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Posted: 7/18/2004 7:14:18 PM EDT
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Is there really any significant difference between the GI, Stainless Steel, and Chrome/Molly barrels? Also, can a stainless barrel be painted so that the finish DOESN'T chip? |
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Although I cannot claim to be a super expert, I probably know enough about the GI chrome and moly barrels to be dangerous. The GI chrome lined barrels are just that. My understanding is that the chrome helps to protect the inside of the barrel from lack of cleaning, rust, corosives, etc. Because the chrome is laid on top of the steel used to make the barrel, there is the theoretical possibility that it can minutely affect accuracy. Sort of a trade off for durabilty and barrel life for match accuracy. For a service rifle used in the field, these barrels are plenty accurate. The two M1A/M14 type rifles I have with GI barrels are plenty accurate, probably better than I can consistently shoot. The moly steel barrels are generally what is produced by the commerical suppliers, including some of the better match barrels. They are not chrome lined, so will not stand up to the field abuse that a GI barrel will. When I built my match type M1A from a stripped SA Inc receiver, I went with the Douglas Premium Heavy Match moly steel barrel. The barrel and rifle overall are incredibly accurate, especially with my/its favorite load using Sierra 168gr bullets and 41.5 grs of IMR4895 powder. I do not have any experience with the stainless barrels. HTH - Blake |
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Yeah, but how much longer? I ask all this because I have an opportunity to pick up a Loaded Standard M1A with some accessories for $1200. It has a SS barrel, and I'm wondering if I should hold out for finding a GI chromed one. Whichever I get will be configured as a battle rifle, not a long-range tackdriver. |
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I have a rifle with each barrel type. They all shoot better than me with irons. The stainless barrel is "supposed" to be the most accurate, but you would need a scope to verify this unless you have fantastic vision and shooting skills. With each rifle, I have managed to put 4of 5 shots of milsurp in ~1-1.5" from the prone with a sling at least once. Can't do it everytime (I wish!), but that is my fault, and I always seem to yank one shot to open up the group. Damned glasses;) The advantages of the USGI barrel is longevity and corrosion resistance. If I could have only one, this would be the one. Thankfully, I'm spoiled  I suspect Lauer or member Brasspile could do a nice job for you, or at least answer your questions. You saw Aimless's rifle. You should ask Junkpicker to show you his HK builds. He finished them in OD Lauer duracoat. Very sweet... |
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I have "heard" to expect good accuracy of 30,000 rds from a USGI barrel, maybe 10,000 from the others. I'll be damned if I know what type of accuracy loss this means. Probably a better place to ask this is on the competition forum. Not too many guys actually burn this much ammo. Some of these guys swap out a barrel in ~2000 rounds. Probably how you shoot is equally important. If you bump-fire like a drunken monkey, you might burn out a barrel faster. I believe I have about 3K+/- rounds through my M1As at this point. Maybe I'll find out in a year or 5. |
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I'm a lot less worried about the paint than I am about the 20K round difference between the SS and the GI. I just don't want to have to worry about rust, or other corrosion, or pits, or anything else, at least not any more than I do over any other rifle I have. The most frustrating thing about this is being ignorant on the whole subject, and receiving any number of seemingly-sound opinions which may or may not be accurate. 
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Well, other than serious competition or varmint shooters, how often do you hear of anyone burning out a barrel? How many rounds would you really expect to shoot in a year? Having your rifle rebarreled isn't a major expense. Something like $275 for a Douglas medium weight match barrel installed at www.championschoice.com, I think...used USGI barrels bring this much uninstalled these days. If you clean your rifles on a reasonable basic, and shoot non-corrosive ammo, I don't think you have too much to worry about. |
| I will tell you this, there is not one person on this entire board, myself included that can consistently reap the accuracy potential of a chromed lined military barrel. So, IMHO, go for the durability. I mean, do you have any idea just how accurate a standard GI barrel can be? It is truly awesome what you can do with a barrel that was made 40 years ago. I don't like stainless, I don't like frills. I like the stripped down go to war stuff that Uncle Sam brewed up. 99.9% of the time, it's damn good stuff. |
I don't either, at least not on a battle rifle, hence my reservations.... and another thing, I've got a sufficient supply of loose screws in my head to actually think about the possibility of having to live in the forrest for extended periods with this thing, shooting food as well as bad guys, so the whole "chrome is more durable" thing keeps me leary. Funny thing is, that the rifle on my wishlist is exactly the same except for a chrome-moly barrel. Go figure... |
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There ya go. Go GI. |
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Hi , If you are looking at that "LOADED COUPON" with an eye toward buying the scope and mount I would NOT count on that as a good thing , just went thru it myself , BUT when the scope was working I got many 1 MOA grps and one of 5/8" this is with standard grade TRW , now that the scope crapped out , and I'm gettin my $ back , im just going to shoot it open sights and now I know through my short scope time that it will shoot MOA . This is using PORT ammo RL edited to say NOT a good thing RL |
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