Soft cases suck. All of our hardware is in hard cases when we travel and I always throw a sock filled with rice into each case as a cheap, environmentally safe, dehumidifier.
“Also, any advice on cleaning the rust off of these guns would be appreciated” try MAYBE fine Steel Wool followed by good Gun Oil.
Most of my firearms are kept in a gun safe with the dehumidifier that came with it plugged in (the cord is threaded through an opening in the bottom. Additionally, I keep the long guns in silicone-impregnated gun socks. This scheme seems to work since several of my shotguns are over 20 years old and show no signs of rust.
And consider buying hard cases this time. ;-)
Pelican, the best.
At least it wasn’t a boating accident and you still have the guns.
(I couldn’t resist. Sorry.)
For the rust, try very fine steel wool, followed with some buffing. You can also get a blueing kit to do touch up work. Make sure you put a thin coat of oil on the metal portions of your firearms. I use Break Free CLP and have had good results.
As for cases, checkout midwayusa.com or cheaperthandirt.com.
Use “Blue Wonder” to get the rust off. Removes the rust without harming the bluing.
You can also use it inside the bore and on other parts.
It’s nasty, stinky stuff. Wear latex gloves. Follow label directions very closely.
Works WONDERS. Just like it’s name implies.
Ah where has the art of gun bluing gone?
I have a safe for storage. Bolt it to the floor. Don’t buy a cheap safe at the sporting goods store. Look at http://www.agenglish.com/. I’ve know them for many years and can vouch for their products and service. I bought from an un-advertised line of products and saved a bundle. They also have some used ones coming in occasionally. That might require some cajoling.
Best investment I ever made. You can keep all your valuables in a fireproof safe. You can buy an ugly safe and keep it in a closet and it works just as well as an expensive safe. If you or your better half are creative you can do some fancy artwork on it. Put flames on it, whatever you want. But Bolt it to the floor.
Usually a moving company delivers and sets up the safes. You can have it custom configured with shelves and such. Bolt it to the floor.
Also make sure you demand your insurance company replace any electronics in your house. Sometimes they will insist you have them cleaned but that just delays the inevitable. That smoke starts up corrosion and it could be 6 months or a year and suddenly your *insert your favorite electronic device here* fails to turn on, or just dies. Especially TVs, DVD players, Dish/directv boxes and computers.
If you need some cases, Boyt makes some of the best, and has for many decades.
http://www.boytharness.com/inventory.asp?CatId={6D8C1062-2237-46AF-B8B8-67CD1821965C}
http://www.midwayusa.com/ is an excellent source.
Link to all cases and safes, as well as other dehumidifers, etc:
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?&newcategorydimensionid=10786
And yes, "smoke" is corrosive. When the CO2 released by the fire dissolves in water, it is acidic. And fire also forms nitric oxide in small amounts (which forms nitric acid when it hits water). Plus lots of organic acids from the carbon combustibles. None of which are "rust" friendly.
Take them apart and soak all of the rusted parts in plain old vinegar far a couple of weeks and the rust should disappear. This works great on rusty tools and things too.
Low priced soft side and hard plastic gun cases Midway USA always has their own branded products at a reasonable price. They will also let you round up the total price of your order to the next even dollar amount and donate the difference to the NRA.
Good luck on your restoration.