Got me thinking on my last thread I created about how durrable ARs are in the rain/snow for camping/hunting reasons.

Well what about the barrel? Lets say for example (this happend, but with my .270), I place my AR up against my Bronco while camping. Stock on the ground, and barrel facing up to the sky. I leave for whatever reason. It starts to rain while I'm gone. So water can fall down into the barrel resting ontop of the bullet in the chamber.

Is there anything, like a plug of some sort that can block off water from going inside? But if needed, you can shoot it out, with very little accuracy difference when fired with the soft plug in place?

An before anyone lashes at me for leaving a firearm out in the open I went 3 miles down the road to my buddy grandpas camper to help out with some things, leaving behind another camp member, who forgot to bring the gun into the truck when it started to rain.

Condoms work great. Several million GI's since WW1 have proved this.

Are you serious?? I'm not one to compare my pecker to much..but how would a condom fit in place over an AR barrel

Trust me. It works well enough. The military issues condoms mainly for this reason. Once you go on deployment they hand you several. They figure it will keep both of your rifles dry and safe.

If you're worried about it staying on during movement then you could use a rubber band to hold it in place.

but for the muzzle up, propped against the truck scenario it's fine without.

This post has been edited by SSGN_Doc: November 3rd 2009 2:07 PM

Try one of these its called a dustoff plug kit.its at www.Dustoffplug.com. My buddy makes them. He is currently active duty Army(was recalled form reserves)at Atterbury and comes home on the weekend sometimes. We sell them for him at the shop and I think US CAV sells them for him also ,but we all got them on our AR's! This WILL solve that problem! Tell him that the guys from Weathers gun sales told ya about them. We donated a few hundred of them to thestate police and local sheriffs dept.and they love em!

This post has been edited by GUNMAN556: November 3rd 2009 3:50 PM

You could also get one of those bags that you put over a paintball barrel in case of accidental fire, they're usually water proof and have a string that tightens it to the barrel. Something like this.

Don't use condoms - they haven't been issued for some time. The Army issues covers like the dustoff covers mentioned, but black. They work well. The air that is in the bore is compressed by the bullet and blows the end off the cover before the bullet exits. The barrel part of the plug splits into flower petals that makes the end of you barrel look pretty.

Here in Alaska, many people put a small piece of black electric tape over the muzzle of hunting rifles to serve the same purpose. Snow packed in the bore can turn to ice and split the barrel.

Be aware that anything covering the bore can cause rust very quickly. You can seal the bore when you are out in the snow, but as soon as you enter a vehicle, building, tent, or roll into your sleeping bag for the night, get the bore uncovered and run a boresnake or patch through it. When you get out of the weather, unseal the bore.

Don't use Condoms?
Watch the movie Big Red One. When they are going in at Normandy "Get your Pro kits out."
I use a big balloon on my M-1 or any other rifle when I'm hunting. Doesn't look cool but it keeps the crap out the bore and just blows clear if I forget an fire. Keep a spare now.
I know a guy that uses zIp lock bags. Electrical tape works good to.
gee I guess rubbers wouldn't look all that tactical or tacticool.

Interesting M16 trivia.

Most people have heard the moisture in Vietnam was how chrome lining came about in the M16. We were also trained in clearing water was one of the main uses of the forward assist.

We would hold our rifles barrel down, pull back on the charging handle just enough to leave a good gap but not enough to chamber another round, turn the gun sideways so we could look into the port to make sure we didn't screw up, then shake the gun to dislodge the chambered round just enough for air to pass, the water then would pour out of the barrel. We'd then, the idea being to be very quiet, slowly lower the charging handle down reseating the bolt, then drive it home with the forward assist.

Obviously in those days, we didn't use condoms or kits of any sort. It rained so often in the jungle and during monsoon season so long plus there was so many of us, trying to would have been a logistical nightmare.

As for what I use these days, the last patch I use to clean my rifles is the oil patch. I use those to plug the end of my guns in storage. It provides a moisture and dust barrier to your barrel. In the field, I use nothing. I'm not in the service anymore so won't be doing drills wearing a poncho in the rain so can walk with my rifle slung barrel down.

Tj

I didn't say they didn't use condoms - just said there are better ways now. A balloon is a good idea - I bet it fits better than a condom, and cheaper than the shoot-through caps.

I was hunting the other day in some rough terrain and got snow in my barrel twice. I guess I should be using something.

They do if you use the ribbed ones...

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR128-7.html

ta da.

Here's another vote for electrical tape. Really cheap, easy, and with black barrels it barely shows to increase the "tactical look".

A trick from the muzzleloader crowd.

Muzzleloader condoms

Wrap that rascal.

Tape, condom or cap. You choose...



TS