AR test conditions...frozen bolt.

[aplinker]

Pac,

Awesome.

Randall,

I don't think so either. But since I have done the good ol' dirt test, might as well do some snow too.

But you're doing the test HK-style (when you make it look/seem good, but it's complete crap).

The kind of cold needed is far below zero. If I had to guess on a number, it would be -40 or less where you MIGHT see something.

[IMC87]

Tagged

[killshot44]

It's not cold ENOUGH to cause a problem with the lube.

[Jpach]

That place sounds fun. Where did you live?

[wildhawker]

Chest freezer?

[bigcalidave]

I can't imagine you could even get close to cold enough to make your lube quit working. Even if it did, it wouldn't stop that gun from working. Maybe you could affect the reliability of the gas system, probably going to have ice in your gas tube. But that should blow out with the first shot.

[J_Rock]

Well you could check the label on the your lube too see the freezing point. Chances are its not cold enough to make the lube freeze up. As of the AR itself, as long as you have a good model theyve been tested in far colder. I believe the Canadians routinely use their C7/C8's in sub arctic conditions.

Also I would try different ammo as well. From weak *** Wolf ammo to full powered 5.56 mil-spec to see if the weaker ammo will cycle.

[PaperPuncher]

Very interested to the results on this one. I am guessing everything will function fine but I definitely would like to know how it turns out.

Have you thought of running this test with the action open and nothing in the chamber? Perhaps a little more dangerous (not that I want to see you injure yourself) but may be a more likely situation for the casual or target shooter that does a lot of winter/snow camping. I am thinking that with the action open and nothing chambered this would make it possible for air to circulate in the barrel/gas tube/carrier/bolt which should eventually to turn to moisture when the temp changes. This moisture could then freeze and turn to ice perhaps clogging the gas tube or obstructing the barrel. Maybe even freeze the firing pin in place causing a failure to fire.

I do alot of winter camping and have worried about this happening so I take a lot of extra precautions that may not be necessary before firing my rifle. If you do this, it wouldn't hurt to take a peek down the barrel just to ensure it is not obstructed by ice. Also, maybe a bench rest and some string too.

Good luck with the experiment and thanks for all the valuble info you put up here on Calguns! Most importantly, be safe!

[SixPointEight]

Very interested to the results on this one. I am guessing everything will function fine but I definitely would like to know how it turns out.

Have you thought of running this test with the action open and nothing in the chamber? Perhaps a little more dangerous (not that I want to see you injure yourself) but may be a more likely situation for the casual or target shooter that does a lot of winter/snow camping. I am thinking that with the action open and nothing chambered this would make it possible for air to circulate in the barrel/gas tube/carrier/bolt which should eventually to turn to moisture when the temp changes. This moisture could then freeze and turn to ice perhaps clogging the gas tube or obstructing the barrel. Maybe even freeze the firing pin in place causing a failure to fire.

I do alot of winter camping and have worried about this happening so I take a lot of extra precautions that may not be necessary before firing my rifle. If you do this, it wouldn't hurt to take a peek down the barrel just to ensure it is not obstructed by ice. Also, maybe a bench rest and some string too.

Good luck with the experiment and thanks for all the valuble info you put up here on Calguns! Most importantly, be safe!

I think most of the time, in a combat situation you'd be carrying essentially in Condition 1(I don't know if the terminology applies to rifles ), not with the bolt open. So I think bolt closed, round chambered is the best test, provided he still verifies nothing in obstructing the barrel.

[ar15barrels]

I think most of the time, in a combat situation you'd be carrying essentially in Condition 1(I don't know if the terminology applies to rifles ), not with the bolt open. So I think bolt closed, round chambered is the best test, provided he still verifies nothing in obstructing the barrel.

The best test is round in the chamber, bolt closed, ejection port cover closed and muzzle cap installed.
At that point, you can throw just about anything at it and it should still fire.

[PaperPuncher]

I think most of the time, in a combat situation you'd be carrying essentially in Condition 1(I don't know if the terminology applies to rifles ), not with the bolt open. So I think bolt closed, round chambered is the best test, provided he still verifies nothing in obstructing the barrel.

My bad, didn't realize this was related to combat situations.

[SixPointEight]

My bad, didn't realize this was related to combat situations.

Well he didn't mention it, but I kind of assumed that was the case.

Either way though, bolt closed is still best, with dust cover closed basically ensures a pass, but that's how I store my gun, with muzzle down to prevent dust in that way.

[technique]

19/20

2nd round failed. Bolt didn't close all the way, got a click.
Push/pull, charge and the rest went no problem.

After bringing it in and letting it dry completely, it seemed to be
lacking enough lubrication.

[IllTemperedCur]

I spent 4 years running around Alaska as an 11B back in the '80s with both the M16A1 and A2. Did lots of field problems at extreme temps, the 0 to -30 range was pretty common, once we were out at -78....PLUS wind-chill. Nasty.

It's been a long time, but as I recall, the magic words were "clean and dry". A VERY thin, almost non-existent layer of CLP on the bolt carrier was the most lube you'd use.

Bringing your weapon from sub-zero cold into a warm tent (with the accompanying humidity from everyone's breath) is a sure recipe for jams via frozen condensation. You really want to avoid freeze-thaw cycles. We'd often keep weapons outside (stacked and covered with a poncho). If the weapon went into the tent, you kept it against the tent wall, where the temperature was lowest.

[jordeezy]

My cousin lives in Alaska and has told me about lube freezing and locking the bolt shut. He says for this reason, many Alaskans do not lubricate their firearms. Furthermore, because of the lack of lubrication, lots of their guns suffer from corrosion.