Do Your Pistol Mags Drop Free in the Cold?

[StingyGunner]

I had the chance to shoot a CZ P-07 recently (around 40 degrees out). What surprised me was that the mags ceased to drop free...oddly enough, my brother's M&P40 mags would not drop free either. Do any of your mags not drop free in the cold?

PS: I just tested this to confirm it by sitting the CZ in the freezer for 15 minutes, and afterwards, the mags would not drop free at all.

[PA1936MN]

Metal expands when cold. Thusly proving your experiment.

[StingyGunner]

Nah, the plastic frame contracted. The mag was not placed in the freezer.

[robert slabaugh]

Metal actually contracts when cold. Perhaps the pistol shrinks more than the mag, or a lack of lubrication causes the failure to drop free.

[StingyGunner]

Metal actually contracts when cold. Perhaps the pistol shrinks more than the mag, or a lack of lubrication causes the failure to drop free.

Well, the magwell is plastic..

[Bill67]

If it is a poly gun, there are two materials at play. The Polymer frame and the metal Magazine. Each will react at different rates to temp changes, and with tolerances that are already close, this could cause the hang up.
I just put my M&P out in the sun room, and I will go back and try it out in a few minutes.

[mike12_nguyen]

Well, the magwell is plastic..

It would depend on the polymer, the more water absorption of a polymer the more it could contract or expand. The companies never tell you want blend of polymer it is, they keep it a secret. You would think the manufacturers would cycle test the frames in a temperature chamber before releasing but who knows.

[StingyGunner]

It would depend on the polymer, the more water absorption of a polymer the more it could contract or expand. The companies never tell you want blend of polymer it is, they keep it a secret. You would think the manufacturers would cycle test the frames in a temperature chamber before releasing but who knows.

Yeah..I agree. At this point, I don't think companies like CZ do much of any testing on their polymer.

[mrnyman]

Yeah..I agree. At this point, I don't think companies like CZ do much of any testing on their polymer.

Why Not? Why wouldnt they test their Polymer material, after all they are the most widely issued handguns on the planet.

[StingyGunner]

Why Not? Why wouldnt they test their Polymer material, after all they are the most widely issued handguns on the planet.

I agree, except that that reputation is founded upon their steel framed pistols. So far, their polymer (as a material) has not shown itself to be quite up to par as of 2013. Their designs are awesome! I love the P-07, but it would be leaps and bounds better if they somehow figured out how to just tighten it up overall.
Check out these pictures...this is an established issue with the polymer CZ's, but have been deemed merely cosmetic by the company. This may be the case, but I think they will not quite make it in the real big leagues until they straighten this type of thing out (literally)...you just don't see it with major names like Glock and S&W.

http://s881.photobucket.com/user/sti...?sort=3&page=1