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Cold Country

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:00 pm
by galvestonredneck
Hello all,
I have read severl posts in the past asking how the heat would effect a firearm left in a car. I have the other problem, for those of you who don't know it I moved to South Dakota 18 months ago. The temp tonight will be -12 with a -35 wind chill. Last year it got down to -35 degrees several nights and I expect this year will be no better.

I carry a CZ in the cab of my truck and wonder if I should be taking it in the house when the weather is this cold.

Any advise?

Galveston Redneck (AKA The COLD Texan)

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:09 pm
by CompVest
Sub-zero weather should minimally effect ammo and gun if at all. The only threat would be if your lubricant was to get too viscous. You might consider a dry lube for the winter months.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:14 pm
by Crossfire
I wouldn't recommend leaving a firearm in a vehicle overnight unless it is in a secured garage. And that has nothing to do with the cold. Your firearm is only as secure as the glass in your vehicle.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:19 pm
by Pawpaw
Not that I need that kind of cold protection, but I use Eezox. It's rated from +450F to -95F.

http://www.eezox.com/gun-care.html

I just bought a large can from Midway.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:07 pm
by galvestonredneck
Thank You for the info.

Galveston Redneck (One Cold Texan)

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:06 pm
by srothstein
While I doubt it is a real concern, i just wanted to point out another problem with the cold. If you touch the weapon with bare skin (take your gloves off) it is possible to injure yourself, similar to touching any other metal object that is frozen (especially below zero). If I were in reaslly cold weather like that, I would have to seriously consider combat tupperware for the winter car use.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 1:37 am
by Zoomie
Guns don't run as well in the cold, I had a lot of problems with a Kimber between Simi Wad cutters and the Colorado Winters. My Dad also missed a shot on a deer when a little bit of water had somehow gotten in the action of his rifle and frozen. Not exactly sure what happened there, but I would test it out in the cold.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:44 am
by NavAir
David Jones: Where were you stationed, Captain, before you were picked up in transit?
Capt. Leslie Anders: Asia
David Jones: Ah, then you haven't been on the ice before either.
Capt. Leslie Anders: No, Sir. A bullet goes just as fast up here as it does down there.
David Jones: Not quite. An insignificant difference, perhaps, but I think you'll find the operational characteristics of the M-16 indicate that a bullet will decelerate as much as 40 feet per second per second faster in these climate conditions. It's denser air, you know.

Great movie, by the way. Anyone recognize it?

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:22 am
by ddstuder
NavAir wrote:Great movie, by the way. Anyone recognize it?

Ice Station Zebra :hurry:

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:59 am
by NavAir
ddstuder wrote:
NavAir wrote:Great movie, by the way. Anyone recognize it?

Ice Station Zebra :hurry:
We have a winner!

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:07 am
by Oldgringo
NavAir wrote:
ddstuder wrote:
NavAir wrote:Great movie, by the way. Anyone recognize it?

Ice Station Zebra :hurry:
We have a winner!
Oh Goody! That's coming up on our NetFlix queue.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:07 pm
by galvestonredneck
NavAir wrote:I think you'll find the operational characteristics of the M-16 indicate that a bullet will decelerate as much as 40 feet per second per second faster in these climate conditions. It's denser air, you know.
Let me tell you something. I would give up those 40 feet per second speeds in a heartbeat to have the winter weather where YOU are--LOL I also haven't seen a girl in a "bathing suit" since I got here!

People keep inviting m ICE Fishing! Grumpy old men, now that is a movie I can RELATE to--LOL

Galveston Redneck (ONE COLD TEXAN)

BTW: It turned out not to be a problem; it only got down to -6 degress last night and today it got all the way up to 3 degrees before it started droping again--LOL

South De-COLD-Da where you plug in your car AND your Pistol--LOL

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:27 pm
by chartreuse
I remember reading that the Canadian govt still issues old WWII bolt action Enfields to the Inuit rangers, who patrol the far North of the country, on account of they're one of the few rifles that will function reliably in the extreme cold.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:31 pm
by MoJo
Weapons froze up in the cold during the Battle of the Bulge and during the retreat from Chosin in Korea. GIs used to urinate :eek6 on thier rifles to thaw them out so they could fight. The Marines in Korea stripped all oil and grease off their M1s to prevent cold weather freezing.

Re: Cold Country

Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:35 pm
by Oldgringo
galvestonredneck wrote: ...LOL I also haven't seen a girl in a "bathing suit" since I got here!
It will be Spring in another six months or so. Just think what you've got to look forward to. :woohoo

Enjoy it while you can.