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I do this a lot. I often work and play in sub-zero temperatures and come back inside to a warm vehicle or cabin. A handgun taken outside in -15F for some time, then taken into a warm structure goes from a visible/tactile layer of frost to beads of water!
I have 2 strategies to combat this. 1: My handguns are relatively expendable, and relatively weather/moisture apathetic. Stainless or polymer, ammunition sealed and nickle plated cases. My carry ammo is rotated regularly.
2: When going inside for a long period, I open the action, remove magazine and unload, and place all in a warm and well ventilated place. Near the wood stove or over a forced air register. I'll wipe it off with a rag when possible. My bores are treated with a very expensive and rare Moly/Scandium based preservative we have in our work shop, that has prevented rust in the most severe conditions. Also seems to prevent ANY significant fouling below 2000fps, so nice bonus there! When going for a ride in the truck, I leave the handgun, holster, whole works in a locked cold box in the truck bed at near ambient temperature. If I am in a situation where neither of these are possible and I wish to remain well armed, I just wear it and hope for the best, warming and drying when I get the chance. Both my FNS 9mm and Taurus M66 will function with a heavy layer of frost as tested and have suffered no more than superficial discoloration of some metal parts from repeated exposure to moisture.
I typically carry in a "duty style" retention holster outside the pants, under the coat, so my handgun does acclimate to near ambient temperatures.
I have 2 strategies to combat this. 1: My handguns are relatively expendable, and relatively weather/moisture apathetic. Stainless or polymer, ammunition sealed and nickle plated cases. My carry ammo is rotated regularly.
2: When going inside for a long period, I open the action, remove magazine and unload, and place all in a warm and well ventilated place. Near the wood stove or over a forced air register. I'll wipe it off with a rag when possible. My bores are treated with a very expensive and rare Moly/Scandium based preservative we have in our work shop, that has prevented rust in the most severe conditions. Also seems to prevent ANY significant fouling below 2000fps, so nice bonus there! When going for a ride in the truck, I leave the handgun, holster, whole works in a locked cold box in the truck bed at near ambient temperature. If I am in a situation where neither of these are possible and I wish to remain well armed, I just wear it and hope for the best, warming and drying when I get the chance. Both my FNS 9mm and Taurus M66 will function with a heavy layer of frost as tested and have suffered no more than superficial discoloration of some metal parts from repeated exposure to moisture.
I typically carry in a "duty style" retention holster outside the pants, under the coat, so my handgun does acclimate to near ambient temperatures.
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