Advantage to chrome lined barrels ?

[Othehumanity]

I am almost completely green in the carbine scene, and am looking to purchase my first rifle. I haven't decided yet on AR vs. AK, .223 vs 7.62 vs. .308, kit vs. complete rifle. One question I have, is what is the advantage to having a chrome lined barrel - I see this as an optional feature on many of the rifles I have looked at. Thanks!

 

[dfariswheel]

A hard chrome lined barrel lasts longer than an unlined barrel.
This is due to the chrome resisting bore and throat erosion better.

Since the hard chrome is so "slick" fouling doesn't stick to it as bad, and it's much easier to clean.

A chrome lined barrel resists rust and pitting far better.

About the only down side is that chrome lined barrels are not quite as accurate as unlined.
This is only a factor if you're shooting a Match or varmint rifle at long range and you need to squeeze out the last bit of accuracy.

The chrome lined barrel is so much more durable, long lasting, and has such ease of cleaning, that the military insists on it for service rifles.

In the AR or AK there's really no reason NOT to have it.

 

[Othehumanity]

^ Thanks, most helpful.

 

[MechAg94]

Good post. Can't add to that.

 

[Gary G23]

Another plus is reliability. A chrome lined chamber makes feeding and extraction more positive.

 

[Zak Smith]

As a rhetorical point, why care about throat erosion in a stainless or CM barrel if it's still more accurate than a chrome-lined barrel?

Chrome lining is highly over-rated IMO, with the exception of extended operations in wet environments, with no possible breaks for cleaning. In this case, other things like bolts, bolt carriers, lugs, etc, will need maintenance anyway.

 

[Eightball]

Chrome=you don't need to worry about cleaning as much. VERY HANDY if you're using mil-surp ammo, in case it would otherwise be corrosive.

Since I do, I indend to rebarrel many of my weapons with chrome-lined. Like my M1, for example.