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Walter, So, Stainless Steel fouls less and is easier to clean. Due to less fouling and better finishes the Stainless barrel is up to 30% more accurate than its Chrome Moly counterpart as long as you are not continually firing the firearm and heating up the barrel. There are different quality of stainless steel barrel. 410, 416, and 416R. The main difference between 416R and standard 416 stainless steels is the addition of Molybdenum (which is present in 410 but not 416 stainless steels) and a lower sulfur content than 416 stainless steel (but still higher than 410 stainless steel). Steel barrels would be 4140 or 4150 steel. The 4150 has 10% more carbon in the steel making it harder. A popular example and perennial favorite in the U.S. is called SAE 4140 or 4150 chrome-molybdenum or "chrome-moly" steel. In Europe, vanadium and nickel-steel alloys are preferred. Most standard barrels are made with alloy steels, as they offer an excellent balance of strength and cost. As your collection of ARs grow you will have sporting rifles with stainless steel, 4140 and 4150 barrels. Stainless steel is softer and will be shot out faster after 10,000 to 20,000 rounds or less.

Walter, yes Sir it is. Stainless will be more durable and will have a longer overall service life no question. Stainless will last longer because it resists the erosion of the throat caused by the super hot burning powder. Notice that virtually all Match rifle barrels you see on the line are stainless. This isn't because stainless is more accurate, it's that the barrel retains it accuracy longer than a 4140 steel barrel.

you will get a lot of mixed opinions on which barrel is better in my opinion the Best quality stainless barrel is better that the 4140 steel barrel a "quality" stainless barrel will move your price point to at least double the price of a very good 4140 barrel. if cared for the 4140 barrel will last you a long time and is inexpensive to replace