are available in some cases. The amount of voltage should be determined by the area of the gun safe.
Putting Dry Rice
You can also try dry rice as an alternative to dehumidifiers. Rice can reduce moisture when it is dry. During every four-month period, replace the dry rice with one or two cups. Other options might be available if dry rice does not work.
Baking Soda
Sodium Bicarbonate contained in baking soda helps absorb moisture inside a gun safe. When the safe no longer absorbs moisture, replace it with one cup of baking soda.
Damp Rid and Moth Ball
Mothball and Damp rid can also be used. As Calcium chloride is present in the substance, Damp Rid is excellent at absorbing moisture. Moth Balls contain toxic, so handle them carefully, so they do not get in contact with hands and guns as well.
Using A Gun Case With A Sealant System
A sealant system may be included in some gun safes. Silicone or foam is commonly used to make them. This will prevent any humidity from passing through the door jamb. A silicone sealant system could be easily created if your gun safe lacks this feature.
Final Words
The type of dehumidifier you need for gun safes depends on how big it is. Guns need to be kept at low humidity like musical instruments.
A sealed gun case or hunter’s bag with silica gel pouches will keep moisture away from your guns. With a standard safe, both paper documents and guns can be well protected with a mini dehumidifier.
