XD Cleaning and Storage

[SOLOXD]

Anyone have any detailed cleaning and storage trips. Give specifics if you can and what particular products you use.

[Oni]

Ooo, this looks like some reading is involved. I'll post after I read up. ^.^

Well that depends on what your definition is of long term storage.
A few months, a year, a few years, a decade? The longer the storing period, the more often you will have to remove the gun from storage and perform periodic cleaning and oiling if possible. The type of weapon(type of metal, polymer) also has a bit of influence on how you clean and oil your gun obviously.

From what I have read so far, moisture, is your worst enemy, whether it be from the humidy in the air or the gun case your weapon is stored in, it will make your firearm rust. This goes for both aluminum and steel alloys from my understanding. Gunsock cases and dehumidifiers are suggested as well when storing long term.

When it comes to semiautomatics it is suggested you remove the gaskets and seals, although they will almost inevitably break down according to http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl..._63922928/pg_2 It is also suggested that you fully disassemble the weapon then wipe off and remove any fouling or residue, afterwards lubricate every metal part with the oil of your choice.

For me it sums up to:
- Full disassembly of the firearm.
- A thorough cleaning of all parts removing fouling and any tyypes of residue, while lubricating all metal parts afterwards with the lubricant oil of your choice.
- Find a safe storage area that is DRY, dehimidifiers and gunsock bags can assist with keeping your weapons parts dry
- Personally If I were to store a firearm for longer than a year without performing periodic cleanings , I would store it fully disassembled.


A bit vauge but it's what I absorbed from: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...22928#continue article

Not too specific on what products to use, but I'm sure everyone here will gladly give their suggestions on what they know works. ^.^

[Mail Clerk]

Originally Posted by SOLOXD

Anyone have any detailed cleaning and storage trips. Give specifics if you can and what particular products you use.

SOLOXD,

I clean mine as usual like all my pistols/rifles and wipe everything down using a silicone or oil cloth and use the plastic "vapor bag" supplied with every XD except for my "Tactical" which came with none. A quick e-mail to SA took care of that! I urge everyone to save and use the bags they give you cuz that'll help prevent the typical rusting problems that everyones read about. NONE of my XD's have shown any hint of rust/corrosion in anyway.

Mail Clerk

[jednp]

my xd 40 didn't have a vapor bag... mine was the holster/3 mag combo and had no bag. I can't remember where it was.. I'm almost positive it was on ajames site but i'm not sure.. but some yellow square things that control moisture? I read last night that storing your gun in a leather case is a bad idea.. also leave your case unzipped a little bit to let it air out. Just last night I got my 11-87 shotgun out, brought it home from mom and dads and I took it out.. it looked flawless.. I haven't shot it in years, and haven't cleaned it in as many. I took an oil soaked cloth to it and there was rust coming off.. I couldn't see it on teh gun, but it definitely was there. Guess just a good reminder to me now to make sure I periodically wipe down guns that are in long storage.

[Oni]

It does make sense to clean guns after they have been in long storage and it's something I definitely plan on doing over a gun storage time of like 12 years . Rust is bad no doubt, and jednp I think I saw your XD 40 combo on Ajames's websight, I'll have to check again though because my memory is horrible as well. I will have to tell a work aquaintance of mine about your oil soaked cloth method you used to wipe down you 11-87 shotgun, I'm sure he will be surprised at the rust he will probably wipe off his guns.

[ichy_trigger]

I have guns that I have not fired in 4 years, there is absuletely no rust on them what-so-ever. I clean them as normal and apply a light coat of silicone oil on them and then just pull them out once a year and wipe em down. I would sell them but I have a fobia of selling my guns, even if I don't shoot them anymore. Hell, I sold one this year and traded another. Thats the first time I parted with a gun in 10 years! .

Just keep a high quality lube on them and in the internals and you will be fine.

[SOLOXD]

Thank you all for the tips ...
If you can share some info on what specific products you use that would be helpful as well ...

Thank again, regards, SOLOXD