BudsGunShop.com - Barrel question

Jerek - "chrome lined' barrels originated when the military was looking to increase barrel life on the M-16. They were trying to cut down a bit on having to change out barrels, which were being worn out from sustained automatic fire.. While the chrome lining has been shown to increase barrel life, it also detracts somewhat from accuracy, and is harder to clean than, for example, nitride bores. Seems the truth is, the vast majority of 'civilian' AR-15 owners will probably never wear out a nitrided barrel as (1) there is no sustained automatic fire and (2) most AR-15s don't get shot enough to wear out a barrel. Long range shooters, as a rule, avoid chrome lined barrels. An AR-15 barrel, in general, will last for 10,000, 15,000 or more rounds without accuracy dropping any significant amount, for us 'occasional range shooters' (which by far includes the vast majority of AR-15 owners). I have an AR with well over 10,000 rounds (of many types of ammo) through the tube, and it will is pretty much a 1.5 MOA shooter. The barrel is not chrome lined. That gun is about 10 years old. I think the 'chrome lined' factor is just over-hyped, and most of us will never shoot our ARs enough to matter. Personally, I'll opt in favor of the non-chromed barrels every time. Hope this helps.

My friends and I ( we compete heavily in Multi-Gun) change out our stainless steel, nitrided and 4150CMV barrels every year usually. I have a chrome lined AR that has seen 3 years of use and still has no erosion in the bore ahead of the chamber.
It comes down to how many rounds will you shoot during a course of fire. If it's 110 degrees (normal in Nevada and Arizona in July) and you shoot 2 to 3 magazines in rapid succession it will hurt the barrel. If you limit your shooting to casual shooting letting the barrel cool between 30 round magazines you should not have problems with a standard steel barrel. The "accuracy" problems associated with chromed barrels is a myth, but good chromed barrels cost $300. It's cheaper to make stainless and they are surprisingly accurate for a barrel under $100. Just get what you need for the conditions you'll subject the rifle to and be happy.

Jerek, "Chrome lined" is better for barrel longevity and standard barrels are usually better for accuracy.