Now I'm aware snipers do this for cold weather zeroing, and that its probably been done a zillion times by everyone but me. What I'm wondering though is has anyone seen or heard of bad things happening from this, ie: broken extractors, cracks etc... can the extreme change in temp break stuff ??  Just for the record I'm talking about leaving your rifle in the trunk overnight in CT in the middle of February cold!  Thanks for the info in advance!!

I once had a pistol fail to feed after firing the first rounf of the day through it.

I guess the grease was frozen. The round fired fine, then as it was chambering the next one it was so slow you could almost watch it, then it just stopped.

I hit the back of the slide and it was good to go.

just shoot it, it wont hurt it

never had a problem with this.  just pull the trigger and go to it.

It'll be fine, shoot away.   You'll have more of a problem with frostbite from the buffer tube against your cheek.

Quoted: Now I'm aware snipers do this for cold weather zeroing

 I suspect the cold weather zero has more to do with air density and resulting bullet drop than it does with cold steel.

There are not problems with cold temperatures.  Nothing will 'break'.  If you have cleaned improperly, and over lubed, or used the wrong lube, you may have malfunctions, but nothing will break...

In general cold temps provide no problems.  Just ask tens of thousands of Canadian hunters.  I know I've spend hundreds of days in duck blinds and on tree stands, in weather down to about 15 degrees, as well as hunted rabbits in February at -10 and -20, and never had a problem. None...

Rules for cold weather firearm use:

Use the right lube, and use it sparingly

Never buy cheap optics

Once its outside, it stays outside.  Do not bring your firearm inside a warm house.  Condensation is wicked..

If anything I'm more concerned about extremely hot weather.  Veyr hot temps can increase chamber pressures...

Quoted: Just for the record I'm talking about leaving your rifle in the trunk overnight in CT in the middle of February cold!

Thats not cold...don't worry about it.

Quoted: If anything I'm more concerned about extremely hot weather.  Veyr hot temps can increase chamber pressures...

Umm, so can cold weather.

Thanks for the feedback. I ask due in part to a broken extractor I once had on a S&W pistol. It broke 1st shot out of the bag ice cold. Im glad it seems that I dont need to be so concerned w/ the long gun..... BTW what lube is best on a cold ALASKA morning?