Cold Weather And Handguns: Do Freezing Temperatures Affect Firearm Function?

By James England

A reader recently wrote in and asked us to do a segment on the effects of freezing temperatures on concealed carry handguns. The issue comes up as we head into the deep winter months and temperatures routinely plunge down below freezing. For those who leave a handgun in a vehicle — especially if you work in a place you don’t carry — a natural caution arises if the handgun is left out in freezing conditions.

In most cases, the real issue isn’t going to be the firearm itself. Unless you are dealing with -35° F and your gun is exposed to the elements, you have little to worry about. I’ll address steps I recommend to ensure you minimize any issues.

Sub-Zero Temperatures And Handguns

With a revolver, the main caution is condensation built up around the hammer and the cylinder. We’re talking extremely cold temperatures before these issues will ever appear. The biggest thing you can do to prevent this is remove any excess lubrication you have on the revolver. At extreme cold temperatures (T < 0° F), lubricants begin to gum up. Use only the amount of lubricant you need to clean the firearm and wipe off any excess prior to carrying.

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Source:: Concealed Nation