Chrome lining in ARs?

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mb419

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I'm looking at getting an AR15 upper from Model 1 Sales and one of their options is a chrome lined chamber and bore. What are the benefits or drawbacks to chrome lining in the AR? Would it help with fouling problems from certain ammo, like Wolf?
 
If you want a reliable AR in combat get the chrome bore and chamber (somewhat self cleaning plus very easy to clean). This was one of the things they figured out early on in Nam.
 
The draw back is that it's expensive to do right and maintain equal accuracy to a less expensive carbon or stainless steel barrel.

The advantages are durability, reduced fouling, easier cleaning, easier extraction, and corrosion resistance.
 
As far as I'm aware, there are no drawbacks to chrome lining other than cost. A chromed bore is easier to clean and significantly more resistant to rust and wear than a standard steel bore.
 
The chrome makes it much easier to clean (I love my chrome in my Nova) and it can double the life of the barrel. Non-chromed barrels are supposed to be more accurate. It all depends on whether you are wanting an accuracy machine or a long lasting, easy to clean rifle.
 
Chrome-lining is

1: bad for accuracy

2: good for full auto weapons where heat dissipation is important

3: easier to clean, for weapons that see hundreds of rounds at a time, almost daily

With the amount of shooting any civilian is going to be doing, a chrome lined bore is not necessary. If you absolute have to have an exact replica of an M-16 and nothing less will do, go ahead spend the dough.
 
With the amount of shooting any civilian is going to be doing, a chrome lined bore is not necessary.
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who's amount of shooting are you basing that on? a security contractor in afghanistan, a civilian, could be shooting quite a bit, and will need it to work every day. a civilian who attends just about any carbine course offered is going to put thousands of rounds through it in less than a week. he will probably also need it.

im just going to assume your statement was based on your personal shooting habits.
 
"bad for accuracy" is relative, though. Rack grade M16s will shoot well into 2MOA easily. Probably better, in more capable hands than mine. In other words, the gun, even with chrome lining, is probably more accurate than the shooter.

Plus, the CL adds a bit of durability to the bore, in addition to ease of cleaning and corrosion resistance. So, I'll go the other way with it: unless you're building a truly precision rig, go ahead and get the CL.

Mike
 
There was a similar thread a couple of months back in which the pro-chrome folks were nearly laughed off the board as mall ninja wannabes. Ridiculous--especially considering that people spend literally thousands of dollars festooning their ARs with crap of truly dubious value. My ARs are not used for matches and I am happy to trade the $40 to genuinely increase the reliability of my guns for an imperceptible loss in accuracy.
 
My ARs are not used for matches and I am happy to trade the $40 to genuinely increase the reliability of my guns for an imperceptible loss in accuracy.
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My thoughts as well, plus easier to clean.
 
I seem to remember a review in American Rifleman of the Bushmaster AK
"Shortie" with a 14.5" chrome-lined barrel (and permanently pinned AK
muzzle brake) shooting sub-moa 10-shot groups.

Anyone have the original article and can quote it? How long and well is my
memory serving me this morning?
 
I digress. Just my opinion. I don't plan on doing any carbine courses or going in to the sandbox either.

If I was, a more durable barrel assembly would be neccesary.
 
Chrome lined barrels are easier to clean and last longer. It is also my understanding that a chromed chamber will add benefit in the reliability department. Unless you're buying a varmint/target rifle and want to squeeze the most accuracy out of it, chromed bore and chamber is a good option.
 
"the pro-chrome folks were nearly laughed off the board as mall ninja wannabes"

Remind me to never mention all of the shotguns I own with chrome-lined barrels. Somebody might accuse me of posing as a professional shotgunner or something.

My little RRA was a good deal (& a screaming deal by today's prices) nearly-NIB and happened to have chrome lining. I like it and the iron sights are pretty good for moderate ranges.

John
 
Remind me to never mention all of the shotguns I own with chrome-lined barrels. Somebody might accuse me of posing as a professional shotgunner or something.
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Good point. Also remind me not to mention my Makarov, Arcus and CZ-82 pistols, all of which have chrome-lined bores and were clearly not meant for full auto. Apparently the Bulgarian and Czech armies are full of mall ninjas as well.
 
I'm not sure which thread is being referenced, but the tendency of everyone in the firearms community is to adopt absolute positions. OMG, ARs are teh best! OMG, ARs suck and AKs can't fail! OMG, your barrel isn't chromed, your gun will rust and jam! OMG, your barrel is chromed! Your gun won't group and you're a mall ninja! It probably went something like that- a CL fanboy made a silly statement, and the CL haters jumped all over him, possibly to excess (or, possibly not).

CL is a nice feature. It has benefits and drawbacks, and for 99.9999% of civilian users, those differences (both ways) are really, really small.

Mike (I own ARs that are chromed, non-chromed, and stainless...guess what? They all work)
 
Did I misread that, or did you just say that chrome lining increases heat dissipation?
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I'd imagine chrome reduces the friction in the barrel and so decreases the heat created in the first place.
 
Good thing I found this thread. The AR that I'm saving for will be utilized for varmint sniping, therefore, it's bore will be... I still can't decide.:uhoh:
 
A chrome lined barrel might end up being more accurate in the long run than a non chrome lined barrel, depending on how many rounds have gone through each.
 
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