How to preserve an 870 receiver?

[Elkhound]

Over the years I've had several Remington 870s. I've assembled ones from parts, bought new ones, kept some, and moved others on down the road to someone who might use them more then me. However, I've got one 870 receiver sitting in the house, and no plans to do anything with it.

I may as well keep it, as some time I may get the bug to turn it into something. So, any thoughts how how best to preserve it? Should I just keep it as I would a completed shotgun? It is parkerized, so should I just give it a could covering of oil and put it in the gun safe, or seal it in some type of zip lock bag or container?

[cougar_guy04]

I'd say clean it well, wipe it down with a silicone cloth, and put it in a VCI bag. I've done that with pretty good results in the past. Also did similar with a Marlin 60 I picked up that had some corrosion on the barrel. Since doing something similar, the corrosion didn't progress any further, so I've go some time to figure out what I want to do with it as far as refinishing it.

[themonk]

I am a firm believer that best product for long term storage is Eezox. You can get it on amazon and ebay. Its not that awesome as a lubes as it has a tendency to gum up under high heat but to stop corrosion it can't be beat other than slathering the receiver in cosmoline. 6mmBR.com did a side by side of many products, here are the results - http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

[Bayern]

My suggestion is to get a sheet of butchers paper or heavy wrapping paper (brown stuff in a roll). Spray the receiver with some type gun oil and then coat it in a thin coating of grease (such as axel.) Or use pig lard to keep away ISIS from your stuff. :sarcastic: Wrap it in the paper, tape it down and place it in a water-proof bag, or vacuum seal it. You should be good to go for several years (like 50+). I have seen military weapons treated this way from WWII and they were perfect when uncovered in 1967 at Ft Gordon, GA.

[TSD422]

Light coat of oil, wipe down and store in the safe. Check on it at least quarterly and you should be good to go.

[mkmckinley]

I use WD-40 corrosion inhibitor here in NC and it's effective. It seems to have some sort of grease component and it really coats and stay put on whatever you apply it to.

http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=3667

http://wd40specialist.com/products/corrosion-inhibitor/
(http://wd40specialist.com/products/corrosion-inhibitor/)

[Elkhound]

Excellent information, thank you. Of the lower tech options, pig lard has a special appeal to me! lol

The corrosion test results over even a short period of time are somewhat surprising to me. I guess that saying that a gun only has two enemies, the Government and rust is true.

[williejc]

Rig Gun Grease is an outstanding anti rust product, which is fairly cheap and has provided decades of service to shooters, and it's not messy. I use it on everything except my false teeth.

[onado2000]

FWIW, I used white lithium grease in a spray can on steel mags and no rust after few years in storage.

[williejc]

I too have used the white lithium grease with good results. It's also available in little tubs, and it's really cheap. Once I sprayed down tools and such for storage and would use it again.

[QuickStrike]

http://www.brownells.com/gun-cleaning-chemicals/oils-lubricants/rust-prevention/shooter-s-choice-rust-prevent-prod32957.aspx

+

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-wrap-paper/gunwrap-paper-prod1197.aspx

Sealed in:

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/shop-accessories-supplies/gun-storage-materials/gun-storage-bags/triple-tough-premium-storage-bags-prod1154.aspx