I think I know the answer to this, but I'd like confirmation. If an AR has a chrome barrel does that necessarily mean it also has a chrome chamber?

In other words, can one (barrel or chamber) be chromed without the other also being chromed?

Thanks in advance...

I don't think so.

I don't think so either, but I'm kinda curious. Reading on the net and looking at mfg's web pages I often see "chrome barrel" and "chrome barrel and chamber". I assume that most of my confusion comes from inexact writing, but I'd still kinda like to know for sure...

As I understand it, the problems that the M16 had early on in Viet Nam were solved by chrome plating the chamber.

I've never heard of a chromed barrel with a non-chromed chamber.


Also on a side note for those who own a true .223 gun that want to ream out the chamber to 5.56 they will likely ruin that chrome chamber.

They trick people with chromemoly and people see the chrome part and think it's chrome lined when it's not. If it says chrome lined the entire barrel and chamber should be completely chrome lined.


TS

I was told to get chrome lined and to be sure to find a rifle that was 5.56. Never know when the surplus 5.56 ammo will be cheaper.

Apparently it can now. I have no Earthly idea why since to chrome both the chamber and barrel would take the almost the same amount of chrome and zero more time, but I have been reading of barrels being offered with Chrome only barrels. Go figure?

Most are both and manufacturers are starting to change their literature to "chrome chamber and barrel". I"m not aware of any of the major gun brand manufacturers that do the mix.

Tj

Functionally, a chrome lined chamber and unlined bore would make more sense since the original reason was so the weapon would have fewer extraction problems. For length of barrel life it makes no sense to only line one and not the other.



TS

*scratches head*

Why would they do that? Are they planning in advance that you will ream it out? It would just seem easier just to make it the proper 5.56 NATO and chrome the whole thing.


Now I completely would understand why they might chrome only the chamber like TS said. On a specialty precision barrel that would make sense. It would be a really great feature on a stainless barrel. I would definitely pay the little extra for that option so I could be more vigorous about my chamber scrubbing.

That would be good.


TS

Hey you got me, makes no sense from an application standpoint but things aren't always sold on application only but manufacturing reasons and marketing.

Tj

Oh, I believe you. Mark 1 Calibrated Eyeball gets good data. I also get that products aren't always made based on best application. Manufacturers do things for strange reasons sometimes. I've been in manufacturing and heard some odd ducks proposed in my day. Marketers are even worse. They get ideas based on their own faulty logic with no field or manufacturing experience. Sadly, it is still considered a felony to cull marketing and sales types....


So you liked my idea, TS?

Me too! We should tell someone who makes ss barrels.


Chrome chambered precision bore unlined barrels would be really sweet!

A fast trip to Amelon for Microslick and you'd have a real tack driver barrel.