Carbine preservation

[Mizzouboy]

I was lucky enough a while back to come across an unissued-condition, all-correct very late Inland. Has factory-installed bayonet lug and adjustable sights, appears to have never been fired.

Anyway, my wife came home with one of those vacuum-bag food sealer gadgets. Been eyeballing the thing considering whether vacuum-bagging this carbine would make sense. it's coated in preservative (Boeshield T9). I can easily fit it and a mag or 3 along with a desiccant pack in a length of the bag material, as long as my wife's not looking (she thinks the bag stuff is expensive, but hey, so's the carbine...). I tried it, seems to work well, but recommend padding the slide handle so it won't poke a hole in the bag if abraded.

Anybody have thoughts if this is a good idea?

Information

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[imarangemaster]

I know they stored carbines in VCI paper bags, but am unsure about the vacuum bags. I always use Breakfree CLP and a silicon gun sock.

[emmagee1917]

Several people do it and have reported no ill effects . Leave the bags a little long so you can open , check , maintain , and reseal again to save bag expence . Extreamly good idea if it storm / flood area / times. Safes are not water proof . Not real expensive if you buy the bulk roll cases. I think I could do 100 assorted pistols , carbines , rifles , and belt feds for under $3 each on average ( it may have been much less ) .
Chris

[Mizzouboy]

I use the Breakfree for day-to-day use, but prefer the Boeshield T9 for longer storage. It leaves a drier waxy coating that stays in place. It comes off with any solvent, even regular gun oil. I found the stuff when I was doing saltwater sailing. It stood up to saltwater on a lot of stuff.

[Mizzouboy]

Went and checked the vacuum-bagged carbine last night. Bag leaked.. Found that a sharp corner on the magazine I had put in with the rifle had chafed a tiny hole in the bag. So, I guess anything put in a bag needs to be wrapped in something to protect the bag from sharp edges. I had put a piece of foam on the op-rod handle, but missed the mag. Guess oiled paper might work for that?

[WarPig1976]

Guess oiled paper might work for that?

Or cardboard??

[Mikesm44]

Oh wow. This is a good idea. I think I will do this with some things I don't use very often that will fit. My house hasn't flooded in years, but it is a possibility. It's just where I live.

[Bubba-7]

Do not use any type of paper, i.e. cardboard, unless you know it is acid free.

[shadycon]

Went and checked the vacuum-bagged carbine last night. Bag leaked.. Found that a sharp corner on the magazine I had put in with the rifle had chafed a tiny hole in the bag. So, I guess anything put in a bag needs to be wrapped in something to protect the bag from sharp edges. I had put a piece of foam on the op-rod handle, but missed the mag. Guess oiled paper might work for that?

Take the mag out! Put in treated gun sock, then bag! JMHO GK

[DaveHH]

I would be reluctant to seal a carbine and leave it. I know individuals who did this and they had massive damage to the weapon when they decided to take a peek and see how things were holding up. The Army went to great lengths to perfect a system for long term storage. If you look at NOS M1 Garands, they were simply coated with preservative, wrapped in paper and put into a wooden box. Enclosing a weapon in a non breathing plastic wrapper is asking for rust in my opinion. You can buy dehumidifiers (small heaters) for gun safes. Mine has two although I never plug them in. Keeping a weapon rubbed down with light oil works very well. The secret being to always wipe them off after handling and making sure some oil remains in the pores of the steel.