AR Sponsor
Posted: 2/17/2005 9:00:11 PM EDT
| Sorry for the noob question but whats chrome moly mean? |
|
Chrome moly refers to the type (composition) of steel alloy that the barrel is made of. There are different types such as 4140 and 4150. Chrome moly is a very strong and hard type of steel. Chrome lined refers to a hard chrome plating that is applyed to a barrel (the inside were the rifling is) and/or chamber. This is done for corrosion resistance, longevity, and ease of cleaning. Chrome lining is good but not all chrome moly barrels have a chrome lining. Chrome lining is often an option on chrome moly barrels and is worth the extra $50 or so (thats the popular opinion, anyway). |
|
Get the chrome lined. Unless you are doing some kind of super uber-precise bench shooting you probably won't notice the difference. You'll put more innaccuracy into the weapon than the barrel will. I'm sure someone will contradict that, but getting it chrome lined is definately the way to go. |
|
Chrome moly is actually the material of the barrel. In short, it's a form of steel. However, don't get this mixed up with Chrome LINING. This is different. This chrome is actually an ultra hard material that they "coat" the inside of a barrel and chamber with to make it extremely durable and resistant to wear. You will find, most (if not all I've ever seen) barrels that are chrome lined are made from chrome moly steel. However, the chrome moly steel and the chrome linings are different things. Gundraw |
Dang, you guys are fast! 
The theory that chrome lining decreases accuracy is because it's very hard to get an extremely consistant (even) "coat" of hard chrome throughout the bore of the barrel. This, interently, is said to inhibit accuracy. That said, I recently had a Bushmaster Varminter built specially with a chrome lined barrel as I felt the added durability was worth it against the somewhat questionable claim that chrome lining will decrease accuracy. I've seen some guys on this board who have shot some impressive groups with a good chrome lined barrel! Gundraw |
|
Yes, you can get bolts chromed, however, IIRC, there were some ill effects. I'm not positive, but was it extra wear on the upper reciever? I think I saw them speaking of this in a handgun forum as well, and people had some things to say about why hard chroming some of the internals was not completely a good idea. I'm sure some others on here would know more. Gundraw |
|
The RRA upper that I bought for my new build didn't offer a chrome lining option. The M4 profile upper does offer this option, so be careful with RRA if you want chrome lining. I wasn't paying attension to the ad when I ordered. I will do a little comparison shooting with the next build.
|
AFAIK, all bolt carriers have a chrome lining where the bolt contacts it. This is inside the bolt carrier where you can't really see it unless you take the bolt out and look inside. The bolt and the bolt carrier are two different items. I think you can get some bolt carriers plated in chrome but I've heard they increase wear in the upper. I don't have any first hand experience with that. I also don't have any experience with chromed bolts. Personally, I wouldn't worry about the bolt and carrier as long it is from a reputable manufacture (Colt, Bushy, RRA, etc). |
|
Read my post here: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=224863 |
AR Sponsor