In 2021, do we like chrome lined barrels or not?

In 2021, do we like chrome lined barrels or not? (Page 1 of 2)

ZMV The Anti-Contrarian Joined Apr 2011 Posts 15510 EE 100% (5) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:42:48 AM EST I'm ordering another A4 upper and I want to make sure the guys at the range don't make fun of me.

DarkStar ...Say When... Joined Nov 2000 Posts 18534 EE 100% (29) MI, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:45:21 AM EST Chrome or go home...
	...proud deplorable... Free men don't herd well - StromBusa I stand with Kyle

cccollin545 Member Joined Dec 2014 Posts 8129 EE 100% (2) TX, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:46:44 AM EST I have both and can’t tell a difference between group sizes. I would say that chrome lined barrels would last longer, but I have never met anyone shot out a nitride barrel or a chrome lined barrel.
	An Assisting Hand Glock Certified Armorer

AKengineer Norcal codename: The Marksman Joined Dec 2009 Posts 43852 EE 100% (2) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:47:35 AM EST For semi auto only a quality nitrided barrel is probably equal with the added bonus of probably being more consistently finished.
	"Liberty not only means that the individual has both the opportunity and the burden of choice; it also means that he must bear the consequences of his actions and will receive praise or blame for them." -Hayek

DoverGunner king of depravity and prostitution LOL Joined Jun 2010 Posts 5843 EE 100% (25) MO, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:51:50 AM EST Stainless I say

4v50 Member Joined Nov 2000 Posts 178917 EE 100% (6) CO, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:52:32 AM EST Chrome.
	#53 says, "Take 22 mg absorbed Vit C per lb plus 1 gram Chaga daily. Don't forget 2000iu Vit D-3, 30 mg Zinc and 2 mg Cu." Unfettered with the formalities of an economics education but well read in monetary history.

HS2 Member Joined Nov 2008 Posts 1972 EE 0% (0) GA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:53:02 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By DoverGunner: Stainless I say View Quote +1 for stainless.

Vik Member Joined Jan 2007 Posts 4711 EE 100% (63) AL, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:53:13 AM EST [Last Edit: 2/23/2021 8:54:09 AM EST by Vik] CHF Chrome lined is how I roll, for the rifles I shoot hard. Stainless on my more precision type rifles.
	If you can't dazzle them with brilliance....Riddle them with bullets!

theHULK9281 Member Joined Sep 2004 Posts 2013 EE 100% (48) PA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:54:27 AM EST A quality chrome barrel.

Yojimbo Member Joined Jan 2001 Posts 16575 EE 100% (26) OH, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 8:56:30 AM EST For a hard use, general purpose carbine/rifle/sbr/pistol I still prefer chrome lined. For a precision gun go stainless.

-Obsessed- Let's use this setback to our advantage! Joined May 2017 Posts 4134 EE 100% (8) OH, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:04:46 AM EST Stainless.

SurtrsFire Member Joined Aug 2016 Posts 11332 EE 100% (67) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:05:54 AM EST I only have chrome lined ar15 barrels. They seem to be working just fine.

Mooninite Had a couple drinks, saw a couple things. Joined Feb 2018 Posts 1739 EE 100% (101) FL, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:10:12 AM EST I prefer chrome

50cal Useful posts.....13 Joined Nov 2000 Posts 41647 EE 100% (177) TN, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:12:18 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By DarkStar: Chrome or go home... View Quote Yep. I do have 1 nitrided barrel. It's a 10.5" that was given to me for doing some work on a guys Garand. The nitride barrel does shoot good. But I prefer Daniel Defense chrome lined barrels.
	I hated going to weddings. All the grandmas would poke me and say "You're next". They stopped that when I started doing it to them at funerals. Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis

dmfl54 Member Joined Feb 2010 Posts 38370 EE 0% (0) FL, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:13:38 AM EST Yes, chrome.
	Get over it buttercup.

ManyFacets Joined Sep 2020 Posts 2012 EE 0% (0) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:13:50 AM EST Chrome, but good Chrome not spotty Chrome

takdriver Member Joined Jan 2002 Posts 2402 EE 100% (30) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:15:34 AM EST I have non chrome barrel rifles, but for serious use, chrome lined only.

Grey_Man Joined Dec 2009 Posts 7312 EE 0% (0) MD, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:16:36 AM EST It depends on the week. Last week there was a similar thread where the general consensus was chrome is for boomers

urbanredneck Joined Oct 2006 Posts 18658 EE 100% (3) FL, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:17:03 AM EST nitride is probably better. and it can be used on carbon steel or stainless

84bthomas Member Joined May 2012 Posts 623 EE 100% (61) TX, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:19:08 AM EST Chf is more important to me. Chrome’d Chf is easier to find than nitride, but I wouldn’t say no to a nitrided version.

