Summer time .. and the GUN IS FREAKIN' HOT!!!! Any tips???

[JohnFox]

So, Friday, it hit 100 in Phoenix. I had to do some work at home and didn't leave for the office until around 10, when it was already getting warm out. I decided that since it was a holiday weekend and traffic would be light, I would spend the extra $5 in gas and take my truck to work. Along with my little Beretta Bobcat I usually carry in my motorcycle vest.

When I drive my truck, I put the bobcat in the cup older where it's very accessible while I'm driving. Then when I get to work, I put it in the center console and close the lid so no one can see it. I've done this a few times already, and didn't think anything of it.

Six hours later, when I left work and grabbed the gun from the console, I thought I was going to burn my hand off and wondered why the rounds hadn't discharged on their own! I could hold the gun if I had to, but it wasn't comfortable for about 10 minutes of A/C cooling down the car.

Any tips on how to keep your gun cool when you have to leave it in your vehicle??? And has anyone every heard of rounds cooking off in a hot vehicle??

[Bob K]

John, If I have to leave a gun in the truck, I generally put it under the seat, and out of the direct sunshine. I have a Supercab, so I've also got room behind the seat. I keep a blanket and spare colthes back there, so I can always put the gun under the blanket, on the floor. Try to park so that the sun does not come in a window directly. Leave a side window cracked to get some air circulation, too.

'Course, being in Arizona, you don't have trees to park under, like we have back East. Get a reflective aluminum windsheild cover, to reflect the sunshine. It keeps it much cooler inside. Bob

[JohnFox]

You are right, trees are at a premium here, and they get snatched up pretty fast in parking lots. I've found that the reflective windshield covers really don't do too much out here for the truck.. just too bleadin' hot, too many other windows, and the truck is made out of ... metal!

I think under the seat will work just fine Bob and I feel really stupid I didn't think of it. That's where I put my Mod-15 if I need to leave it in the truck 'cuz it doesn't fit in the console or much of anywhere else. I think I'll look for a small IWB hostler for the Bobcat, and just leave it in the truck to store the gun in if I have to leave it there.

[Blackcloud2]

John, search for this - "How hot of a temperature can ammo take safely?". It's in the Reloader/Ammo Forum, but I don't know how to link back to it. The folks supplied me with some good info on a similar question. BC2

[RDLouks]

Checking Alliant, Winchester, and Hodgon MSDS sheets Auto Ignition will not occur until temperatures reach 190 to 200 degrees centigrade (374 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit)
The only concerns that you may have are:
1. Discharging a cartridge when it is hot could lead to unsafe chamber pressures
2. If stored stored constantly at these extreme temperatures (over 120 degrees F.) it could lead to deterioration of the powder. (Months, not days or hours)

[JohnFox]

John, search for this - "How hot of a temperature can ammo take safely?". It's in the Reloader/Ammo Forum, but I don't know how to link back to it. The folks supplied me with some good info on a similar question. BC2

Thanks all .. very informative thread. For anyone interested ... here is the link to the thread BC2 spoke of. It has some good info into it also..

[azmick]

I had a very promising load worked up for a 6MM Remington a number of years ago with a Hogdon powder (don't recall the powder now) and went out one day and the temps got upto about 100. It shook me up. The primer pouched out like a teat about a 1/16". I tossed the rest of the powder and pulled the rest of the bullets. Pistol powder does not do that to the extreme rifle powders do (volume or just the chemistry?) and I have been 'out and about' for some time in the summer and never had a problem.

BTW, for all my coyote shooting stuff, it's Varget powder now

[willie]

You could always get a Glock or some other tupperware piece, they are not very satisfying though!

Willie

[19and41]

One relief from the hot frame could be had with full enclosure rubber grips. A possibility for the trigger and trigger guard would be rtv silicone. some varieties adhere quite well to smooth or glossy surfaces. I have had to do this with tools I used in antenna maintenance on black rubber rooftops. Bare metal and chromed tools up there will result in fried palm for supper! The rtv gives decent insulation. Plastisol coatings like plasti-dip will separate in such heat.

[gearchecker]

John Fox,
I feel for you brother! But it was 37 degrees on Friday morning here. I almost had to put on my winter jacket. Want to trade weather for a week or two.
3 of the local ski resorts opened up this weekend because of the fresh late spring snows they got on Wednesday and Thursday.

Back to topic. They make small under the seat gun safes that are ideal for your situation. They can be bolted thru the floor, or you can use a steel cable to keep a theif from pulling the safe out of the truck. Before you mount it, drill a couple of 3/8" to 1/4" holes in the backof the safe so it can vent off some of the heat, and you'll be good to go. The pistols will be safe from almost any type of theft attempts and they'll remian cooler than in the arm rest.