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Help me. I'm moving to Florida. My poor barrels!

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laagamer

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Howdy! Californian here moving to Florida for work.

My two muzzloaders need your help! They tend to rust if I don't oil them regularly here in California, and I'm seriously afraid for them in the Florida humidity!

Can anyone recommend a good gun locker that'll fit a LGP rifle and a Traditions Deerhunter that I can better keep a dehumidified environment in?

I hate to include this caveat, given the size of the locker I've just asked for a recommendation on, but preferably one that can fit in a newlyweds coffin sized apartment? 😅

Any advice or recommendations is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

EDIT: Was considering this one and a desiccant of some kind inside.

https://www.amazon.com/【2024NEW】7-8...1e1-46b5-851a-db4cbc16f1a5&pd_rd_i=B0CN95T3QG
 
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I live in North Florida, maybe 50 miles from @BruceHH . It is humid here, but as stated the best way to prevent rust is to simply apply a good surface protectant. Bruce recommended 3-in-1 oil, Uncle Miltie said BC Barricade, and I use LSA. They all work. The secret is to use an oil that won’t evaporate.

In addition, I cut 8”-9” squares of chamois skin (available from any car parts dealer) and impregnate it with the oil of choice. It need not be dripping, just greasy to the touch. I store these in small, wide-mouthed jars that are scattered around the place… shop, garage, by the gun cabinet…. After handling a gun, I pull out the chamois and wipe off the fingerprints and anywhere else that needs it. When needed, add a few drops of oil to the chamois. This was a practice I learned from my dad many years ago and it still works. The chamois is very durable and lasts for years, and leaves no lint.

Yes, the oils mentioned are petroleum products. You just wipe your bore as you would do anyway and go shoot. No problem. I use plant or animal based patch and bullet lubes, but there are no issues with the use of petroleum products for mechanical lubrication or surface protection.

I just checked the “weather app” on this device and the humidity here right now is 97%. You can expect the wood grips on your revolvers to swell. Welcome to Florida!

Notchy Bob
 
I used to swear by Barricade but after a couple of months of constant rain I had a little surface rust in my barrels. My gun safe is out in the garage so it sees the humidity fluctuation of the outside. I only had a small humidity rod in my safe at the time. I bought a huge Golden Rod to add to the safe along with the existing rod and changed my storage lube to either Rig or 30W motor oil, no more rust.
 
I live in Valdosta in south Georgia on the edge of a swamp. It can't get much more humid. As long as you keep the guns in an air conditioned space (in your home) and keep a reasonable amount of oil on the surfaces you should not have a problem. I keep my muzzle loaders in a display case and the ones that I don't shoot very often are re-oiled every 6 months. Bill
 
I live on the east coast of FL. Been here 8 years. I've never experienced rust on any of my guns and have not experienced any rust, and I don't clean or oil any differently that when I lived in the mountains of VA. There has been so much discussion about the brand and kind of oil to use. Interesting, but a bit silly. I've never seen that it matters; sort of like which patch lube we favor. Regarding anti-rust oil, use what you have. I oil with regular gun oil on all firearms.
 
I live in Valdosta in south Georgia on the edge of a swamp. It can't get much more humid. As long as you keep the guns in an air conditioned space (in your home) and keep a reasonable amount of oil on the surfaces you should not have a problem. I keep my muzzle loaders in a display case and the ones that I don't shoot very often are re-oiled every 6 months. Bill
Agree, MD is very humid (live by the Bay). After cleaning, i coat liberally with Break Free CLP and leave on dresser in air conditioned room. No rust.
Also, unless you must keep in a safe, leaving out where air circulates prohibits rust far better than being locked up in a small, no fresh air environment.
IMG_2248.jpeg
 
I live in North Florida and build, shoot and compete with both flintlock and percussion rifles on a daily basis. There are a lot of oils that probably will work fine, but I only use 3 in 1 oil which can be purchased about anywhere. I have never had even a hint of a rust problem.
I used to use the old G.I. gun oil, but a friend who retired from special forces got me using three in one oil and I have used it now for over 25 years and find it the best That I have ever used.
 
I live near Mike in Florida east coast near daytona beach. We keep the house at average of 74.5 degrees and with air conditioning and good sealed windows, we've hovered around 50 percent humidity in all weather in all seasons. I check every 3 - 6 months and revolvers, long arms do very well with any of those items mentioned above.
 

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