I am thinking of buying two Ruger MKII commemorative pistols to give to my two children as presents. However, I would like to keep them stored for 15-20 years before giving it to them. That way they get an "old" new pistol. The commemorative is really not much more expensive than the standard and makes a nicer present. Also I may be able to get them in consecutive serial numbers. Any opinions as to a better choice than tha Ruger?

Any ideas as to the best way to store them for that lenght of time? I intend to fire one magazine through each, to make sure they function properly, then clean and store. Thought of oiling the whole thing and vacumm packing them, with the plastic grips removed and packed by themselves to prevent long term contamination from migrating oil. Any thoughts on the matter? Are 15-20 years reasonable storage or should I take them out for inspection and re-packing every five years or so?

Any and all comments are appreciated.

Haven't tried storage for that length of time...within 3 years, thin oils aren't going to cut it. They do what oils do, seek the lowest point, oxidize at the high points, and leave the metal unprotected. Something thicker (and harder to remove) seems the best bet.

Good old military cosmoline (occasionally for sale) does do a pretty good job. Does turn to a hard to remove "gunk" over time, but so long as that gunk is in place, the metal is pretty well protected (doesn't do wonders for wood).

As for Rugers...think they'd be a good choice..have the well deserved reputaion for being very solidly built.

Would have some concerns about ammo storage...and lest face it, 20 years from now, it just may not be all that easy to get ammo (or if things work out poorly with sup. court selections, to own a handgun). .22ammo can survive for a long long time in the right conditions...but those conditions are pretty close to the conditions humans survive at....if it's too cold or too hot for your comfort, it's not the best conditon to store ammo. Even then, sill find the waxed coatings over the bullets have often oxidized..won't be as noticable on the plated types, but even they are still wax coated and that coating will be gone (but at least they don't turn gray).

Would ahve to give some thought...if a somewhat climate controled storage is better for ammo, then that same area could be used for gun storage (although that does violate one of the basic rules...better not to store non-defence firearms and ammo together). That type of storage may indicate a less aggressive protectant than cosmoline (as you'd be able to do periodic checks).

I would advise not to shoot them at all. Shooting them even once will decrease their value greatly, so since these are for future use, leave them alone. If you want to store shooters, why get the commemorative? I would get the commemorative guns, but leave them as is and do not shoot them. Then if the new owners feel the need to decrease the value of a special edition firearm, let them do it.

These guns are intended to be shot. I believe shooting them before storage to make sure they work is required, as I expect them to work and fire later. Don't they fire them at the factory anyhow? They are not really as an investment, as I fully expect my children to keep them, and use them, as a special gift from their father, not sell them.
The difference in cost is about $35.00 from the standard MkII and that gets one nicer grips and some roll engraving.

Will they keep OK if vacuum packed? Ammo is not a concern, as if 22LR is not available new 20 years from now, we're in deep **** anyway. We all have other guns in the meantime.

The vaccum pack thing works great...i did that to an old winchester 1906 that im trying to keep in pristine condition. Clean the gun VERY well and give it a good coating of oil then stick it in your vaccum bag and suck away. Ive had mine in a bag for about 4 years and theres no signs of rust, corrosion, or any deterioration. Ive taken it out every other year and cleaned and lubed it up, but its come out just as clean as i put it in. Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place and it should last darn near forever in one of those food saver bags. I do it to ammo that i dont plan on shooting soon so the brass doesnt tarnish and look like crap.