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Posted: 3/22/2008 9:05:36 PM EDT
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So which is it and why? Chrome lined barrel or not? Thanks: |
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Non chrome lined chrome moly barrels are not suitable for use in ARs. They're great for hunting and target rifles that you intend to take care of, but that's not the ARs forte. Chrome moly barrels should be chrome lined for extended barrel life and lower maintenance under hard use. Precision ARs should be Stainless Steel for better accuracy and lower maintenance under hard use. I use stainless in most of mine. |
I would say that most people here use their ARs to make holes in paper with hunting coming in second. I would also dare to say that most people baby their rifles, so for the average AR owner, non chrome lined would be just fine. If it is a gun primarily built for SHTF purpose, chrome lined barrel is a must. |
I don't think many people baby their ARs. People are lazy. But you're right, they do primarily punch paper. I think part of the ever growing AR craze is the recognition of building an AR the right way. More manufacturers are getting into it in the mid to high end rather than the lower end. I feel the same way about non FF rail systems, too. They are fine for range guns, but really there's no reason NOT to go FF. There's really no reason NOT to C/L or stainless depending on your need. |
I don't baby my rifles, but I don't let 'em sit and not clean them after the range either. I keep feeling this "presence" behind me, getting ready to dope-slap me for "not taking proper care of my weapon." So I clean when I get back from the range, or at most ASAP afterward. And please note that the previous "U.S. battle rifle," the Garand, did NOT have a chromed bore, AND was fed with corrosive ammo for most of its service life. I guess that means that plain steel barrels are not some sort of "non-tactical" thing after all.  Non-chrome lined barrels are "ok." They are accurate, rugged, and easy to take care of. Chrome lined barrels are "better" in terms of being easier to clean and more robust in "challenging" environments. |
+1 In any true shtf scenario where life has changed, there will be plenty of other weapons laying around. People act like their rifle has to last until the end of time. I just want mine to last a decade. I'll replace it or upgrade it later. |
| Thanks folks ... it's kinda what I figured. But I wanted to be sure nothing much had changed in characteristics. I am looking for accuracy and durability ... so that one day ... I can pass them on to my own kids when I'm dead and gone. God willing when that day comes ... they will still have the RIGHT to Keep and Bear Arms. |
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“I don't think many people baby their ARs. People are lazy. But you're right, they do primarily punch paper” I disagree; I think most "baby" their ARs (as well as most of their fairly expensive guns). The main reason for this is that most of the guns are never in a really harsh environment like in a military situation. As stated, most punch paper and you’d really have to go out of your way not not “baby” it. I believe most of “try” to avoid scratches, not because they affect the weapon, but perhaps we paid a lot of money for our guns and want them looking new” as long as possible. “In any true shtf scenario where life has changed, there will be plenty of other weapons laying around. People act like their rifle has to last until the end of time. I just want mine to last a decade. I'll replace it or upgrade it later. It all depends upon the age old question: what is SHTF? IF, we ever have to use them against a trained military force needing to protect our families, I venture to guess most of us would be dead before we ever got to reload (not excluding myself). Same is true if aliens from outer space attack us. If a Katrina type event occurred where “civilization” is disrupted, I think chrome vs. non-chromes vs., stainless steel barreled rifles would not matter; all will do what they need to do until the Cavalry arrives. I’m sure someone is going to say “what if “they” don’t arrive”, and my response is then we’re all really screwed. You better hope you spent some of that gun money on back to basic living tools and supplies. |
And chrome-lined barrels are about half as accurate. Take your pick.... 
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There are plenty of accurate chrome lined barrels and inaccurate stainless barrels out there. If they there were two barrels made exactly the same but one was chrome lined and the other stainless you could probably expect a degradation of accuracy of about .1 MOA and never more than .25 MOA. You make it sould as if chrome lining doubles the MOA of a given barrel, which is does not. |
My post was half in jest, in response to the post that chrome-lined barrel have double the barrel life, which is a common falsity. A properly-cared-for stainless barrel should provide a barrel like that is pretty damn close to a similar chrome line barrel. Granted that the stainless barrel will certainly take longer to clean properly, but as already mentioned, it provides a level of increased accuracy as well. I can't attest to poor-quality stainless barrels, as all of my experience is with Noveske barrels. If you don't have the time or desire to care for a stainless barrel, then chrome lining is for you (which goes for the majority of users). However, I'm sold on Noveske stainless barrels. Once I found that a 14.5" Stainless RECON barrel was grouping tighter than my 20" Colt chrome-lined barrel, the rest was history. I still keep a 16" CL LMT rifle around for emergencies. But when I want to make groups that I can cover with a quarter, I reach for a Noveske barreled rifle. |
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