How to Protect Your Firearm From Extreme Conditions
It is important to protect your firearm from the elements. Extreme cold conditions can cause problems with your firearms, regardless of the make and model. Heat doesn’t have the same effect as cold because firearms, and more specifically military grade rifles have to endure the hundred plus degree temperatures found in the deserts of the Middle East. The only potentially dangerous effects of extreme heat are the increased chamber pressure and gummy lube.
Cold Weather Conditions
Cold weather is where you’ll experience the most problems with your firearms. Regardless of the make, model and caliber of the weapon, negative effects can occur from extreme cold temperatures.
1. The most common cold weather issue associated with firearms is the ignition of gunpowder. When cold weather strikes, it becomes increasingly difficult for the gunpowder to ignite and the gun to fire properly. Actions, powders, and primers can all cease to operate effectively and cause misfire and stoppages.
2. Cold appendages can also impair your ability to use the gun effectively in cold weather conditions. Adding layers only creates other complications, limits your sense of touch, and mobility, especially when layers are applied to all areas of the body. If you don’t have a hard to pull trigger, numbness and layered hands can cause accidental firing.
3. Another problem that may arise in extreme weather conditions is user error. Cold weather impairs brain functionality and concentration and may cause you to misuse firearms, causing danger to both you and those around you.
4. Winter gear can cause problems as well, such as shoulder mounting. This could cause the sight to be slightly off and the gun won’t be propped flush against your shoulder, causing missed targets, etc.
5. Another problem you may experience is lubrication becoming gel like and preventing the trigger from firing correctly. In freezing conditions minimal lubrication is best and a simple gun is usually the best option for a low maintenance, easy to use weapon.
Solutions to Cold Weather Conditions
Even though many of these issues are user related, there are options to remedy them so that you can continue to enjoy your hobby no matter the time of year. Here are some popular fixes that I have compiled for your benefit.
1. Purchase a shorter stock. You can have a stock fitted for winter use so that there is less room for aiming errors. When the stock is shorter, you should be able to use the sight as you would during the summer months and shoot with at least as much accuracy.
2. Special gloves with specific materials may be necessary so that you have feeling enough to make the shot, while still keeping your fingers warm. Some avid gunmen suggest cutting a slit into the trigger finger where the trigger will be pulled so that you can have warmth but still full feeling when taking a shot. Regardless of what you decide to do, you should practice so that accidents are less likely to occur.
3. Ammo can also create problems in cold weather. Many experts suggest nickel-plated cartridge cases because they are friction free will require less lubrication and therefore be better for cold weather shooting.
4. Use a simple gun. Simple guns create an easier user experience which, in turn, makes for a more controlled shooting environment, especially in freezing temperatures.
5. Consider purchasing a night vision sight/light. This little piece can be very helpful in the wintertime when daylight hours are reduced and much of your time spent outside of work will be in the dark.
6. Lastly, clean your gun, both inside and outside, on a regular basis. ALWAYS make sure the gun is unloaded and taken apart when cleaning to avoid the risk of possible injury or death. Cleaning your gun on a regular basis will help keep it working in both cold and hot conditions and keep buildup from occurring.
These are just a few of the things to be aware of and the steps you can take to keep your gun working properly during the extreme cold winter months.
About The Author
Heidi Rothert writes content for gun safe companies, such as Cannon Safe. She also works with plumbers, HVAC companies, home construction, disaster cleanup and dental clients..
