ST-CS-10-339-75
March 2002

SECTION V

MINOR ISSUES  (U)

1.  Pistol-Type Cold Barrel Syndrome  (U)

There has been some comment in various Counter-Strike forums about a phenomenon termed "cold barrel syndrome", whereby the first few shots of certain weapons are highly inaccurate.

Research has found these comments were essentially accurate, but that there are two types of cold barrel syndrome, one real and affecting the semi-automatic sniper rifles, the other false and affecting most pistols.

When firing all pistols barring the USP and Glock for the very first time after starting up Counter-Strike, the miss decals are totally inaccurate. However, the actual bullet paths are normal.

For most pistols, the first three or four shots see the miss decals return to normal. The Desert Eagle is the exception and requires the first clip (seven rounds) to be fired off before returning to normal.

Clearly shown in this video, every bullet fired landed exactly on target. Only the miss decals were spread around the target.

Be aware this behaviour only occurs once. It does not occur again after the end of a round or when a new map is loaded; only the very first time after starting up Counter-Strike.