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Bomber | 10-26-2006 05:44 PM
How to store mags and drums? From what I have learned, they should be drenched in WD40, wrapped in plastic wrap, and then put in ziploc bags. Is this the best way to go? And is there any danger in storing a few mags or drums that are already filled? There are some people on various gun forums that really worry about their mags rusting, and I was just wondering how much of a threat this is.

southfork | 10-26-2006 06:40 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? If in ziplocks wd should be good or some gun oil, the only problem with storing loaded clips is after a long time the springs weaken.

RickW | 10-26-2006 06:46 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? wrap them in foil. zip locks bad as condensation will build up. If you keep your gun in a zip gun case always keep the zipper partially open for the same reason. If you are looking at long term storage for clips use dessicant bags to keep the moisture away. Temperature change is a killer for ammo. Hence the adage to "keep your powder dry"

Walter Mitty | 10-26-2006 07:08 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? What type of evironement are you storing them in? If you are storing them in a relatively dry basement or closet just wipe them down with WD-40 and wrap them in WD-40 coated plastic storage bags. Don't seal the bag that way air can infiltrate in and out. I am currently looking at some m-14 mags. that I store this way and have had no problems. If I was storing them in a damp environement I would go overboard to protect them by giving them a good coat of rust preventative oil inside & out, then wrapping them in wax paper coated with RIG grease and sealing them in ziploc bags. Finally I would put them in Ammo cans with desicant pks. Do we own our stuff? or does our stuff own us?

eat_beef | 10-26-2006 07:25 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? I agree with WM, a light oil/grease job, and then into USGI ammo cans. Having said that, all of mine are in cardboard boxes and or vci wrap, or stowed in various locations around the house which serve the three pronged pupose of A)providing multiple reload points B)unnerveing nosy houseguests and C)annoying my wife. No problem with keeping magazines loaded. The springs are much more susceptible to degredation due to compression/extension movement than static compression. Plus, what's the point of having mags that aren't loaded? (The obvious exception is if you have backups to backups:bandito: )

pusher | 10-26-2006 11:11 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Do not use WD 40 near or on your ammo, it will find it's way to the primers, and effectively kill the primer.

Au_Ag | 10-26-2006 11:20 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Quote:
Originally Posted by Bomber (Post 398440) And is there any danger in storing a few mags or drums that are already filled?
Not much in the way of danger - but not a good idea for long term storage. Presumably, the compressed springs will lose their tension over an extended period of time. I wouldn't use WD40 for a number of reasons. It's a kind of thin coating that seems to get thinner with time. I used it years ago for long term storage and would go back in a year or two and have several small surface rust spots. Use something heavier - breakfree CLP or something similar -

kolya | 10-26-2006 11:26 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Quote:
Originally Posted by southfork (Post 398469) If in ziplocks wd should be good or some gun oil, the only problem with storing loaded clips is after a long time the springs weaken.
I actually read a very good article a while back from some magazine manufacture that stated that magazine springs wear out from being compressed and decompressed many time over a period of time and not from being compressed and left in this state. Just food for thought as I use to think the other way as well.

Au_Ag | 10-26-2006 11:38 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Quote:
Originally Posted by kolya (Post 398707) I actually read a very good article a while back from some magazine manufacture that stated that magazine springs wear out from being compressed and decompressed many time over a period of time and not from being compressed and left in this state.
While they may have a point - Springs that were _not_ compressed, have got to be in better condition than springs that were either compressed or decompressed/compressed. Hard for me to imagine how springs that are not compressed during long term storage are worse off than springs that are - Been a few years back, but I read a magazine article by someone that wasn't a spring manufacturer - his tests of handgun magazines seemed to indicate that leaving handgun magazines full over an extended period of time did weaken the springs to a point of malfunction in several instances.

eat_beef | 10-27-2006 12:03 AM
Re: How to store mags and drums? I've read that it can be a problem with pistol mags as they have smaller/lighter/shorter springs. No problem with military rifle mags, though, as they're made for it. WD 40 shouldn't hurt mil spec ammo as it's sealed, but I agree it's not the best lube. On another note, a little surface rust (the kind that might pop up on a mag properly stored for an extended period of time) isn't going to hurt the function of the mag anyway. One needs at least a few mags loaded and ready to go. If you only have 4 mags, I'd suggest keeping them stoked. If anything, download by a couple of rounds. Yes, I know most shootings are over in a few rounds, but tis better to have loaded mags and no use for them than to have use for them and get caught trying to shove ammo into mags while adrenalin has your hands shaking. I've had trouble reloading due to the excitement of a hunt, I can't imagine how bad it would be if something was shooting back.

