Here's a tricky gun question

[Green Horn]

I have a Benelli Nova. I bought it last winter. If the weather is farely warm, not bellow freezing, my gun shoots fine. However, if the temperature drops below freezing, the gun wont fire. I pull the trigger and all I hear is click. I checkout the shell and the fireing pin is hitting the primer and leaving a faint imprint. Does anybody have any idea why it's doing this? I took it to a gun shop here in Ellensburg and they told me it looked fine.

[dannysdaddy]

looked online and found others having the same problem.  they said CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN and lube the bolt VERY sparingly.  there problems were the lubes gelling in the gun the colder it got.  dont know if this is your problem and i have never experienced it but a lot of people with the novas online have the same problem.

[Green Horn]

Thanks dannysdaddy. Where was it that you found this information?

[Fowlweather25]

I heard the same thing! Use very small amounts of lube on the receiver. 

[dannysdaddy]

Thanks dannysdaddy. Where was it that you found this information?

i just googled gun doesnt fire in cold weather and had a bunch of stuff pop up.

[lokidog]

looked online and found others having the same problem.  they said CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN and lube the bolt VERY sparingly.  there problems were the lubes gelling in the gun the colder it got.  dont know if this is your problem and i have never experienced it but a lot of people with the novas online have the same problem.

I have a nova and have not had this issue, however, I did miss out on a big 4X4 WT back in the 80's (when big deer were scarce) in WI when my firing pin did not hit hard enough.  Turned out there was packing grease or something in there that gelled in the below freezing weather.  Same gun and shell fired just fine later back at camp. 

[marlin]

that sucks. you would think something with the benelli name would function. Could have bought a mossberg for less money and it would work in any weather

[Fowlweather25]

Hahahaha, a mossberg? Oy! How bout an 870? Mossbergs aren't exactly known for their reliability. I have a nova! Haven't had a problem and it's been in cold weather. Just careful how much lube you use. Take it out clean it well and use the lube sparingly. Put it back together an you should be ok.

[jackelope]

Too much crud on a firing pin, be it lube or oil or from not cleaning or whatever...the oil or lube on a firing pin causing the gun to not fire when it's really cold can happen to any gun. That stuff thickens up like gel when it gets real cold and causes the pin to hang up.

[jackelope]

that sucks. you would think something with the benelli name would function. Could have bought a mossberg for less money and it would work in any weather

Not if it's got too much oil on the firing pin.
You could buy a Krieghoff or a Blaser and have the same issue.

[JJB11B]

I had the same issue when I got my nova....Use Remington Dry Lube on the bolt and you will be good to go

[Green Horn]

Hahahaha, a mossberg? Oy! How bout an 870?

I dang near bought an 870 too! Thanks for all the help fellas, im currently taking the gun apart. I'll try it again on monday.

[Huntbear]

The old adage less is more, always applies to grease and oil in your firearm when out in the field. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Dry lube... and not much of it.  Or..... Tranny fluid in the firing pin channel.  ... and not much of it.

-Steve

[FC]

I wonder how often this kind of thing happens due to some grunge/packing grease etc being under the plunger that covers the hammer spring. The firing pin channel is pretty much wide open, my guess is that it's more of an issue with how much restriction the hammer has going forward.