Hi James,
After a firearm has been oiled up with RIG [1] grease and vacuum sealed, I want to put it into a rifle length mylar bag as well and then put into a 6″ PVC [2] tube. Should I simply use a Hot Hands hand warmer inside the mylar bag and then another one inside the PVC tube? I should not have to worry about moisture if it is vacuum sealed? right? I do have some silica gel packs but did not know if you can mix the two together.
I tried to do a search on your site but could not find the right information.
Thanks Jim for all your research and God Bless all your efforts. – Mark J.
JWR Replies: DO NOT use hand warmers or oxygen absorbers for storing guns, ammunition, or tools! Use only silica gel.
Here is quote from the Hot Hands web site:
Q. What’s in a pack? What makes it work?
A. Our HeatMax® family of air activated warmers all contain a mixture of natural ingredients that when exposed to air react together to produce heat. This is accomplished through an extremely fast oxidation (or rusting) process. Ingredients include: iron powder, water, salt, activated charcoal and vermiculite. HeatMax® has perfected the process so that our warmers, depending on the individual product, produce heat anywhere from 100°F to 180°F for duration of 1 to 20+ hours.
Putting rust, water, and salt in proximity of your stored guns is a potential disaster. Again, use only silica gel. To be sure that the silica gel has the full desired desiccating effect, dry the packets in an oven overnight on low heat (175 degrees.) That will drive out any accumulated moisture.