"New" M16 Barrel doesn't look new

[sprocket3]

I just got my "New in the Wrap" Colt 20" M16 barrel in from a large vender today. The problem is I don't think it's actually new.

It came in a sealed blue bag and they stated clearly that It was a "New" never fired Colt replacement barrel. There is some rust and gunk in the barrel extension area. Also the front sight to handgaurd washer point is oily and worn to bare metal. Not sure on the bore as I don't have much to compare it to but it doesn't look "new" to me.

I'm not sure what these should look like when new, but thinking I didn't get what I paid for.

The same vender has "like new M16 parts kits with new Non-Colt replacement barrels." Something makes me think I might have one of these barrels and they did a mix and match to get the most of the guns they purchased.

I like the idea of the OEM Colt barrel for my new upper!

Any thoughts!

 

[Orlando]

Dont know about your barrel but the parts kits you are talking about came into this country without barrels. The barrels that are going with the kits are new " in the white " commercial barrels that must be parkerized.
Have a link to the vendor?
I would like to see how they describe the new barrels and the packaging.

 

[sprocket3]

Mine showed up in a blue sealed "Anit Corrosion VCI Packaging" plastic bag. Parts of it seem real nice and new, but the rust and gunk is odd given the sealed bag. Also the bore looks a little dirty.

 

[DMK]

There is some rust and gunk in the barrel extension area. Also the front sight to handgaurd washer point is oily and worn to bare metal. Not sure on the bore as I don't have much to compare it to but it doesn't look "new" to me.

Sound to me like a NOS (New Old Stock) barrel that has been sitting on a shelf for a decade or two. I've purchased a few surplus M16 barrels and they came just as you described.

The gunk inside that looks like dirt and rust sounds a lot like old cosmoline that has picked up a bunch of dust and grunge. Run a patch with some Hoppe's down the bore and brush out the chamber area with an old toothbrush soaked in the stuff. I've bought a few C&R guns that looked like they had rusty bores, but was relieved to find it was just dirty cosmoline.

The outside of the barrel extension area (the part that goes inside the receiver) does not always have a finish on it. Actually, I can't see how the finish would wear off that area anyway.


It's hard to get an idea of what you are describing exactly. Can you take a pic of it?

 

[husker]

do you feel it in the pit of your TUMMY?? DO YA??
I learned long ago the TUMMY is right 9 out of 10 times.
if you can exchange it or take it back. i sure as heck would.

 

[Orlando]

Before I would do anything I would clean it up as suggested. The dried preservative grease can look like rust

Just curiuos are these Colt A1 barrels? What is stamped on them?

 

[sprocket3]

The barrel is stamped: C MP CHROME BORE.

I was told 1/12 twist early M16.

I'll try cleaning it out. That stuff sure looks like rust. Wish I new what type of bag Colt used on these. The bag was sealed so I expected it real clean, not full of old gunk. Hard to say. The threads on the end of the barrel don't show wear.

 

[Tirod]

At a guess, I'll be corrected too, that stands for Colt, Magnetic Particle Inspected, and obviously, Chromed bore.

Regardless of the bag used, parts held in long term storage will rust. Ammo stored in vacuum sealed cans corrodes, and as my neighbors in Kansas know, if you bury a '57 Plymouth in a concrete vault sealed with lead and dig it up 40 years later, it could be filled with water.

It's the whole reason for an NRA grading system, no matter what you do, steel rusts. When it does, the government sells it. They don't have many 20" rifles in inventory any more, and certainly didn't need the barrel.

Clean it and shoot it. Don't forget to run the BCG wet to ensure good action. After about twenty years, look around the front site, flash hider, and where the barrel nut screws down tight. You'll find rust.

 

[IndianaBoy]

The barrel is stamped: C MP CHROME BORE.

That's a colt barrel. Clean it up. It will probably work flawlessly. Just don't feed a 1:12 twist any of the heavy bullet offerings.

 

[CA2005]

The rust is a no go, also, finish wear to that extent should not be on the barrel if it is indeed new. Storage wear usually results only in handling marks and slight rub marks in the finish.

I don't think you got a new barrel, and a refund/exchange is in order. The bore should not be dirty either. The barrels you described came in a clear white bag with a white label when new. Should also have a full length cardboard wick in the barrel.

 

[PT1911]

from Colt and all their infinite gun wisdom and top of the line, quality, better than all the rest products... I say nay... there is no way... oh wait...that's right, today's Colt is not the Colt of yesteryear. I am not surprised in the least.

 

[sprocket3]

Hard to say for sure. They stated that it had been around for 15 years or more. When did colt last make A1 profile 1/12 barrels though? It takes a .625 Gas Block.

NO Label though. No wick in barrel.

Also no wear on the front face of the barrel extension. I looked at my other AR and there is a bunch of wear there after only a few hundred rounds.

I looked on gunbroker this evening and found a few similar types of items for sale. I wonder if a bunch have hit the market for some reason. I was just looking for a nice quality 20" thin barrel.

I paid $265 for it!

 

[CA2005]

I don't know. If it passes on a bore erosion gauge it's ok for use. Just seems like a little too much wear and tear for a new barrel.

 

[Runningman]

I bought a new M16 barrel in the mid 1980s. The military was dumping 1 in 12 twist barrels because they were converting to 1 in 7 twist barrels. More than a few people at gun shows had military crates of M16 barrels back than.

I bought one from a guy at a gun show that had two crates of them. They were in a wooden crates and there was no bag on them. I never saw one M16 surplus barrel in a bag back than, when they were sitting in the crates. They sat in cut out saddles two deep seems like 8 or 10 in each layer. Other than the C MP Chrome Bore on the barrel there was no markings or tags on the barrel. They did have a wick in the barrel. All the marking including the date were on the crates.

Mine came from a crate dated 1973. Judging by the markings yours is from the same time frame. So it has been around about 35 years. Sounds like you got a NOS Colt barrel to me. Just clean it up and install it have fun.

Hard to say for sure. They stated that it had been around for 15 years or more. When did colt last make A1 profile 1/12 barrels though?

Around 1983 1984

 

[Orlando]

Guys he hasnt even cleaned the barrel yet, what wear? The wear could all be preservative grease. This stuff when it gets old and dry can and will look like rust and grime.
Clean the barrel then report back.
You have a original A1 Colt military barrel
I have seen them in silver VOC bags and with no wick

 

[sprocket3]

Barrel is clean now. Looks to be ok, but never really looked that close at one before. There is NO wear on the face of the barrel extension which makes me think it didn't ever get used now. Maybe just storage issues.

I don't have a bore gauge of any type but I would guess from looking in there that bore looks the same at the lands as it does down the tube.

I'm guessing it was one from the 70s that went around in a crate for some time. Then got placed into a bag.

Any similar quality thin 20" A1 style barrels out there for under $300? I still might just purchase a new one if I can find one that isn't a custom spendy item.

 

[Orlando]

They are hard to come buy. They come up occasionally on Gunbroker. You just dont see them usually from a online vendor

 

[MIL-DOT]

Two or three years ago, CDNN was selling "1970's manufactured Colt M16 upper assembly,found new in warehouse" for $369. (CTD also had them at the same time for $20 more).
I ordered the one from CDNN, and it arrived looking like it just rolled of the assembly line.
Can I ask you (the OP) what you paid and where it came from ?