Due to an impending move I find myself frequently shooting in below 0 F temperatures. Breakfree CLP has always worked despite the negative opinion of it here. Now, however I find it turns a bit “sludgey” and results in frequent short-stroking, especially when the gun gets a bit dirty. I could change out the H buffer and spring but I’d rather leave the gun alone and find a lube that works in ALL kinds of temperatures. What is the protocol for subzero shooting? I’ve searched but there were no results that were specific to sub-zero shooting and what I did find were mostly anecdotal. Thanks much!
I should add that I spend a lot of time carrying the gun and less time shooting it so the carbine can get VERY cold before the first shot.
I lived in Alaska for a few years, and I have seen many cold weather problems when related to weapons. There was a gun store I requented in Fairbanks, and the owner was a Master class IPSC shooter. He stated he found M-Pro7 to be a pretty effective winter lube. I never really used it a lot. I didn’t shoot very many of my personal weapons in the winter too terribly often. I used
TW25 on mine. I have seen M9s and M4s both basically freeze in mid cycle. I realize a lot of factors go in to this, including being dirty, freezing temps (-40F), and general poor maintenance and function. You may try buying the smallest size available of each particular lube, and see how it works for you. That is what I recommend. You may start by using somthing like 10-8 lube or Slip 2000, which many are fond of.
I was going to try Slip 2000 since I heard good things about it both warm and cold. I have to admit I’m sceptical that a single lube will work for all conditions but one can hope, no? For the record it rarely gets much below-10 F here which is probably downright balmy in AK Northern Winters.
my father and i went to N, Alaska to hunt for my twenty first birthday, some years ago now. the guide made sure our firearms were free of lube(bolts)and to have us keep our ammo warm inside of our parkas so that the ammo temp, would be stable and keep proper zero. FWIW, if the temp, does drop more than ten bellow, don’t touch the metal w/bare fingers, (“don’t ask”). GOOD LUCK. D…
Thanks for the responses. I was going to do a test of various lubes by leaving the gun and ammo locked and separated in the garage overnight for several nights in a row, testing each day. I’m on 30 acres now so the shooting part is easy. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately the temps are now in the 30’s to 40’s so it will have to wait. When I get the proper temperature and a few more lubes, I’ll post my results. My wife objected to the use of the freezer although she rarely goes out to the chest freezer. Hmmm…
I only use it on pistols, but I’ve used it in -8 deg F with no problems. I usually stay inside when it gets colder than that, but I don’t foresee any problems with it at any temperature where people can be outside for any length of time.
I’ve had similar good results with with Kellube-12 on pistols.
On rifles, I’ve used FP-10 in subzero weather, and it’s fine. This is the first winter since I’ve switched to WeaponShield and I haven’t had an opportunity to shoot in any significant cold weather. Given its specs and who developed it, though, I do not foresee any weather related problems with it.
It says it’s avaialable for personal use soI think it’s Ok to post the link here.
I’m really looking for a single lube that would be effective from roughly a bit over 100 F and down to about -10 to 15 below zero F. Maybe such a thing doesn’t exist. Breakfree LP (not CLP) was very effective in very hot temperatures but turned into sludge at about 20*F. CLP was better and worked down to about zero but below that it got pretty thick. It was OK at higher temps and it’s what I’ve been using.
We have been using Mobile 1 0-40 on a variety of weapons in sub zero temps with good results. We were out yesterday in freezing rain and it worked well at temps in the teens and a lot of moisture.
It looks like it sludges up with the water, but it still seems to properly lube everything.
