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Posted: 11/28/2002 7:51:35 AM EDT
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I've bought a new pre-ban configuration barrel & upper for my rifle. Not changing much really, except the barrel material and the rail will be marked. Its a 16", 1/9 twist, M4 profile barrel, stainless steel, with a black finish. Mounted to a "marked rail" flat top, FN upper. I'm really looking foward to shooting it, it should be here next week some time. I guess I'm posting this question kinda after the fact. I had a DPMS chromemoly barrel. After seeing so much "brew-ha-ha" about chrome barrels I decided to switch and try it. The dealer I use, a good friend also, told me he had a stainless steel in stock and I jumped on it. I use to work in a machine shop before becomming a cop some 13 years ago. I remember limited things about metalergy. Stainless is basically a high chrome content steel, right? So is there any neqitive things to stainless vs chrome? Positive things? Just wanted some input before I run a hundred rounds thru the new barrel next week. May want to reconsider?? Thanks, DoorKicker6 |
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Doorkicker For my duty rifles I use nothing but chrome. A few months ago I was in the same boat as you, I figured the SS should be the better all around barrel, because the chrome is only a lining and the SS is the entire barrel. Eventually I came to understand that there is more to it. The chrome acts as a lube (slicker) and aids in extraction, as well as easier cleaning, less fouling and longer life. I ditched the SS idea and went with a Bushie M4 upper for a dedicated CQB weapon, and to use in teaching other officers as an firearm instructor. You can pick up the barrel for around $200 from Bushie, I ended up with the entire upper, which is a bit more spendy. Hit me up off list if I can help out at all. [email protected] |
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Because stainless is easier to machine most premium barrel makers use SS for match grade barrels. A hard chrome lined barrel and chamber will ALWAYS result in increased durability, increased reliability and easier cleaning. You MAY (not always) have a slight decrease in accuracy. This is a very small decrease. You may never notice it. A SS barrel compared to a chrome lined barrel will always be inferior to its chrome line counterpart. IF the SS barrel were a match grade barrel then you would be sacrificing match grade quality for reliability. Just because a barrel is stainless steel does NOT make it match grade. In conclusion return your barrel and get a hard chrome lined, 4150 chrome moly steel barrel. OR Return your barrel and get a Krieger or Douglas match grade SS barrel if you are less concerned with reliability and want .5 MOA performance. The only thing that is inherantly better about a SS barrl over a non chrome line chromemoly barrel is its corrosion resistance. A chrome lined barrel is more corrosion resistant than SS. |
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Well I think I'm going to keep the stainless steel barrel and FN upper and just buy ANOTHER upper. I'm thinking since I'll have a 16" threaded barrel that I'm going to get a 14.5" Bushmaster A3 with the perm. attached Phantom flash hider. Its 1/9 and chrome lined so I'll have the best of both worlds. Now I'll need to find another pre-ban lower. Oh well, back to the gun shows ;-) DoorKicker6 |
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Well I think I'm going to keep the stainless steel barrel and FN upper and just buy ANOTHER upper. I'm thinking since I'll have a 16" threaded barrel that I'm going to get a 14.5" M4 Bushmaster, A3 upper with the perm. attached Phantom flash hider. Its 1/9 and chrome lined so I'll have the best of both worlds. Now I'll need to find another pre-ban lower. Oh well, back to the gun shows ;-) DoorKicker6 |
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