Winter car gun

[Ric]

It's getting colder in Indiana and when I go to work (I'm a locomotive engineer) I leave my car at the rail yard for at least a day and sometimes a day and a half. my question is this, are their any special things to do with a car gun in the winter? Lube? Clean more often?

I have a Para LDA officers size and a Taurus model 85 that I rotate in the car. Also have a Crimson Trace grip on the 85 does the cold affect it?

Thanks for any help

 

[El Tejon]

Getting colder? ***, you talkin' about, Willis? It was 80 degrees and sunny today!

Cold as relative to a country near the equator maybe? Geez.

Anywho, ensure your lube will work in extreme temps. Lube your pistols and put it in the freezer. See if it functions in the morning. Carry gun should always be cleaned and inspected regardless of weather.

I use Kellube (a fine product of Northern Indiana) and have no problems.

 

[tbeb]

I live in northern Indiana. My car gun is a revolver. At home my car is in a garage that is not insulated or heated. At work my car is outside for 12 hours. My gun is in a pocket holster on the front floor of my car (with a rag over it). I've never had problems.

 

[cratz2]

I've used FP-10 for about three years and BreakFree CLP for probably ten years before that. I've never had a problem with any of it freezing in anything that resembles normal temps. I keep my guns just slightly lubed... Lube them in key areas then wipe down. Never had a problem.

 

[Ship A'Hoy]

Proper lubrication in cold weather is important. But are you concerned with the ammo freezing while sitting outside in a car? Doesn't the freezing and thawing of the ammo make it unreliable?

 

[Preacherman]

Not really - just means that your first shot will be a cold shot!

 

[Ric]

El Tejon

It was 74 and nice today. only problem is it was 45 last night and that's when I work.

Nice riding weather in the daytime but the ride home will sure make you think twice about it.

The engine I had two nights ago was drafty as can be and the heater didn't work
Long trip that night

 

[El Tejon]

Just good sleeping weather, toughen you up for deer season.

 

[jason10mm]

I would be more worried about rust than anything else (parring sub-zero conditions). Repeatedly heating and chilling will cause condensation inside the action and barrel. Good reason to go for something tennifer treated or stainless. I've never heard of AMMO being particualrly temperature sensitive, usually just the sliding mechanisms of automatic weapons due to freezing lubricant or grease. I think gas pressure is altered as well. If you had to deal with severe low temps, I'd prefer a revolver since they would be less susceptible to cold induced malfunctions.

 

[SteelyDan]

I agree that the biggest worry is rust from condensation from repeated significant temperature changes, like parking your car in a heated garage at work, driving home and parking in the 20-degree driveway, repeat daily, etc. At the very least, package the gun to minimixe rapid temperature changes, since they're the worst. Put the gun in a case, inside a couple of paper bags; it will help.

My personal experience is pretty much limited to shotguns, and I'll often leave a gun in the trunk for several weeks during bird season, when temps can easily range from 75 degrees or more to below zero. It's dumb and I shouldn't do it, but I've never had a rust problem. Also, I've hunted a few times with 15 degree guns and ammo, and everything has always worked fine, even with just a quick cleaning with light oil after shooting the previous time.