Cold Temp Effect on Autos

[HvBikeWlTravel]

Has anyone ever experienced malfunction of an Auto-loader due to subfreezing temps? I suspect the 16* I trudged thru last night would not be a factor. But what about the -20s and below in the Northern regions?  Does the recoil spring rate change in extreme Cold? Could that thin little coat of oil on the rails hinder full cycle?

I usually carry a 9 or 40 on my walks mainly for the benefit of having more ammo conveniently packed in the extra clip/s.  But if it gets much colder I may start carrying a revolver. 

[A.J. Holst]

NOT an expert, but I think the radiant heat from your body will keep the grease/oil warm enough for function.

 

If it's excessively cold, there is are no moisture issues, I guess you could use could you use a graphite lube of some sort?

[tercel89]

I use engine oil on my guns and I have never had a problem with mine at all in cold temps. I carry a Glock 21 and/or a 1911 when I go deer hunting and I have never had any malfunction with either of them . I have shoot them in 20 degrees and no problems . I always use engine oil because I think "gun oil" is a rip off . The engine oil does just fine and is cheaper on your wallet too. 

[enfield]

The cold won't affect the springs.  -20 isn't cold for springs.  :D

 

I use Mobil 1 0W-50 on my guns.  It doesn't get gummy in cold weather - it gets as thin as water but still lubricates.

[DaveTN]

It won’t matter. I worked outside in 20 below a couple of times. But no one that needs shot comes out in those temps. :)

[peejman]

It was 28 deg outside for the shooting portion of my permit class. The girl that shot next to me had her Sig go bang, bang, click repeatedly. The instructor that stripped it said it was massively over lubricated and the oil had gelled in the cold.

The instructors made several comments about how all the high dollar pistols quit working in the cold while the cheap ones ran fine. The tight fits and tolerances are great until it gets cold. Add in way too much lubricant and you have a very expensive hammer.

[Westwindmike]

I use Mobil 28 aircraft grease on my slide rails. It was used in places on our plane that got to -50 at times and still did not freeze up. Works well at high temps too.

[tercel89]

It was 28 deg outside for the shooting portion of my permit class. The girl that shot next to me had her Sig go bang, bang, click repeatedly. The instructor that stripped it said it was massively over lubricated and the oil had gelled in the cold.

The instructors made several comments about how all the high dollar pistols quit working in the cold while the cheap ones ran fine. The tight fits and tolerances are great until it gets cold. Add in way too much lubricant and you have a very expensive hammer.

That is when Glock comes in handy . Loose tolerences and small amount of oil will do just fine . 

[chances R]

The only point I would make is that if one is outside in extremely cold weather, teens and lower, there may be a noticeable decrease in recoil and velocity.  Especially if one is using 'lite' loads.  I have not seen it with pistols, but have seen it plenty of times with shotguns, esp. autoloaders to the point of malfunctions both from gun squib type ammo malfunction.  Again with shotguns, ballisticians recommend NOT loading shotgun ammo with a lup under 9000 for cold weather use.  Would imagine some similar thoughts with pistol ammo.  However, I would bet most factory SAMMI spec ammo there is no need to worry, but don't expect factory spec results in cold weather.

[Duck]

Well, I just thought about something. I used some of my Mil Pro 7 to lubricate the locks on my truck box. I went out one morning to get in the box and it had frozen, I couldn't beat the key in and a match wouldn't thaw the lock. I guess it is possible that a gun gets so cold the oil freezes. It probably would never get cold enough being under your clothing and against your body to happen.

[HvBikeWlTravel]

The girl that shot next to me had her Sig go bang, bang, click repeatedly. The instructor that stripped it said it was massively over lubricated and the oil had gelled in the cold.

The instructors made several comments about how all the high dollar pistols quit working in the cold while the cheap ones ran fine. The tight fits and tolerances are great until it gets cold. Add in way too much lubricant and you have a very expensive hammer.

 Well crap!  I gotta couple of Sigs to trade for .........................................a Taurus wheel-gun?  :squint:

Guess I can just store the Autos until more normal temps return.

My sidearm is carried outside several layers of insulation with only one layer covering weapon. It comes back in the house pretty darn chilly. I will shoot up the ammo  in the Spring just in case some condensation  effects the powder.  After several tests with primers I have little doubt they'll perform.

There for a minute I thought this was gonna turn into an "Oil Thread"!

[enfield]

I carried an all-metal Smith semi-auto in Michigan for years, never had a freeze-up.  Didn't have a problem during a January, outdoors tactical shooting class in the snow, other than me getting hypothermia.

[nightrunner]

Only reason i see to switch to a revolver in winter is higher velocity to punch through winter clothes and you are wearing more clothes and can conceal a bigger revolver better.

No coat can warm you up quite like the feeling of a .44 on your hip :D

[HvBikeWlTravel]

No coat can warm you up quite like the feeling of a .44 on your hip :D

 

Never a truer statement. My 44 would definitely add effort and sweat on the uphills.

[kwe45919]

Never had an issue with my Glocks. Them being generally lubed has worked well in PA and Kansas during zero degree temps being out in the cold for extended times. Every shot was cool with the heat off of the barrel.....

[Dolomite_supafly]

For guns that need oil, not grease, I use a 50/50 mix of synthetic 30 weight and automatic transmission fluid. I have never had a problem. And if I need some cleaning benefit as well I add about 10% of fuel injector cleaner to the mix.

[tercel89]

On a side note , my Toyota "Auto" transmission is doing pretty good since I separated it's cooling system  from my engine. It is running it's own cooling from a separate transmission cooler and it is no more prone to the Toyota "pink milkshake" anymore Thank God !!!! . And it still shifts pretty good in the low temps contrary to what others believe . Ha ha I could not resist ! I guess only a mechanic or Toyota guy would understand  :cool:...................Opps , I forgot we are talking about Firearm Autos and not automobile autos , ha ha Seriously though , everytime I see the title of this thread I think of Automatic transmissions  :wave:

Edited January 31, 2014 by tercel89