MacManus Member Joined Jan 2007 Posts 7560 EE 0% (0) IA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:19:32 AM EST I prefer them, but even in the salad days it wasn't a requirement for me. Especially not in the current market conditions. And especially considering how ridiculously easy it is to replace barrels. If I only had one rifle though, IMO I'd make sure to get a chrome lined barrel on it at some point.
	Didn't read thread before replying.

1srelluc Member Joined Jan 2006 Posts 85495 EE 100% (36) VA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:20:15 AM EST Any notion of not having them can be dispelled simply by looking at the bore of a 60s era Chi-Com SKS.....Sure, it might look like warmed-over shit on the outside but the bore is spectacular. Attached File
	“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” Winston Churchill.

ch3no2 arfcom callsign 'Skatole' :p Joined Jul 2011 Posts 30230 EE 0% (0) AZ, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:20:50 AM EST How about telling “the guys at the range who make fun of you” to get bent?

tango1978 Member Joined Jun 2007 Posts 27366 EE 0% (0) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:21:17 AM EST CHF chrome lined is more expensive for a reason.

motoguzzi Member Joined Mar 2001 Posts 10935 EE 0% (0) AZ, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:22:53 AM EST Like anyone could afford to shoot out a barrel anymore!
	"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess." The Possum Lodge Pledge

BRN-180 Joined Feb 2019 Posts 1884 EE 100% (1) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:23:59 AM EST i have a wwii jap 99. bore is like brand new. chrome is great.

erwos Joined Dec 2009 Posts 1695 EE 100% (20) MD, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:24:09 AM EST This isn't 2010, we don't have a chart to tell us what to think!!! Chromed or nitrided is preferable when it's an option within your budget, but I'd take a higher-quality non-CL barrel over a lower-quality CL barrel any day of the week.

cckw Joined Aug 2006 Posts 9406 EE 100% (106) IA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:29:53 AM EST I will take chrome, nitride, or stainless as long as it is the length and profile I want and it groups well. I don't even care about CHF. I care about how it shoots. I suppose if I were young and one had to last my whole life, I might put more thought into it. But I'm 40+, have more than one and can buy more.

reelserious Member Joined Dec 2007 Posts 12611 EE 100% (17) FL, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:30:44 AM EST chrome has been killing it for 50 years

BRN-180 Joined Feb 2019 Posts 1885 EE 100% (1) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:35:43 AM EST [Last Edit: 2/23/2021 9:36:35 AM EST by BRN-180] Quote History Originally Posted By reelserious: chrome has been killing it for 50 years View Quote try closer to 100 years.

jasonm4 Member Joined Apr 2014 Posts 1869 EE 0% (0) PA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:40:54 AM EST [Last Edit: 2/23/2021 9:41:32 AM EST by jasonm4] Meh, I've got some CL bbls but I've been buying nitride bbls last few years. I don't have FA, so really no need for chrome. Plus I prefer the nitride for rust protection over shitty phosphate.

aswrg7 Member Joined Apr 2006 Posts 2605 EE 100% (20) MO, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:49:44 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By Yojimbo: For a hard use, general purpose carbine/rifle/sbr/pistol I still prefer chrome lined. For a precision gun go stainless. View Quote I think this is the correct answer. FWIW, though, nitride seems to hold up pretty well and is cheaper than chrome-lined, so it seems ok too.
	<Placeholder for future witty sigline>

Dino11 Joined Oct 2013 Posts 347 EE 100% (2) OH, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:58:27 AM EST Stainless... Then after about a hundred rounds I send it to H&R Metal Processing and have it Nitrided.

tobycreek Member Joined Mar 2003 Posts 2679 EE 100% (75) NC, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:58:40 AM EST [Last Edit: 2/23/2021 9:59:31 AM EST by tobycreek] I love my 2010ish Noveske barrel. It is as accurate as my 20" stainless NM barrel but will last a hell of a lot longer. From when John was alive and Pac-Nor wasn't burned down.

tsg68 Joined Dec 2014 Posts 46187 EE 100% (3) TX, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 9:59:17 AM EST This again?

twistedcomrade Member Joined Apr 2004 Posts 12673 EE 100% (13) TX, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:00:24 AM EST All of my ARs have chrome lined barrels.
	Capitalism produces, communism reduces.

mstennes Designated Thread Killer Joined Dec 2005 Posts 12908 EE 99% (161) WA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:00:39 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By DarkStar: Chrome or go home... View Quote This
	How much crack did you have to smoke to reach that conclusion, a $20 rock or Whitney Houston level shit? ”Guitargod1985”

NoStockBikes I keep my tinfoil under my cap. Joined Apr 2007 Posts 40100 EE 100% (20) AGO	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:02:43 AM EST Maybe this afternoon. Right now I’m feeling like Melanite is cool. I wonder if anyone has done a PVD coating inside a barrel. That would be pimp, and should make you feel bad for not having.
	This post has been captioned for the humor impaired.

chango78 Member Joined Apr 2019 Posts 11017 EE 0% (0) UT, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:04:09 AM EST Chrome is the way, especially considering we may be going into a world where gun parts might be controlled or cut off. CHF chrome is even better.

