Re: Firearm and Canadian paramilitary question

[MathesonT@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 9/28/2001 7:41:42 AM Pacific Daylight Time, spezbaby@yahoo.com writes:

> They are issued a WWII era Enfield


In a firearms sensitive nation like Canada it would be unthinkable to have modern military weapons in the closets of civilian/reservists.  You are also dealing with a group of people that are mostly subsistence hunters who are intimately familiar with the working of bolt action rifles.

> Are their any issues caused by extreme cold on the actions of modern
> firearms? Is a bolt-action enfield better suited to the climate of the
> arctic, and if so why? 


Properly treated with appropriate low/no freeze lubricants there is no problem with modern military weapons in extreme cold weather climates.  I have carried an M16 in extreme cold weather environments without problems (outside of the fact I hate cold).  

The bolt action is a stronger design that is more accessible to the operator, making clearing ice easier.  With proper maintenance this should not be a major factor.

Rob