Will Temperature Changes affect handgun performance?

[DirtyD]

New to THR and so far I love it. I am working on getting my CCW and I have a question that I think you folks would be more than qualified to answer.

Here's the scenario:

I live in No. VA where temperatures can be quite varied (anywhere from 0 to 100 degrees from season to season). I am not permitted, per company policy, to CCW while at work. So, I'm posed with a dilemma. Do I leave my carry in the truck or do I just not carry to work at all? My office premises are monitored by CCTv, we have regular guard patrols over the premises as well, and I am installing a GunVault Safe in my truck for added security. So, I'm not overly concerned with security. The problem that I'm running into, is that I would much rather leave my weapon in the truck than risk bringing it into work but I'm worried that leaving it exposed to these temperatures (the colder end of the spectrum) could have adverse affects on it's performance.

Am I bothering over nothing or should I just get a locked bag and bring it to work with me? I'm carrying (or will be carrying) a SW99c.

Any input suggestions welcome.

 

[Devonai]

In the Gun Digest's Book of Combat Handgunnery, 4th edition, Chuck Taylor tests several pistols in extreme cold. He buried each pistol in the snow, recovered them, and then fired 750 rounds through each. The four that made it through without a malfunction were a Glock 17, a Browning P35, a Colt 1911, and a S&W model 27. A Beretta 92 had a few failures to fire, and a S&W auto (I can't remember the model, it was either the 5906 or the 910) had many failures to fire and stopped functioning entirely after about 250 rounds.

Upon closer inspection he found ice in the firing pin channel. It was preventing the firing pin from properly impacting the primers.

So while the cold itself didn't effect the pistols, the snow did. I don't think you'll have any problems leaving your SW99 in your truck.

 

[DirtyD]

Devonai,

Thanks for the info. Makes things much easier.

D

 

[D.W. Drang]

Depends on how hard you're shivering...

But seriously, folks...
Possibility of freezing.
Knew a guy "who knew a guy" (sergeant of security firm he worked for) who survied a fight with a biker gang because the firing pin on the warlord's shotgun froze. Was known to happen in Korea and to imprudent hunters in places like Michigan, as well. Ensure your gun has no moisture that could freeze, and is not stored in such a way that concensation can form.

 

[clubsoda22]

just a note. your pistol is cold. You heat up your car, condensation may form depending on the moisture level in the air.

 

[DirtyD]

Well then that brings me to another question. Is there something that I can leave in the GunVault that would prevent condensation from forming?

Also, if I get in my truck to warm it up, the gun may go from cold to hot, allowing condensation to form, but if I'm warming my car up, the gun won't be put back into cold. I'll take it inside with me when I get home, so that wouldn't allow for the condensation to freeze. The only scenario that I can picture the moisture freezing is if it stays in the weapon all day in a controlled environment and then gets put back into the truck to be exposed to the colder temperatures. I'm no expert, but I wouldn't think that in a 65 - 70 degree environment, it would stay wet all day. What do you guys think?

 

[Devonai]

Condensation will only remain liquid while the surface is colder than the surrounding air. Once the surface reaches the same temperature as the air, the condensation will evaporate.

 

[PCRCCW]

I know guys who put the little silica packets (or whatever they are) in their gunsafes just as a safe guard against moisture.

I live in UT so I dont have the problem.........even when its 100% rain outside we still have 10% humitidy

Shoot well.........

 

[Ankeny]

The temperature here reaches over 100 degrees in the summer and 30 below zero is not uncommon in the winter. I have a "truck gun" year round. Of course this is in Wyoming and the humidity is low. I don't think you will have any problems as long as you take normal precautions, keep the gun clean (very light oil in the winter) and toss a couple of silica packets in the safe.

 

[Cosmoline]

Speaking as someone who recently went through forty below at the Cosmo Compound, here's my advice.

Either keep your iron cold, or keep it warm. DO NOT keep it in a place where condensation can form as it changes temp. This is how ice, rust and other really nasty things develop in firearms in cold temperatures. Thus I've been keeping my rifles outside and my CCW handgun directly on my person. No more rust, no more condensation. I have not noticed any problems with firing cold rifles or handguns, BTW. Though they do need to be cleaned off of any liquid water and snow afterwards or it can get inside and possibly freeze moving parts.

 

[Ala Dan]

Extreme weather conditions not only effect the
weapons systems; it effects you as well.
At least it does me! Kind'a hard to hit center
of the X-ring, if I'm shaking worst than leaves
on a tree.

Devonai- I think old Chuck Taylor left a
weapon out of his survey. I know of a Navy
Seal team member who was just reassigned
from deployment in the Artic. His sidearm, a
government issued SIG-SAUER P226. He also
reported that this weapon functioned in a
flawless manner, with only reasonable care
given to it over the course of his deployment.


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[standingbear]

I know guys who put the little silica packets (or whatever they are) in their gunsafes just as a safe guard against moisture.

i do this..you know those little packets in beef jerkey gotta be good for something other than mistakingly biting into one during a drive to the range....

 

[Jay Kominek]

Some sort of desiccant, like silica in the compartment would be what you're looking for. I don't have any clue how much you might need in order to suck the moisture out of the air fast enough. Its generally intended for more long term storage, though. So if your safe locks and seals tight, and you won't go around opening it regularly, then it would probably work.

 

[El Tejon]

In your truck, no.

However, IME, a SAKO .223 bolt rifle will lock solid in freezing rain when out fox hunting.