AR15 Bolt catch freezing up (literally)

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kirill

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A curious thing happened today...

I was shooting my AR-15, with the range under a foot of snow. All the benches were snowed in as well. The temperature was -8 degress. After firing 10 rounds in rather quick succession, I placed the rifle on the bench with the bolt held open and then walked away for a few moments. When I came back, I found that the bolt catch was completely frozen in place with a good chunk of ice around it. It turned out that the receiver, warm after firing, melted the snow on the bench, which then quickly froze. I had to force the bolt catch to close the bolt, and even still, the last shot hold-open would not work until the rifle defrosted itself after shooting some more rounds.

I imagine what would happen in real combat if not only the bolt catch froze up, but the magazine catch as well. I guess the M-16 was never intended to be used in Siberia with -30 degree temperatures. :)
 
cannonfodder said:
interesting experience. I don't think the rifle was supposed to be placed in the snow! Although I do see where this would be a serious problem.

CF
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Well, aren't these rifles supposed to be able to go to hell and back? :confused:

Come to think of it, the AR-15 design has not been war-tested in a winter climate, has it?
It has mostly been rainforest and desert...
 
Yes it has been tested in an arctic enviroment. It is common sense not toplace a warm and most likely over lubricated rifle into the snow anyways. the rifle is a machine that is only limited by the neglect of the user.
 
One year down in the states, VA suffered a FREAK Ice Storm. We had out wpns placed outside under ground sheets, we came out in the AM to find a crap load of ice. Our wpns C7/C9 were frozen solid.

I was able to crack off the ice around the bolt and CH to be able to inset a mag, And get the rifle to chamber a (BLANK) Round and fire wile ICE was still on it.

Thats my Cold weather test and it passed.
 
Definately a problem if dropped in the snow when hot. If operating in sub-zero, you should also re-think your lubing proceedure to make sure it will not gel or stick (although it has little to do with your current experience).

Regards,
 
Reaper said:
Yes it has been tested in an arctic enviroment. It is common sense not toplace a warm and most likely over lubricated rifle into the snow anyways. the rifle is a machine that is only limited by the neglect of the user.
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Boomer686 said:
Definately a problem if dropped in the snow when hot. If operating in sub-zero, you should also re-think your lubing proceedure to make sure it will not gel or stick (although it has little to do with your current experience).
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I admit that the rifle was a tad overlubed, but the temperature was not low enough to turn the oil into gel. A fingernail-sized chunk of ice surrounded the bolt catch. The rest of the rifle operated fine cold or hot, so I don't think that excess oil was the problem. I would think that overlubing should actually help, since oil is a water deterrent.

Reaper, you say that the rifle has been tested in an arctic environment. Has it actually seen arctic combat or live-fire excercises? I admit that I don't know much about the history of the AR-15, but from what I know, it was actual combat in Vietnam that showed the need for chroming and a forward assist. Has the AR-15 been through a similar trial-by-fire in an arctic environment?
 
It has been tested and is in use with the Alaskan State Police or what ever they are called.The write up was in a SWAT magazine about 10 yrs ago or so.
 
British SAS do a lot of arctic warfare drills. I think they use the M16/M4 rifles... But seriously, any weapon thrown hot into snow will melt the snow. When the rifle cools down the snow-turned-water will freez again. AR15, AK47, Vz58, FN FAL, G3, SG 550
Did you have to do anything more with the lever then hiting it hard? Like using tools or anything?
 
Bolt catch freezing up ... exactly what happened to my C7 during an army training last month. It was raining all day, and at night, temp. went down to -15 C. Some water go stuck in the bolt catch cavity and freezed up.
That's why our Rangers are still using Lee Enfields #4 mk I...
and .303 is much better than 5.56 for when a polar bear rushes at you !
 
try graphite powder as a lube when shooting in the winter, I find that wiping the gun clean of oil, then lubing the action with graphite powder makes a world of difference in winter shooting. I've never had a problem shooting the C7 doing this. Also never laid it in the snow so the action would get wet.
 
I was out this week in -28 weather and we had a guys C7A1 bolt catch freeze up on him. I gave it a good wack shut and it was good to go. I only suffered a few problems, IE rounds sticking in the chamber.
 
Reminds me of that scene from "Battleground" when the guys Garand freezes up.
 
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