Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
3/24/2003 6:55:14 AM EDT
I know everyone has there personal preference, but what is better in the long run, and easier to take care of, cleaning, Ect...The gun will be used for plinking,self defense, and will be shot alot... any suggestions????
3/24/2003 7:12:28 AM EDT
[#1]
If the gun is for plinking, self defense and is going to be used a lot, a chrome lined bore and chamber is the way to go.  Chrome is easy to clean and maintain.  Most if not all chrome lined barrels include a 5.56 chamber.  Chrome lining will double your barrel life.  It will also aid in extraction of spent rounds.

The Azalin
3/24/2003 7:54:27 AM EDT
[#2]
Yeah, stainless is really hard to maintain - you'll doubtless spend days upon days cleaning it.  Of course it'll also rust to dust in a matter of seconds if you don't immediately clean it.

Pfft.

You really can't go wrong either way, given what you mention.
3/24/2003 8:29:07 AM EDT
[#3]
so you belive chrome is better in the long run, plus it is easier to clean...
3/24/2003 8:40:33 AM EDT
[#4]
Stainless (rust resistant) steel *may* be a little more accurate

Chromelined will:

- be easier to clean
- be more dependable on feeding
- likely have a looser M16 chamber, aiding reliability
- last twice as long
3/24/2003 9:30:08 AM EDT
[#5]
Suspect you'll get the answers that ya got the first time ya posted this question.

[url]http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=152553&w=searchPop[/url]

Your "best choice" is chrome lined bore and chamber, it was the first time ya asked and it is now, for a plinker, nothing last longer or is as easy to maintain.

Mike
3/24/2003 9:27:26 PM EDT
[#6]
Everything posted has some truth to it.

Note that the 'all weather' type rifles on the market today offer stainless barrels at a pretty decent rate.

Rock River Arms has a tighter .223 Wylde chamber, which is looser than .223 remington, but somewhat tighter than 5.56.

As for extration, all I can say is maintain your gun.  If your chrome lining fouls it won't extract any easier than anything else out there.

Chrome will cost you more money, but only a little.  I got SS because I intend to shoot this rifle perhaps 100 rounds at a time, vs the thousands people sometimes put in them (making chrome more appealing).

Either way, you'll probably get 10000 to 15000 rounds from it if you care for it properly.  Note that it's rare, but improper chroming or problems in your gun CAN (not WILL, or even MIGHT, just CAN) cause flaking of the chrome.

If nothing else, break it in right.
3/24/2003 9:28:01 PM EDT
[#7]
the last time i posted this question it involved Chrome Moly or Stainless, not chrome lined!!I recently found out that the gun i want to get will be available in chrome lined....
3/25/2003 1:24:48 PM EDT
[#8]
I got the stainless barrel and love it. I wanted my gun "chromed up" a little and the stainless looks sharp coming out of my free floated handguard. It is a fluted 20" guy as well. It is a coyote gun and the color is just fine, black and silver just like the Radiers.

Tom
3/25/2003 1:32:54 PM EDT
[#9]
IIRC the Wylde chamber is a 5.56 with .223 neck dimensions. More accurate than the 5.56, but it can reliably use both rounds.
3/26/2003 8:55:25 AM EDT
[#10]
Thank You for all the info, I am new to AR's and want to do the first one right, and when does the law expire for pre-bans, may want to start saving now!!!
3/26/2003 9:06:54 AM EDT
[#11]
The AW ban expires in 2004, but it isn't that simple.  There is a strong chance it will be renewed as is, there is a chance it will be renewed with additional restrictions, and there is lastly.....a chance it will be dropped all together.

I'm not taking any chances, I'll be picking up a few lowers before 2004.  The worst that happens is I can build them up into a preban form if everything works out!
3/26/2003 9:20:46 AM EDT
[#12]
Javven...you have to be kidding of course....
3/26/2003 1:46:50 PM EDT
[#13]
Just curious, how many people here have actually worn a barrel out, chrome moly, SS or chrome lined?
3/26/2003 2:58:02 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Just curious, how many people here have actually worn a barrel out, chrome moly, SS or chrome lined?
View Quote


A friend and myself wore out a DPMS, A2 profile, non-chrome lined barrel after 10,000 rounds.  My Bushmaster 16" chrome lined, heavy barrel still groups out to 200 yards after 17,000 rounds.

The Azalin
3/26/2003 3:46:58 PM EDT
[#15]
If non chromed barrels wear out after 10,000 I better look for another barrel!  My Colt Hbar 1:7 20" has only a chromed chamber and it's still a pretty damned good shooter and I've put at least 7,000 through her since I've had it and it was used then.   I'm sure it's well over the 10K mark and running strong.
3/26/2003 8:09:37 PM EDT
[#16]
[b]GO CHROME OR GO HOME[/b]

How fast a barrel wears out has more to do with exactly how a certain mumber of rounds went through the barrel moreso than exactly how many rounds went through it.
3/26/2003 9:11:08 PM EDT
[#17]
I have been told by many people that chrome is better for durability in the long run, from this forum and local dealers.. so i am starting to belive chrome is better for the durabilty issue... I didnt have a choice of chrome till 2 days ago, thats the reason for this question.  I thank all for the answers because i consider it all usefull info... and i do plan on putting many many many rounds through this ar, allready have a thousand rounds here and dont have the gun yet!!!
3/26/2003 9:23:19 PM EDT
[#18]
mr45auto..you're right...most non-chromed barrels will last a lot longer than 10,000 rounds......most people don't shoot enough to burn out a barrel......
AR Sponsor