gun safe in the garage

[Nick87]

So I need to move my safe currently I keep in climate controlled shop. Only problem is I need to move it to the new house and I cannot get it down the hallway. I'm thinking of putting it out in the detached garage but it's not heated or cooled anyone else keep there's outside like this or have any feedback on humidity rods If so?

 

[TimeOnTarget]

Personally i think its asking for trouble, No personal experience though.:MAD

 

[jryoung]

I use a golden rod in my garage which has pretty high humidity and so far it has worked great. I did have an issue with some rust forming on a stainless steel floor plate, but after discussion here that was more than likely due to salt/chemicals from my hands prior to putting it away.

 

[Rooster52]

I keep a humidity rod in mine plus a small electric heater in my safe,no problems so far. I keep my safe in an unheated work shop.
You will have trouble if you do not put some heat in the safe.

 

[Gut Shot]

Looks like we're in the same part of the country. Unfortunately safes outside of the home suck. High humidity and triple digit temps in the summer and below zero temps in the winter and all of the condensation in spring when the temps start coming up play havoc, not only on the contents of the safe, but on the safe itself.

If you have to put the safe in the garage get it off of the concrete floor. Problem is you should also bolt it to the floor so no one can cart it off. Make sure it can't be seen from the street when the door is open.

 

[Delw]

Gun safes out in the garage isnt a problem like most think.
I'm in AZ where it gets pretty hot along with heat come moisture and lots of it especially in july-sept.
I coat all my guns with riggs gun greese. even the one inside I coat the guns
Also I put a few sheets of balsa wood and cardboard(corrugated) along the sides this will take the moisture out of the air inside the safes.

had a water heater blow out last year under the safe was wet and it was running over 105 in the garage. we were gone for 3 days when it happened. I was nervous when I opened the safe. everything looked like new.

If I leave a gun outside in the garage for 1 day (blued gun) and not wiped down it will start to rust fast.

My safes are all cannon safes the older ones there is no fancy wood work in them or velvet or anything.
also partical board works for a good moisture absorbant use fresh cut stuff and dont coat it.

 

[ccc23454]

i live near coast and mine is in garage with zero problems, just use a gold rod or a light to dehumidify, monitor and if you need add a second rod but i doubt you will need it. gutshot said space it off concrete floor, i did with some thin pvc strips i had laying around, i thought a little airflow would be good for the base and can still mount it to floor. mines been there 5 years maybe?zero problems.

 

[noharleyyet]

..have an un conditioned room off the garage & wipe the metal occasionally with a silicone cloth & keep a charged container of this. Run a gun oil swab thru the barrels and cylinders periodically & wipe down the bolts. I had a few brass bolsters & pins on some good knives green up in my old smaller Sentry safe....much more conscientious now.




Reactivates in 3 hrs in the oven at 360* F....FWIW, the 'safe specialist' at Tractor Supply swore by this stuff...claimed it better than the rod.

 

[Rooster52]

I hadthe silica jell and had to rejuvenate it every other day. Small fan forced electric heater works best for me. I set it at 65 degrees and no more rust or condensation on my guns.

 

[noharleyyet]

I used a a small thermostatic heater during very cold time. This summer will be the test.

 

[Rooster52]

I use the gold rod thru the summer months,just to be safe.

 

[danr55]

Extreme variations in temperature and/or humidity can have a terrible effect on wood stocks. You need to do something to try to balance environment swings..

 

[jt13]

Reviving an old one here....

I've inherited some more guns and the world's heaviest safe. There is absolutely no way in hell this thing will come in my little farm house. It's actually a safe from a nuclear power company that's concrete and lead lined. I have an insulated, unheated garage it's going to live in for the time being. The guns inside all have been cleaned and oiled. I put a brand new golden rod in it today and will have to hope for the best.

Any tips or suggestions?

 

[MThuntr]

Reviving an old one here....

I've inherited some more guns and the world's heaviest safe. There is absolutely no way in hell this thing will come in my little farm house. It's actually a safe from a nuclear power company that's concrete and lead lined. I have an insulated, unheated garage it's going to live in for the time being. The guns inside all have been cleaned and oiled. I put a brand new golden rod in it today and will have to hope for the best.

Any tips or suggestions?

Give me the guns...problem solved

 

[Washington Hunter]

I have a gun safe in my detached garage and have had no issues. I don't have anything in the safe for humidity, heat, or anything else. Guns have been totally fine in there for a little over ten years now.

 

[belshawelk]

I have my safe in the garage. I am in Idaho and garage is cold. I keep a my guns all rubbed with Renaissance wax ( nothing better). I keep a couple humidity control products in there also. I am not worried about cold temperatures unless there is moisture. The issue if when the temp changes then you humidity problems.

Col and dry is not a problem. Cold or hot with moisture is the problem.

 

[buckbull]

Just make sure you have a vapor barrier between the safe and concrete floor. I had 2 safes in my garage for 20 years and no issues. I keep silica packs in the safes.

 

[David658]

Your safe is pretty much a closed system. If you can keep the air in it dry, should be ok. Although we can get really crazy dry here in the spring and winter, we have warm and wet as well. Both temperature and humidity swings. I use one of those dessicant systems that plugs in to dry out, and that has been sufficient for my muzzleloaders (think black powder) and my modern guns. My thought is that because I am not in and out of the safe all the time, that box full of air sits there and stays dry, regardless of temperature.

David
NM

 

[Hem]

Move to Montana. No humidity here, but recently there are people of all walks of life.

 

[fmnjr]

Live in Vegas keep one in the garage had it there for couple years no problems at all don’t use anything in it either.