AR freeze-up in cold weather

When its cold out, below 20, i find i need to run then BCG dry and clean it more frequently than when temps are above freezing. It seems that when it gets cold the gasses, powder residue and the oil mix together and form a black paste that makes the bolt malfunction.

So after about every 20 rounds being fired i break down the BCG and clean it.

Just my $.02
 
Originally Posted By: Shaun SimmaWhen its cold out, below 20, i find i need to run then BCG dry and clean it more frequently than when temps are above freezing. It seems that when it gets cold the gasses, powder residue and the oil mix together and form a black paste that makes the bolt malfunction.

So after about every 20 rounds being fired i break down the BCG and clean it.

Just my $.02
The OP asks for a solution, and you offer your method which also does not work.

You could keep doing it the hard way. Some people actually prefer the old fashioned miserable hard way because that's the way they always done it and it's comfortable. Or you could use a modern dry lube like Hornady One Shot.
 
I really want to try some of the one shot but I have only seen it at a local shop once and that was years ago. The reviews and back yard comparisons I have seen are excellent.

Cerakote itself is supposed to be a dry lube but they have a special dry lube cerakote also. That would be great to try out. I have a nitride BCG that I think is the bee's knees, with 2 stroke oil the whole action cleaning process is a wipe down with a rag, I lube liberally and everything stays liquid even after a month of rolling around the snow.
 
Dirty Dog thanks for the input. Sounds like your pretty passionate about the One Shot solution. When using One Shot about how many rounds do you feel you can fire out of the gun before breaking down and cleaning your BCG.

I plan to order some One Shot as soon as i post this reply.
 
Thanks again for your $0.02, everyone. Here's the latest. Although there wasn't much residue, I cleaned it well with a dozen or so Q-Tips, then lightly lubed it with FP-10. I've left it outside in the recent 0-degree weather, and it's cycled (manually) well the last few mornings. It also cycled well when I ran half a dozen rounds through it at the range last week at 5F.

Will post an update the next chance I get to fire it at 20-30 below zero.
 
Originally Posted By: Shaun Simma Dirty Dog thanks for the input. Sounds like your pretty passionate about the One Shot solution. When using One Shot about how many rounds do you feel you can fire out of the gun before breaking down and cleaning your BCG.

I plan to order some One Shot as soon as i post this reply.



while running suppressed... my bcg tends to get pretty grody after 300-400 rounds - ish. but i'm probably dumping 2x the grit down there that an unsuppressed gun would too.
 
Originally Posted By: the noobieSince when does CLP not lubricate? All I run is CLP in my defensive carbines. Thousands of rounds later and they still look good.

Couple carbine courses I have taken the instructors also ran CLP.

I have used this for years with my AR's. The first lube I got from my D.I. was 1 part motor oil and 4 parts kerosene. CLP is much better.
 
Was told by Daniel Defense rep at the range when a sample of about 20-30 new ones were being shot

-not enough lube
-wrong lube
-wrong gas key
-wrong extractor spring
- I think they may have also pointed the finger at mags and ammo but was kind of hard to do when theirs would jam haha

They still jam
 
I use the Birchwood Casey moly dry lube works really well and I’m in ND gets below zero here now pornlems after I used this.
 
TW25B gun grease

Clean your BCG to remove old oil/lubricants/cleaners. I Use alcohol.

Then treat entire surface with TW25B grease. You use very little by simply rubbing it into all surfaces. Your rifle will run and when you break it down a few hundred rounds later, you will not believe how clean your BCG looks. I shoot suppressed ONLY! Your rifle will not goop up or slow down.
 
Ive found that the best way to avoid firearms problems in sub zero weather is to sit in front of the woodstove in my pajamas all day. Give it a try, i swear it works flawlessly.
 
LOL Slagiatt! Too bad I'm not that bright!

To continue the subject, CMC Triggers just did some warranty work for me. They advised me that they used Hi-Slip Molybdenum Grease on their triggers. FWIW the label says it's good to -65F.

I left the AR on the porch last night, and dry fired it this morning at -10F. No issues.
 
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I forgot about some of the moly greases, I love moly engine assembly lube on 1911 rails.

I like greases but I would test any grease I was going to use in winter before I actually trust that it works, 99% of the time I've seen guns fail in the cold it's because of grease.
 
Friday night it was down to 4 degrees here in Michigan.
We hunted almost all night.

After my AR failing to pull shells from chamber last season during these temps,
I decided to try something a lil different.

I stripped all three guns from Remoil and cleaned them dry.

My Shaffer racing oil dealer has been begging me to try his oil.
So I decided to try it, I used a synthetic 10-40 racing oil on the rings and bcg lugs.

It preformed flawlessly for loading and unloading all night. I must add all three guns cycled much smoother as well. Too bad no coyotes bit on the calling.

Now to just figure out how to not breath and frost the scope every 10 mins. Lol

Ohhh, the joys of cold weather!!!
 
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