How wet to run a 1911 in cold weather

[Swift]

How much lube do I need to run a Kimber Custom Carry II when the weather is cold? I've run several hundred rounds through it with very few FTE, usually on the last round in a mag. Today I shot about fifty rounds and had several FTE. It was certainly due for a good cleaning since it's been riding around in my pickup for a few months. I've got it running nice and smooth with a good dose of Rem Oil but am concerned that running it real wet in cold conditions will be bad too. Curious as too what you guys due in cold weather. This is in northern Iowa so temps in the twenties like we had today are as warm as it's going to get for a while. Subzero will be here soon. Thanks.

Swift

 

[rellascout]

I am not a fan of rem oil. I do not think it holds up as well as other lubes. I run grease until it gets real cold.

There are tons of better stuff out there. Do a search and you will get tons of opinions on which one is best. Everything from Mobile 1 15W-50, TW25B, Miltech, Tetra, EEZOX, clp etc.....

 

[Magoo]

I agree that RemOil ain't much of a lube.

Check out the line of Wilson Combat lubes. They list temperature guidelines for their various formulas. I'm sure there are cheaper options out there, but at the volumes you're going to use the savings for using something from NAPA or PetBoys is going to be negligible versus your other shooting costs. They've got a few choices/blends but for freezing temps are only going to recommend an oil and not one of the greases.

ETA: I'll echo rellascout. I'm not a Wilson fanboy, I'd just been reading their stuff recently. A search will certainly pull up comparable products. I will say though, I doubt Wilson is recommending/selling crappy lubes to protect their $3K+ pistols that their warranty stands behind.

 

[AKPastor]

I'm formerly an Iowa boy, now in Alaska. I have good luck with Tetra grease on my 1911. I haven't taken it out at real cold temps (for me that's -50 to -65). My normal temps are -25 to -40.

 

[dom1104]

Just ran a few all day matches with my STI 9mm 1911, CLP in the morning and it ran fine all day.

I think it depends on the gun.

 

[mcdonl]

I am with dom... a gun should work in any weather. I live in Maine, and it is cold here... much of the time and NONE of my guns ever FTF/FTE more than maybe 1 in 1000...

That being said, the 1911 is a solid platform and Kimbers seem to be popular so I imagine getting it tuned to stop FTF/FTE would be an easy task... that last round may be the one needed to save your life.

 

[AC45ACP]

I use Medium weight Slide glide year round!! and that's with temps ranging from 25 degrees up to 110 (TEXAS)and I use it on all my Firearms!! At the range the only thing that I do is add a few squirts of rem oil to my auto Shotguns every 50-75rds to keep them smooth!!

If you want 100% you need to sell the Kimber and buy a STI!! I've owned about 6 kimber and the only one that's ran 100% is the one I still have and it only has 300rds threw it!! it's a PRE-Series II Stainless Target.. Even My Clackamas didn't like HP's

Throw a New recoil spring in It and run some more rounds and see if that works.

Good luck!!

 

[Well armed]

I'm a former Iowa boy too. Solution simple. Graphite

 

[Shadow 7D]

depends on the weight, the viscosity

I wouldn't use grease, but a lighter gun oil or lube should be fine, until you are colder than you want to be, then yes there can be some issues.

 

[Drail]

Assuming the 1911 is a CCW it is probably going to be under your coat where it should remain fairly close to your body temperature. When pulled for use it should remain at a temperature that will give you at least ten minutes or so of operation before any kind of lube gets thick enough to cause a problem. If the pistol is going to be out in the elements and exposed to sub freezing temperatures for long periods then I would strip all of the oil out of it and use graphite. Graphite is not a great choice for say, a long range session but it will work well enough to get you out of a bad situation. I have always used Breakfree CLP and never had any problems. U.S. military weapon manuals used to instruct soldiers to run their weapons totally dry in sub freezing environments. Running the gun "real wet" is simply going to make a mess of your holster and clothes and is really unnecessary. A couple of drops of CLP will lube an entire 1911.

 

[Prion]

How much lube do I need to run a Kimber Custom Carry II when the weather is cold?

Same quantity different viscosity.

Grease when it's warm and oil when it's cold.

 

[robctwo]

Eesox is perfect for the cold. Spray it on or drip from the bottle. Get it wet. Lube works as it dries as well.

 

[Swift]

Thanks for all the replies. I don't use it for concealed carry. I have a permit, but that allows us to carry loaded in a vehicle. No real need to carry on a day to day basis here (although the recent convenience store shootings may have me rethinking that). I farm and the 1911 is usually with me in whatever tractor or vehicle that I happen to be in to use for critter control. We have a bit of a problem with stray dogs and are being overrun with raccoons with distemper. The pistol has been in a pickup or tractor since about mid September so it's been exposed to plenty of dirt and dust and cold temps. It's functioned perfectly all season but was due for a good cleaning. I've read all the replies and will probably just run it dry for the winter unless I plan to shoot a range session, then I will lube it lightly and clean it good before it goes back in the cold for any length of time. Thanks!

Swift

 

[BlayGlock]

I use Medium weight Slide glide

I like that as well.

 

[HZOX221]

Mobile 1 works great