Firearms vs Wildfires, Part 2

Additionally, time is important. Once you get them into oil it’s ok to let them sit, but anywhere oil isn’t, rust is guaranteed to form along with the associated pitting.

We had a few come in from the Camp fire that I had to condemn. It’s a sad thing to have to tell someone that lost their home that their guns are no longer any good due to the extent of damage. Pitting removes metal just like drilling it full of little holes and is just as damaging.

Time is the problem here and without getting into the political side of things it’s the length of time that they sit without any care. I’ve had guns come in that were in safes that were relatively undamaged by the fire, but rusted to uselessness, because they sat, unoiled for too long. There isn’t much that can be done if you can’t get to them, I don’t know of any words I can offer about that problem.

Words of advice, if in doubt, err to the side of caution. Watched a video of a factory test of a rifle receiver blow up. Buried a 1” shard of steel from the receiver into a piece of heavy plexiglass that was part of the protective enclosure. That has left a lasting impression to this day.

Like I said earlier, it would stink to survive a fire only to be done in by your own favorite gun.

Take care, you are in our thoughts and prayers, stay strong and we wish all of you only the best… our heart felt condolences…

KC and Dean