Guns and humidity?
 

i know it's a good thing to keep guns in a lower humidity level in order to protect the metal surfaces from rusting. but, i was wondering if anyone knows if too low of a humidity level in a gun safe is harmful to wood stocks, rubber grips, leather and farbric straps over time? i have a 1 pound pouch of dessicant in my safe now and according to the humidity indication card the humidity level is over 30%, if not upto 40%. according to the manufacturers recomondations on the label the size of my safe should be fine with the 1 pound pouch. i've contacted them, but i didn't gain much info from their tech. because i live in Florida where the humidity gets high i would like to keep the humidity level in my safe as low as possible, but i don't want to have it too low if that can be harmful to other things in the safe. how low do you keep the humidity level in your safe?

RE: Guns and humidity?
 

I too live in FL and understand your concerns. I've had my gun safe for over 20 years with no apparent ill effects. All I have is a golden rod dehumidifier inside...and of course AC on in the house all the time. That's my $.02.

RE: Guns and humidity?
 

Although I live in Pennsylvania, I live in a highly shaded area with relatively high humidity. I constantly have to treat rock walls and fence posts and rails with bleach in the summer to keep moss from starting to grow.
I keep my guns in a safe in the basement using a goldenrod only. After well over 20 yrs. I have yet to find any rust on my guns. The goldenrod does a fine job. I used to use the dessicants also, but quickly realized what a pain in the butt they are to maintain.
As far as drying things out too much, I really don't think you have anything to worry about. I would think it would take a much more arid climate to promote that problem.

RE: Guns and humidity?
 

I don't think you need worry about humidity being too low in FL- in NM, yes.......