Thanks for the great photos and Info on the cold temp gun functioning. I've read a bit about the folks who live and work on the Svalbard Island group north of Norway and they made it pretty clear that oil/lube was verboten on their firearms(for polar bear protection). As I recall they went so far as to use solvent on all working parts to clean every bit of lube off, running them bone dry. Bolt guns were the norm and once the rifle left the protection of a warm building the rifles were left outside/cold room to prevent condensation buildup if they were brought back inside. Any ice formation would lock them up pretty quick.
I have a 1911 with the NP3 coating by ROBAR that has worked very well in cold temps. The teflon in the coating seems to prevent any ice to stick between parts.
I've nearly broken keys off as well when I had my FJ60(running an FJ80 presently). Started carrying a bic lighter in my pocket to heat up the key before putting it in the slot. Works pretty well.
When we do our December elk hunts, I leave our rifles on the porch, or in the back of the truck, for the same reasons you noted above.
The Bic lighter in the pocket to heat up a key is a smart move!
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL.
The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world.
