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I am old. And a gun nut. And still alive anyway. Need I add that I am a belt-and-suspenders type? Of course I keep a large reactivateable silica gel desiccant in my gun safe. But I also bag each of my pistols in a freezer baggie along with one of these indicating reactivateable non-toxic plastic gel packs:

http://www.silicagelpackets.com/dry-packs-canister/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The one in orange, that is. About 2 inches by two inches. At about $10 they are not cheap, but I have found them to work well. Can't say much for the taste, though.

Napier wrote:The one in orange, that is. About 2 inches by two inches. At about $10 they are not cheap, but I have found them to work well. Can't say much for the taste, though.

They don't taste like oranges?

Certain cat litters are almost pure silica gel. Cheap and the same thing as you're buying except without the indicator dye.

Here is the MSDS for one popular brand:

http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/product ... litter.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

better database: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cg ... id=3027073" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BobCat wrote:Certain cat litters are almost pure silica gel. Cheap and the same thing as you're buying except without the indicator dye.

Here is the MSDS for one popular brand:

http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/product ... litter.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I use that exact brand...it works great and is a heck of a lot cheaper than desiccants marketed to gun owners.

Silica gel will absorb 40% of its weight in moisture. Bentonite clay, about 25%. Bentonite is not as effective at higher temperatures (120F) and unless packaged properly, it gives off more dust than silica gel. Both can be reactivated by heating.

Desiccants specifically marketed to gun owners are overpriced. I use silica gel bags that I got for free. Most companies throw them away when they uncrate machinery, electronic equipment, automobiles and motorcycles. All you have to do is hang out by the dumpsters.

Another good source of "free" desiccant is from air compressors. Most companies that I know will throw it away rather than take the trouble put it in the over to reactivate it.