Victory VCI® Gun Bag Rust Test Results
Victory VCI® makes corrosion-protection storage bags for firearms and ammunition.
In laboratory testing, Victory VCI® film achieved Grade 3 — the highest protection rating in that test — while the untreated steel control scored Grade 0.
In 2018 APL10/BFSV testing (Report #6693, EN3B bright mild steel), all four Victory film samples achieved Grade 3 corrosion protection, while the untreated control achieved Grade 0, which means no corrosion protection.
February 2026 testing (Report #021226B) of Victory film scored Grade 3 again, control Grade 0.
Results apply to the specific samples, methods, and test conditions evaluated.
Long Gun 3-pack or Handgun & Ammo 9-pack, $15.99 each. Free continental-US shipping on victoryvci.com. Made in USA by Victory Plastic, Inc., Houston, Texas, since 2009.
Long Gun 12×48, 3-pack, $15.99, about $5.33 per bag. For rifles and shotguns.
Handgun & Ammo 12×18, 9-pack, $15.99, about $1.78 per bag. For handguns, magazines, and ammunition.
Close by folding, tying, taping, or heat sealing the open end. Closure materials are not included. Reusable when clean and undamaged.
APL10 test on EN3B steel: Victory film vs. no-VCI control. Results apply to the samples and conditions tested.
What makes Victory VCI® different?
Victory VCI® gun bags are made in the USA from heavy-duty 4-mil polyethylene film, with vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) chemistry built into the film itself. An ordinary plastic bag is only a physical cover. A Victory VCI® bag is both a physical storage barrier and, when properly closed, an enclosed environment in which corrosion-inhibiting molecules can reach the metal inside.
That difference matters for firearms, magazines, ammunition, and metal accessories that sit in storage between uses. The item does not need heavy grease-based preservation for the bag to do its job: put a clean, dry item in the bag, close the bag properly, and the enclosed VCI environment helps protect the metal while it is stored.
How Victory VCI® technology works
Inside a properly enclosed bag, the VCI chemistry in the film releases corrosion-inhibiting molecules into the air inside the package. Those molecules settle on accessible metal surfaces and form a protective molecular layer that helps reduce corrosion caused by moisture, oxygen, and environmental contaminants.
VCI molecules circulate within the properly closed bag and help protect accessible, exposed metal surfaces. Protection is not limited to the places where the film touches the item. Proper closure helps maintain that enclosed environment, so it is part of the protection, not a finishing detail.
- Clean and dry the item before storage.
- Place the item inside the bag, with enough bag past the end of the item to close it.
- Fold, tie, tape, or heat seal the open end so the bag stays closed. Closure materials are not included.
- Store the closed bag, and reuse the bag when it is clean and undamaged.
Store. Seal. Protect. Clean, dry rifle or shotgun inside. Fold, tie, tape, or heat seal. Protected from rust and corrosion while it sits. 3+ years when properly enclosed and stored.
What the APL10/BFSV test was
APL10/BFSV testing is a vapor-phase corrosion test. Steel samples are placed in an enclosed test environment with VCI film, and compared with steel placed with no VCI film at all. The comparison is the point of the test: the same steel, the same conditions, and the only difference is whether VCI film is present.
Report #6693 is the record for this result: it identifies the film tested, the method used, the metal evaluated, and the conditions under which the samples were graded. The result above is reported as the laboratory reported it, for the samples and conditions evaluated.
| Method detail | Report #6693 |
|---|---|
| Test method | APL10 (BFSV), TL 8135-0002 |
| Test metal | EN3B bright mild steel panels |
| Film tested | Victory VCI® film, 4-mil construction |
| Samples tested | Four Victory film samples, plus an untreated control |
| Conditions | 20 hours equilibration, then 2 hours at 40°C |
| Report | Report #6693, August 31, 2018 |
| Sample | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Victory VCI® film — Sample 1 | Grade 3 | Highest protection rating in this test |
| Victory VCI® film — Sample 2 | Grade 3 | Highest protection rating in this test |
| Victory VCI® film — Sample 3 | Grade 3 | Highest protection rating in this test |
| Victory VCI® film — Sample 4 | Grade 3 | Highest protection rating in this test |
| Untreated control — no VCI film | Grade 0 | No corrosion protection |
What Grade 3 and Grade 0 mean
In plain terms: with Victory VCI® film present, the steel stayed protected under the test conditions. With no VCI film present, it did not. Grade 3 is the highest protection rating in this test; Grade 0 means no corrosion protection.
