I have a Liberty gun safe that is about 7 or 8 years old and sits in the garage. Today I just happened to take out my old P226 which I haven't shot in at least 2 years. This is what I found. Looks like the padding in the door pocket is breaking down and sticking to the metal. I figured not a big deal and got a tooth brush and some CLP. That barely started to clean it. The stuff is still sticking and I'm hoping its not pitting the metal. It's soaking in Hoppes now.

Just a word to the wise to take your stuff out more often and at least wipe it down so this doesn't happen.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: scot818,

Wow that’s really unfortunate. Is your garage climate controlled? If it turns out that the slide is damaged I would recommend sending it to SIG. For 100.00 bucks plus shipping they will refinish your slide with their Nitron finish.

I would also contact Liberty regarding their materials breaking down like that...

Wow, that sucks! I hope it comes off. I have nightmares about stuff like that.

Is this "padded pocket" lined with some kind of foam rubber type of material, like that of many gun cases?

I have been thinking of buying a Liberty safe when I get my new room compleated. The local Fleet Farm sells them, decisions, decisions.

It's not the safe, Liberty makes a good safe.

It's the material the pockets are made of. I have a nice S&W Mod 66 that was left in a felt lined box, the felt "stuck" to the gun because of the oil/solvent left on the gun and the chemical reaction to the material.

Hoppes, rubbing alcohol, WD-40, Aerolube... That and a little elbow grease will get that crap off.

Interesting I have a liberty Lincoln safe that is about 14 years old now and my pockets are all just thin nylon without any extra foam or rubber padding to them.

scot818 - I'm very sorry for your experience. Hopefully you'll be able to salvage your pistol's finish. As a rule, I avoid storing firearms inside of most everything. This includes holsters, pistol rugs, pouches & etc. When I was very young, I recall my older cousin having had his prized Dan Wesson revolver damaged by storing it in a lined pistol rug. Moisture from condensation ruined the beautiful blue finish. It was a hard lesson for him though I learned from his misfortune. Please let us know how this resolves. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
Interesting I have a liberty Lincoln safe that is about 14 years old now and my pockets are all just thin nylon without any extra foam or rubber padding to them.

Same here. My Liberty safe is as tough as nails and has been perfect. I had the dial set up initially, and then upgraded to the electronic/key pad and it has been working non-stop for years. Liberty has a great reputation and I would not hesitate to buy another.

I wonder what material was used in the pocket/door piece in your safe. Was it aftermarket? Any pics?

I feel for you with the stuff on your gun. Do you use any type of Damp Rid/dehumidifying rod? Your weather is like mine and the humidity can destroy anything. I had an older safe in my garage and the lining broke down. I went in to see a couple of my heavier guns at the time on the floor of the safe.

I built this wooden stand for pistols. Keeps them off the carpet and out of bags/boxes/holsters



Two end boards and three dowels

How about Bore-Stores?

Here are a few pics of the pocket. I didn't get to work on the pistol last night so I'm going to this afternoon. I can't really complain. The safe has been great and no other pockets have done that. I think it was probably a combination of the heat in the garage and the fact I probably wiped that pistol down with a little more oil for the carbon steel slide. I doubt this would have happened if it were actually in the house. We moved almost a year ago and the garage at the old house would be 100 degrees on some summer days. The temp at the new house never got above 90 this summer.

I've got an extra pistol rack around here somewhere. I probably rearrange some things and use it. I post some photos once I get the 226 cleaned up.

Lesson is - don't let them just just and collect dust. Get'em out and shoot more often.

Okay, pardon me while I wipe the egg off my face. After I took the photos of the pocket I really couldn't see how the stuff on the gun came from the pocket. Then I remembered unpacking them from their individual boxes when we moved. I found the box from the 226 and this was how it looked. My stuff set in boxes for about a month until I got around to unpacking most of my guns. Looks like I was careless and just didn't wipe it off when I put it away. The foam padding in the box had deteriorated a lot.

The door pocket seems like it's still in good shape.

Thanks for interest everyone.

I quit storing guns in the foam boxes many years ago for that reason. The oils from a well lubed gun will also break down the foam.

I do keep all factory boxes though for later possible resell.

I went to padded cases mostly those from midway that have eight or so mag slots. Keeps everything safe, padded and together. They take up less room in the safe also.

Long guns stay in borestor socks inside padded cases. I pack em in like sardines and nothing gets damaged.

quote:

Originally posted by elberettas:
How about Bore-Stores?

Yeah.....how about Bore Stores ? I've got dozens of pistols and revolvers packed away in the safe with these. Saves room by not in the factory boxes and I haven't seen any signs of finish deterioration.

All cleaned up. Much better. Now I need to get out and shoot it. I checked my other 226 which has grease on the rails and found it had become "gummy." Now to clean it too, it's been a while.

Ah! I love happy endings. What did you use to clean it?

Yeah I have a couple of those mid-90’s gray boxes and some of the foam had come off and stuck to the plastic bag that the pistol was stored in for a bit. Had the pistol been in there without the bag then it would have been like yours I’ll bet. Glad it got cleaned up and at least now you know the safe pockets are not something you need to worry about!

quote:

Originally posted by elberettas:
Ah! I love happy endings. What did you use to clean it?

I let it soak in Hoppes and then just used a toothbrush. The top of the barrel did require a wire brush.