How to store Luger

QCMAN007 · 01-28-2004, 02:30 PM

Just got my Luger back from having been completely disassembled and cleaned. Whats the best place or way to store it. It is a shooter but will stay on the shelf most of it's life.

Herb · 01-28-2004, 02:44 PM

Ralph Shattuck, a well known collector/dealer having over 1,000 Lugers in his collection/inventory has a really good method. Just leave them in the rack and let them get a really good protective coating of dust. Mine are 'stored' the same way, in a pistol rack sitting right beside my computer where I can get one whenever I need it. I feel that the biggest factor in storing a weapon is watching the humidity level, even in a safe, if the humidity is too high, rust will form. If the humidity in Panama City is really high most of the time then keeping them well oiled and checking them often should do it. Also if you keep them in a safe I recommend that you try to get a goodly quantity of silica gel to absorb the moisture in there.

Navy · 01-28-2004, 09:31 PM

Hi QCMAN007

Herb's method has a lot to reccommend it. Air circulating around these babies is a good thing. One thing I would do however, and that is to thoroughly clean and lubricate all internal parts and then apply some Renaissance wax to the entire external surface, both wood and metal. Does a good job at protecting both, enhances appearance, works real good, don't cost much and and is a damn good product. All my Navy guns (and holsters) have a light coat of Renaissance wax.

Tom A.

Herb · 01-28-2004, 11:09 PM

Tom are you still using that really expensive stuff?
I use Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba paste wax but hesitate to tell anyone since they look at me like I'm crazy. Well the wax bit works, and works really well (makes em' shine nice too). Oil will evaporate over time but the wax keeps a whole lot longer and doesn't damage the color of the wood like oil does. If it's good enough for Ferrari's and John D's Porsche it's good enough for my firearms. John, if you don't use it you should.

Bill Cullen · 02-18-2004, 12:40 AM

In my safe I have in addition to a golden rod heater, a chemical desicant cannister. It is about 4" in diameter, and about 12" long. I purchased from McMaster Carr, for about $35. The neat thing about these is that they are replenishable. Every six months I take it out and bake it in the oven for a half hour at the temperature prescribed. My safe is routinely in the 30 to 40% humidity level.

Bill

G.W. Gill · 02-18-2004, 01:15 AM

Bill, I have friends that have the desiccant cannisters in thier safes. They advocate them. I am going to pick one up. The replenishable ones, of coarse, as they must be the best in the long run. QCMANOO7 If it works in Florida / Georgia it could be beneficial where you live.

Thor · 02-18-2004, 09:44 AM

I use the desiccant cannisters! Just make sure you check them often to see if they need to be refurbed in the oven to keep them working. Mine last about a year before I replace them.

JonS/42 · 03-09-2004, 03:51 PM

I store mine in a silicone-impregnated "sock;" after each cleaning/handling, I wipe in down with a silicone wipe, and the gun and it's magazined are stored in a HK modular Cordura nylon pack cloth, which is durable and breathes to allow for air circulation.

01-28-2004, 02:30 PM	#1
QCMAN007 User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Panama City, FL Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How to store Luger Just got my Luger back from having been completely disassembled and cleaned. Whats the best place or way to store it. It is a shooter but will stay on the shelf most of it's life.

01-28-2004, 02:44 PM	#2
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ralph Shattuck, a well known collector/dealer having over 1,000 Lugers in his collection/inventory has a really good method. Just leave them in the rack and let them get a really good protective coating of dust. Mine are 'stored' the same way, in a pistol rack sitting right beside my computer where I can get one whenever I need it. I feel that the biggest factor in storing a weapon is watching the humidity level, even in a safe, if the humidity is too high, rust will form. If the humidity in Panama City is really high most of the time then keeping them well oiled and checking them often should do it. Also if you keep them in a safe I recommend that you try to get a goodly quantity of silica gel to absorb the moisture in there. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

01-28-2004, 11:09 PM	#4
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Tom are you still using that really expensive stuff? I use Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba paste wax but hesitate to tell anyone since they look at me like I'm crazy. Well the wax bit works, and works really well (makes em' shine nice too). Oil will evaporate over time but the wax keeps a whole lot longer and doesn't damage the color of the wood like oil does. If it's good enough for Ferrari's and John D's Porsche it's good enough for my firearms. John, if you don't use it you should. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

02-18-2004, 09:44 AM	#7
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	I use the desiccant cannisters! Just make sure you check them often to see if they need to be refurbed in the oven to keep them working. Mine last about a year before I replace them. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email [email protected] ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

01-28-2004, 09:31 PM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Hi QCMAN007 Herb's method has a lot to reccommend it. Air circulating around these babies is a good thing. One thing I would do however, and that is to thoroughly clean and lubricate all internal parts and then apply some Renaissance wax to the entire external surface, both wood and metal. Does a good job at protecting both, enhances appearance, works real good, don't cost much and and is a damn good product. All my Navy guns (and holsters) have a light coat of Renaissance wax. Tom A.

02-18-2004, 12:40 AM	#5
Bill Cullen User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In my safe I have in addition to a golden rod heater, a chemical desicant cannister. It is about 4" in diameter, and about 12" long. I purchased from McMaster Carr, for about $35. The neat thing about these is that they are replenishable. Every six months I take it out and bake it in the oven for a half hour at the temperature prescribed. My safe is routinely in the 30 to 40% humidity level. Bill

02-18-2004, 01:15 AM	#6
G.W. Gill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeastern USA Posts: 369 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bill, I have friends that have the desiccant cannisters in thier safes. They advocate them. I am going to pick one up. The replenishable ones, of coarse, as they must be the best in the long run. QCMANOO7 If it works in Florida / Georgia it could be beneficial where you live.

03-09-2004, 03:51 PM	#8
JonS/42 User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Auburn, WA USA Posts: 32 Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 4 Posts	I store mine in a silicone-impregnated "sock;" after each cleaning/handling, I wipe in down with a silicone wipe, and the gun and it's magazined are stored in a HK modular Cordura nylon pack cloth, which is durable and breathes to allow for air circulation.