Why this matters for the property you store
Firearms can develop rust during storage, especially when moisture or fingerprints remain on the metal. Moisture in the air, fingerprints, and humidity work quietly, often where they are hardest to see: inside an action, on springs and magazines, and in a bore.
Once pitting starts, it is permanent. It lowers value, it can affect function, and on an inherited firearm or a gun you have invested in, it damages something that cannot simply be bought back in the same condition. Barrels, receivers, triggers, springs, magazines, bolts, and internal mechanisms are all metal, and all of them are exposed while the firearm is in storage.
The job of the bag is to protect that metal during the long periods when nobody is looking at it. That only works when the item goes in clean and dry and the bag is properly closed, so the enclosed environment is maintained.
Brass doesn't rust, it corrodes. Corroded ammunition without protection, and clean ammunition protected in a Victory VCI® blue bag.
Yes. Moisture in the air can still reach exposed metal. A safe helps secure your firearms. Humidity control helps manage moisture. A closed Victory VCI® bag adds corrosion protection around the metal. Put it away protected.
Multi-metal testing: steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper
Firearms and stored gear are not made of one metal, so Victory film was also evaluated in APL04 multi-metal testing, Report #3966, September 11, 2018. That test evaluated Victory film on steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper, against no-VCI controls on the same metals.
Which APL04 variant matches the current retail bag has not been confirmed, so these results are shown as a range only, not as a rating for the current bag.
Read the protected column as a range across the samples evaluated in that report, not as a single rating for every metal. The consistent finding across all four metals is the comparison: Very Poor with no VCI protection, and Good to Excellent with Victory film. Results apply to the specific samples, methods, and test conditions evaluated.
| Metal tested | No-VCI control | Victory-protected samples |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Very Poor | Good to Excellent |
| Galvanized steel | Very Poor | Good to Excellent |
| Aluminum | Very Poor | Good to Excellent |
| Copper | Very Poor | Good to Excellent |
Full Victory test history
Earlier Victory samples were thinner than today's 4-mil film, and their results were mixed. The 2018 samples scored all Grade 3. The table below lists the Victory tests only, in the order they were run, with the 2015 mixed result shown with its explanation.
| Test | Method / metal | What was tested | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015, Report #3169 | APL10/BFSV, TL 8135-0043, EN3B steel | 3 Victory samples, 3.22 to 3.70 mil — all thinner than today's 4-mil film. Nitrites negative. | Control Grade 0. Samples Grade 1, Grade 1, Grade 3. The lab said the other two samples tested borderline due to thinner film thickness, and the thickest sample exhibited excellent properties. |
| 2018, Report #6693 | APL10/BFSV, TL 8135-0002, EN3B steel | 4 Victory film samples | All 4 samples Grade 3. Control Grade 0. |
| 2018, Lot 4980 summary | APL10/BFSV, TL 8135-0002, EN3B steel | 4-mil Victory film, summary image | Grade 3. Control Grade 0. Listed as corroboration only, because the full report copy is missing its results page. |
| 2018, Report #3966 | APL04 long test, steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, copper | Victory film, multi-metal | Controls Very Poor on all four metals. Protected samples Good to Excellent, shown as a range only, because the report has two variants and which variant matches the retail bag sold now has not been confirmed. |
| February 2026, Report #021226B | APL10, TL 8135-002, EN3B steel | Victory 4-mil blue film | Grade 3. Control Grade 0. Conclusion reported: good protection from corrosion. |
What Victory VCI® bags are used for
Victory VCI® bags are made for rifles, shotguns, handguns, magazines, ammunition, spare parts, tools, and metal collectibles.
