Masking tape or condom secured with a rubber band over barrel

[PPS43]

Cold weather shooting considerations article recommends to put masking tape over the muzzle, or use a condom secured with a rubber band to keep snow out of the bore.

Does anyone use this trick? If so, do you always remove the tape/condom before shooting? If not and you shoot through it, how does it affect accuracy?

I'd rather not test it at the range, as peppering fellow shooters in lanes next to mine with condom fragments does not sound like a good idea.

 

[jbkebert]

I like the last line. Depending on weather sometimes I put a peice of tape of the barrel of my front stuffer. I just shoot through it with seemingly no effect on accuracy.

 

[Hangingrock]

The bullet acting as a piston displaces the volume of air in the barrel. The air being expelled would displace the tape from the muzzle.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I've used the condom trick many times over the years, never noticed any accuracy changes. If you are married be sure to show this thread to the spouse however, and I'm not kidding. Duck hunting friend of mine went through great unfortunate grief when the wife found a box of condoms in the gun case.

 

[W.E.G.]

small black finger cots

http://www.fingercots.net/detail.php?pid=13636&cid=1116

 

[CoastieShep]

I've used finger cots. Cooks use them to put over a bandaged finger. They're just like a condom, but (obviously) smaller. Quite a bit cheaper too. Of course your buddies might make fun of you when they see you pull one of those things out.

 

[jbkebert]

MY buddy uses happy face stickers.

 

[Sunray]

Condoms on muzzles is supposedly a W.W. II amphib landing thing. Why is another thing. If a troopie got dunked, his rifle would fill anyway. Suspect it's more Hollywood.
The adhesive on masking tape and cheap duct tape is water soluble. A rubber band and a kid's balloon(usually latex too) works. Shooting through either won't send latex frag anywhere though.

 

[ngnrd]

Black electrical tape for me. Once over the muzzle, and one wrap around the barrel to keep the muzzle wrap on.

 

[cannibal4]

Used condoms over the muzzle in Viet Nam, worked great

 

[Art Eatman]

cannibal4, you might rephrase that.

 

[FLAvalanche]

Why the need to block the bore? I really don't see the point. I've hunted for years in the snow and rain and have never blocked my bore with anything nor have a crossed paths with someone who did.

 

[leadcounsel]

Why the need to block the bore? I really don't see the point. I've hunted for years in the snow and rain and have never blocked my bore with anything nor have a crossed paths with someone who did.

Keeps dirt, dust, foreign objects, water (like rainwater or if you are walking in deep water), etc out of the barrel.

 

[Legionnaire]

Beat me to it, Art; I laughed out loud!

 

[earlthegoat2]

I use the thin cheap sandwich bags and bubber bands.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Small toy balloons.

 

[AKElroy]

Nada. I prefer the all-natural approach. Placing one of those things on just makes the outdoor experience less fulfilling.

 

[jmorris]

Condom, I almost forgot what those were. Forget trying to explain to the wife why they are in my hunting bag. Stick with finger cots, they cost less and unless your a little guy your wife will buy your story.

 

[Water-Man]

If you're going to use a condom, make sure it's not the lubed type. It could rust the barrel if left on awhile.

 

[stork]

+1 on the small toy balloons. I've been using them for 25 years or more ever since I screwed up and traded in a H&K 22,at the gunshop I used to work in, with a ring bulge in the barrel.

I tested what impact it would have on several rifles and found it made NO difference.

I like the finger cot idea, they would have less of a tendency to tear easily.

FWIW

 

[CoRoMo]

Does anyone use this trick?

Yep, every season, every year.

If so, do you always remove the tape/condom before shooting?

No friggin' way. Once I spot elk, I don't have time to do anything other than shoulder my gun and fire. They don't abide any proximity to hunters.

If not and you shoot through it, how does it affect accuracy?

Nope.

Black electrical tape...

+1
It sticks a million times better than masking tape ever could.

 

[MRH]

Electrical tape or barrel cots. I've found that securing the cots with tape keeps them from unrolling when constantly putting in and removing gun from a case.

 

[critter]

Somebody asked why. I once saw a US model 17 30-06 that had been to Alaska on a hunting trip. Part of the getting to the hunting area was in a boat. Water spray had gotten into the barrel (as well as all over the gun) and frozen when a shot presented itself. Ever seen a banana peel? That barrel was a classic 3 piece split to about 8" in front of the receiver.

 

[ultradoc]

For the AR's there is a black plastic cap that fits over the end of the muzzel and flash suppressor

 

[CoRoMo]

Why the need to block the bore? I really don't see the point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgeHvi1fh80

See the point?