Once again Mike is attempting to set the internet ablaze, by freezing guns in blocks of ice.
These frozen rifle tests are interesting extreme data points, they show vulnerabilities in a weapon that exist under a severe and artificial condition. If your rifle “fails” this test, it doesn’t equate to being a bad rifle. You freeze a machine, it tends to stop working. The rifles that have done well frozen often fail in other extremes. How sealed away the action is often makes or breaks this one.
What does it show us if most rifles fail?
Maintenance needs.
If you take a cold swim with your gear, what do you have to do to keep your gear running once you’ve seen to your own needs? That’s a valid question on any weapon. The AR may do very well, but what if you’ve got the SAW?
The long and the short of this is, if the rifle failed frozen, that’s very much expected of a machine. We need to know though, so we know what to do if a weapon freezes hard. It is part of knowing the systems you are working with. How do you get your rifle working again? Are your electronics okay? How is your sustainment gear? What needs to be worked on so you don’t get caught in a spot worse than frozen already.
For many rifles it is going to be “break ’em down”. Open them up and get that ice out. Warm them, if you can. Work the actions clear. Cold weather lubricant and shut them back up. Nothing is going to be “nah, its fine” if the rifle is that iced.