Storage protection from $5.33 per Long Gun bag or $1.78 per Handgun & Ammo bag
Based only on the prices and the 3+ years claim, using 3 years as the minimum. If protection lasts longer than 3 years, the per-year cost is lower.
| Product | Size and pack | Price per pack | Price per bag | Per bag per year, over 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory VCI® Long Gun | 12×48, 3-pack | $15.99 | $5.33 | $1.78 |
| Victory VCI® Handgun & Ammo | 12×18, 9-pack | $15.99 | $1.78 | $0.59 |
| Complete Storage Set | One of each pack | $31.98 | $2.67 | $0.89 |
Complete Storage Set per-bag costs are calculated across all 12 included bags.
- Film: heavy-duty 4-mil VCI polyethylene film, VCI chemistry built into the film.
- Protection: 3+ years of protection when properly enclosed and stored.
- Testing: Performance tested to MIL DTL 22020E.
- Closure: Open-top. Close by folding, tying, taping, or heat sealing. Closure materials are not included. Reusable when clean and undamaged.
- Shipping direct: Free continental-US shipping on victoryvci.com.
For rifles and shotguns. The bag must extend past the end of the item by enough room to twist, tie, fold, or heat seal it closed.
Shop Long Gun 12×48, 3-pack, $15.99
For handguns, magazines, and ammunition, including loaded ammunition.
Shop Handgun & Ammo 12×18, 9-pack, $15.99
One Long Gun pack and one Handgun & Ammo pack together.
Shop the Complete Storage Set, $31.98
Long Gun 12 × 48, 3-pack, $15.99. Handgun & Ammo 12 × 18, 9-pack, $15.99.
Trusted by shooters, made in the USA
4.5 stars across 390+ Amazon ratings. 100% positive feedback and 1,200+ sold on eBay. Carried by MidwayUSA and Walmart. See Where to Buy for current retailer links.
Made in USA by Victory Plastic, Inc., Houston, Texas. Manufacturing since 2009. Manufacturer-direct.
For bulk and business orders, call 1-800-286-3273 or email info@victoryvci.com.
What this testing does not prove
Independent testing supports the results above, for the samples, methods, and conditions evaluated. It does not support broader claims, and Victory does not make them:
- This testing does not remove existing rust or corrosion.
- It does not protect an item that is sealed in wet or dirty. Clean and dry the item first.
- It does not protect metal in a bag that is torn, damaged, or left open. The bag must stay properly enclosed.
- It does not mean every metal or specialty alloy has been individually tested. The metals directly tested in the APL04 multi-metal test were steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper, and the APL10/BFSV test used EN3B bright mild steel.
- A laboratory vapor-phase test is not a promise for every firearm, finish, or storage condition. Protection is 3+ years when properly enclosed and stored — clean, dry, and securely closed.
Frequently asked questions
Do VCI bags actually work? Have Victory VCI® bags been tested?
Yes. Victory VCI® film was tested in APL10/BFSV testing, Report #6693, August 31, 2018, on EN3B bright mild steel: all four Victory film samples scored Grade 3, the highest protection rating in that test, while the untreated control scored Grade 0, no protection. February 2026 testing (Report #021226B) of Victory film scored Grade 3 again, control Grade 0. A separate APL04 test on steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper rated no-VCI controls Very Poor and Victory-protected samples Good to Excellent, shown as a range only because which APL04 variant matches the current retail bag has not been confirmed. In storage, a properly closed Victory VCI® bag creates an enclosed corrosion-inhibiting environment that helps protect metal while it sits. Results apply to the samples, methods, and conditions evaluated.
Can guns rust in a gun safe?
Yes. A safe helps secure your firearms. Many safes manage humidity, but they cannot eliminate it, and moisture in the air can still reach metal while a firearm sits. A Victory VCI® bag inside the safe gives the firearm its own enclosed corrosion-inhibiting environment around the metal. Start clean and dry, close the bag properly, and store the closed bag in the safe.
How do I store guns long term to prevent rust?
Start with a clean, dry firearm. Place it in a Victory VCI® bag, close the bag properly by folding, tying, taping, or heat sealing the open end, and store the closed bag in a safe. The enclosed VCI environment helps protect the metal while it sits. Replace the bag if it is torn or damaged.
What size VCI bag do I need for a rifle or shotgun?
Use the Long Gun 12×48, 3-pack for most rifles and shotguns. There is no fixed inch rule: the bag must extend past the end of the item by enough room to twist, tie, fold, or heat seal it closed. Measure your firearm before ordering.
