Posted: 11/30/2012 6:19:40 PM EDT
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Not going to get into the specifics of it, but I recently purchased an Ak that was not chrome-lined.
Fuck me for being impulsive  .
But then I thought," really at what point is this going to be my end-all battle rifle"? How important can that really be to somebody like me? I shoot on the weekends and wanted something that will (in theory) always go bang when I need it to. However, it would have been nice to get that kind of assurance. So, the question is this... How important is the chorme lined barrel to the AK platform? What will be the penalties for not having it? How much would it cost to have the barrel replaced with a chrome lined model? thanks, as always |
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The Yugos carried them in both their SKS and AK. Under full-auto abuse it might not last as long as a chrome lined barrel (being used as a light machinegun) but it'll outlast you if its mechanically sound in semi-auto.
You could blast through quite a bit of ammo for what it would cost to replace the barrel and it will be as bright and shiny as it was before that entire case, with proper cleaning. |
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If you're not using corrosive ammo, its not that important.
Even if you use corrosive ammo, if you're diligent about cleaning up afterward its not that important. If you're a Russian peasant who's never seen a gun before shooting corrosive ammo, the chrome lining is a big plus. |
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Just make sure you clean it out good after use. What did you get, a yugo? Those new batch of bulgarian kit wonders form classicarms. They look legit, but the lack of chrome is weighing on my mind now as a reliability issue... Don't worry about it. To most shooters there is a negligible difference anyway. |
| Heck my 9mm AR15 SBR is not chromed lined. The 458 socom I shoot is not chrome lined. The 300 blackout SBR is not chromed lined. I know they are not AK's but I think the advice about cleaning the barrel after firing corrosive ammo is very valid. I think you'll be ok! |
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not really a big deal...as someone else pointed out, the Yugos weren't chrome lined anyways.
Non chrome US barrels are cheaper, so you see quite a few out there installed on the post 2006 barrel-less kits. most of your current commercial 7.62x39 ammo is non corrosive so it's not a huge deal. If you're that worried about corrosive ammo, after your range session, spray some windex down the bore and clean your rifle and call it good. |
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If you clean it after after every firing it will outlast you and your children and your grandchildren.
If there was a SHTF situation and cleaning was sporadic it would still last you for years. Don't worry about it. Chrome lining is an enhancement, most for F-A weapons but not a necessity for semi auto. Like the man said above, WWI and WWII were fought with non chrome lined weapon, corrosive ammo and many of them are still around 50 years later shooting fine. |
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As other replies have noted, your non-chrome lined barrel will most likely out live you if you are just a casual shooter, provided you keep it clean and properly maintained.
Where chrome lining really comes into its own as a barrel life enhancer is in marine environments or environments with extreme humidity (when I say "extreme humidity," I'm talking "like New Guinea"), but since you probably aren't crawling around in mangrove swamps with the Navy SEALS, it falls more under the category of a "nice to have" versus a "must have." |
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We won WWII with Garands and M1 carbines with no chrome lined barrels. You'll be fine..... Don't forget the thousands of 4-engine bombers leveling cities. My grandfather was a ball turret gunner in a B 17. Haven't forgot anything. Lol I've fired more rounds in one engagement than th average infantryman in WWII fired in a week. Anyway OP, it shouldn't be a big deal so long as you clean it after shooting. If you don't like it, you can always have it turned into jewelery. |
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Since chrome is a little harder than 4140 gun steel, the chrome will have a tendency to erode less from the heat and friction of firing, especially in the leade area immediately in front of the chamber. Erosion in that area will eventually show up for the shooter as slightly larger shot groupings that bench shooters will notice after, say, several thousand rounds. |
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Not going to get into the specifics of it, but I recently purchased an Ak that was not chrome-lined. Fuck me for being impulsive .
