AR test conditions...frozen bolt.

[technique]

Input needed.

Okay, so have you heard about bolts freezing up in in cold weather?
As in the lube will sometimes freeze and lock the bolt shut.

I would like to test this but would like some testing input.

1) Should I leave the bolt closed on an empty chamber? Then try and chamber a round and fire?

2) Should I load it up and see if if freezes? Should I just let it sit over night pick it up and fire it in the morning?

Just input...what would you be curios to see done?
We are gonna have good snow for the next 24hrs. Night temps will be 13 or so degrees.

As it sits now, its unloaded and collecting some snow. Its more than safe to leave it out back loaded here...there isn't anyone around.

The snow on the ground is only 10min old. There was none before that. The rifle has been out there for about 5min.

[DDRH]

Lets see everything u mentioned =)

[aplinker]

I think the issue is closed bolt no round in chamber. Mortaring iirc is the solution.

[nrakid88]

I would say if you load a empty and it freezes then you wont be able to load up the next round to fire. But, if you keep it loaded and let it freeze, I would be concerned about having a KB (I can't think of how a frozen bolt would cause a KB, but that doesn't mean there isn't a reason) so shooting from a rest may be a good idea.

[nrakid88]

How about you leave it with a live round in the chamber, safety on. Then after the night is over, see if you van flip the safety off, try cycling a round, if it is totally frozen and you can't cycle a round even when trying the buttstock slamming method, then see if firing the live round will cycle her.

[technique]

I think the issue is closed bolt no round in chamber. Mortaring iirc is the solution.

So if mortaring can clear it up...do you think if it was frozen and then just fired, ya think it would just cycle fine through the whole 20?

[Blood Ocean]

I do. Once one round went off that ought to warm up the gun enough for the rest of the mag. I'd say the true test is live round in chamber with the safety on because if you ever need it to work when it's frozen, that's probably how you'll be carrying it.

[lazyworm]

There is that rumor that you should pee on it. Maybe some simulated pee
on the rifle to unfreeze the bolt?

[SixPointEight]

I do. Once one round went off that ought to warm up the gun enough for the rest of the mag. I'd say the true test is live round in chamber with the safety on because if you ever need it to work when it's frozen, that's probably how you'll be carrying it.

+1 on that.

That's the most realistic. If the bolt freezes closed it should still fire, but not cycle. I don't expect a problem.

[technique]

Locked and loaded, safety engaged.
Soon as I get up, have some coffee and what not...it's on.

This weapon has still not been cleaned since these photos...




Weather has only allowed about another 1500rnds since, its only a little bit dirtier. Only lube added, no boresnake or anything.

[Tweak338]

Tech,
I'd be a bit weary about doing this test loaded.
If the bolt does indeed freeze shut and you fire a round, possible KB, slim but possible

[technique]

Tech,
I'd be a bit weary about doing this test loaded.
If the bolt does indeed freeze shut and you fire a round, possible KB, slim but possible

I understand that... no problem.

I have seen 3 KBs...first hand.
I'm not too worried. Pressure takes the path of least resistance. In this case IF the bolt freeze IS strong enough to lock during a KB, my guess is it will go out the barrel.

In the name of science, it must be done.

[SixPointEight]

Tech,
I'd be a bit weary about doing this test loaded.
If the bolt does indeed freeze shut and you fire a round, possible KB, slim but possible

Why would freezing in the reciever cause a KB? As long as there was no buildup in the barrel/chamber area then pressures wouldn't increase, the bolt just wouldn't move, but I think the energy of the round will free the bolt.


Just wear eye protection, you're too valuable a resource to lose around here.

[Blood Ocean]

How many rounds have you run without cleaning? Any special reason? The only gun I never clean is my M44 because I can get a new one for darn near free but you have a really nice carbine there.

[technique]

Cleaning I just don't really do, unless I have somewhere to go and I want my gun to start off fresh. Usually a class or something, where time is money and I don't want to have a fouling related issue.

You can go pretty much almost the life of an AR without doing more than a few bore swabs and adding lube. Pat Rogers has T&E guns that haven't been cleaned in 15000+ rounds, only lube and parts that needed replacement replaced.

I honestly don't have a solid count for you. The last time I recall cleaning was when my barrel was cut, that was before I left Ca. I would say 6K ago give or take.