Storing A Firearm Equipped With A Laser Sight ?

[billt460]

I'm wondering from a possible corrosion standpoint? Is it harmful to store a weapon equipped with a laser sight, in a zippered gun case, safe, or gun cabinet? I have read that Lithium Ion batteries can give off fumes or vapors. (Lithium Ion is the type that power most firearms lasers). The batteries in most laser sights are both very small and rechargeable.

Nothing for example, like the size and power of a laptop battery... Which are often transported and stored in closed zippered cases. As are the battery booster packs that are used to start vehicles. If any gasses are given off, are they corrosive in nature?... Or am I worried about nothing?

I would think if this were any issue in the least, it would have made the rounds on the Internet. I can't seem to find anything that relates to damaging a gun finish from Lithium Ion battery gasses.

 

[Astro14]

I’ve got a stream light combination, flashlight/laser, mounted on a SIG Sauer P227, with a CR123 battery. I think this is the closest to your hypothetical. The gun is kept in a gun sack, in a safe, next to a whole bunch of other guns. And I’ve never seen anything to suggest that there was damage to the finish from that battery.

My Daniel Defense rifle, had a Leupold Carbine optic, powered by the same CR 123 battery, and it sat in a safe, next to other guns, for years, before that optic was swapped out, and I never saw any evidence of damage or even effect on the rifle or the other rifles nearby.

 

[thastinger]

Have stored CR123 batteries inside optics attached to guns inside safes for 30 years and have never noticed any issues like your concerns are. One my SBRs has a pulsar thermal on it which I have a rail mounted external LiFePo battery pack for and I also store that in there with never any issues.

 

[burbguy82]

If you are not going to be using the gun, for an extended period of time, I would just take the batteries out. Cannot hurt. I have had a few standard flashlight destroyed in the truck console due to a leaky AAA battery.

I think the types of batteries used makes the difference. I have not had a CR123 or a DL3 battery leak ever.....only typical AA AAA 9v lead acid stuff. Some high dollar red dots still use the AA battery like the Aimpoint Comp M4

 

[billt460]

If you are not going to be using the gun, for an extended period of time, I would just take the batteries out. Cannot hurt. I have had a few standard flashlight destroyed in the truck console due to a leaky AAA battery.

I think the types of batteries used makes the difference. I have not had a CR123 or a DL3 battery leak ever.....only typical AA AAA 9v lead acid stuff. Some high dollar red dots still use the AA battery like the Aimpoint Comp M4

Sorry, I should have mentioned the battery is a "built in" rechargeable Lithium Ion type, that takes a magnetic charging cord. I would have to take the sight off the weapon to remove it, which would require resighting it.

This is the sight. The On / Off switch is a small rubber pad located on the slanted rear part of the unit.

 

[burbguy82]

Sorry, I should have mentioned the battery is a "built in" rechargeable Lithium Ion type, that takes a magnetic charging cord. I would have to take the sight off the weapon to remove it, which would require resighting it.

This is the sight. The On / Off switch is a small rubber pad located on the slanted rear part of the unit.

View attachment 262019

well, then removing will not make a difference.