I was bored, it was cold: Or my semi-lowtemp test

Nathan_Bell · #1 01-17-09, 10:24

IT has been getting down to -5 F ish here the past couple nights, which is about as cold as it ever really gets in my part of the world, so I decided to do a completely unscientific test and see how my go-to rifle handles cold.

Rifle specs: Colt 6920 with 16" N4 Middie barrel, LT 12.0 HG, PRI GBCH, H-1 sight.
Magazines: 2 early production black PMAGs
Ammo: Wolf 62 Gr (because if it woud run on this crap I figure it would run on anything)
Lube: CLP

I inserted a magazine, loaded a round and then put a garbage bag around the rifle and put it in my machine shed. No insulation it was getting COLD in there.

Pulled the rifle out this morning, walked over to my test range (a 5 meter area with a soil back stop for function checking) ran both magazines through without a hitch.

This prove anything on a loarge scale? Hell no! but it makes me a bit more comfortable with my peronal set-up.

Sight fogged to hell and gone when I came inside. Not interior fogging, but on the outer surfaces. Once I wiped them off it was gtg.

brown3345 · #2 01-17-09, 10:39

I should have done that as well since it got down to -15 here in MI. When I was in Korea I found that the worst thing to do was over lube your weapon when it got really cold out there. I have always had good luck with CLP and FP-10 when it gets cold out.

ICANHITHIMMAN · #3 01-17-09, 18:21

CLP will freeze up in the cold. I used MilTech in Afghanistan

Nathan_Bell · #4 01-17-09, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ICANHITHIMMAN

CLP will freeze up in the cold. I used MilTech in Afghanistan

Yeah that is why I was a little curious if it would work or not. Apparently -5 F wasn't cold enough to freeze it up, on my set-up.

11Bravo · #5 01-17-09, 23:12

I cannot for the life of me remember if we were told to use CLP or LSA in cold weather.
One of them stays thinner down to a much lower temp than the other.
I think they said to use CLP for general purpose and LSA at lower temps.
This was in January of '91 when everyone else was in Saudi Arabia; my unit was at Ft. Greely, AK undergoing arctic warfare training.

Heavy Metal · #6 01-17-09, 23:40

Not LSA at low temps but LAW or Lubricant, Aircraft Weapons.

brown3345 · #7 01-18-09, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan_Bell

Yeah that is why I was a little curious if it would work or not. Apparently -5 F wasn't cold enough to freeze it up, on my set-up.

Well, Nathan Bell. My hat is of for you! Not many people out there have the drive to see what their guns can do in extreme conditions. Keep up the good work and keep us informed of your progress please.

I know some people at Michigan State U. that deal with VERY COLD climates, maybe we could let us freeze our guns AND guys to see how we perform as a team!

Let me know if you are interested. We could get the ROTC at MSU guys involved and have a lot of fun!!!

Good Idea? Or just crazy? Who cares.

TimBob · #8 01-18-09, 10:31

As many duck and goose hunters will attest, ice ain't nothin... I've seen many a gun completely iced over from freezing rain fire and cycle just fine when the trigger is pulled. These are 12 gauge 3 1/2" loads, but the action in a discharging firearm is violent enough that a little ice usually won't cause any problems.

Low Drag · #9 01-18-09, 10:48

We used CLP in Norway, it worked OK.

When it gets truly cold, well below zero you'll need to change out as others have posted.

The key, the #1 thing to keep in mind is condensation. Once it gets cold, leave your rifle in the cold. Bringing it in and out of warm temps creates condensation, when enough moisture accumulates your rifle (or other gear) will freeze up no matter what lube you use. (Guys with truck guns take note)

If you bring it in and out of the cold like most of us take an extra moment to break it down and wipe off any moisture after the rifle warms up.

Remember, in a pinch WD40 is a water displacer.

Aray · #10 01-18-09, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Drag

We used CLP in Norway, it worked OK.

When it gets truly cold, well below zero you'll need to change out as others have posted.

The key, the #1 thing to keep in mind is condensation. Once it gets cold, leave your rifle in the cold. Bringing it in and out of warm temps creates condensation, when enough moisture accumulates your rifle (or other gear) will freeze up no matter what lube you use. (Guys with truck guns take note)

If you bring it in and out of the cold like most of us take an extra moment to break it down and wipe off any moisture after the rifle warms up.

Remember, in a pinch WD40 is a water displacer.

I have seen many button type safetys freeze on hunting rifles as "warm" as +5F due to this. It becomes a real problem around -10F and below.