I haven't seen this discussed here; if it has been please point me to it. There are articles out there about how materials in modern gun safes can actually cause corrosion. Mostly formaldehyde or sulfur offgassing from the drywall, particle board, and glue used for carpet. However, I have noticed that the primary source of this information is from a company that makes secure storage without the sheetrock and particle board/carpeted interiors.

Here's a link to the article:

https://www.secureitgunstorage.../gun-safe-corrosion/

I certainly understand the bias of the company who comptetes with the traditional gun safe companies, and so I don't just take it at face value. BUT, the science does make sense to me, and I know firsthand that particle board or MDF has serious offgassing. So that is enough to make me want more info.

Anyone here have issues with long term storage in a gunsafe? Anyone who can shed some light on the issue, or lack thereof?

Sounds like bullshit to me.

Only if it contains Chinese drywall .

I can’t imagine a company that specializes in making gun safes would use any materials that would cause corrosion to guns stored in the safe. Now some knock off company or a safe not specifically designed for guns, then sure I guess. Obviously corrosion can happen in a quality gun safe, but those are environmental factors.

And where the website says, “ Why are there are so many products on the market designed to slow or stop corrosion in a gun safe?” Answers again is, environmental factors. A golden rod isn’t fighting formaldehyde.

I remember a post years ago that Frank made about materials in cheap home office safes causing corrosion but nothing about gunsafes.

A lot of that offgassing has been dealt with - it exceeds certain standards. We had carpet installed in one church and the formaldehyde was off the charts, it took years to vent it all out.

If there is a lot of stuff inside the safe - leave it open and air it out. Confining it causes the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Tirod:

If there is a lot of stuff inside the safe - leave it open and air it out. Confining it causes the problem.

Ok I have to be "that guy" and say kinda defeats the purpose of a safe if you have to leave it open to let it air out.

Stuff = all that upholstery causing the problem.

When you first get it and still guns all stacked up in the closet, open the door and take a deep sniff - if it's funky with chemicals, add stick heater or ozone machine and let er run with the door cracked for circulation.

And yeah I did come back to fix that. Beat me to it.

Granted my safes are older, bought them in 1997 & 99. I have had blued guns in them for 24 years and no corrosion. My safes are National Safe Co. which was a high end company and I don't think they would have used cheap materials? Now stack on etc... who knows?

Never heard of it, never seen it, never experienced it. It's not an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
Only if it contains Chinese drywall .

Or Chinese steel.

https://championsafe.com/5-dif...-steel-in-gun-safes/

I think the potential problem with gun safes are their mass as to where they are kept and if there is a drastic temperature change then condensation can form inside.... I guess if there was some product inside the safe that had corrosives in it then this could cause even more of a problem... but like mentioned I don't know why a safe maker would do that. Sounds to me like someone was using made up stuff to sell their product.

quote:

Only if it contains Chinese drywall

This is the only situation that I'm aware of that has ever actually caused any trouble. That was corrected once those materials were banned from import.

There was a bout with drywall a few years ago... off gassing sulfur gas.

Anybody who's had experience with sulfur gas in drinking water can tell you this sulfur gas tears shit up!

Eats copper, tarnishes brass, tarnishes silver, eats braze material
wiring/contacts/coins/etc.

The shit is nasty!

Will ruin electronics, appliances, water lines, air conditioning equipment, jewelry, etc.

There's too many items to list...

So, yes, if *that* drywall is in your safe, it can cause issues.

Any gypsum drywall will absorb moisture from the air, which can cause humidity issues inside the safe. Get a goldenrod dehumidifier and you should be OK.

So, what was the time period that these safes, with the Chinese drywall, were built?

have seen some chinese made safes that had a funky odor from the materials,

think new car smell but funkier, (no sulfuric)

otherwise,

the only issue I have had (Liberty Franklin and a few other older safes) si the usual central Va white mold,

wipe down with white vinegar on a rag, let it dry, and added a goldenrod and all was good

quote:

Originally posted by Muddflap:
So, what was the time period that these safes, with the Chinese drywall, were built?

The drywall was imported between 2001 to 2009 . Obviously some could have been left over much later . The only places I've ever heard of it being an issue is in the building industry .

I've kept all my guns in gun safes for over 30 years, 5 different ones and never had a problem.

I'd say it's BS

A the moment I use six safes, all different designs and makes, with a variety of interiors, materials, locks, etc. I've made some interiors using foam, carpeting, other materials. I've yet to see any sign of corrosion, even in my oldest firearms. No damage to finishes, sights, etc.

The worst I've seen is several firearms glued together from deterioration of the lubricant I'd used, which was a rod and gun grease...nothing to do with the safes.