What is the difference between a VCI bag and a gun sock?
Gun socks vary in materials and protective treatments. Victory VCI® bags use corrosion-inhibiting chemistry built into the film and require proper closure. When properly closed, a Victory VCI® bag creates an enclosed corrosion-inhibiting environment: VCI molecules circulate within the properly closed bag and help protect accessible, exposed metal surfaces. The bag provides dry protection without requiring heavy grease-based preservation, and it can be reused when it is clean and undamaged.
VCI bag vs silica gel vs dehumidifier rod — what is the difference?
They do different jobs. Silica gel absorbs moisture in an enclosed space and needs checking, drying, or replacing. A dehumidifier rod warms the air in a safe, lowers relative humidity, and needs power — it does not create a corrosion-inhibiting environment around the metal. A Victory VCI® bag, when properly closed, creates an enclosed corrosion-inhibiting environment around the metal inside the bag, with no power and no desiccant packs to replace. No one of these is universally best for every setup; choose based on whether you need humidity control in a safe, protection around a specific firearm or item in a closed bag, or both in different places.
How long do Victory VCI® bags protect in storage?
Victory VCI® bags provide 3+ years of protection when properly enclosed and stored — clean, dry, and securely closed. That duration claim is separate from the lab grades: APL10 testing is a short vapor-phase test, not a 3-year measurement.
How do I close the bag?
Fold, tie, tape, or heat seal the open end so the bag stays closed. Leave enough bag past the end of the item to twist, tie, fold, or heat seal it closed. Closure materials are not included. The bag must stay properly enclosed for the VCI environment to work, and it can be reused when it is clean and undamaged.
Do I need oil or desiccant with a VCI bag?
No heavy grease-based preservation is required, and there are no desiccant packs to replace in a Victory VCI® bag — the corrosion protection is built directly into the film. Start with a clean, dry item, close the bag properly, and follow the manufacturer's required lubrication for the firearm itself.
Are Victory VCI® bags reusable?
Yes, when the bag is clean and undamaged. Replace the bag if it is torn or damaged.
Can Victory VCI® bags be used for firearms and ammunition?
Yes. Victory VCI® bags are designed for firearms, magazines, ammunition, and metal accessories kept in a safe.
Do Victory VCI® bags remove rust that is already there?
No. Victory VCI® bags do not remove existing rust or corrosion. Start with a clean, dry item.
Testing notes, disclaimers, and citations
Results apply to the specific samples, methods, and test conditions evaluated. Commercial retail bags are not represented as government-contract marked packaging. Victory VCI® bags are not represented as government-qualified. Protection is 3+ years when properly enclosed and stored — clean, dry, and securely closed — not a guarantee for every firearm, finish, or storage condition.
Performance tested to MIL DTL 22020E.
We publish the test, date, method, metal, and result here. Raw lab sheets are not published, to protect our proprietary film formulation.
- APL10 (BFSV), TL 8135-0043 — Report #3169, 2015. Three Victory samples on EN3B steel, 3.22 to 3.70 mil, thinner than today's 4-mil film. Nitrites negative. Control: Grade 0. Samples: Grade 1, Grade 1, Grade 3.
- APL10 (BFSV), TL 8135-0002 — Report #6693, August 31, 2018. Four Victory film samples on EN3B bright mild steel: Grade 3. Untreated control: Grade 0. Conditions: 20 hours equilibration, then 2 hours at 40°C.
- APL10 (BFSV), TL 8135-0002 — Lot 4980 summary, 2018. 4-mil Victory film: Grade 3. Control: Grade 0. Corroboration only; the full report copy is missing its results page.
- APL04 multi-metal test — Report #3966, September 11, 2018. Victory film on steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper. No-VCI controls: Very Poor on all four metals. Victory-protected samples: Good to Excellent across the metals tested.
- February 2026 testing of Victory film (Report #021226B): 4-mil blue film, APL10 in accordance with TL 8135-002, Grade 3, control Grade 0. Conclusion reported: good protection from corrosion.
Victory VCI® is made by Victory Plastic, Inc., Houston, Texas. Victory VCI® gun bags are made in the USA from heavy-duty 4-mil VCI film, for firearms, ammunition, and metal storage, with 3+ years of protection when properly enclosed and stored.