User Panel
Posted: 7/30/2011 11:52:58 AM EDT
Planning on ordering a 14.5 with A2X(legal 16" OA) upper from Bravo Company in a few days.
Is the cold hammer forged barrel worth the $90 over the standard barrel option? I'm thinking it is. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks! ARKAR |
|
I'd save the $90 and put it towards something useful. There is not enough difference, if any at all, to spend $90 extra.
|
|
If hardcore use- lots of firing, running hot, lots of training,,,,,,,,go for the more expensive barrel.
If not so hardcore, get the less expensive barrel. |
|
read this.
only reason i got a BFH was because it was in stock and the standard lightweight wasn't.
|
|
You'll never likely see or notice the difference. But this is the case with many of the things we pay extra for. For this upgrade choice, I went with with BFH because I knew that for the $90 I'd appreciate the gun more. So, knowing that I'll never likely realize the difference in quality, it still pleases me that it's hammer forged.
|
|
Quoted:
I'd save the $90 and put it towards something useful. There is not enough difference, if any at all, to spend $90 extra. |
|
Save Money, grab a standard. Thats what I did! There is nothing you are going to do to tell the difference.
|
|
OK, this is kinda what I wanted to hear. I'm probably gonna go with the standard.
I doubt mine will ever see any hard use. I don't mind spending the extra money, but only if it was really worth it. Thanks for the replies!! ARKAR |
|
Why do some of you guys say to go with the BFH barrel? Any particular reason?
Just wondering. Thanks! ARKAR |
|
I buy the BHF for Longevity or extended barrel life. For a few extra dollars the question is why do some of you guy not go with BFH barrels?
EDIT: from BCM website This process of manufacturing barrels has been used for European small arms for generations, and it is gaining popularity in the United States because of the increased barrel life and outstanding accuracy of a hammer forged barrel. The BCM BFH™ series of barrels are made right here in the USA! (Just like all the BCM products.) |
|
Quoted: I buy the BHF for Longevity or extended barrel life. For a few extra dollars the question is why do some of you guy not go with BFH barrels? EDIT: from BCM website This process of manufacturing barrels has been used for European small arms for generations, and it is gaining popularity in the United States because of the increased barrel life and outstanding accuracy of a hammer forged barrel. The BCM BFH™ series of barrels are made right here in the USA! (Just like all the BCM products.) how does a hammer forged barrel with the same chrome lining as the standard barrel have a longer life? |
|
Thicker chromed lined barrels. I belive they are double the thickness of std barrels.
|
|
I actually wanted the standard barrel, I also intend to get a 14.5 carbine in the future simply because I think they look cool and I won't let the fact they are not hammer forged stop me. As a newb lurker I did a lot of research before I bought my middy 16 bcm. Like most everyone else I saw the filthy 14 and what I got from that was the difference between actual combat and civilian competitive shooting, even hard shooting.
A civilian like myself simply will not see the difference. I also found it interesting to see people with 5 or 6 ARs worrying about barrel life, they are either filthy rich or kidding themselves. The answer is to buy what you would have fun shooting, anything else and you've just wasted your money. |
|
Quoted: Thicker chromed lined barrels. I belive they are double the thickness of std barrels. The throat of the barrel is what is going to wear out first. You aren't going to shoot the rifling out of a non beltfed weapon. Extra thick chrome lining and hammer forged barrels are an unneeded expense. In fact, the main advantage of hammer forging is speed and consistency of production. |
|
I used BCM BFH barrels on a couple builds where I had the extra money to spend. Only difference I've noticed is in my head to be honest. I'll never see the extra durability that the BFH offers probably. All the standard rifles i have perform identically. But being I'm switching between many rifles, only a couple see any hard use. Those happen to be standard uppers and are taking anything I've thrown at them so far. Unless you are using it on a full auto, I doubt you will notice a difference.
|
|
Hammer Forging - Hammer forged barrels are really very good barrels... a hard steel die, with the reverse rifling pattern in it, is placed in the drilled and reamed bore, then a machine that is best described as *big and noisey* literally hammers the barrel's outside surface, forcing the metal into the rifling pattern of the die.
