8 Steps to Prepare & Store Your Guns in a Gun Safe

The main reason to store guns in a safe is to keep your firearms from getting into unauthorized hands - people without training or those with ill intent. However, when you put the guns into the vault they can become damaged or corroded. We've put together some important tips to keep your guns in good condition and protect them should the worst happen.

A quality gun safe can help keep your guns in good condition by keeping out moisture and other substances and/or gases that may damage your guns over time.

Follow These 9-Steps for "Safe" Gun Safe Storage

1. Store Your Guns Clean: Clean guns thoroughly inside and out. Copper, lead and even plastic can attract moisture. Store your guns dry. Clean out the bore as well. Leave a LIGHT layer of lubrication on all metal surfaces to create a thin coating to seal the them. Always treat your wood stocks with wax inside and out. This will help prevent swelling or cracking of the the wood.

Tip: The Hoppe's 62-Piece Universal Gun Cleaning Kit has the tools and accessories you need to keep the firearms you own in pristine condition without extra brushes and components you'll never use.

2. Remove Fingerprints From Your Guns: Natural salts from your hands left in the form of fingerprints can be an entry point for rust. Wipe them away with an ammonia-free cleaner when storing.

3. Don't Overcrowd Your Guns in a Safe: Guns often suffer nicks and dings when they are placed in and removed from a gun safe. Don't overload and plan the placement ahead of time.

4. Limit Humidity Inside Your Gun Safe: The air inside a gun safe should be at 50 percent humidity or slightly drier year-round constant. Keep it there with a dehumidifier and monitor with a hygrometer. Check your stored firearms periodically and more often if you live in a humid climate.

Tip: The Liberty Safe EVA-Dry Mini-Dehumidifier is a wireless dehumidifier requires no power to operate, so it's perfect for use inside your safe. This Mini-Dehumidifier protects your guns, ammo, and other valuables from the damaging effects of moisture while in storage.

Tip: Liberty Safe Hydrosorbent Silica Gel protects firearms from condensation, rust, and mildew by absorbing dampness from inside your gun safe or enclosed storage area.

5. Bolt Your Gun Safe Down: A thief will have a tough time tipping the safe or removing it from your home or other location. Make sure your floor is able to support the weight of the safe. You might need to place additional joists to support the bolting system and weight of the gun safe.

6. Follow the Rules of Firearm Safety: Securing guns in a safe does not free you from always following the ten rules of safe gun handling. View The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) 10 Rules of Firearms Safety and the first four are the big ones.

7. Copy the Safes Combination: Make several copies of the combination of the safe and store them securely in a different location than the safe itself.

8. Keep a List of Inventory: Keep an up-to-date inventory of guns, ammo and other items kept in your safe. Include serial numbers, descriptions, and pictures. Store the inventory list in another location like a safe deposit box.

9. Don't Store Your Guns in Gun Cases: Silicone impregnated gun sock like Cabela's Silicone Treated Gun Sock are great for storage in a gun safe, but never store your firearm in a waterproof, fabric, leather or non-breathable case of any kind. Guns should be stored where dry air can circulate around them.