Storage/display of long guns

[oomcurt]

I dunno about the rest of you, but I enjoy seeing my gun/guns on a rack of some type. That said, and I think this is one of those things that can be debated forever...Is it more advisable to have them horizontal than verticle? Reason I am asking is back when I had centerfire rifles the idea was that being kept horizontal kept any oil from draining down into the stock, etc. At least that is what half of those I talked to said...the other half said the opposite.

 

[Rebel]

Well, keeping them horizontal with the muzzle slightly down would keep oil from draining down into the breech area. Also, i think they look better displayed that way. :m2c:

 

I don't think it matters a whole lot on how you display them as long as you are happy with the look. In terms of the oil running out, down or else where; as long as you swab the bore with a light coat of oil from time to time and protect the exterior metal from rust and dust things should be fine. Maybe dust them of every month and run a fresh oil patch through the bore while you are at it. I keep my guns locked up in a metal cabinet and still clean them about once every other month. Except when I am actively using them ofcourse.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

FYI THe Military has only verical rifle racks. Hmmmmm

 

[Wart]

It all comes down to how much room or wall space you have ... mine are behind doors and in closets ... maybe someday, I'll be able to have a gun cabinet made to display them ... if I do, I will have them with the barrels up.

 

[Tahquamenon]

My rifles have been in gun safes since the begining.

Don't over-oil/lube. If you do and your barrel is vertical, the oil will collect into the breech.

Regarding lube running down the bore, on ML's it's a non-issue. In my ML's with removable breech plugs, I leave the plug removed and a stuff a couple of lightly lubed patches into the breech to "wick" any lube. I do the same thing on sidelocks, remove the nipples and twist a little bit of light oiled patch into the nipple threads.

For centerfires, I stuff a lightly lubed patch into the breech of the barrel to "wick" any oil running down the barrel. Don't over-lube the receivers.

:m2c:

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Like I said in me intro I only have two rifles, and the only way Ill get a third is if the Mrs. wants one.

So my modern is buried out back in the lower forthy.

My flinter will hang over the mantle where it will be admired daily.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Just remember: it gets hot over the mantle. Wood shrinks if too much moisture is driven out.

It's also generally visible from outside the house.

 

[Bearbait2]

"It's also generally visible from outside the house." [/quote]

It's a terrible shame we have to be concerned that it might be seen and we will suffer the consequences if it is. Can remember when it wasn't so; as with many of us. :cry:
Best Wishes

 

[2172]

I have a wall rack, for on-end stge in a locked room, attic, no windows with the pieces chained and locked for most of the accumulated-but-not-shot-recently guns, and a similar, smaller rack for the half dozen that get some use. I have 4 flintlocks, 2 rt hand, 2 left hand, wall hung angled, flanking a Gen'l Wash. portrait in my office, and a rt hand perc mtn rifle below them...the left hand flinters and the mtn rifle get shot a lot...a couple of repro pistols, and a couple of real oldies are on a table as a display in the office...I have too darn many guns and try and clean, re-oil all about once a year...even if you limit yourself to just one more gun every couple of years, by the time you get into your 70's, you have a lot...Hank

 

I build gun cabinets , and I ask who orders one if they want it tall enough for a longrifle to fit in it. If so, I build it to accomidate them. Some will say no ,some say not yet, but make it so I can put one in it .

Woody

 

[mowolf]

Mine are locked in the gun safe. When I oil for long term storage I store them in the vertical racks, muzzle down for several days.

Waya :m2c:

 

[Johnny Tremain]

My house is sealed tight with no moisture. Also The wood stove was removed by the preious owner, but the fool kept the mantle.

Also The only thing that can look thru my window are the cows down the way. So far they havent eyed nuttin in my house, they do get a tad riled when I mow my grass :-D

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I made two pair of deer feet holders mounted to pieces of finished walnut. They look sharp and do a nice job of displaying my guns.
Ohio Rusty

 

[Jimrogers]

Most are in my safe but I display a couple in the family room in my basement for fun and conversation pieces, plus they add to the decor (in my opinion anyway).