Chrome lined question
- Thread starter SNEAKS
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Z-Michigan
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All Bushmaster barrels are chrome-lined except for the 24" target barrels (whether stainless or chrome-moly) and the 20" "predator" rifle barrels (Chrome-moly). So by that alone I can tell you that you have a >99% chance it is chrome lined.
Otherwise, look at the chamber or bore very closely. There is a slight difference in color between chrome and a properly polished chrome-moly bore or chamber. Chrome is slightly whiter, bluer, and shinier. It's really hard to see unless you've looked at a lot of barrels of both types though. It will be most obvious if you look at the chamber from about a 60-70 degree angle with good but not excessive light.
Otherwise, look at the chamber or bore very closely. There is a slight difference in color between chrome and a properly polished chrome-moly bore or chamber. Chrome is slightly whiter, bluer, and shinier. It's really hard to see unless you've looked at a lot of barrels of both types though. It will be most obvious if you look at the chamber from about a 60-70 degree angle with good but not excessive light.
deadduck357
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Their DCM rifles/barrels are also not chrome lined.
Like said before look at chamber, also look at the muzzle. You can see the difference, chrome is bright and shiny, non-chromed will just be black. Check it with bore cleaned, kinda hard to tell if its dirty.
Like said before look at chamber, also look at the muzzle. You can see the difference, chrome is bright and shiny, non-chromed will just be black. Check it with bore cleaned, kinda hard to tell if its dirty.
Z-Michigan
Member
SNEAKS - I just managed to get 2+2=4. The tax-time promo government profile barrel. It's also a 1:7 twist barrel, right? I have the same thing. Those are chrome lined, based on both the marketing and the one I have in my possession.
It's very difficult to do chrome and Match grade. Chrome is done to add erosion resistance for the throat of the chamber, and some corrosion resistance to the barrel. To chrome, the barrel is rifled oversized and then plated back to dimension. It's not consistent, and usually results in a 2MOA barrel, which is government spec.
Button or hammerforge a barrel to Match specs, you get a 1/2 MOA barrel. Since it isn't going to shoot full auto or burst much, nothing is lost. Add nitriding, which converts the outer layer of molecules, and you get an extremely wear resistant surface that doesn't change any dimensions - a Match grade barrel becomes full auto resistant.
Depending on the type nitriding done, it can even allow carmakers to replace roller tappets for flat ones. It's that scuff and erosion resistant.
Chrome might be milspec for now, but what the heck, so is 5.56. There are better things out there. Considering the alternative methods and parts out there that are clearly superior, a milspec gun is actually getting to be cheap run of the mill. It gets the job done, it's no longer the ultimate standard, it's the list of minimum quality.
Button or hammerforge a barrel to Match specs, you get a 1/2 MOA barrel. Since it isn't going to shoot full auto or burst much, nothing is lost. Add nitriding, which converts the outer layer of molecules, and you get an extremely wear resistant surface that doesn't change any dimensions - a Match grade barrel becomes full auto resistant.
Depending on the type nitriding done, it can even allow carmakers to replace roller tappets for flat ones. It's that scuff and erosion resistant.
Chrome might be milspec for now, but what the heck, so is 5.56. There are better things out there. Considering the alternative methods and parts out there that are clearly superior, a milspec gun is actually getting to be cheap run of the mill. It gets the job done, it's no longer the ultimate standard, it's the list of minimum quality.
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