View Full Version : Removing condensation from chamber ?
SHARPSHOOTER282
03-07-19, 01:45
I have an AR-10, there is condensation in the chamber ! Before I go to the range i usually use gun scrubber to remove any oil residue in the chamber, then I dry it. However after a range trip i cleaned the rifle and I noticed afterwards by putting my little finger in the chamber there was condensation. Any ideas how to remove it ?
*i do not use gun scrubber for cleaning only before range trip
Wait until it acclimates and pull a bore snake through it.
A little WD 40 will drive out the moisture, and provides light lubrication at the same time. Then it can be removed per your usual practice.
Sounds like you may have also cleaned it in a colder place than you checked it ...
SHARPSHOOTER282
03-07-19, 12:06
Sounds like you may have also cleaned it in a colder place than you checked it ...
no, i cleaned it at home after shooting it at the range and checked it there as well
on the range the temp was 48-50F
Regardless, it sounds like it’s a temperature differential/lack of air flow issue. Next time, maybe leave the action open?
SHARPSHOOTER282
03-07-19, 13:43
Regardless, it sounds like it’s a temperature differential/lack of air flow issue. Next time, maybe leave the action open?
ok, its in the safe now, i will take it out leave it with the bolt open ! its quite warm in my house how long should i leave action open for ?
Condensation forms when the temperature of the rifle is below that of the dew point of the environment it is in. If the rifle is at the same temperature as the room temperature, there really should be no way for droplets of condensation to form. When you bring a cold 50F rifle into a house that's warm and has high humidity, droplets can form. Typically they will dry up when the rifle reaches room temperature.
My rifles go into the house and warm up completely, actions open, before being stored in the safe.
P2Vaircrewman
03-07-19, 16:42
Iif gun scrubber is like brake cleaner the evaporation cools the metal enough to cause condensation to form. I have had it happen when I use brake cleaner to remove oil from metal parts prior to painting.
Iif gun scrubber is like brake cleaner the evaporation cools the metal enough to cause condensation to form. I have had it happen when I use brake cleaner to remove oil from metal parts prior to painting.
You don't even have to use an aerosol. In warm temps the evaporation rate of many products will chill the metal including common alcohol enough to promote condensation depending on temp and humidity.
When gunpowder burns it produces h2o. Like others have said, you need to allow it to evaporate. A .222 diameter tube, closed on one end, will not dry easily.
I leave my guns out overnight to acclimate. If they get condensation, i blow dry them or lay them on the radiator overnight.
For a little over $100 shooters can buy a pancake air compressor like they use to run nail guns. All shooters benefit from using air. After hosing down with brake cleaner, use air to blow out condensation.
And post #3: WD 40 dries to a varnish in guns. Even worse, NO oil etc in the chamber or on ammo. This increases bolt thrust to dangerous levels.
For a little over $100 shooters can buy a pancake air compressor like they use to run nail guns. All shooters benefit from using air. After hosing down with brake cleaner, use air to blow out condensation.
And post #3: WD 40 dries to a varnish in guns. Even worse, NO oil etc in the chamber or on ammo. This increases bolt thrust to dangerous levels.
There is a reason you have to empty the tank on your home air compressor, and why air compressors that run things like turning targets, paint guns, air tools have air dryers on them.
For a little over $100 shooters can buy a pancake air compressor like they use to run nail guns. All shooters benefit from using air. After hosing down with brake cleaner, use air to blow out condensation.
And post #3: WD 40 dries to a varnish in guns. Even worse, NO oil etc in the chamber or on ammo. This increases bolt thrust to dangerous levels.
If you want a gun to rust spray WD40 on it.
Is this a real issue for most people? I live in the southeast, shoot rain or shine, and don’t super often clean the bores of my rifles that have chromed/nitrided or stainless bores. About every 1,000 or so rounds. My main preventative practice is that I leave my weapon case open overnight after I bring the rifle back in, and I put it in a safe in the morning. I make sure steel parts have lube on them. I never use a muzzle cap. My bolt gets cycled frequently before and after a range session for dry fire reps, and maybe that helps.
Edit: I also don’t spray anything in my bore. It gets cleaned with either CLP and/or a copper solvent.
I have gravitated to Ballistol exclusively. It creates an emulsion with water then leaves a film of oil when the water evaporates. That is one of the ways it lives up to company claims when cleaning after shooting Pyrodex and potassium chlorate primers.
I just run a dry patch or snake down the barrel before heading out to make sure no large amounts of oil or anything else Is inside.
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