Has anyone ever noticed any issues leaving a gun on say a bedside table next to a South or West facing window for any length of time such that there is light exposure for a few hrs per day?

I know it’s not direct sun as it would be outdoors on a table or bench, which I have read can be detrimental to wood, polymer, and rubber, though would one ever have to worry about sunlight exposure in the home? What about if blinds are closed creating a sort of broken up light pattern vs open?

I’d think it would be similar to a car interior, which may be exposed to sunlight from different angles every day though for any damage to occur it would take a long time of significant exposure, as I’ve seen cars parked outside for years with no visible signs of any interior damage. So the window itself must be a significant factor in breaking up the UV rays.

Auto glass has UV filters in it. I think most modern house glass has filters in it also.

I carried the same P226 for 15 years out in the sun, rain, hail, snow & mosquitoes, the UV never bothered mine.

Standard window glass will block nearly 100% of UVB and UVC, but most of the UVA will pass through. UVA has the lowest energy but can cause damage eventually. Metal might be OK (although it too can be affected), but I'd worry about plastic, rubber, wood, and paint.

It would have to sit out in the sun for decades to have any effect on anything. Non-issue.

I figured it should not be a big deal. Heck the rubber mat next to one of my windows that sees ample light has no signs of fading and looks and feels like new as when I bought it.

If you place a walnut stocked long gun near a window with direct sunlight, it will get damaged, and it won't take long. Like a wood planked floor in a florida room with direct sunlight, the floor is damaged wherever a throw rug isn't placed.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
If you place a walnut stocked long gun near a window with direct sunlight, it will get damaged, and it won't take long. Like a wood planked floor in a florida room with direct sunlight, the floor is damaged wherever a throw rug isn't placed.

How long would it take do you think? And are we talking like just fading? Or cracking and warping?

I believe it's a change in color; cherry for example will darken in sunlight, even if clear finished; and a place mat on a cherry table will leave a bright spot in days to weeks, I believe.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
If you place a walnut stocked long gun near a window with direct sunlight, it will get damaged, and it won't take long. Like a wood planked floor in a florida room with direct sunlight, the floor is damaged wherever a throw rug isn't placed.

My dad had a walnut stocked .22 LR that I now have, and I can't remember the details, but every now and again he put some kind of oil on it made just for stocks. It still looks like new and the gun is over 90 years old (no kidding)

It really depends on the window glass. 1970’s single pane, in Arizona, yes, you may have issues. 2023 double pane, far less likely.

I put double pane windows in the sunroom we built. The come coated and block almost everything, including most all heat that would come through. One window sees full afternoon sun, about five hours a day. Red oak windowsills on all windows. No difference in the sills. No fading. This is pretty intense sunlight.

So what kind of windows are these?

And as far as a pistol that sees scattered light, I wouldn’t worry about it. Remember, it’s a tool. If you’re keeping it in mint condition for the resale value, maybe it’s not the right gun to have for a nightstand gun.

Maybe throw a hand towel over it and stop worrying.

If you're worried about it, I am sure you could find another place to put it.

Bob

I never really worried about it—never gave it much thought until I read about it somewhere. Then my curiosity was peaked is all, as the spot I have been using has only been set like this for a short while.

Windows are about 25 years old single pane slide up to open. For fun I checked the surface temps at the end of the afternoon and the area by the window was only 0.5-2 degrees warmer vs anything else in the room even outside the line of the sunlight through the window so I guess it’s really a non issue.

Rub it down with some 303 protectant every once in a while if you're worried about it.

The sun will bleach pretty much anything over time, but that will help.

quote:

For fun I checked the surface temps at the end of the afternoon and the area by the window was only 0.5-2 degrees warmer vs anything else in the room even outside the line of the sunlight through the window so I guess it’s really a non issue.

It’s not the temperature, it’s the UV exposure. Photo-oxidation breaks polymer molecules apart.

That makes sense. What time frame would be the minimum for this to occur is what I would love to know. I know there are probably some factors involved like the quality of the window, the intensity of the sun position, and so on, but in general, I wonder if this could happen in a matter of days or weeks or if it would take months or years in actuality.

I know my canopy on my deck that gets Southern exposure sun all day all summer long seems to get faded rather quickly, probably within a few weeks of installation every time I buy a replacement (they get brittle and tear after a few seasons), but we’re talking about fabric in the direct sunlight, outside, versus different materials and indoors. I would think as alluded to above it would take quite some time for any effect at all to take place, but I was just wondering if anybody had any insight from a similar situation as I know many on here have set ups at home and I’m sure many of those are by a window.