USCG Gunners Mate (GM) Service Wide Exam (SWE) Practice

Using ammunition in extreme temperatures can indeed lead to several potential risks, which is why all the listed concerns are valid.

In extremely cold conditions, the viscosity of the propellant and lubricant can change, which may prevent the weapon from functioning properly. This could cause jamming, where the action of the weapon fails to cycle as intended, leading to a hazardous situation for the user.

Conversely, in very hot environments, ammunition may suffer from degraded performance. High temperatures can affect the burn rate of propellants, potentially causing reduced accuracy by altering the flight characteristics of the projectile.

Ignition failure is another critical concern, particularly in cold weather, where the primers may not ignite as easily. This could result in misfires or failures to fire altogether, posing serious risks during use.

Thus, using ammunition in extreme temperatures encompasses a broad range of issues, confirming that all identified risks are indeed connected to the safety and effectiveness of the ammunition and the weapon system it's designed for.