TexasCHLforum.com

Estand wrote:But I have been concerned about the life expectancy or reliability of the ammo actually, with the heat. I usually keep all my military ammo cans with silica gel so it's killing me to think about the heating and cooling of the ammo in the car during the summer, Austin area. **PLEASE reply with any thoughts or opinions.

The good news is that, particularly with modern (and expensive) defensive ammunition, the rounds in your gun aren't nearly as susceptible to environmental degradation as was WWII ammo. Alas, much of current "modern knowledge" (read, "myth") about ammo longevity comes from 50 years ago.

The two biggest enemies of ammunition are moisture and heat, in that order. It takes extended conditions well over 140 degrees to do it, but constant exposure to that level of heat will start a slow degradation of the priming compound.

Not an issue for a day here and a day there in a parked car, but after two years of storage in that kind of heat the primers--even with high quality, modern ammunition--could start to go bad.

But since I'm assuming you cycle your carry ammo more often than every other year, you should be golden.

WildBill wrote:Increased heat reduces the viscosity of oils so they flow easier. For my semi-automatics I will use grease on the slide in the summer.

+1

I like a little TW25B grease on my barrel and rails at any time of year.

Just another note, this one about holsters. If you have to keep your holster in the car all day in an open parking lot, I think I'd opt for an inexpensive leather holster for the purpose.

Kydex has a much lower tolerance for heat than the Tupperware on a Glock, for instance, and depending on how it's stored in the car and how hot it gets, it can soften and "shape-shift" on you. While it all depends on the type and thickness of the Kydex, generally speaking it can become pliable anywhere from 220 to 300 degrees. If it's in the center console and away from direct sunlight, it's probably okay on most any day. If you stick it a black metal lunchbox on the dashboard and leave it out all day when we're sittin' at 105, you will not have a happy holster when you return.