will it affect or somehow transfer rust onto my firearms if placed in a safe? sorry blonde moment. 

will it affect or somehow transfer rust onto my firearms if placed in a safe? sorry blonde moment. 

I wouldn't take a chance.

When in doubt, throw them out.

No it won't transfer rust. Ambient O2 will oxidize susceptible metals - period. The presence of a metal undergoing oxidation will not increase the rate at which another metal in the vicinity will oxidize/rust. Conversely, one can argue that the presence of an oxidizable metal would in theory bind O2 and thus reduce the amount of O2 available to oxidize your ammo. I don't think that would translate from theory to reality since gas diffusion would constantly replenish the O2 in a non-perfectly sealed container, but it just drives home the point that oxidation will proceed by susceptible metals no matter what.

No it won't transfer rust. Ambient O2 will oxidize susceptible metals - period. The presence of a metal undergoing oxidation will not increase the rate at which another metal in the vicinity will oxidize/rust. Conversely, one can argue that the presence of an oxidizable metal would in theory bind O2 and thus reduce the amount of O2 available to oxidize your ammo. I don't think that would translate from theory to reality since gas diffusion would constantly replenish the O2 in a non-perfectly sealed container, but it just drives home the point that oxidation will proceed by susceptible metals no matter what.

I don't know what any of that means but I don't put anything rusty on or near my guns and ammo.

....jus sayin

 

rough em up with sandpaper and re-paint - good as new!

No it won't transfer rust. Ambient O2 will oxidize susceptible metals - period. The presence of a metal undergoing oxidation will not increase the rate at which another metal in the vicinity will oxidize/rust..........

Not true.  Depending on the type of metals and if they are in contact, one metal can most certainly facilitate the corrosion of another.  This is the principle of coatings suck as nickle, chrome, etc.  In some cases the metals are sacrificial sometimes the coating is highly corrosion resistant.

If you want to stop corrosion you get rid of O2.

I don't know what any of that means but I don't put anything rusty on or near my guns and ammo.

If you want to stop the rust you can needle gun/grind/wire wheel it, "pickle" the metal, then coat/paint it.  Then the can is essentially good as new.

Not true.  Depending on the type of metals and if they are in contact, one metal can most certainly facilitate the corrosion of another.  This is the principle of coatings suck as nickle, chrome, etc.  In some cases the metals are sacrificial sometimes the coating is highly corrosion resistant.

If you want to stop corrosion you get rid of O2.

Of course. But he didn't ask about metal-to-metal issues; he asked if rust can transfer from the container to his firearms - which it can't. And for the record, O2 alone will not cause run-away oxidation. O2 alone will result in a oxidative passivity layer which will essentially protect the underlying metal from further losing electrons/rusting/oxidizing. That's where water vapor comes in to play; the water vapor will cause oxidation to progress past the passivity layer.  So yes, it goes without saying that you shouldn't let your firearms metal parts touch for long storage periods - even corrosion resistant ones (nickel) - nor touch a metal container - rusty or not - but in a non sealed container where water vapor and O2 are ever present, his firearms will corrode regardless of whether they are in a rusty container or not - limited only by protective measures he takes (cleaning; oil, etc).
:Shaka: