Is a non-chrome lined barrel on an AR a dealbreaker?

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BHPshooter

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I've got my eye on a nice DSA AR-15. It's a mid-length fluted barrel, and really blows my skirt up, but the barrel isn't chrome lined.

Would that be a deal breaker for you? I'm really not sure how necessary the chrome lining is.

Wes
 
If it was a deal-breaker, they sure wouldn't sell very many AR-15's!

I see it as very nice to have on a bullet-hose, blast'n gun.

But if top level accuracy in a match or varmint rifle is the goal, you are much better off without it.

rcmodel
 
if the deal is good it would not stop me.
I like the chrome lined barrel but I have had ones that were not and never had a problem
 
rcmodel seems to have hit it on the head.

For range use, blastin and if, God forbid, SHTF, yeah chrome lined is the way to go. It makes clean-up easier and if I am not mistaken, barrel life longer.

However, for someone that is trying to squeak every bit of accuracy possible out of their rifle, non-chrome lined is better. How much better? I have no idea.

Good luck with your decision.
 
I'm not trying to beat up on anyone....but hasn't anyone ever heard of cleaning a gun after use?
That's the only real reason years ago chrome became popular ....and it wasn't with us either! The commies first figured since their GI's weren't up to cleaning guns a whole lot...they'd chrome the inside of the barrels to keep em rust free a little longer.
Chrome inside an AR's barrel isn't going to make it track any better.

So , all things being equal, I wouldn't make...not having a chrome lined barrel.... my only criteria for buying or not buying a rifle!:rolleyes:
 
it's just one more thing to worry about wearing out... any time you have that amount of friction and heat build-up... stuff is going to wear... faster... it's not a make or break type option. It's a bell/whistle that's not critical to the practical use of the weapon for any style of use... plinking, target shooting, varmining, SHTF, etc... now, to me the 5.56 chamber vs .223Rem would be more of a consideration than the chrome lining... but that's me...

Cheers...
 
I prefer it. I'm not a match shooter, so the miniscule amount of lost accuracy is a non-issue to me (I'm also not shooting with 1:7 twist or optics, etc. etc. out to 600 yards). Even though I clean my guns after every shooting (even my AK), I still like the safety feeling of knowing that my barrel will always be there in tip-top shape.
 
It's not a deal breaker to me. I prefer chrome (except on a match/target barrel) but it's not really important unless:

1) You're going to shoot corrosive ammo. Let me know where you find corrosive .223.

2) You're going to walk for weeks in the tropical jungle, never cleaning your rifle, and using ammunition loaded with an inappropriate powder.

So, basically, it's nice to have and makes cleaning slightly easier. That's about it.
 
Nope. don't care if it is chrome lined or not.

a) i'm not going swimming with it
b) I don't live in a jungle
c) I clean keep my guns clean and maintained
d) Is an AR really that hard to clean that chrome lining makes a difference? Not in my world, but maybe others are more mall-ninja than me and will argue that it matters.
 
Both of mine are stainless. Chrome-lined barrels are not known for exceptional accuracy, which is why you see so many SS match barrels these days. Better wear and corrosion resistance than carbon steel, better accuracy than chrome.
 
Why do everyday 9 to 5 day job people who shoot their rifle maybe once a week AT A RANGE and clean it immediately afterwards feel they MUST have a chrome lined bore?

I just don't get it.
 
Why do everyday 9 to 5 day job people who shoot their rifle maybe once a week AT A RANGE and clean it immediately afterwards feel they MUST have a chrome lined bore?

I just don't get it.
Click to expand...

It's a hype thing. If you can get it, why not?
 
It's a hype thing. If you can get it, why not?
Click to expand...

Because I prefer my rifles to be as accurate as possible.

Before you know it someone will start marketing rifles with a factory installed tactical counterbore job
 
I won't buy a chrome lined barrel !

It's a "deal-breaker", alright, but it's opposite of what you're askin'. I'll buy stainless or blued but never chrome-lined.


Keep them halfway clean and you'll get more accuracy, And remember........

Life is too short for crummy ammo or inaccurate rifles. :what:
 
I was picking off a 12in x 12in steel plate at 200yds with ball ammo---iron sights ---standing offhand with ease using my chrome lined M4-gery.

If I scoped it up---used a bench and better ammo----just how in-accurate do you really think it will be??

NOT MUCH
 
Hype goes both ways. It would not be unreasonable to expect 1.5 MOA from a quality chrome-lined barrel. Sure, better accuracy is possible, but that's better than a lot of us shoot without a bench rest.

As I and others already said, the chrome lining isn't all that important either. Basically, I don't consider it a big deal either way.

If you're shooting corrosive ammo, it is a big deal. Again, I don't know of any .223 corrosive ammo. It would also be preferable, but not essential, if you're going to be shooting lots of steel jacketed bullets. In .223 that means Russian ammo, as everyone else puts copper jackets on .223 bullets. Even then, it's just nice, rather than really important.
 
Chrome lining is critically important for

A) Mall ninjas

B) "Operators"

C) People who can't/don't clean their barrels.

For everyone else, it doesn't really matter.

HTH!
 
could we get some more hyperbole in here, please?:rolleyes:

it's like a friggin drama society in rifle country these days.


If it was a deal-breaker, they sure wouldn't sell very many AR-15's!

I see it as very nice to have on a bullet-hose, blast'n gun.

But if top level accuracy in a match or varmint rifle is the goal, you are much better off without it.

rcmodel
Click to expand...

+1
 
Chrome lining is useful on full autos because the barrel will last longer. But how many of us are lucky enough to be able to afford the ammo it would take to see the difference?
 
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