In order for your firearms to be able to protect you, or function properly on a hunting trip, you need to protect them. Humidity can cause corrosion on both a gun safe and a firearm, and when you add salt to the moisture in the air you add to the potential damage. There are numerous studies like this one that show the salt in the air can increase corrosion on metals like carbon steel, and this one which watched as wind deposited salt across a large stadium and monitored corrosion.
In addition to the normal corrosion from moisture, the air deposits salts which work as an electrolyte and modify the movement of electrons more easily than in non-saltwater droplets. Corrosion is in part a result of electrons being moved via the electrolyte according to the United States Naval Academy, so the salt air may be acting as an additional conduit.
But that doesn’t mean you cannot take or protect your firearms in a vacation home or while on a trip, you just have to modify how you store them to protect them from the salt air. Here are five tips you can use whether you own or rent out a vacation home with a gun safe, or you’re about to enjoy a trip with friends or family.
5. Clean and Lubricate Regularly
If the gun is stored off-season while you’re not using the home, or you are saltwater hunting for fowl, make sure to clean and lube your firearm regularly. It is especially important to do this if you’ll be leaving the firearm after the season ends. The lubricant acts as a protective barrier which may help with protection while you’re using the firearm, but will definitely help after if you don’t have time to wipe it.
Salt and humidity will corrode faster, so getting it all out and reapplying the lubricant post cleaning is vital before storing the firearm in saltwater air environments.
4. A Case in Your Safe
If the firearm will be stored in a salt air environment for long periods of time like a hunting lodge or vacation rental you visit once or twice a year, or in a gun room for your armory or collection, invest in a good case. Gun safes have vents to help keep air flowing which reduces corrosion. This also lets the salt air in.
Whether you have a gun room or a gun safe, find a weather proof and moisture proof case for the firearms you will be leaving stored. If you clean and lubricate to remove the salt and moisture while adding a protective barrier, and then store in a water and air tight case, there’s less chance of the firearm gaining exposure to the salt air while it is being stored.
3. Invest in an HVAC Dehumidifier for Your Home
There’s a case to be made for using dehumidifiers in your gun safe, but when you live in saltwater air environments they won’t do much good. The inside of the gun safe may be regulated, but it won’t protect your safe or your home. If humidity is an issue, investing in a dehumidifier for your HVAC system will help to regulate the air in the home.
This works to reduce the humidity in your home and some systems have filtration that can remove larger particles of salt with the humidity. None are going to be perfect, but any reduction is a good way to protect your home and your firearms with their storage devices.
2. Air Purifiers
HVAC upgrades are expensive and not always an option. There is good news if you’re like most of us, some air purifiers are able to reduce and remove some of the salt from the air in your home. They are much less expensive and can be added to the room your firearms are stored in.
On top of these you can upgrade your air filters from the current heat pumps and HVAC systems that can handle tiny particles. Sea salt particles in aerosols can be less than 0.2 μm according to Science Direct, so choose filters that can handle tiny particle filtration.
1. Change Your Ammunition
We all have our favorite cartridges and ammo, but some can cause more corrosion than others. It isn’t practical to clean the barrel after every use, and you may be in a rush before putting the firearm away and not have time.
Check the packaging and manufacturer’s website for primer that does not contain potassium chlorate as this is the main culprit of corrosion. Any small change you can make when your firearms are going to be in salt air environments helps, and this is one more that is in your control.
You cannot control the salt in the air as it is nature, but you can work to reduce the saltwater air that can get to your firearms and how often you clean and lubricate them to remove salt and add a protective barrier. With proper precaution and maintenance, you’ll be enjoying your firearms even in salt air environments for years to come.