RR_58 | 10-27-2006 02:09 AM
Re: How to store mags and drums? I keep several of mine loaded(minus two rounds) and ready to go,the others are kept in a canvas bag in my closet...never noticed any rust.

Worldmariner | 10-27-2006 11:59 AM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Quote:
Originally Posted by Bomber (Post 398440) From what I have learned, they should be drenched in WD40, wrapped in plastic wrap, and then put in ziploc bags. Is this the best way to go? .
I have recently read an OUTSTANDING book by Ragnor Bendson called "Modern Weapons Caching". Not that I would condone caching any kind of firearm anyplace other then a weapons vault at a gunshop. I feel strongly that the Federal Government knows what is best for the citizens. "Stay the course, keep our economy rolling...". However, being involved in the maritime industry, I have direct knowledge of the effects of environment on Things Metallic. Benson reccommends covering the metallic item in question (could be anything really) in a light film of grease, or if sealing the item in a vaccuum sealed bag (as I endorse strongly) then a light film of almost any oil, applied by wiping or misting. Place said items in a shcedule 40, 60, or 80 PVC tube. One end of the PVC tube should be capped, the cap being GLUED in place with the appropriate primer and glue. This is the bottom. The top cap need only have heavy axel grease smeared liberally around the end. Suction will keep the cap in place. NOTE: Tubes are always buried VERTICAL. This minimizes the metallic signature of an item, should the item ever be around... well, things that might be used to find metal things. Like metal detectors. The larger end of anything mettalic in a tube should be at the bottom, placing the large metallic mass farthest from the surface. Make sense? A variation of this would be to use screw caps on one end, as illustrated in the foto. These tubes are 6" diameter and 5 feet long. It makes for a deep hole initially, yes. A wood or plastic plate the diameter of the tube is placed in the tube first, with a hole in the center. A strong poly or nylon rope is passed through the center of the plate and knotted. The rope is as long as the tube. The plate goes in first, then the items. This gives you a way to pull items up that might be in the bottom of the tube. NOTE: PVC (I have read) is bad for silver as it chemically changes the silver into something... pink... and not silver. SO, before vaccum sealing your silver items into vac bags, make sure the vac bags are not PVC, or, silver items are packed in some other polymer, like mylar, THEN put into the tube. If the item is intended to be left in storage for years, WD40 is not a good choice, IMHO, as the volitile components evaporate out very quickly, leaving a sticky gummy residue that must be cleaned off every surface before using your item again. Axel grease is a great choice. Blue marine axel grease is an even better choice. Remove the item, wipe, and use. Ammunition: Never coat your ammo with ANYTHING. It WILL seep into the powder or primer and render it inert. Vac sealing, with a very slight vacuum, or no vacuum, seems to be th ebest way to store ammo. Ammo is very dense and easy to find with a metal detector or portable GPR (ground penetrating radar). I would like to make these two points to the readers: If you find buried treasure on your property, the law says it is yours. If someone finds other kinds of buried metallic items on your property, the same applies. If something is buried on public property, well, then ownership must be laboriously PROVED IN COURT. A word about lawn care: Grass needs nutrients also. Consider filling your drop spreader with steel and lead shot, #9, and fertilizing your lawn. Your whole lawen. From the road to the back fence. Maybe even also the edge of your neighbors lawn. Lawns with high iron or lead content in the soil makes metal detecting very difficult. I highly reccomend Benson's book, and it can be ordered through your local bookstore. Paying in cash. Be sure to give your name and phone number correctly to the clerk *cough*. Tell the clerk you will be back in a month to pick the book up and please make a note of that on the sale order. You will be out of town on Federal business until then.

joe_momma | 03-12-2010 01:32 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Quote:
Originally Posted by Worldmariner (Post 399069) Ammunition: Never coat your ammo with ANYTHING. It WILL seep into the powder or primer and render it inert. Vac sealing, with a very slight vacuum, or no vacuum, seems to be the best way to store ammo.
Thanks GIM! It looks like pretty much any question has been asked somewhere on the board. - I am getting a new shipment of ammo in on Monday, and wanted to set some aside for longer term storage - (low pressure) sealing it is. :s1:

skid | 03-12-2010 08:32 PM
Re: How to store mags and drums? Quote:
Originally Posted by Worldmariner (Post 399069) A word about lawn care: Grass needs nutrients also. Consider filling your drop spreader with steel and lead shot, #9, and fertilizing your lawn. Your whole lawen. From the road to the back fence. Maybe even also the edge of your neighbors lawn. Lawns with high iron or lead content in the soil makes metal detecting very difficult.
I've heard that iron keeps the moss down as well. Good tip!

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