Button Rifling - One of the most common methods, button rifling uses a hardened steel "button" that has the inverse rifling pattern in it... this button is pushed or pulled through the barrel blank and the rifling is essentially "ironed" into the insode of the bore. Button rifling is quick and can make a very nice finish –– the most noted pitfall to the method is that the button creates radial stress in the blank... the barrel must be properly stressed relieved before it is turned down, or the diameter of the bore can expand slightly. Quoted from another Forum. I am not sure I can mention it here. Personally I believe if BCM and Noveske claim a certain process makes a better barrel I tend to trust these claims these people are the experts. Whether you believe it is a marketing gimmick or truth it is up to you to decide. |
|
Quoted:
OK, this is kinda what I wanted to hear. I'm probably gonna go with the standard. I doubt mine will ever see any hard use. I don't mind spending the extra money, but only if it was really worth it. Thanks for the replies!! ARKAR Why would you need a CHF barrel for hard use? I'd say combat is pretty hard use, no CHF needed there. I think people mistake "standard" as somehow lesser quality. "Standard" doesn't refer to the quality, buttoned is simply the most widely used method in the USA, hence the term "standard" used by dealers. In Europe they probably refer to CHF as "standard" because that's by far the most common method used there. You damn sure wouldn't need CHF for a hard use weapon. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
OK, this is kinda what I wanted to hear. I'm probably gonna go with the standard. I doubt mine will ever see any hard use. I don't mind spending the extra money, but only if it was really worth it. Thanks for the replies!! ARKAR Why would you need a CHF barrel for hard use? I'd say combat is pretty hard use, no CHF needed there. I think people mistake "standard" as somehow lesser quality. "Standard" doesn't refer to the quality, buttoned is simply the most widely used method in the USA, hence the term "standard" used by dealers. In Europe they probably refer to CHF as "standard" because that's by far the most common method used there. You damn sure wouldn't need CHF for a hard use weapon. Quote from Bravo Co. barrel description: Cold Hammer Forged Barrels "This process of manufacturing barrels has been used for European small arms for generations, and it is gaining popularity in the United States because of the increased barrel life and outstanding accuracy of a hammer forged barrel. The BCM BFH™ series of barrels are made right here in the USA! (Just like all the BCM products.)" You're right, a person does not need a BFH barrel for hard use and most would agree that standard barrels are not of lesser quality but theoretically they (BFH barrels) are supposed to last longer and be more durable than the barrels listed as "standard". So if ones definition of "hard use" is high round count then technically the BFH barrels should be better suited for that application. |
|
Even BCM uses marketing. CHF barrels are nothing new. They are just another efficient way of producing rifled barrels. There is no measureable advantage to owning one over the other (other than ooo's and aahhh's in the picture threads).
|
|
Most shooters will not be able to discern the difference between the two barrel types. A standard barrel will serve you well for many years if not during your lifetime.
|
|
Quoted: Thicker chromed lined barrels. I belive they are double the thickness of std barrels. This is false. Hammer forging has ZERO to do with chroming. While a hammer forged barrel MIGHT have a longer life than a button rifled barrel, in semi-auto fire, the difference will be difficult to see. Most Semi-auto barrels will last upwards of 20k rounds, and most likely longer and still retain 3-5MOA, which is more than enough for a defensive or hobby weapon. If the Hammer forged is in stock, and you have the money, there isn't a reason not to get it. However, if the same model is in stock with button rifling, I wouldn't bother, personally.
|
|
Quoted: I actually wanted the standard barrel, I also intend to get a 14.5 carbine in the future simply because I think they look cool and I won't let the fact they are not hammer forged stop me. As a newb lurker I did a lot of research before I bought my middy 16 bcm. Like most everyone else I saw the filthy 14 and what I got from that was the difference between actual combat and civilian competitive shooting, even hard shooting. A civilian like myself simply will not see the difference. I also found it interesting to see people with 5 or 6 ARs worrying about barrel life, they are either filthy rich or kidding themselves. The answer is to buy what you would have fun shooting, anything else and you've just wasted your money. |
|
Quoted:
Hammer Forging - Hammer forged barrels are really very good barrels... a hard steel die, with the reverse rifling pattern in it, is placed in the drilled and reamed bore, then a machine that is best described as *big and noisey* literally hammers the barrel's outside surface, forcing the metal into the rifling pattern of the die. Button Rifling - One of the most common methods, button rifling uses a hardened steel "button" that has the inverse rifling pattern in it... this button is pushed or pulled through the barrel blank and the rifling is essentially "ironed" into the insode of the bore. Button rifling is quick and can make a very nice finish –– the most noted pitfall to the method is that the button creates radial stress in the blank... the barrel must be properly stressed relieved before it is turned down, or the diameter of the bore can expand slightly. Quoted from another Forum. I am not sure I can mention it here. Personally I believe if BCM and Noveske claim a certain process makes a better barrel I tend to trust these claims these people are the experts. Whether you believe it is a marketing gimmick or truth it is up to you to decide. Extra thick chromed lining is a claim BCM makes for their BFH barrels. If you have evidence to the contrary post it up here. |
|
Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: OK, this is kinda what I wanted to hear. I'm probably gonna go with the standard. I doubt mine will ever see any hard use. I don't mind spending the extra money, but only if it was really worth it. Thanks for the replies!! ARKAR Why would you need a CHF barrel for hard use? I'd say combat is pretty hard use, no CHF needed there. I think people mistake "standard" as somehow lesser quality. "Standard" doesn't refer to the quality, buttoned is simply the most widely used method in the USA, hence the term "standard" used by dealers. In Europe they probably refer to CHF as "standard" because that's by far the most common method used there. You damn sure wouldn't need CHF for a hard use weapon. Quote from Bravo Co. barrel description: Cold Hammer Forged Barrels "This process of manufacturing barrels has been used for European small arms for generations, and it is gaining popularity in the United States because of the increased barrel life and outstanding accuracy of a hammer forged barrel. The BCM BFH™ series of barrels are made right here in the USA! (Just like all the BCM products.)" You're right, a person does not need a BFH barrel for hard use and most would agree that standard barrels are not of lesser quality but theoretically they (BFH barrels) are supposed to last longer and be more durable than the barrels listed as "standard". So if ones definition of "hard use" is high round count then technically the BFH barrels should be better suited for that application. Hammer forging may make a better barrel, but unless you use it on an M16 lower, and handload ammo for accuracy (which would be silly to do if shooting from an M16, see where this is going?) the difference is negligible. However, most people on ARFCOM recognize hammer forging as "superior" and resale on this site will be much easier and command a slight premium
|
|
I had an HK USC that I was going to send to HDPS for the conversion to UMP-style configuration. I had
all the parts and decided to sell it and buy a Mk12 rifle instead. I purchased a UMP manual from Adam Webber and in the manual on the first few pages was info about how HK makes their barrels. They are cold hammer forged also. From what I got out of it, they are a little more accurate with some longer barrel life, but best I can remember, they are also "safer". It told that in the case of a suib load(etc.), the cold hammer forged barrels will not fragment but will split instead of fragmenting. Any truth to this? I'm gonna opt for the standard barrel, I see no need in buying, in my case, the BFH barrel upper. Thanks!! ARKAR |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hammer Forging - Hammer forged barrels are really very good barrels... a hard steel die, with the reverse rifling pattern in it, is placed in the drilled and reamed bore, then a machine that is best described as *big and noisey* literally hammers the barrel's outside surface, forcing the metal into the rifling pattern of the die. Button Rifling - One of the most common methods, button rifling uses a hardened steel "button" that has the inverse rifling pattern in it... this button is pushed or pulled through the barrel blank and the rifling is essentially "ironed" into the insode of the bore. Button rifling is quick and can make a very nice finish –– the most noted pitfall to the method is that the button creates radial stress in the blank... the barrel must be properly stressed relieved before it is turned down, or the diameter of the bore can expand slightly. Quoted from another Forum. I am not sure I can mention it here. Personally I believe if BCM and Noveske claim a certain process makes a better barrel I tend to trust these claims these people are the experts. Whether you believe it is a marketing gimmick or truth it is up to you to decide. Extra thick chromed lining is a claim BCM makes for their BFH barrels. If you have evidence to the contrary post it up here. This is what BCM mentions about the chrome lining on their barrels-nothing is mentioned about double thickness. That is what Noveske says about their own barrels. Chrome Bore and Chamber
One of the first modifications that were made to the original M16 in the mid 1960’s was the addition of the chrome lined bore and chamber. It is now a world wide standard in the industry for a battle rifle. The chrome bore and chamber is harder than the barrel steel and on the USGI M16/M4 rifles will aid in chambering, extraction, and reliability. It increases velocity, and also resist against fouling and corrosion from extended use in the field. This gives the end user a longer barrel life with less required time in maintenance and cleaning. |
|
looks like Spikes is doing the same!
From Spikes website These barrels are made to the Mil-Spec for the M249 SAW. They are the correct Certified CMV material and they are also Hard Chrome lined to the M249 SAW Mil-Spec, which is almost 2X as thick as the Hard Chrome on a Mil-Spec M4. These are good days for those infected with BRD |
|
Save the dough and get the standard. The advantage of the CHF is cheaper manufacturing in the long run. When the price of the CHF drops to the price of the standard then it might be the way to go.
|
|
The following link is to 68forum, ARperformance subforum , on the topic of barrels. For those who are interested, it dispels many myths, fads, hyps, BS currently saturating the internet gun forums:
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?22408-Barrels add thread on chrome vs melonite http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?6779-Chrome-VS-Nitride-barrels |
|
I only got the BFH upper because I needed a 14.5" MId-Length and it was the only one they had in stock at the time.
|
|
I opted for the standard. Got the upper in and I'm happy. Very impressed with the quality.
ARKAR |
|
Quoted:
read this. only reason i got a BFH was because it was in stock and the standard lightweight wasn't. Same reason I got mine. |
|
get what makes you happy, if you got an extra 90$ to spend do it. i have one of each, a regular colt pencil barrel and a noveske chf barrel. i love em both equally
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.