HP MP 1/7 chrome lined  is what I use .

All my AR are Colt so it's chrome. Now I did recently pick up a PSA which is nitride so I'll get to check that out.

I am bumping this to hopefully get a response. Anyone used and abused an unlined barrel?

I have nothing against chrome lined barrels, but wish they could use a better exterior finish than phosphate/parkerizing.

Nitride seems to be the superior finish for exterior corrosion resistance, and holds up much better in damp/wet environments like the soggy PNW, in my personal experience.

I doubt realistically anyone here shoots enough to notice a difference.

Nitride has the added rust protection on the outside of the barrel.

I still like my chrome guns because I’m old school.

The place I use does not do your typical Nitriding, they use a process called Blacknitride+, it is an enhanced Nitride process.

You can look at the parts done and tell it is different, they are a deep glossy black that is smooth as glass. And the stuff is very tough. They use a proprietary salt bath process that has some type of lubrication chemicals in it that bond to the part, the stuff is slick as gorilla snot.

Rubber City Armory is owned by them.

You can get every steel and stainless steel part done for $250.00 per rifle, including your firing pin if you wish.

H&M Metal Processing

http://blacknitride.com/

Chrome lined nitrided stainless steel ftw

My chrome lined Noveske 16" shoots 3/8" at 100 yds with hand loads. I'm good with that.

A good barrel is a good barrel.

I'll take a good shooting nitride barrel over a pile of shit barrel with a chromed bore and chamber any day.

That being said, some places do chrome better than others. Noveske makes some spectacular chrome lined barrels as well as Daniel Defense, and you WILL pay a premium for them.

Nitride is a cheaper process. that being said, it's not equally proportional to a decrease in performance under chrome lined. A well finished barrel that is nitrided will generally have an edge in accuracy in the beginning vs that same barrel in chrome just from the fact a nitride is a surface treatment, not a coating. Over time and use, a well done chrome coating will eventually equal, and surpass a nitride barrel in it's ability to hold accuracy, especially at the throat against erosion.

So, if you see yourself taking a carbine course every other week, spend the money on the chrome barrel and you will likely make up the difference in price before your barrel is flat ass worn out.

I'm not picky.

Go chrome of go home.

Chrome for hard use and stainless for precision? Bullshit, get nitride barrels and have your hard use and precision in one. Chrome was the answer in the 60's, but things have gotten better. Nitride is the way to go. Consistency in a long wearing barrel. Chrome was the answer to poor carbon steel barrels in a hot humid environment, but times changed and a better process has come along.

I still have chromed lined and stainless barrels on some of my AR's. They still serve their function ( I won't shoot them out with the way I shoot), but nitrided barrels have given me longevity and accuracy in one package.