Long-Term Safe Storage of Stainless Revolver

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  • Doublehelix

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    Jun 20, 2015
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    I don't shoot my S&W 686 Plus very often, and was wondering how you all store yours when not in use for a while. I have heard to rub with Rem Oil, but not sure if this the best option.

    Any ideas?
     

    SAILORGOLF46

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    Feb 14, 2012
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    I store all my revolvers with the stocks/grips off the guns as moisture may get under them and cause problems. I do store in a safe and in Plano pistol box's and wipe them down every couple months. I use old school 3-1 oil which I have used for 60 yrs and it has served me well.
     
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    Remoil is probably one of the worst products to use. Too thin and evaporates in a relatively short period of time. Use something designed for long term storage, like Breakfree LP or CO, RIG, or Hornady One Shot. All are products I've used on firearms that have been in deep storage for several years, and all are in as good a condition as when I put them up.
     

    Karl-just-Karl

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    Clean it, oil it, and put it in the safe. You did say it is stainless...right?

    Unless your safe is in the garage or a wet basement...even then, clean it, oil it, put it in the safe.

    I have worked with stainless steel for years, it is left intentionally dry (no oil) for cleanliness, that's why we choose stainless.

    Admittedly, in service, stainless can occasionally get some funky spots. But it doesn't rust like cold rolled steel left out in the rain.

    Hoppes or a general 3in1, light machine oil.
     

    Doublehelix

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    Thanks everyone. Even guns that don't get shot much get cleaned and lubed over the winter each year, and my safe has a pretty hefty dessicator in it. I tend to clean with Ballistol, which has some protectant properties, and oil on the moving parts of semi-autos, but always wondered if I should treat revolvers differently.

    Interesting to hear that Remoil is no good! I have never used it personally, but it seems like I have read about it a lot in the forums. Seems popular (which means absolutely nothing of course).
     

    Bosshoss

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    Thanks everyone. Even guns that don't get shot much get cleaned and lubed over the winter each year, and my safe has a pretty hefty dessicator in it. I tend to clean with Ballistol, which has some protectant properties, and oil on the moving parts of semi-autos, but always wondered if I should treat revolvers differently.

    Interesting to hear that Remoil is no good! I have never used it personally, but it seems like I have read about it a lot in the forums. Seems popular (which means absolutely nothing of course).

    Every S&W revolver that leaves my shop has Rem Oil inside and out. I do action work on S&W revolvers and Rem Oil is thin and has excellent lube quality's and very little friction(drag) which is very important in a lightened and tuned revolver. Are their oils that are better for the outside maybe but that is personal choice. I have used Weapon Shield and several others on the outside with good results but the inside is ONLY Rem Oil.
    The revolvers I work on are usually shot a LOT and don't spend very long laying in a safe. While some other oils might be better on the outside for storage(I don't know) Rem Oil is great for the inside.

    Stainless steel will definitely rust. It is rust resistance not rust proof(at least in firearm form).
    I have always said a blue gun is easier to take care of but requires more taking care of.

    Stainless and Blue S&W revolvers should have the grips removed if in long term storage as they will tarnish and rust under them. I have seen them bad enough that they are pits in the metal that won't clean up. If they are stored in good conditions and cleaned and oiled before putting away then it is probably not going to be a problem.
    I have seen some really nice guns come in the shop and when I take the grips off it is amazing what can be under them.

    Not knocking other oils but just don't want Rem Oil getting a bad wrap.
    I don't use Rem Oil on my Auto's though, I prefer other oils for that.
     

    climber1218

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    I don't really think which oil you use matters as long as the gun is clean, oiled, and stored in a dry place. I have a Goldenrod in all my safes to decrease humidity and haven't had any issues with stainless firearms...I kept forgetting to refresh or replace the desiccants! I have not removed the grips and will need to look underneath to see if anything bad is happening!
     

    Bosshoss

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    Rem-Oil is a TERRIBLE corrosion preventative. May be just "ok" as a lubricant - but there are better lubricants, too.

    Comprehensive Corrosion Test: 46 Products Compared | Day At The Range

    Gun oils is just like car oil everyone has a opinion.
    If I ever left my gun outside or in salt water I would say he has some good info, but I don't.
    I do know several shooters that said Frog Lube is one of the worst things you can put on a gun, I think there is a thread on here about it. I have never used it myself but have feedback from friends and fellow shooters that I trust. That is something he says is the best?

    I have used Rem Oil in my revolvers and have a few hundred thousand rounds thru them with no rust with minimal to no wear and low drag or resistance better than any oil I have tried(which isn't all of them).
    My customers have several million rounds(added together) thru the guns I have worked on and no one has had any issues with Rem Oil causing any problems.
    Most of my customers and myself run the revolvers hard and shoot them a lot and this is just my opinion based on our experiences.
    I also stated I don't run Rem Oil on my autos as it is so thin it gets thrown off(usually on my glasses or face).
     
    Last edited:

    Expat

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    I have used RemOil for years on my hunting shotguns, inside and out, semis and pumps. Never had any issues and I used to hunt in all kinds of weather.
     

    Tactically Fat

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    In general, oils are not a corrosion preventative. Some work at that job because they stick to the surface and, due to hydrophobic properties, repel water.

    Corrosion preventatives, likewise, aren't all that good at lubricating. Some may do an OK job at it, or even use oils to help deliver/spread the product around.

    If you want a good corrosion inhibitor - get a good corrosion inhibitor. If you want a good lube - get a good lube (And Rem Oil isn't even all that good of a lubricant, either).

    I do not care what *you people* use on *your* firearms. Makes me no never mind.

    But to dismiss Chemistry because "reason" is stupid.

    CLPs are jacks of all trades and masters of none.

    RemOil isn't even a one-trick pony. It's a half-trick miniature donkey that's mostly blind and has a bleeding disorder. BUT - it's cheap and it's ubiquitous.
     

    rhrlaw

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    Desiccant packets are super cheap (free if they come from packages you buy) and probably worth tossing in the safe to absorb some humidity.
     

    Hohn

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    WD 40 specialist long term corrosion inhibitor. Buy a product designed for what you need. Use an oil for oiling. A rust preventative for RP.
     

    bw210

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    I use Bore Stores for all my handguns and some long guns. Silicone treated synthetic wool pile socks. Prevents moisture build up as well as soft protection againts dings and whatnot while in storage.
     

    Tactically Fat

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    WD 40 specialist long term corrosion inhibitor. Buy a product designed for what you need. Use an oil for oiling. A rust preventative for RP.

    It's amazing what a purpose-engineered substance will do vs. trying to get another substance to work at doing something it wasn't engineered to do.
     
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