Magazines feeding in a blizzard

[curseyou]

Does anyone have any tips of what to do when a magazine won't feed due to cold?

I was shooting a ruger mkIII in about -20, and the first round would go bang, but the remaining stack of rounds were frozen in place and never slid up to feed the next round. I would have to eject the magazine, flick the manual assist to get the next round chambered. The next round would shoot fine, but the column would get stuck Again. Pulling the mag out again I could sometimes see the stack of rounds slowing making their way up.

Does anyone have any cold weather tips for magazines? I gave then all a thorough cleaning and an Enzo's treatment. They feel slicker now, but I haven't had the chance to test it. All advice is appreciated.

 

[lalunette]

Does anyone have any tips of what to do when a magazine won't feed due to cold?

Yup, get an SVT-40... it was built with the cold in mind !!

My SVT-40 magazines feed fine... even in -35C !!

LOL

 

[badboybeeson]

whats a river mkIII

 

[ianfroese]

whats a river mkIII

I'm thinking that is the autocorrect version of a Ruger mkiii

 

[broncoo]

If your shooting non plated it could be the bullet lube, clean the mags and try plated ammo

 

[P0WERWAGON]

keep the ammo and mags outside. load them outside. less change of the temp change causing them to stick and freeze

 

[curseyou]

keep the ammo and mags outside. load them outside. less change of the temp change causing them to stick and freeze

I did when this happened.

P.s. It was an autocorrect version of ruger mkIII

 

[BCRider]

Remove any oil on the magazines and in the gun. Go for a dry film lube such as EEZOX and use it as directed so it doesn't leave a thicker film.

Even some of the best oils will turn to a grease like consistency when it's that cold. If you really must use oil then thin it down with a solvent like mineral spirits and apply then wipe most of it away. The remainder after the solvent evaporates will be enough. And use an oil that is very thin at room temperature. Something like a little ATF or 3in1. When it warms up use regular gun oil.

 

[RedApe]

why lube mags at all? Makes no sense to me, clean them and wipe excess dirt and carbon sure. But otherwise meh. Never had issues

 

[Mark Mags]

This is an easy fix...

Buy a revolver.

No more slow fed mags.

 

[Cocked&Locked]

1) clean the mag and either run it dry, or use a dry film lube sparingly

2) buy a 22 revolver as suggested

 

[BCRider]

why lube mags at all? Makes no sense to me, clean them and wipe excess dirt and carbon sure. But otherwise meh. Never had issues

The steel in the mags needs a little something to protect against corrosion. They certainly don't need to be lubricated as such. But a light wipe down with something that protects the steel is a must.

 

[stevebc]

I've never had a mag rust, ever.

 

[BCRider]

Count yourself lucky then. I have when I left some OILED mags in my shooting bag by accident and the bag was left on a cool concrete floor. Or maybe I used them on a rainy day so it was wet in the bag for a while. Anyway they can and will rust in the wrong conditions. They ARE steel after all. And I've seen others with rusty mags or evidence of past rust. So it's not all that uncommon.