.22 rimfire semi-autos in cold weather, how do they do?

[His lordship.]

I had a Remington 597 that shot fine in warm weather but would act up in cold weather (24 degrees).  Thinking of getting a Ruger 10/22 and with it being well into November it would see it's break in period below freezing for awhile.

How are they in cold weather?

Thanks.

[Chappy]

I've had my 10/22 up here in Minnesota for over 20 years, hunting in snow and temps close to zero.  I clean and lube it with REM Oil and have had no problems with it operating in the cold weather.

[mangulator]

I have a Nylon 66 and it has never given me problems in cold weather. I have friends with 10/22's and Marlins that function reliably in the cold also.

[Glanceblamm]

Ditto on the Nylon 66...My Son's Marlin model 60 does fine also.
Come to think about it, I do not ever recall any complaints about any .22 semi-auto rifle preforming poorly in bad weather. We now have enough history on these that it would be common knowledge if so.
The handguns seem to be different though. My old Ruger mark II would always need to be degreased & graphite lubed to preform reliably in the cold.

[ironglow]

  My autos function well in the NY State winters..These days I use "Break Free" with ..CLP..
   I do it on the advice of my grandson, a Marine armorer who uses a lube with the ingredient  CLP
  on his weapons in Iraq. He was pleased with it in the Iraqi white powder sand and the cold desert
  weather near Fallujah and Ramadi .

    Works for me !

[Ruger4Me]

My 1022's have function flawlessly in temps below zero F.

Brings back some great memories of hunting rabbits squirrels while camping in PA.

[nilescoyote]

I have not noticed any difference from 10-100 degrees in any of my six rim fires at ranges under 50 yards, 10/22 included. There likely is a small amount of velocity loss in the sub zero temps but I don't think  it would be much more then 1/2" to 1" drop in point of impact vs point of aim.

I'd just try a different brand of ammo. Unless you need a reason to buy another rifle. Which sounds like my preferred choice.

[ironglow]

With proper maintenance, they should perform as well in cold weather as in warm..

[30-30man]

The problem lies with the gun you are comparing.  I've never seen a Remington 597 that was reliable in hot or cold weather.  Maybe there are some but not in stock form.  A Ruger will be no comparison with Remington's cheap excuse for a 22 semi.  I recently bought a cheap Mossberg Pinkster for $95 that is night and day better than the 597.  I think anything will be an improvement, so buy with confidence.

[bscman]

My marlin model 60 and stevens semi auto both do very well in the cold.
If they are gunked up, and have excessive lube, then you may run into problems.

If your remington is having problems (seems like most 597's do--or they fire out of battery) you might try a dry lube or graphite--this is the preferred choice "extreme" cold conditions.

[ironglow]

  Chris..
   What I think some of the guys are trying to say in a kindly way is:
   Change the nameplate to something that reads Marlin, Ruger, Mossberg, CZ or Thompson-Center for starters..

[Keith L]

I recall the original ads for the Nylon 66 with the gun frozen in a block of ice...

[ironglow]

  Yup Keith !..But apparently that is another time and another gun.

[Glanceblamm]

It is still great to reflect though...That Nylon 66 made the Guinness record book when a gent used a pair of them to shoot 100,000 hand thrown wood blocks over a two week period and only missed six!
This guy was pictured sitting on a Mountain of those wood blocks when he was done.
Remington Loved This Because That Pair Of Guns Had ZERO Jams during that endeavor.
I hear that the LIBERAL (read tongue in cheek remark) Guinness has recently chose to remove all firearm related records from their book?

Anyway...Manufacturing learned years ago that some items had to be downgraded. Take an old Kelvinator refrigerator for example, this technology had to be downgraded because the things would run forever
If they were not! At this writing I still know of at least four people who have them running in their garage.
Fortunately, some other stuff still remains...Like the Mauser action!

[30-30man]

The 597 would not be a bad gun if Remington would do a better job in machine work.  I like the way it handles better than anything I've seen.  It's just frustrating that Remington is content on putting their name on such crap.  The jams are the result of poor tooling and the ejector ground at an improper angle, the cheesy magazines haven't help either.  The 597 will not last as did any of the other cheaper 22 semi's Remington has produced.  When people find out it is a turd, they come out with another model.  It's only a matter of time.   They would be much better off if they would stick with one design and fix all the crap they pawned off on unsuspecting customers.  The 597 is the worst gun I ever bought.  It was extremely accurate but jammed every other shot.  I tried everything and could not get rid of it fast enough.  I hope you have better luck as I did with somethign else.  I love my Marlin and my Mossberg.  I'd put both against any 597 any day.

[ironglow]

  Something tells me they should have stuck with the Nylon 66 and kept on improving it. Retain the 581 series beside it improving and refining it and they would have by
   now, a decent pair of rifles..

   Hope they keep their hands off Marlin...

[mangulator]

I hope the same thing ironglow !!!

[gustmouse]

I use my 597 on cold days when its less than 10 degrees. I may have to push the bolt closed for the first round.
But the use of high or hyper velocity rounds helps on the follow up shots. I don’t use much if any lubrication with the 597.
I like it’s full size and it shoot just about any type of ammo accurately. No problems with it and has always fired when I pull the trigger if there's a round in the chamber.
But the magazine doesn’t like more than 7 rounds. But I hunt with it, not plink so that’s no big deal. I've have it 10 years now and I like it more each time I use it. The 66 may be better as is the Speedmaster. But for $120 that I paid for it 10 years ago I can’t complain!