How to tell if a Colt barrel is chrome lined?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How to tell if a Colt barrel is chrome lined?

Posted: 9/3/2004 7:06:33 PM EDT

Thanks!

Posted: 9/3/2004 7:15:40 PM EDT

[#1]

It can be kind of tough, but there should be a little flaring of chrome near the muzzle. Don't be fooled if the chamber is chromed, though, as Colt did have barrels with chromed chambers, but not bores. What markings are on your barrel? What type of barrel is it? What is the date code just inside the handguard retainer?

Posted: 9/3/2004 7:42:09 PM EDT

[#2]

Should say on the barrel, in some form or fashion.

Posted: 9/3/2004 7:47:39 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Should say on the barrel, in some form or fashion.

Not necessarily. Older barrels used to say C or CB, but now they say nothing.

Posted: 9/3/2004 7:58:23 PM EDT

[#4]

Just says the typical 5.56 NATO 1/9 C MP. Im confused

. These are LE6920, LE6721, LE6530 and LE6450 uppers

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:01:12 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Just says the typical 5.56 NATO 1/9 c mb. Im confused . These are LE6920, LE6721, LE6530 and LE6450 uppers

Given that they are LE uppers, more than likely they are chrome-lined.

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:02:05 PM EDT

[#6]

Check this out:

www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/barrelsbolts/

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:04:52 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Check this out:

www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/barrelsbolts/

The problem with that site is the fact that Colt doesn't mark their chrome-lined barrels anymore. For the most part with respect to barrels produced after '97 or so, civvy barrels are not chrome-lined and LEO barrels are.

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:06:23 PM EDT

[#8]

C MP 5.56 NATO 1/9 without "HBAR" chrome lined? Still confused

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:07:51 PM EDT

[#9]

Thanks Brad, the site is very informative, but questions still remained everytime I saw that site

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:14:18 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Thanks Brad, the site is very informative, but questions still remained everytime I saw that site

The info is kind of misleading. I would still say that yours are chrome-lined as they are LEO. Can you get a pic of the muzzle without the FS?

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:36:55 PM EDT

[#11]

There should be a gray ring at the back of it.

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:39:25 PM EDT

[#12]

Anyone know if these are chrome bore and chamber?

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:44:29 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
There should be a gray ring at the back of it.

That only means that the chamber is chrome-lined. The bore may not be.

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:45:26 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Anyone know if these are chrome bore and chamber?

Yep...all Bushmaster barrels with the exception of the DCM barrels are chrome-lined.

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:57:44 PM EDT

[#15]

Brad, really appreciate the info, have all LEO barrels been chrome lined?

Posted: 9/3/2004 8:59:46 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Brad, really appreciate the info, have all LEO barrels been chrome lined?

I believe so. At least the ones I've owned have been (6920 and 6721).

Posted: 9/4/2004 5:07:38 AM EDT

[#17]

Isn't there a definative way to tell by looking at one -not the stampings, but he bore itself.

Seems I recall someone explaing a unique way to tell--something to do with inspecting the chamber or muzzle

-not sure??

Posted: 9/4/2004 6:46:08 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Isn't there a definative way to tell by looking at one -not the stampings, but he bore itself.

Seems I recall someone explaing a unique way to tell--something to do with inspecting the chamber or muzzle -not sure??

The front of the barrel will have a small ring of chrome plating around the opening. As noted above, the chamber will also have a chrome ring around it, but this is not a definitive test of whether the barrel itself is chromed.

If you see a bright ring around the muzzle, and putting a dab of instant bluing on it so not change the color, the bore is chromed

Posted: 9/4/2004 6:47:47 AM EDT

[#19]

6520's (govt carbine, pencil barrel) are chrome lined right?

Posted: 9/4/2004 7:39:40 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Isn't there a definative way to tell by looking at one -not the stampings, but he bore itself.

Seems I recall someone explaing a unique way to tell--something to do with inspecting the chamber or muzzle -not sure??

The front of the barrel will have a small ring of chrome plating around the opening. As noted above, the chamber will also have a chrome ring around it, but this is not a definitive test of whether the barrel itself is chromed.

If you see a bright ring around the muzzle, and putting a dab of instant bluing on it so not change the color, the bore is chromed

Bingo!
while maybe not definative, combined with stampings, it should reveal the fact(s)

Posted: 9/4/2004 3:29:55 PM EDT

[#21]

Prior to 1997, virtually all Colt barrels were fully chromed (exceptions being odd match rifles like their Colt Accurized Rifle with stainless barrel). Starting in '97, Colt stopped chrome-lining all non-military-profile barrels. The chamber is still chromed, but not the bore. This means any and all HBARs made since '97 have no chrome. If it's a 20" A2, or an M4-profile, it should be fully chromed.

Note, however, that Colt is "King Of The Exception", so nothing is truly certain.

-Troy

Posted: 9/5/2004 1:47:38 PM EDT

[#22]

Troy is right on the money- the only way to be sure is to nuke the site from orb...uh sorry

look for visual evidence. I have a MT6530 16" lightweight bought brand new from shop with chrome bore and chamber, sear relief in upper, M4 feedramps. Barrel is marked "CMP 5.56 NATO 1/7"

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How to tell if a Colt barrel is chrome lined?

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