Cold Weather Lube for Semi-autos

[Nels]

I was wondering if anyone has a good recommendation of a cold weather lube for my Winchester 1500XTR. Last week in SD, the temp was below freezing. The action would eject a spent shell, start the next one into the chamber, but it wouldn't always slide forward completely. I got a little frustrated, and switched to using my pump instead. I haven't used the semi-auto much in cold weather, so I'm wondering if this is just a common problem, or if there is a particular lube that would help with this.

Maybe it isn't lube that is a problem. Maybe it is just a sluggish spring.

Thanks,
Nels

[hunt4food]

I use an 11-87 for slug hunting deer. I have had mine do that too when real cold. I have found that it first needs to be really clean. I completely remove the barrel, piston assy.,bolt and trigger assy. and spray it down good with gun scrubber. I then put just a couple quick shots of silicone spray on the moving parts. It makes quite a difference. I think keeping it very clean is more the problem than the oil though.

[Surface Tension]

Clean it, oil it, then wipe the excess oil off.
There will be enough film to protect after you wipe it.

[Fisher Dave]

ST has it right ... be sure its very clean to begin with.

Good lubes to use in the cold weather are Dry Slide®, Cases Gun Oil (common brown bottle).. and of all things, Crossman air rifle oil. I got some of that stuff in sample last year from B&B supply and it was by far the best I have ever used.... it is rated to well under -200 degrees. My gun operated like it was a hot summer day in the coldest weather. Dry slide is also very good.

Stay away from Rem-Oil in the very cold weather ... I had it freezing in my gun last year in the waterfowl season and caused all kinds of problems.

[bigdog]

I was trying some Silicone spray on my Beretta the last few days. Gun functioned fine for the first few rounds and then the action became very sticky. Finally had to open the action using my foot. So I went back to WD-40 and have had no problems. Never had any problems in the past either with WD-40 in cold weather. As always make sure you keep it clean.

[gspman]

Try Breakfree-clp. It works great. It's recommended by Bruce Buck on the shotgun report HSOforum (an excellent HSOforum by the way). Cleans, lubricates, protects and keeps carbon in suspension so it won't gum up the works. It was developed for the military.

[Surface Tension]

WD-40 dries leaving a residue, for that reason its not recommended for guns especially the actions in auto loaders.

The reason to wipe the action dry after oiling is because any film left will attract dust and powder residue. This is the primary cause for jams in with auto loaders.

[chow]

Rem oil I have found to be very good and as the others have said a little goes a long way.

[bigdog]

Not aware that WD-40 is not recomended for guns, been used for years. I know that WD-40 will tend to turn to varnish before other oils but that is over a long time period. As long as the gun is cleaned regularily there should be no problems.

The oil that is used for the most severe cold, below zero temps, is Marvel's Mystery oil. It should be good to -60. It comes in a red/black cone top can and can be found in automotive sections, I know Fleet Farm carries it.

[This message has been edited by bigdog (edited 11-07-2003).]

[Nels]

Thanks all for the suggestions.
My gun was just taken apart and cleaned before this last trip.
I will try some of the other lubes mentioned.

Thanks,
Nels

[ricbak]

Just my thought's here, stay away from rem oil or any oils that contain teflon in it as it will become very gummy in cold weather. as stated above the break free is very good, I use it in both my shot guns and rifles. One expeiriance I had was I walked out three quarters of a mile on a fox in cold weather and hunker down for a shot and had my firing pin be so slow that it didn't even hardly put a dent in the primmer, even after 4 tries. I USE to use rem oil. ricbak

[Fisher Dave]

I had the exact same problems as ricbak amongst others with Rem-Oil in the cold. I will not put it in any of my guns anymore.

I thought it was my shells at 1st .. thought I had a bunch of duds until I was looking at the primers (waterfowl hunting) and there was just a tiny ding.

To make matters much more dangerous, sometimes the firing pin would drop just hard enough to barely set off the primer.. just enough to ignite a little bit of powder.. when the shotgun would fire it would just be a *pop* and the wad would be left in the middle of my barrel when the shot rolled out the end... this is not good while waterfowl hunting and its common to shoot a few shells in a hurry.

[Coach Dog]

Sell your auto and buy a pump! Then, you'll NEVER have to worry.

[Guest]

As stated in the other posts a clean gun is the most important thing. I use a product I used while in the Marine Corps, it is called CLP (Clean, Lubricate & Protect) it had never failed me including use during CWST & JEST (Cold Weather Survival Training/
Jungle Environmental Survival Training) another key is as mentioned in other posts is to wipe off the excess oil with a clean
lint free cloth.

[Fisher Dave]

coach dog...

My firing pin problem was on a Remington 870 (Wingmaster).. that is a pump.

It wouldnt have made a difference if it were a pump or an auto..

I love my 870's .. they have never let me down .. other than the Rem-Oil mishaps..

maybe I had some from a bad batch? Maybe.
Will I ever put it in any of my guns again? NO

[Rainman]

Rem oil is JUNK! Break Free is great!

[Havin' Fun]

I have heard talk about using a graphite powder as a lubricant. Doesn't freeze and won't attract dust. This is especially good in semi auto's. Anyone try it before/?

[Guest]

I forgot the name of this stuff, but I bought a 3 (econo) pack of canned cleaner/lubricant.
One can was Gun Scrubber, another was Bore Scrubber and the 3rd can was an oil for the gun.

Ever since I started using all three my semi-auto gun has been like new. Hunted in very cold weather and I've never had a problem.

[chow]

I am surprised about all the trouble with Rem Oil. I will give break free a try. I have been using remoil for the last two waterfowl seasons with a Benelli SBE and have had NO misfires down to 5 F. (Windchill I am sure was well below 0F)

Although I do keep my gun very clean. My methods essentially are to spray Remoil on all the parts till it is dripping off. Then I take an air compressor nozzle and will spray it with 80 - 110 psi and generally all the fouling/powder/dirt etc is wisked away. Then reassemble. Has not failed me yet...

chow