What's the big deal about chrome lining?

[QNman]

I see this a lot... I read somewhere that the chrome lining is really only necessary if you fire lots of rapid bursts... I've read on this forum it's also good if you don't want to clean the gun every time you shoot it.

BUT...

None of my other guns have a chrome barrel or receiver... they don't necessarily get cleaned after every outing, and have no issues with them... so what gives? Why is a chrome barrel so important?

[Daps]

I would like to know also.

I'm looking at a rifle that has chromemoly I dont mind cleaning as I dont think it would take more than 5-10 mins plus I'd be surprised if I put more than 100rnds downrange a month with it

[RMTactical]

Chrome lining is recommended in a defensive combat weapon.

Not only does it preserve the bore from corrosion (which would cause poor precision as well as create reliability issues), it essentially doubles barrel life and although makes the rifle initially slightly less precise, it preserves that level of precise shooting for a longer period, makes for a slicker surface which in turn aids in feeding and extracting (particularly helpful in an AR chambered in 5.56 as the cases are hardly tapered and make lots of contact with the chamber during that process), and aids in easier cleaning, among other things.

For $30-50, it is a must have. The only reason you would not want it is to go with a Stainless Steel barrel that would yield better precision, like in an SPR, counter sniper, or varmiter/hunting rifle.

If you would otherwise shoot out one barrel in your gun's lifetime, the chrome lining would pay for itself several times over.

[QNman]

But... why is this corrosion specific to AR rifles? Why isn't this the same problem with, say, a 1911 or a Glock?

[gemo]

During the Vietnam war chrome lining and changing ammo drasticly improved the AR-15's reliability.

[RMTactical]

But... why is this corrosion specific to AR rifles? Why isn't this the same problem with, say, a 1911 or a Glock?

It depends on the type of environment or harsh conditions you put your weapon through. It's not specific to the AR... but there are things about the AR that make it worth chrome lining beside the corrosion resistance, as I noted. It is simply one factor among many.

Also, like stated above, many experts in the military/gov blamed the failures of the M16 in Vietnam in part and in some cases primarily because of the lack of corrosion resistance. There were no doubt other factors that contributed like the powder and lack of cleaning, etc... This is why the M16/M4 of today is chrome lined.

[Branspop]

But... why is this corrosion specific to AR rifles? Why isn't this the same problem with, say, a 1911 or a Glock?

Many AKs are also chrome lined.

[paccw]

You have to watch
Chrome lined barrel options only address half the issue.

Make sure you also get a AR that has a chrome lined chamber also (all Stag 16" barrels or Colt...a few others)

[epsylum]

But... why is this corrosion specific to AR rifles? Why isn't this the same problem with, say, a 1911 or a Glock?

The ~2000fps difference has a bit to do with it (barrel life). The faster a round goes, the harder it is on barrels.

[QNman]

Many AKs are also chrome lined.

I always assumed that had something to do with corrosive ammo from other countries...

The ~2000fps difference has a bit to do with it (barrel life). The faster a round goes, the harder it is on barrels.

Hmmm... that's true.

[Daps]

ok now if only someone can tell me what does chromemoly mean, is that like a chrome knock off or something? I've seen some that say chome and then i see others that say chromemoly and want to know the difference

[epsylum]

ok now if only someone can tell me what does chromemoly mean, is that like a chrome knock off or something? I've seen some that say chome and then i see others that say chromemoly and want to know the difference

Chromoly is a type of steel. It has chromium and molybdenum in it. It is not a plating or coating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromoly

[12131]

ok now if only someone can tell me what does chromemoly mean, is that like a chrome knock off or something? I've seen some that say chome and then i see others that say chromemoly and want to know the difference
Here's a good read on barrels:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=756

[Daps]

Chromoly is a type of steel. It has chromium and molybdenum in it. It is not a plating or coating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromoly

Here's a good read on barrels:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=756

haha wikipedia has everything thanks guys for both links

[MrMurphy]

Actually, every Russian shoulder weapon made since the 1930s has had chrome lining/chamber I believe. All their submachine guns, assault rifles, and some machine guns. Same reason, they last longer under tough circumstances.

[PlasticGuy]

All things being equal, a chrome lined barrel will last longer than a non-chrome lined barrel. That is only one part of the equation though. Different types of steel, different types of rifling, different methods for cutting/hammer forging the rifling, different heat treatments, different calibers, different operational conditions, rate of fire, and dozens of other factors combine to determine barrel life.

AR's do tend to be more reliable with chrome lined barrels. Other weapons don't seem as dependant upon it. A prime example is the Sig 550 series that is standard issue in Switzerland, which has a reputation for having one of the most durable and accurate military barrels in the world but is not chrome lined. Most FAL's weren't chrome lined, and I've never seen an M14/M1a that has a military issue chrome lined barrel.

Chrome lining is not without a cost, also. Of course it literally costs more money, but you also do lose some accuracy. On a combat rifle the loss is not significant for most uses. On a DMR or sniper rifle, it can be.

[aaronrkelly]

I have a few ARs with chrome bore/barrel and a few without.....

I notice NO difference in function or reliability between any of them.

Maybe if I was a super squirrel ninja spec ops guy I would be able to tell the difference.

[Johnnyvegas]

I have a few ARs with chrome bore/barrel and a few without.....

I notice NO difference in function or reliability between any of them.

Maybe if I was a super squirrel ninja spec ops guy I would be able to tell the difference.


Maybe when the non lined barrels are shot out, and the chromed ones still shoot straight you'll "be able to tell the difference"...............Or not.


My $0.02

John

[RWBlue]

It depends on the type of environment or harsh conditions you put your weapon through. It's not specific to the AR... but there are things about the AR that make it worth chrome lining beside the corrosion resistance, as I noted. It is simply one factor among many.

Also, like stated above, many experts in the military/gov blamed the failures of the M16 in Vietnam in part and in some cases primarily because of the lack of corrosion resistance. There were no doubt other factors that contributed like the powder and lack of cleaning, etc... This is why the M16/M4 of today is chrome lined.

Very well put


But... why is this corrosion specific to AR rifles? Why isn't this the same problem with, say, a 1911 or a Glock?

It is not. The Russians Chrome like their rifles.

As far as the Glock or the 1911, you are looking at pistol cartridges. The increase in surface area of the case for a rifle increases the amount of pounds of needed for extraction. The Glock barrel is treated so as not to corrode. My 1911 has a stainless barrel so as not to corrode.

I will not say that a chrome lined barrel is essential for a AR. I mean if you only expect to punch paper, you should be able to get away with either.

As far as cleaning your gun everytime you go shooting, I don't clean my other guns every time I shoot them and I don't clean my AR every time. More guns are ruined from over cleaning than under cleaning.