Corey

Member

Joined Jan 2001
Posts 6657
EE 100% (14)

WI, USA

Posted: 2/23/2021 10:04:35 AM EST

Quote History

Originally Posted By jasonm4:
Meh, I've got some CL bbls but I've been buying nitride bbls last few years.

I don't have FA, so really no need for chrome. Plus I prefer the nitride for rust protection over shitty phosphate.

View Quote

Realistically how susceptible are unlined steel barrels to rust?

I have a Colt 16” 1/9 carbine length HBAR barrel that Adco turned to medium profile (at the same time it was threaded for a FS). It is unlined but does have a chrome chamber. And if it is ever out in inclement weather the bore will be cleaned. It is old school 1/9 and carbine gas.

I have considered swapping it out for something chrome lined, 1/7, mid length.

But it is a really accurate barrel, even with Black Hills 68 grain (I have not tried it with SMK 77 grain but should, that would be interesting). And the medium contour was really nicely done.

I don’t need to chase cool guy specs, but rust is the only thing I would be concerned about. So realistically what conditions and lack of maintenance would it take to hurt an unlined barrel? Are we talking days in a swamp, or something as simple as getting wet and not cleaned that night?

I maintain my stuff, I am just looking for where the limits are.

"It's kind of like what Rumsfeld said. You rock out to the band you have, not the band you wish you had."

Paulie771 Member Joined Dec 2005 Posts 7605 EE 100% (143) TN, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:04:55 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By Vik: CHF Chrome lined is how I roll, for the rifles I shoot hard. Stainless on my more precision type rifles. View Quote This.
	“Always love your country — but never trust your government!" - Robert Novak

Corey Member Joined Jan 2001 Posts 6658 EE 100% (14) WI, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:06:32 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By Dino11: Stainless... Then after about a hundred rounds I send it to H&R Metal Processing and have it Nitrided. View Quote I didn’t know that aftermarket nitride was available. How much for an AR barrel?
	"It's kind of like what Rumsfeld said. You rock out to the band you have, not the band you wish you had."

timeless SHTF cul-de-sac Warlord w/ harem of soccer moms Joined Jan 2003 Posts 11958 EE 100% (41) AZ, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:09:05 AM EST [Last Edit: 2/23/2021 10:10:05 AM EST by timeless] CHF Chrome unless you want your shit all clogged up and chooting sideways.
	"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."- BL

Doodles Riot Squad & Poop Flinging Gremlin Joined Jul 2018 Posts 14531 EE 0% (0) GA, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 10:49:31 AM EST Quote History Originally Posted By motoguzzi: Like anyone could afford to shoot out a barrel anymore! View Quote
	This decision is a freedom calculus decided long ago by Colonists . . . . The freedom they fought for was not free of cost then, and it is not free now. - Honorable Judge Roger T. Benitez

ZMV The Anti-Contrarian Joined Apr 2011 Posts 15512 EE 100% (5) USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:44:07 PM EST Quote History Originally Posted By ch3no2: How about telling “the guys at the range who make fun of you” to get bent? View Quote I hope you understand nobody is actually making fun of me at the range, right? Lol.

MT_Mauser Member Joined Jan 2013 Posts 4089 EE 100% (26) MT, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:45:30 PM EST I like Criterion barrels.

mcantu Joined Oct 2002 Posts 28679 EE 0% (0) TX, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:46:25 PM EST It doesn't have to be either or. Barrels can be nitrided and then chrome lined. iirc, that how Steyr-Austria (but not Steyr-US) does some of their barrels

556A2 Friendly Bushwhacker Joined Sep 2003 Posts 13892 EE 100% (29) NC, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:46:28 PM EST Go chrome or go home.
	Et populus non numulariis

Jodquist Member Joined Aug 2013 Posts 5823 EE 0% (0) TX, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:46:50 PM EST I dunno. Yes, maybe

TacticalGarand44 Pitter Patter, let's get atter. Joined Dec 2014 Posts 35412 EE 100% (28) ND, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:47:28 PM EST I love em.
	Welcome, fellow firearm enthusiast! I look forward to many of years of your productive, knowledgeable, and insightful commentary into the hobby we share and treasure.

TacticalGarand44 Pitter Patter, let's get atter. Joined Dec 2014 Posts 35413 EE 100% (28) ND, USA	Posted: 2/23/2021 1:50:02 PM EST For me, a Colt chrome lined barrel is the reference standard for an AR barrel. There are better out there, but that is my bemchmark.
	Welcome, fellow firearm enthusiast! I look forward to many of years of your productive, knowledgeable, and insightful commentary into the hobby we share and treasure.

In 2021, do we like chrome lined barrels or not? (Page 1 of 2)

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