Guns in a Fire

COM165 · 11-01-2010, 11:56

A buddy asked me to clean some guns that were in a fire. The damage isn't too bad. Some are rusted up pretty good. Photos aren't possible at this time unfortunately. They all seem to function as far as the internal springs are concerned. They were in a safe which I do not believe was fire proof.

I don't think that they were water damaged either. It seems that the outside heat coupled w/ the interior moisture caused the rusting. Some of the rust came off with a good cleaning.

He is most concerned w/ the very strong smell from the fire. I got some of it out, but it still smells.

Guns in quesiton; AR15, 30-06 w/ synthetic stock, Rem 870 w/ synthetic stock, Sig 229, Glock 17, .22 with sythetic stock, .22 w/ wood stock.

Thanks.

RobarGuns · 11-02-2010, 17:36

Fire damaged guns are not something for which there is an easy solution. On one hand, the metal can be refinished and the wood or plastic replaced, but there may be safety concerns depending on just how hot the guns got. Aluminumm components are a particular concern as they can be affected at lower temeratures than steel parts. We are asked to look at guns that have been in fires now and again, and while there are no hard and fast rules, generally if the plastic has melted/burned or the wood has burned we tend to be very leary of the integrity of the gun. Often it just turns out not to be economically feasible to repair a fire damaged gun. In any case, smoke smell can be very difficult to eliminate, and I am not aware of any good way to get rid of it other than just letting the itmes "air out" over time.

kayl · 11-02-2010, 18:37

An ionizer may be able to remove some of the smoke smell

COM165 · 11-02-2010, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobarGuns

Fire damaged guns are not something for which there is an easy solution. On one hand, the metal can be refinished and the wood or plastic replaced, but there may be safety concerns depending on just how hot the guns got. Aluminumm components are a particular concern as they can be affected at lower temeratures than steel parts. We are asked to look at guns that have been in fires now and again, and while there are no hard and fast rules, generally if the plastic has melted/burned or the wood has burned we tend to be very leary of the integrity of the gun. Often it just turns out not to be economically feasible to repair a fire damaged gun. In any case, smoke smell can be very difficult to eliminate, and I am not aware of any good way to get rid of it other than just letting the itmes "air out" over time.

Thanks for your response. I don't believe that it was hot enough to compromise the integrity of the weapons. They function test ok as far as slide, bolt work and dry firing. The damage seems to just be rust and smell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayl

An ionizer may be able to remove some of the smoke smell

Thanks for your response. Do you mean that I should let an ionizer blow onto them? How long would you figure to do the trick? Some smell more than others.

kayl · 11-02-2010, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by COM165

Thanks for your response. I don't believe that it was hot enough to compromise the integrity of the weapons. They function test ok as far as slide, bolt work and dry firing. The damage seems to just be rust and smell.

Thanks for your response. Do you mean that I should let an ionizer blow onto them? How long would you figure to do the trick? Some smell more than others.

Contact a local fire remediation company; they should have a ionizer that the guns can be put inside of for a day or two - they might let you rent one.

WDN · 11-02-2010, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayl

Contact a local fire remediation company; they should have a ionizer that the guns can be put inside of for a day or two - they might let you rent one.

I ran work for a nationwide fire restoration company. We used ozone generators (not ionizers) to rid problem smoke odors in items like yours. It will rid them of the smell. His insurance should cover the cost. Doesn't he have a fire restoration company involved?

kayl · 11-02-2010, 20:30

Damn- you're right- that's the term I was looking for

Thanks!

COM165 · 11-03-2010, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDN

I ran work for a nationwide fire restoration company. We used ozone generators (not ionizers) to rid problem smoke odors in items like yours. It will rid them of the smell. His insurance should cover the cost. Doesn't he have a fire restoration company involved?

He does have a cleaning company that is taking care of all personal items, "except" for the guns. They said that they cannot touch them. This is why he asked me for help. I'll see if they can rent him an ionizer.

WDN · 11-03-2010, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by COM165

He does have a cleaning company that is taking care of all personal items, "except" for the guns. They said that they cannot touch them. This is why he asked me for help. I'll see if they can rent him an ionizer.

An ionizer is not the same as a ozone generator. Tell the company to get him an ozone generator. Place the guns in a closed up room with the generator for 24 hours. Also, tell the cleaning company they will provide it for free. If they want money, tell them you'll turn the whole thing over to a public adjuster.

dullom · 04-14-2013, 19:41

Great answers, and clarification of ozone vs ionization. Perfect and right on. THIS is why Glock Talk works. Glad I joined it.