Rifle Storage

thomasc4329

Just a quick couple of questions lads i,m going away with work for six months and was wondering what to do with my two rifles cz 17hmr and a t3 223. Will they be ok if i just clean them well and heavily oil them should i leave the bolts open or closed Thanks in advance

Cass

Clean them well, but leave no oil or at the worst, a little/light rub. DO NOT leave them stored with any quantity of oil in them. It will "seep" into the action, internal mechanics, etc.

I usually roll up a good clean lint free cloth and place ii in the chamber. This will catch any residual oil that runs down the barrel and will protect your trigger mechanism, etc.

Secondly DO NOT store them with the bolts in. Unless someone else is licensed to have the guns, remove the bolts and store/hide them elsewhere.

Thirdly and without preaching, if you can try and have them stored in a trusted dealers. If the house is going to be "abandoned" for the time you are away this would be safest. If someone will be there make sure and hide the keys to your safe, but only inform a very trusted person where they are, just in case. This is why i say hide the bolts, and tell NO-ONE. Even if someone got to your firearms (God forbid) they are useless without the bolts, and if no-one else is licensed on them they have no business looking at or going near them. I refer to friends/family in that staement too.

Tackleberrywho

thomasc4329 wrote: »

Just a quick couple of questions lads i,m going away with work for six months and was wondering what to do with my two rifles cz 17hmr and a t3 223. Will they be ok if i just clean them well and heavily oil them should i leave the bolts open or closed Thanks in advance

I'd personally Oil as normal wearing plastic gloves not to leave finger prints.
Put in a dry constant temp safe as temperature changes causes most rust due to condensation in my experience.
Bolts closed Moderators off and also oiled if you have any.

Remington Rust preventer spray I find very good for external surfaces and internal regular gun oil.
If you want to be really particular cover with an oily rag.
I store my pistol components this way and they are as good as new


Just read Ezridaxs

If you are leaving the house idle store in RFD's.
If you are leaving with loved ones remove bolts and store else where.

I often do not use my pistol in months and it is pristine when slides etc are wrapped in an old cotton T-Shirt that was used to clean guns prior to that

thomasc4329

Thanks lads the house wont be abandoned the rest of my family are staying at home. I dont usually leave the bolt in my rifles but i was told that because i,m leaving them for so long i should leave the bolt in and release the action to prevent weakening the spring ?? Thanks for your input lads

Tackleberrywho

thomasc4329 wrote: »

Thanks lads the house wont be abandoned the rest of my family are staying at home. I dont usually leave the bolt in my rifles but i was told that because i,m leaving them for so long i should leave the bolt in and release the action to prevent weakening the spring ?? Thanks for your input lads

For best security Bolts out in separate safe

Spunk84

thomasc4329 wrote: »

Just a quick couple of questions lads i,m going away with work for six months and was wondering what to do with my two rifles cz 17hmr and a t3 223. Will they be ok if i just clean them well and heavily oil them should i leave the bolts open or closed Thanks in advance

i look after the t3 .223 if ya want :rolleyes: LOL

FISMA

thomasc4329 wrote: »

Thanks lads the house wont be abandoned the rest of my family are staying at home. I dont usually leave the bolt in my rifles but i was told that because i,m leaving them for so long i should leave the bolt in and release the action to prevent weakening the spring ?? Thanks for your input lads

Thomasc, A few months won't make much of a difference. I usually pull my firearms out once a year for a spring lubing and they really do not need it.

Removing the bolts is nice, for security sake. But if they are in a safe place, I would leave them in.

Can you totally take the bolts down? If so, I would consider that.

However, no tension on the spring may be as much of a concern as a lot of tension. I always store my firearms with the pin fired.

For six months, I would spray it with some Rem Oil, wrap it in wax paper and store it barrel down.

That's what helps me sleep better when I am away!

thomasc4329

Thanks lads have them stored away and all now bolts in a seperate safe wrapped in an oily rag cant wait to get back to use them again and i,m not even gone yet