But then I thought," really at what point is this going to be my end-all battle rifle"? How important can that really be to somebody like me? I shoot on the weekends and wanted something that will (in theory) always go bang when I need it to. However, it would have been nice to get that kind of assurance. So, the question is this... How important is the chorme lined barrel to the AK platform? Very, since you run the real risk of shooting corrosive ammo. Rust in the bore = very bad. What will be the penalties for not having it? Bore more susceptible to rust when shooting corrosive ammo. How much would it cost to have the barrel replaced with a chrome lined model? Depends thanks, as always The whole rust point can be avoided with proper cleaning, but it's always nice knowing that you don't have to make sure every square inch of the gun is cleaned with boiling water. PITA. |
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A chrome lined barrel gives many good things:
Increased reliability. If the chamber rusts, BAD FTEx malfunctions can (will) occur. A bore that won't rust... Keeps a reasonable level of precision even with abuse or in adverse conditions. Increased service life. Chrome lined barrels don't wear as quickly. Additionally, the bore/chamber can be easier to clean. Though that shouldn't be a selling point. A chrome lined barrel has a few downsides... Mostly related to match precision. Non-isssue on an AK. |
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Just don't shoot corrosive surplus through it, or if you do clean it immediately. I have an AR that is non chrome lined, never had any issues with it. Yep. None of my "Gucci" ARs have CL barrels and I beat the shit out of them and they ask for more. How much corrosive 7.62x39 is there out there anyway 
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Just don't shoot corrosive surplus through it, or if you do clean it immediately. I have an AR that is non chrome lined, never had any issues with it. Yep. None of my "Gucci" ARs have CL barrels and I beat the shit out of them and they ask for more. How much corrosive 7.62x39 is there out there anyway I've seen plenty of AKs with rusted chambers that never saw a corrosive round. Obviously, if you clean and reoil an AK by the book, it will not rust. But the reality is that may not happen. A brand new AK can rust without firing a shot if exposed to mild humidity for a prolonged period of time. And many people use AKs as "beater" guns in a manner that lends itself to rusting. With care, rust can be prevented. But empasis that you MUST show that gun the required TLC. |
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If it's going to be your "end-all" battle rifle it won't really matter in the end.
How long do you expect to survive? How many rounds do you expect to put down range? Do you have enough ammo to "shoot out" the barrel? Have you considered things like broken shell extractors, springs, firing pins, extractor parts, etc.,? |
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It's not important unless you're shooting corrosive ammo. Even then it only buys you one or two days before cleaning depending on humidity. Yep.....I've seen pitted bores in chrome-lined barrels on used Chi-Com SKSs and AKs. Most surplus Chi-Com ammo was corrosive and a lot for folks were not aware of it and did not clean them properly. |
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Do you have enough ammo to "shoot out" the barrel? Excellent point. A barrel without chrome should be OK for 20K on semi auto. Most people, even die hard ARFCOMers, will not shoot 20K in their life times out of one weapon. If SHTF very few people will have 20K rounds stored up so what difference does it make to have a barrel that can handle more rounds? The OP should be careful about shooting corrosive ammo, keep it clean and enjoy it and not worry about the barrel. It is not going to be an issue. |
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If you're not using corrosive ammo, its not that important. Even if you use corrosive ammo, if you're diligent about cleaning up afterward its not that important. If you're a Russian peasant who's never seen a gun before shooting corrosive ammo, the chrome lining is a big plus. Reading about this right now..........Russian peasant was only lasting a few days in these battles; not enough time to need chrome liming. OP, I think you will be just fine, for the first 40,000 rounds or so. |
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If you're not using corrosive ammo, its not that important. Even if you use corrosive ammo, if you're diligent about cleaning up afterward its not that important. If you're a Russian peasant who's never seen a gun before shooting corrosive ammo, the chrome lining is a big plus. Reading about this right now..........Russian peasant was only lasting a few days in these battles; not enough time to need chrome liming. OP, I think you will be just fine, for the first 40,000 rounds or so. And yet Russian AKs have chrome lined barrels. For a reason. Believe it or not, the Soviet Union actually issued and trained using the AK. A chrome lined barrel helps prevent issues with rifles rusting due to maintenance failures (which WILL happen). There is a reason there were so many Warsaw Pact parts kits with bad barrels from nations which didn't use chrome lined barrels. One time Misha didn't clean the rifle like he was supposed to after a training exercise. Proper care will avoid the issue... But chrome lining is even more important with conscripts, because they will screw up more. |
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Do you have enough ammo to "shoot out" the barrel? Excellent point. A barrel without chrome should be OK for 20K on semi auto. Most people, even die hard ARFCOMers, will not shoot 20K in their life times out of one weapon. If SHTF very few people will have 20K rounds stored up so what difference does it make to have a barrel that can handle more rounds? The OP should be careful about shooting corrosive ammo, keep it clean and enjoy it and not worry about the barrel. It is not going to be an issue. I'd go w/ this. I have 2 AKs. One isn't cromelined, and am not concerned. Pretty sure the gun will outlive me... |